I’m going to start off by saying, don’t get this genre of film confused with the well known and loved biopic. They tell the music journey and success story of the artist, whereas the concert film is a professionally recorded show the artist put on before with the intention of putting it in cinemas, but why?

Is this to gain a wider audience or to make the show more accessible?  

With the current cost of living crisis that doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, concerts are not financially viable for many people. not only are ticket prices expensive but there’s the ever-rising cost of travel, merchandise, food and hotels making what should be a fun night out a financial burden.  

A cinema is a much more highly accessible venue for many reasons but the outstanding factor being ticket prices. From personal experience, the average cost for a concert ticket held in an arena is around £60 compared to a cinema ticket that is around £10.

Whilst you aren’t physically seeing the artist in real time, cinema is a considerably cheaper option, which definitely pulls you into opting for this viewing experience.  

And it’s not only is money. Accessibility is a factor as well as not everyone is as physically abled as each other and although they may try, big corporate venues like arenas aren’t always the best at being inclusive. I have heard countless horror stories of differently abled people attending concerts where they have felt neglected or discriminated against due to not being accommodated for, but I can’t say I have heard any of these about a cinema.  

One of my personal favourite things about going to music events is meeting other people with the same interests and how these shows bring so many different people together. I have met many people who are only a short train ride away who have become my closest friends, and we wouldn’t have known each other if it wasn’t for how accessible music is becoming.  

Not only is this form of viewing great for friends but also for family as well. I have taken family members along with me to many concert films whether they are familiar with the artist or not. This allows them to experience the music how it was intended to be listened to and watched from the artist but at a considerably cheaper price, as well as some good bonding time.  

The first concert film I ever saw was Billie Eilish’s Live at the O2 (Extended Cut) which was the fully recorded version of one of the shows she put on in London for the Happier Than Ever tour in 2023 that I was lucky enough to attend. For many, seeing the same show twice would be a silly idea but for me, music is the most important thing in the world and I love to do anything I can to appreciate it so to be able to rewatch and relive a show I saw was an experience I never thought I would be able to do but all of a sudden it had become possible.  

Viewing Chase Atlantic’s Lost in Heaven (Live in London at the O2 Arena) was incredible. Like the prior, I did go and watch this show in London with my sister and to be able to experience it again with a better view of the stage and a greater sound system was great. Through the film we got to see some of the behind the scenes of what happens at a show with clips from soundcheck and the band backstage, so it was really interesting being able to take a closer look.

My all-time favourite concert film I have attended was Bring Me the Horizon’s L.I.V.E in Sau Paulo. Being sat in a sold-out cinema knowing there was so many fans of the music locally that I was so unaware of was a great feeling, knowing that we were all there because we love and appreciate the same thing. This was a recording of the bands biggest show they had ever put on but was in Sau Paulo and like many people, a trip there was completely out of the question so to be able to experience it as if I was really there was unimaginable.

If it wasn’t already obvious, I love music and concerts, but I also love a concert film. If you have watched one yourself, you will know that the feeling of seeing a show on the big screen is immense and there is nothing like the joy you get from it as it brings so many people together.  

If you haven’t yet watched a concert film, I’d recommend you keep your eyes peeled for the next one and take a trip with a friend!