Here’s a quick one, since I’m gonna be on the road tomorrow. This week we’ll be taking a look at best concert scenes cinema has to offer. Concert films, biopics, real bands and documentaries don’t count, no reality here!
10. Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi – The Max Rebo Band
Wikipedia! This little gem surprised moviegoers everywhere when George Lucas elaborated on a musical scene in Jaba’s palace in the special edition cut of Return of the Jedi. Was it a good addition? Probably not. Do people like it? Not really, Tom Bissell described it as the “most unspeakable sequence in all the films, almost too depressing to discuss at any length.” Is it impossible to forget? Hell yes. Plus, come on, little blue elephant piano guy.
9. Revenge of the Nerds – Concert Scene
YouTube! Remember this? The Lambda Lambda Lambda boys put on that concert at the end of the movie that’s all technological and whatnot.
8. School of Rock – Final Concert
Couldn’t find a YouTube of this either. After months of hard work and scandal, Jack Black and his class take the stage to show everyone what rock and roll is all about. Yeah, it’s pretty cool.
7. That Thing You Do! – The Talent Show
YouTube! The first time we hear the up-tempo version of the Oneders’ hit song is a pretty exciting moment. It’s pretty fun to watch the band panic when the drums start, then quickly adapt to it. Good times.
6. O Brother Where Art Thou? “I am a Man of Constant Sorrow”
YouTube! The crowd totally makes this scene. That and watchin’ George Clooney dance. Sure it’s not really him singing, but really, who cares?
5. The Blues Brothers – “Rawhide”
Just the name of the venue, Bob’s Country Bunker, is funny. Couple the angry, drunk audience with the cool Blues Brothers and you’ve got one of the most memorable scenes from that classic.
4. High Fidelity – “Let’s Get It On”
YouTube! Jack Black had been funny leading up to this scene from the great High Fidelity, but going into this concert we didn’t really know what to expect. There was always the chance he was gonna be laughably bad. But guess what, he kicked ass, just like this scene.
3. A Mighty Wind – “There’s a Kiss at the End of the Rainbow”
YouTube! Maybe not a funny scene, there was a lot of buildup to Mitch and Micky’s big reunion performance. What we get is a touching little song. Nice work, you two.
2. Spinal Tap – “Stonehenge”
YouTube! Yes! The funniest scene from the immortal Spinal Tap never fails to generate laughs. If you haven’t seen it yet, I’m really sorry. But how can you top Stonehenge nearly being stomped out by a leprechaun?
1. Back to the Future – “Johnny B. Goode”
YouTube! Silly Marty. You weren’t supposed to change anything in the past, and there you go, inventing rock and roll at some high school dance. You schmuck. Again, it’s lip synced, but who cares? It’s great.