Trending Now - Discover Thousands of Rare Concert Recordings Now Available Online

WHO:

Kottke - Aadam Jacobs is a Chicago-based music superfan who has been recording concerts since the 1980s.

TechCrunch - Aadam Jacobs has amassed an archive of over 10,000 concert tapes.

WHAT:

Kottke - The Aadam Jacobs Collection features recordings of live music shows from artists like Nirvana, R.E.M., The Pixies, Björk, Depeche Mode, Liz Phair, Sonic Youth, The Cure, Phish, and Fugazi.

Kottke - The collection includes early performances from alternative and experimental artists and a 1988 concert by Boogie Down Productions.

Kottke - A previously uncirculated 1990 show by Phish is included in the collection.

Kottke - The collection is being made available for streaming and free download at the Internet Archive.

WHERE:

Kottke - The recordings are being archived on the Internet Archive, a nonprofit online repository.

WHEN:

Kottke - Aadam Jacobs has been recording concerts since 1984.

Kottke - The collection features concerts from the 1980s through the early 2000s.

WHY:

Kottke - The collection serves as a treasure trove for music lovers, particularly fans of indie and punk rock.

HOW:

Kottke - The audio from Jacobs' cassette recorder has been cleaned up for better quality in the recordings.

(UPDATED April 14, 2026 19:26 UTC)

Aadam Jacobs, a Chicago-based music superfan, has been recording concerts since 1984 and has now amassed an impressive archive of over 10,000 concert tapes. His collection features live performances from iconic artists like Nirvana, R.E.M., and Björk, and includes a previously uncirculated 1990 show by Phish, all of which are now available for streaming and free download at the Internet Archive. The audio from Jacobs' cassette recorder has been cleaned up for better quality, making this collection a treasure trove for music lovers, especially fans of indie and punk rock.