Despite the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge sitting empty in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the online Live Lounge performance that was released in April 2020 was more packed with musicians than any Live Lounge performance had ever been before. To make up for the lack of musical events taking place as the lockdown took hold, Radio 1 gathered together an enormous number of iconic musicians to collaborate in a performance of Foo Fighters’ ‘Times Like These’ that Music Man readers will adore.
The rendition of the song included contributions from over 24 bands or artists, including the Foo Fighters themselves. They were joined by the likes of Biffy Clyro, Dua Lipa, Hailee Steinfeld, and YUNGBLUD, with the artists all providing music and video footage recorded at home in the midst of the lockdown. Fans were amazed at how seamlessly their individual contributions were stitched together, one viewer commenting, “Hell of a compliment to the sound engineer who has put this together.”
In a world that feels as though it has become increasingly more divided, it feels powerful to return to this kind of video. It serves as a reminder of how people came together at the start of the pandemic to collaborate. I remember watching many online festivals and concerts by my favorite artists at the time, and it helped me feel less alone despite still being stuck at home. With so many beloved artists on board, the Live Lounge session is sure to have provided this for many music fans.
The sense of togetherness didn’t stop in 2020, and Radio 1 carried this through to 2021, when the lockdowns began to lift. In order to celebrate the return of the night out, they hosted the completely free Out Out! Live event, once again bringing together a number of the musicians who performed at the event to sing a live rendition of ‘Times Like These.’ This time, instead of the touching comfort of the first Live Lounge cover, this rendition was underpinned with hope and optimism.
We know that, for many of our Music Man readers, music is about more than just entertainment. It is a way of celebrating the good times, finding comfort in the bad, and coming together to share those feelings with others. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, that sense of solidarity prevailed, and it truly shone through musical events like the Stay Home Live Lounge session. While for many, that feeling of solidarity may have dissipated with the return to day-to-day life, these recordings serve as a poignant reminder, even now, of how music can bring people together to inspire hope, optimism, and comfort.
The BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge performance stands as a testament to the power of music to unite and uplift, even in isolation. With contributions from artists like Foo Fighters, Dua Lipa, and more, it’s a must-see for any music fan. Relive the magic and discover more about this incredible collaboration by exploring the links below.