Watch: Rage Against the Machine’s Full Woodstock ’99 Concert Now Available
Rage Against the Machine’s complete performance from Woodstock ’99 has reemerged online, giving fans a chance to take in the full scope of one of the band’s most intense and politically charged sets. The video, recently uploaded by a third-party YouTube channel, runs just under an hour and captures the band in peak form during the notoriously chaotic festival.
The set opens with “No Shelter” and moves through a relentless barrage of Rage staples including “Bulls on Parade,” “Know Your Enemy,” “Vietnow,” and a powerful cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “The Ghost of Tom Joad.” It ends with an incendiary performance of “Killing in the Name” punctuated by the band’s dramatic burning of an American flag on stage.
One detail bassists will appreciate is that Tim Commerford is seen playing a Fender Jazz Bass for the entire set. While known for his custom instruments and work with Music Man this performance features him locking in with Brad Wilk on a J-bass and delivering the signature tone and punch that helped define the band’s sound.
Woodstock ’99 has gone down in history for all the wrong reasons but Rage’s set still stands as one of the weekend’s most commanding and purposeful moments. The newly surfaced video offers a rare full-length glimpse at a band pushing their message and music to the edge.
Here is a favorite if you dont have time for the full concert.
No Treble CEO Jody Miller is a Chicago-based bassist, guitarist, engineer, and producer best known for his bass gear demo videos and as the co-host of The Bass Nerds podcast.