Cocteau Twins - Musette and Drums - Full version, Live 1983

This performance by Cocteau Twins was recorded live on TV in the UK in late 1983. (They played "From the Flagstones" too, which I may upload later). This rendition of Musette & Drums was their best-ever TV performance, in my opinion. The band were at their best creatively too. There's a couple of small sound drop-outs, but those were on the original TV broadcast, so there's nothing I can do :-(

[@luigilorusso9744]

It is very difficult to describe the emotions that feel every fan of cocteau if they hear Mussette and drums

[@barrydougan4859]

The blonde guy in the blue top is having no difficulty expressing his emotions.😊

[@rpmacmurphy5133]

Yes. Love a guitarist who just does it without posing.

[@JohnAdrenochrome]

I will try to get time to upload more Cocteaus. In 84 I got Liz Fraser's autograph. On the piece of paper, she'd written just the word "Scribble". When asked why, she replied, "Well, that's what all autographs look like anyway".

[@manuelbranco173]

I want this played at my funeral

[@nataliabastias4767]

Liz is my all-time platonic crush. She's pure magic. How can anyone not fall in love with her?

[@Shannmeister]

Anyone who can't must have no soul.

[@nataliabastias4767]

Indeed.

[@Shannmeister]

You have to feel sorry for them.

[@nataliabastias4767]

Yes. I pity them all!

[@manuelbranco173]

totally!

[@999klondike]

Their sound has really never been equaled since or after.

[@Kazilikaya]

There was a band very similar to them: The Passions

[@sriramaha]

I love Liz’s “angelbabble”. Who knows what she is singing...it doesn’t matter. It sounds divine..

[@khorrumg]

Truly a gem.....this was truly what the Gothic genre was about, a passing fad/youth culture , which came out of Post Punk......the Cocteau's were one of its finest exponents, the lush indecipherable voice of Liz Fraser, amid the thunderous echoes of the drum machine and glistening guitar arpeggios ......the music of my youth, forever!

[@JohnAdrenochrome]

Very well put! I agree 100%

[@SpikeWorsley]

They had it all - a Robert Smith look-alike (who happened to write the most achingly beautiful guitar parts), a wordsmith with the most angelic voice imaginable, and a bassist who actually strummed. Oh, and a tape machine; but who cared, they are uniquely great in the history of music, and not too many bands can claim that without being intensely disliked!!!!

[@georgetzimas1541]

Very well put, very well put indeed.

[@daedrmr2dae]

I can't think of any other vocalist as unique and talented as Fraser. I love her split-octave sound, and haven't seen anyone else do it.

[@evrenthesinister]

daedrmr2dae so Lisa Gerrad

[@treetop2531]

Yeah, check put dead can dance, some pretty amazing and unique stuff!

[@valgardgunnarsson1311]

I agree mostly . Try Lisa Gerrard

[@CraigMarcussen]

That guitar work at the end gets me every time. The studio version of the track is nothing short of astounding.

[@geoffreylaxton]

I saw the Cocteau Twins three times in Toronto.. will always love this band.. When they played, I became overcome with emotion..

[@scottherrmann1358]

One of the best sounds ever to come from a guitar! Robin is a true innovator. And with Elizabeth they truly matched each other so well. I miss that sound from 81-86.

[@azluan]

2:29 - 3:18 is one of my top favorite moments in music ever, I will never forget it, even Liz is clearly enraptured at that moment. This is religious music, I don't know how anyone would dance to it.

[@mickyday2008]

AzizAli It’s great but grow up

[@azluan]

@@mickyday2008 I mean it is spiritual music, dancing to it should be ecstatic (similar to Liz) not the way the doped and sloppy audience are. Your remark is uncalled for.

[@JohnAdrenochrome]

@AzizAli ...I know that you mean, Liz was a very intense performer Live in these early days. She was wasn't a natural performer though and would get incredbibly nervous.

[@biggtom1999]

Still playing this at in 2017 @ 52.. just as i watched it when 18 in 1983

[@dtenorio89]

Rochel Boniel I discovered them like four years ago and I absolutely love them

[@JohnAdrenochrome]

You must be a similar age to me. They were unlike anyone else at the time. I'm not sure where they got their unique sound from, but it's amazing!

[@ronnievincent8316]

Snap, me too. Its brilliant to see this performance again. I saw Liz perform with Massive Attack this year. Never thought I would see her sing live again. I saw the Cocteau Twins live in Dublin in 1986, one of the best live performances I have ever had the pleasure to attend.

[@sootyfoot]

I feel sorry for young folks who don't have bands like this to follow anymore!

[@martinkerr8251]

looking so young but what a sound. liz still remains as the best female vocalist and CT only understood by a few.

[@stevendhanjal3679]

I totally agree..

[@Maya_k]

favorite song by them right now 😍😍😍 especially that guitar bit at the end oh my goddd 😍😍😍😍

[@xhkpw]

Yeah this song is fantastic. Glad to see others digging it also.

[@darkzael1793]

I'm in love with that guitar it sounds sounds so melancholic and dark at the same time...

[@jackmanoffical]

that dude is going straight HAM crowdsurfing

[@altclut]

I watched this on the night it went out - I was so angry because the music cut out at crucial points (someone in the audience stood on the cable!). They WERE the greatest band ever! The greatest psychedelic band - forget Pink Floyd and Hawkwind - with the possible exception of The Incredible String Band! Along with Donovan, Scotland had psychedelia covered!

[@emile235]

Scotland and Britain blow my mind, Such world shattering innovation in such a small place

[@MultiBRIST]

LEAVES ME BREATHLESS EVERY TIME I HEAR THIS GROUP ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL .

[@sonuvabix]

Thumbs up. Anyone who makes reference to Guthrie's genius sweeping arpeggio guitar line in this song has my respect. I absolutely love how the arpeggio line hits you like a brick when it comes back in after the breakdown at 2:50. Definitely, one of the highest emotional points for me in any song ever made.

[@stevemckenna2401]

This band still sends shivers down my spine. Music like no other. Beautiful singer in every way. Please can I be transported back in time to the 80’s?!!!!

[@Greatricardo5244]

If your going back to the 80s give me a lift.

[@sdwolfcub]

They were just a dynamite band with a powerful feel to them. I'll always miss them.

[@itsmedunc1]

They make me smile. Everything they play is so ahead of its time but unrepeatable. An absolute point in time. Love them I do....

[@4MedievalCeltic]

11 people have a really problem in their brains... Cocteau Twins is the best band in the world anybody can't compare :D

[@thelilblackduck]

it's just unbelievably beautiful music...

[@soydarks.1927]

Absolutamente maravilhoso.

[@drewsmilitia]

Bought Garlands in Glasgow the week it was released. Have been listening to the Cocteaus ever since. Have never understood a word Liz sang but it always made perfect sense.

[@khorrumg]

I had this recorded on VCR once.....amny..many years back....I love the song....the melody is so, so melancholic...the chord changes in the song are so awe inspiring....its like...like the leaves on the trees still dripping after autumnal/winter rain...it reminds of England!!! Classic song

[@IAmFat1968]

I love Liz soo much, her voice is like a piece of crystal, and she's really beautiful

[@andybarton67]

I was at this show and saw them twice at the Royal Festival Hall in 84 and 85. Liz Frasers voice is one of the most diverse and fantastic I've ever heard. Although I do think that Song To The Siren and Another Day bring out the best of her.

[@mickyday2008]

andybarton67 Me too

[@brad42948]

Rarely does a band that has such deeply obvious influences create something so unique in itself. Brilliant.

[@ordnajelAoneuB]

Elegance... pure ELEGANCE.

[@rachfatcat]

One of my all time favourite songs, from a truly unique band - they have never been equalled and never will be!

[@tomjr839]

There are so many great Cocteau Twins songs, Violaine, 50-50 Clown, Lorelei, and others. They were so unique. I loved them and miss them everyday

[@modernidiot9124]

I was an acne riddled teenager when I saw this, amazed that my hometown had this band giving us this.

[@santiago.sierra5186]

what a voice, I don't know how to explain what liz's voice makes me feel, I can't believe I'll never be able to listen to her live.

[@JohnAdrenochrome]

Never say never!

[@rienesnothing]

Gracias Cocteau Twins... por todas las lagrimas que son tu patrimonio.

[@LouiseJoAnneGriffiths]

OMFG...no words can express the pure eargasmic sound. I 🖤❤️🖤 Liz to bits. CT will always be the greatest.

[@ninebutterflies]

This is such a magical clip! I love how in those days it was just the two of them and the tape machine rolling. One of my favorite Cocteaus songs -- LOVE the Head Over Heels album!!

[@mmimtc]

Most def one of my fave songs ever

[@SepticUnderground]

One of my all-time favourites! Many thanks

[@Snwman_]

What a great TV show 'The Tube' was. I was 19 back then and I'm so glad I was around during the days of Channel 4's 'The Tube' and the BBC's 'Old Grey Whistle Test'. So many great bands and fantastically brilliant performances..

[@nopants4259]

My god !! that actually made me cry!

[@zoomletta]

Cobweb covered romance. Glorious.

[@callmehuman]

Love that.

[@crescentsi]

Guthrie is (more accurately was) a major influence on musicians from all areas of music. Yep! Frazer not on her best form, but I can forgive her that because, when at her best she was utterly inspiring. The guitar solo here is a shortened version, but is musically important. I am now an artist and writer, but peviously I was a musician and after exploring jazz, experlmental and contemporary classical music, I have never heard anything quite like Guthrie's guitar solo in this song.

[@synch08]

So often I hear about people who want to know what she is saying and I think to myself why does music always have to be self explanatory for us to understand. Some things are better left for the imagination and it's the feeling that flows through you when you hear it. What a performance...thanks for the post!

[@HiScoresBoards]

Thank-you for uploading that performance from The Tube. Back in 1983, I watched that and absolutely blasted it on my TV!! I was only a kid back then, and I thought Cocteau Twins was one of the greatest things I'd ever heard. I still do. Thank you again.

[@wanderleisilva3750]

My god, this is too beautiful!

[@galhard]

Esta es la mejor canción de los Cocteau sin duda... cada vez que la escucho mi piel se eriza!! es como una especie de veolcidad estática.

[@vipi120583]

I love this song so much!

[@cynthiaslusher5212]

Me right before I left highschool. Watched them at the Palace in Hollywood. Amazing.

[@RadioactiveRoaches]

lol to the guy dancing at 0:31 Fantastic song by the way, I wish I could of seen them live...

[@chelseaacidcasual2825]

This is a powerfully beautiful song. Love it.

[@guttersnype00]

Magnificent!!! One of my favorite Cocteau tunes! What a time, what a venue!!!

[@RobertoDiAguiar]

Very good

[@ninebutterflies]

love this era where it was just the two of them and the reel-to-reel tape machine.

[@only1hawky]

Call me a soppy middle-aged fool but my eyes are still wet after watching this. I just love the bit where Liz extends her right arm and makes that gesture with her fingers. So glad that I got to see them live (very early 80's at The Venue in Victoria, London RIP).

[@PlasticR0b0t]

The things Elizabeth Fraser does with her voice are well under-rated.

[@Exloloshilenoh]

I remember it was so difficult to find something of Cocteau Twins in Chile 20 years ago...! Today it's better, but I live now in Germany...and they are not together anymore...!

[@MultiBRIST]

THAT SOUND CAN NEVER BE BEATEN WILL ALWAYS MISS THIS GROUP BUT I STILL HAVE THE CD,S

[@DarkSeraphim]

I wasnt even born back then....😍❤

[@JohnAdrenochrome]

Hi, I recorded this on VHS tape from The Tube on Channel 4 in the UK. Can't believe it was 40 years ago! It's also nearly 20 since I uploaded this to KZbin, which hadn't been around for very long. I still have the VHS tape - I should upload "From the Flagstones" which they also did, before the tape deteriorates too much.

[@greatsilentwatcher]

Wow!!! I think they live on for so many of us is that they were a head of the curve back 20 years ago... when I go to heaven, I'll be streaming the Cocteau Twins... :)

[@jinruigaku7775]

I like how this show actually had the artists perform their music live, instead of just acting like they did. Like on TOTP lol

[@dannyxpecta]

Ahead of its time for the era

[@BLeAKMJ]

I had this on vhs but wore it out, and I agree this was their best t.v appearance

[@mercy3d]

i see 8 fools disliking this masterpiece. people, i wish we could have at least a couple of great bands like this right now.

[@RedMedicine86]

God. This is just wonderful.

[@drpenciolga]

mi adolescencia vivio con cocteau twins, ensueños, noches largas, punk...

[@mushandin]

Unbelievable just how good they are live. This was one of the greatest bands of all time.

[@Ibasirov]

I have listened the whole discography of CT, but all I remember - is musette and drums. I listen to a lot of shit, but this song is one of my all time’s favourite. Absolute banger, a soundtrack for armageddon

[@JohnAdrenochrome]

Yes this and Hitherto are my two favourite Cocteaus tracks

[@ScottishTeeVee]

It's from January 13th 1984, not 1983. I have the other song the performed on my channel

[@amarshmuseconcepta6197]

✊ tar Mate Gr8 channel 💕✌out

[@technique88]

EXCELLENT SOUND!

[@synch08]

I wish people would leave comparisons aside for a moment and just listen to the music. There never will be another band like this...I feel like sometimes people try to touch on a subject they have no business even being a part of. An expression so personal can't we just simply listen....

[@Deadlydanish]

Awesome. I always assumed they coudn't sound as ethereal live but they do.

[@telemat]

Never heard for now more dreamier music than theirs. All their music through their career sounds like for me different visions and emotions within dreams.

[@progchick1]

Stunning performance. Liz's voice brings tears to my eyes.

[@fabiomandol]

I love this song.. and i love this performance :)

[@TenementFunster.74]

saw them in liverpool in the 80s, the guitar at the end literally filled the place with sonic noise.

[@teleroylichtenstein]

Magnificent!

[@JohnAdrenochrome]

It's John here who uploaded this. "Thrash"??? What's that?! Don't forget, the Cocteaus had a punk/goth following in the early 80's, up to about '85. I know this because I was one of them :-) The descriptions "Indie Rock" and "Dream Pop" hadn't even been thought of in '83 when this was filmed. And the guys in the audience, well that's just how goths danced at the time. John.

[@synch08]

@crescentsi I couldn't agree with you more! I am 26 and got into this band a few years back after they were done recording as a band. I remember the day I came across this clip and first learned of Robin. I have never heard guitarwork quite like that in a song. Musette and Drums is one of the first tracks I heard by the Twins and remains one I am most drawn towards. Always great to meet another Twins fan...

[@Repeat3Times]

Just glorious

[@seintzeit]

sublime...

[@mickyday2008]

I love this

[@djrubus]

una delle migliori bands di sempre. Antonello

[@TheRealTwigman]

6/8 my favourite meter......I loved the Cocteaus since the moment my ears first heard them back in 82 i think.. Ivo was friendly with Nick Ralph who ran Midnight Music - the label we were on - and was 'competing' with 4AD at the time.....memories

[@SIRRUBADUBDUB]

Think that may be one of the Wall of Noise experiences that she later swore to never endure again

[@spotflydog2794]

thank you

[@MarkOfTheSarno]

One of the Best CT songs.

[@sher666]

they are brilliant, enjoy!

[@SepticUnderground]

One of my favs tracks by the Cocteau Twins....Interdimensional Muzik

[@100eyeflies]

Awesome!

[@francescadibologna4143]

many thanks for the upload, John. my fav cct song of all and a decent live clip that really does it justice.

[@JohnAdrenochrome]

Yes this is one my favourites of theirs too. Along with "Hitherto", - especially the BBC session version.

[@marieelbicho]

Que dire, trente ans plus tard et cels est toujours aussi puissant et fort en emotion.mari el bicho

[@tosh2804]

Hi ioscape, The Edinburgh Assembly rooms gig was 1983. Best alternative version of Sugar Hiccup ever!!!!! Never been repeated (mush to my dissapointment)

[@gordinistanopolis]

I thought I saw this Live on tv that friday night because I was just as excited as rwb196 but the version ihad on video ended @ 2.36 .The tube must have cut all replays back to this because of sound problems @ 3.06 and 3.19 .Its great to see it complete again . Your a legend John I feel 22 again

[@scottmcfadyen8921]

1983 what a great year