Live-streaming has become the new way to stay entertained

While nothing compares to a live show, dedicated artists continue to flock to social media for live-streaming performances for their fans amidst social distancing practices.

Here’s a list of the best live-streaming shows and events to look forward to this weekend.

Elton John: Classic Concert Series

5.00pm from - 

The Elton John: Classic Concert Series features some of Elton's most monumental concerts throughout his career. From Friday 3rd July, the series will premiere with Live at the Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh from 1976 - available digitally for the first time ever only for 72 hours exclusively on YouTube.

The series is running in aid of the Elton John AIDS Foundation’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund. Viewers will be able to donate via YouTube whilst watching the show.

 

NextUp Comedy Festival: Andrew Maxwell

8.00pm Friday 3rd July via Zoom

The NextUp Comedy Festival hosts Channel 4's King of Comedy Andrew Maxwell. Grab a drink, sit back and relax at home for a virtual hour of top notch comedy. Renowned for his cutting edge comedy and social commentary, Maxwell has appeared on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and is a regular on comedy panel shows such as Mock the Week, QI and Have I Got News For You.

Tickets for the NextUp Comedy Festival are available to purcahse now from Eventbrite.

 

National Theatre at Home - Les Blancs

While the National Theatre remains closed, the show must go on with the National Theatre at Home series. This week, Lorraine Hansberry's brave and illuminating 'Les Blancs' takes centre stage. An African country teeters on the edge of civil war. A society prepares to drive out its colonial present and claim an independent future. Tshembe, returned home from England for his father’s funeral, finds himself in the eye of the storm.

The show can be viewed for free online via the National Theatre YouTube channel.

 

Royal Albert Home - Nicola Benedetti

7:30pm Saturday 4th July 2020

While the renowned Royal Albert Hall have closed their doors until further notice, the show goes on with live streamed gigs as part of Royal Albert Home.  This week's gig features one the the most sought-after violinists of their generation - Nicola Benedetti. She has played the Hall on numerous occasions, including the 2012 Last Night of the Proms as well as two headline concerts.

You can watch this exclusive performance live on the Royal Albert Home website on Saturday evening. Check out songstress Martha Wainwright's full performance from last week's #RoyalAlbertHome session below.

 

 

Hot Press Lockdown Sessions – Young and Emerging

Friday 3rd July: Áine

Sunday 5th July: Roisin El Cherif

The Hot Press Lockdown Young and Emerging Series see's forty young and emerging acts join Hot Press on Instagram for a special live performance.. The Series aims to support this remarkable new music generation by delivering 40 paid gigs to 40 acts over 40 days. This weekend, check out two exclusive live performances from Áine and Roisin El Cherif.

The concerts will be broadcast on the Hot Press Instagram page.