Times are tough right now, and if you were planning to start spring with a concert, you’re probably feeling blue. To help you turn that frown upside down, here are some amazing performances from Amsterdam’s past to keep you entertained until it’s safe to squeeze into the front row again.

Armin van Buuren – Live at Amsterdam Music Festival 2015

Crank up the volume and flicker the living room lights for a strobe effect when you listen to this performance from Armin van Buuren, DJ, record producer and god of trance. Beats drop, fists pump and the audience goes wild for a local boy made good. What more can you ask for?

Marvin Gaye – Live in Amsterdam 1976

Sometimes, only the smooth and sensual stylings of Marvin Gaye will get you through the night. In this concert recording from the 70s, he wears a green satin suit with a candy-striped blazer, like some sort of cosmic ice cream man, and delivers the classics with style. Let’s get it on indeed.

Metallica – Live in Amsterdam

Need some pounding drums and shredding guitars to relieve your pent-up rage from being stuck indoors? Ride the lightning, master the puppets, load and reload with this recording of Metallica at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in 2019. They might be getting older, but these guys still know how to rock.

Star Wars in Het Concertgebouw

Escape to a galaxy far, far away with this thrilling performance of the music from Star Wars by the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra. Since the musicians are wearing tuxedos, this counts as highbrow, intellectual fare, but of course, you’re still allowed to re-enact a lightsaber battle using an old mop.

Wu Tang Clan – Live in Amsterdam

Your momma was right: when life gives you lemons, listen to the Wu Tang Clan. Filmed in 1997, this recording opens with Method Man standing along a canal and delivering a weather forecast (grey and cold, no surprise there). After that, it’s vinyl scratching, hip hop freestyling and all the NYC attitude you can handle.

Also, check out the Melkweg website. Every day, the team at this beloved venue is sharing concert recordings, music documentaries, articles, playlists and films to help pass the time.

For more great events in Amsterdam check out I amsterdam's Weekend Guide.