We admire the individuals who compose and perform music. We admire the way their fingers sweep on fretboards, their delicate gestures, and the way they close their eyes when they exhale the last of their oxygen from the depths of their lungs. Along with all the beauty we see, we are overwhelmed and enthralled with the sound itself. This is why we enjoy going to concerts. We are visual individuals.
Unfortunately, we do not all have the luxury of seeing a live show a few times a week, so we turn to YouTube for rescue. YouTube is a global platform for all kinds of professional and home videos. YouTube has gained a lot of fame for being the home of live music videos and music discovery. So where exactly can we find this music? As an avid music video YouTube viewer, I have built a repertoire for finding new music. In no particular rank, here are a few channels with genre variety where you can start!
1. KEXP
KEXP is a nonprofit online and on-air music radio station in Seattle, Washington. The YouTube channel itself has reached over 900,000 subscribers, providing its viewers a variety of artists and bands from all kinds of genres such as Alabama Shakes, FKA Twigs, Father John Misty, Grimes, and more!
2. NPR MUSIC TINY DESK CONCERT
A Tiny Desk concert is exactly what it sounds like. Artists are recorded live at the desk of All Songs Considered, a music branch of NPR. You can expect a diverse selection of music, as NPR tiny desk holds no preferences for certain genres, just good music! Whether you're into playful folky tunes like Andrew Bird, or an intimate and raw performance by T-Pain, NPR tiny desk is the channel to indulge in live music goodness!
3. AUDIOTREE
Audiotree strongly advocates for raw live performances with no post production. The creators claim to be merely videographers. And so, talent indeed comes naturally.
4. SOFAR SOUNDS
If you want to go more in depth into new music discovery, consider SOFAR Sounds. This music community hosts intimate and secret performances from all over the world. These videos transcend the essence of intimacy from the secret room right to you from your computer screen.
5. OUT OF TOWN FILMS
Out of Town Films is a channel created by a group of friends based in Philadelphia.
6. LA BLOGOTHEQUE
Want to be taken abroad for three to four minutes of your life time? Paris, Manhattan, San Francisco? These sessions provide live intimate performances of artists performing and roaming the streets of various locations in the world. It is no wonder they call these sessions “A Take Away Show.”
7. THE WILD HONEY PIE
The Wild Honey Pie almost always takes a creative spin to the live performances they feature. Catch your favorite artists being goofy and having fun while playing their tunes.
8. MAHOGANY SESSIONS
This channel heavily focuses on singer songwriter folk and blues music though does not limit music to just that. The majority of these performances bring unplugged, sweet, sweet acoustic music to your ears!
9. KCRW
KCRW is a public radio station located in Los Angeles, California. Their channel provides featured artists’ in-studio performances.
10. WORLD CAFE
Branching from NPR is World Cafe sessions. This two hour public radio show features a variety of genres such as rock, indie rock, folk, and alternative country. Find live performances here by Margaret Glaspy, Mitski, and Violent Femmes among many more!
11. PASTE MAGAZINE
Fred Armisen coined it, this channel is "It's like a little sign of cool." The channel features artists like Fleet Foxes, Deerhunter, The Mountain Goats, and My Morning Jacket in either small sessions or concert performances.
12. CARDINAL SESSIONS
Originally based in Germany, Cardinal sessions now holds acoustic sessions all over the world.
These are only some channels among many more for music discovery! What are some of your favorite YouTube music channels? Leave a comment and let me know! Listen on!
