Guns N' Roses, Radiohead and Tom Waits covered in Live From Home performances

By Rob Laing
published

Touring artists including Ben Gibbard, Brian Fallon and Norah Jones record after being stuck at home due to coronavirus

(Image credit: Future / Olly Curtis)

When radio show Live From Here host and celebrated Americana musician Chris Thile started a new new digital series called Live From Home last week in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Musicians are encouraged to film themselves playing songs at home and so far the response has been overwhelming.

“We’re inside and not out there making music,” Thile explained in the launch video as he filmed in a closet at home. “So we thought we’d make music in here.”

Thile kicked things off with a cover of Wilco's Radio Cure from their 2002 album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and musicians wasted no time in responding. We've collected some of the best cover versions by the likes of Brian Fallon, Ben Gibbard and Norah Jones. 

Chris Thile plays Wilco's Radio Cure

Brian Fallon plays Counting Crows' Round Here 

As many of us are staying indoors, I’ve been asked to play the Live from Home Stage. Here’s a little cover of one of my favorite songs, Round Here by the Counting Crows. Due to cancellations, many artists may not have a stable income stream. If you want to support your favorite independent artist you can - by buying music and merch directly from them. I would also like to invite @scarrisonwhitford @leralynn and @thelobbyistsnyc to do their own videos for Live From Home Stage. You can also share your own music live from your home - use #LivefromHome and tag @livefromhereapm so they can reshare your work! Stay healthy and safe everybody! Brian Fallon

A photo posted by @thebrianfallon on Mar 18, 2020 at 7:10am PDT

Norah Jones plays Guns 'N Roses's Patience 

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Ben Gibbard plays Radiohead's Fake Plastic Trees 

Maddison Cunningham plays Willie Nelson's Hands On The Wheel 

Rachael Price and Taylor Ashton play Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time 

Hey y'all! @livefromhereapm had the wonderful idea to start a series called #livefromhome. @christhile has kicked this off as way to create a digital space for your live music yearnings! Here's a little Cyndi Lauper from the comfort of my home with @taylrashtn. I nominate @emilykingmusic, @theokatzman, and @akiebermiss to carry the torch and create exponential #livefromhome growth! Because of cancellations and closures, many performers income streams have become unstable! PLEASE consider donating to a musicians fund or going to directly to the source- buy some merch, stream their music non stop, help them out! #livefromhome #livefromhere #emilyking #akiebermiss #theokatzman Rachael Price

A photo posted by @rachaelpricepants on Mar 15, 2020 at 4:39pm PDT

Adam Lazzara (Taking Back Sunday) plays Post Malone's Sunflower 

Everything is strange and a bit scary right now. Here’s to spreading some love around... More to come... #livefromhome @postmalone @thejohnnolan @adamdamnlazzara @shaunwcooper @markoconnelltbs Taking Back Sunday

A photo posted by @takingbacksunday on Mar 18, 2020 at 10:35am PDT

Sarah Jarosz plays James McMurtry's Childish Things

@livefromhereapm is now #livefromhome! I’m challenging @sarawatkins, @aoifemaria, & @mrslev & @johnleventhal to sing some songs for us. Side note - if you’re watching and you have the means, please donate to @communityfoundationmidtn in light of our benefit show being canceled. (P.S. yes I’m wearing my slippers in this video, duh.) Sarah Jarosz

A photo posted by @sarahjarosz on Mar 15, 2020 at 4:26pm PDT

Katie Cole (also Smashing Pumpkins touring member) plays Sturgill Simpson's All Around You 

Andrew Bird plays Strangers by The Kinks 

Here’s “Strangers” by the Kinks for the Live From Home series from @christhile & @livefromhereapm. Thanks to @madicunningham for challenging me to join and in turn, I’d like call upon some artists I like, @blakemills, @mrjohnathanrice & @thehandsomefamily #livefromhome Andrew Bird

A photo posted by @andrewbirdmusic on Mar 18, 2020 at 11:21am PDT

Taylor Ashton plays Hold On by Tom Waits 

One of my favorite songs, coming to you #LiveFromHome ( cc: @livefromhereapm ) sending this out to anybody who's feelin stir-crazy or scared. I hope you're washing your hands a lot, practicing social distancing to the fullest extent you are able to, and beyond that, doing whatever it is that makes you feel good as we ride this thing out together. Sending lots of love, especially to the folks working in healthcare and grocery stores! Shirt by @tothtunes / guitar by @waterlooguitars / hair by can somebody teach me to cut my own hair over Skype Taylor Ashton

A photo posted by @taylrashtn on Mar 18, 2020 at 10:05am PDT

Kimberly Townsend plays These Magic Moments by The Drifters 

52 WEEKS || 52 COVERS Song 11 of 52 • This Magic Moment ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ i meaaan. it’s a strange time to be living in nyc. it’s a strange time to be watching the news. it’s a strange time to be a human being minding your own business anywhere on this globe, y’know? sending my love out to you and your family and friends and your town and city and country and living room. maybe this song can help you take a 2.5 minute break from the #coronavirus updates everywhere you turn. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ i was lucky to get to sing this song for @2her & @alyt0o’s first dance as wife & wife. 🥂💛✨ and now i get to sing it for you! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ thank you to #BenEKing and #TheDrifters for creating solid gold. composed by lyricist #DocPomus + pianist #MortShuman. 🔗 link in bio. 🔗 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ▶️🔔 subscribe on YouTube to be the first to hear. new upload every Friday in 2020. just search Kimberly Townsend. 🎶 Kimberly Townsend

A photo posted by @kimblyy on Mar 13, 2020 at 5:20pm PDT

Rob Laing
Rob Laing
Guitars Editor, MusicRadar

I'm the Guitars Editor for MusicRadar, handling news, reviews, features, tuition, advice for the strings side of the site and everything in between. Before MusicRadar I worked on guitar magazines for 15 years, including Editor of Total Guitar in the UK. When I'm not rejigging pedalboards I'm usually thinking about rejigging pedalboards.