Elliott Smith: New Years Eve 1999 (Knitting Factory)

Kevin Moyer Twitter: @KevinMoyer
When I was working on the documentary "Elliott Smith: Heaven Adores You", many friends and fans were gracious enough to share their keepsakes with us - memories, videos, pictures and etc.
Sometime in the middle of production, Elizabeth Racz sent me a giant box full of Elliott Smith related stuff that she had collected over the years. In that box was so many things - magazine covers, interviews, posters, etc - and a number of VHS tapes, most marked with glitter and bubble stickers on the spine.
On one of those VHS tapes was the full performance that Elliott did on New Years Eve 1999 in NYC at The Knitting Factory. The show was filmed by a friend of hers who had accompanied her and another friend to the show that night, and with her blessing I am uploading the full previously unreleased performance here. I have seen a few clips from this same tape source online, but never the whole show.
I think its a nice snapshot of him at the time, and a fun gig to enjoy too, complete with the NYE countdown and champagne toast and all of the on stage banter that goes with it, as well as a George Harrison cover to start the New Year and later an impromptu performance of "Bye" on piano too.
Friend and former publicist Dorien Garry, who was there that night with him, talked to us about this for the film, and offered this quote to be shared here, in her own words :
"In typical Elliott fashion he was a little bewildered by being the focus of the night on such a historical NYE. "Is that what people really want to do on New Years Eve?" He felt like he really needed to up the ante and give people some moneys worth. So that meant he borrowed a bunch of bizarre red clothes, a fuzzy bath robe and red knit red hat, as a costume of sort, to jazz it up. He was especially nervous about leading a countdown to midnight, and the Knitting Factory had put a bunch of bottles of Champagne in the dressing room for him to pop and share. Since none of us were exactly seasoned Champagne drinkers he fretted for a minute that he wouldn't get the bottles opened in time. i offered to start trying to open them a few minutes before midnight and starting taking the foils and twists off the tops. This led to the bottles slowly, and steadily starting to loudly pop open from the dressing room which was a mere 5 feet away from the stage. So as Elliott played a quiet song a few minutes before midnight, a disruptive popping sound starting keeping an uneven tempo and adding to what was a pretty comical night, which was being heavily marketed as the end of the world. It was one of my favorite nights with Eliiott, he pulled it all off amazingly, and the night was a long fun adventure..."
Elliott Smith
LIVE 12/31/1999
The Knitting Factory @ New York
SETLIST
- Happiness
- Son of Sam
- Easy Way Out
- Clementine
- LA
- Everything Means Nothing to Me
- Say Yes
- HAPPY NEW YEARS / COUNTDOWN
- Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth (George Harrison cover)
- Stupidity Tries
- Everything Reminds Me of Her
- St. Ides Heaven
- Between the Bars
- Southern Belle
- Pitseleh
- Ballad of Big Nothing
- Independence Day
- ENCORE
- Rose Parade (Aborted)
- Bye (on piano)
- The Biggest Lie
- Angeles
- Last Call
Tape courtesy of Elizabeth Racz and friend. Digitized from VHS tape by Kevin Moyer.

[@sambajane]

Imagine your last experience of the 20th century is hearing Elliott Smith play Say Yes.

[@timtrainer618]

I was lucky to see him perform in 2000 at the beacon theatre in nyc…incredible full band show! They ended w full out amazing cover of Don’t Fear The Reaper, just imagine that for a moment. The place went crazy and I’ll never forget it 🔥😊✌🏻

[@driftwoodindustries2315]

I was at this show, it was my first IRL date with my wife. We didn't have tickets but talked our way in. It was amazing.

[@dylonbangss2804]

how else would you date in '99? seems fishy

[@driftwoodindustries2315]

@@dylonbangss2804 lol. We met online.

[@dylonbangss2804]

@@driftwoodindustries2315 tinder beforr tinder good shit dude

[@furkanaksu6390]

@@dylonbangss2804 bro you don't need tinder to meet from online tho

[@dylonbangss2804]

@@furkanaksu6390 -_- duh u dork.

[@Anotherroom]

"Alright, I'll play something on the piano 🙄" *plays a super intricate minute-long piece like it's nothing* god, what a talent.

[@Laneganswake]

Right?? There are melodies on top of hooks, on top of implied melodies. His compositions were beautifully intricate. Watching the clip of him busting out Rachmaninoff in the middle of a rehearsal... He was so gifted

[@Missjunebugfreak]

Exactly lol. He makes seem so effortless to play something that beautiful. I wish we had more live performances of Elliott on the piano. He was ridiculously brilliant.

[@lucasdeniro1906]

@@MissjunebugfreakI agree, there is this cool gem you can find where he plays a hard Rachmaninoff piece. Man was so talented

[@josephedwards4325]

Just the way he throws in all the little solos and licks whilst continuing to play the main melody: truly understated talent on the guitar.

[@thomasvicanek-santaguida1066]

thats elliott for you!

[@jaydevice333]

I play. He's definitely got a unique style. By far, my favorite musician.

[@aljustal6554]

Elliott's 5th album, "Figure 8", would not be released for another four months from this show, but 6 of the first 10 songs he plays here are on that album (as is the piano instrumental he played in the encore called "Bye", which closes "Figure 8"). Despite the crowd being largely unfamiliar with these songs, the folks seem very enthused about them. It must have been nice for him to receive such positive feedback.

[@benmeltzer]

common at Elliott shows: Elliott: What do you want to hear? audience: Anything!

[@hippierip6695]

the slight warp on the tape makes this recording so much better. God I love elliott smith

[@mymayapapaya]

his voice sound so good here

[@niraea]

o/ thanks for your service

[@BenSchillaci]

Very clear and in tune! Lovin' it right now.

[@FunkDrSpok]

I like how he performed a couple of LA-themed songs in NYC on NYE during the height of the east coast/west coast rivalry haha. I didn't know Elliott went hard like that.

[@Comedyteamz]

He ain't a rapper though

[@JesusRamirez-uf9jh]

no shit I think it was meant as joke..😳

[@AndySalinger33]

Echo Park representing!

[@iwantyezijeiandjiutostepon4471]

I was too young to even explore the web/find out about Elliott. Only 6 years old. Concerts like these made me wish I were born in the 80's.

[@paulphoenix1669]

He's so young man, this footage is priceless, from a different era entirely. I hope Elliott knows his music is still touching the hearts of many around the world.

[@wendigo2442]

Well I mean, he can't know now

[@mrdaniel511]

First the Fuji concert and now this? Elliott is the gift that keeps on giving

[@gtapku1643]

Cant believe elliott played in 2 different centuries!

[@Martsapso21]

He played in 2 different millenniums!

[@Readabookfoofoo]

@@Martsapso21millennia

[@ChrisBarnette-zk8iy]

I love the bottles rattling and people talking and moving . It sounds like something out of an early Smith song. Rest easy, Mr. Smith...

[@Readabookfoofoo]

Elliott is just a beautiful and pure spirit.

[@fernandocorrea9041]

- Happiness [00:01:02] - Son of Sam [00:04:30] - Easy Way Out [00:07:40] - Clementine [00:10:47] - LA [00:14:00] - Everything Means Nothing to Me [00:17:30] - Say Yes [00:19:35] - HAPPY NEW YEARS / COUNTDOWN - Give Me Love, Give Me Peace on Earth (George Harrison cover) [00:25:25] - Stupidity Tries (cut) [00:28:08] - Everything Reminds Me of Her [00:32:24] - St. Ides Heaven [00:35:07] - Between the Bars [00:38:50] - Southern Belle [00:41:18] - Pitseleh [00:44:58] - Ballad of Big Nothing [00:50:04] - Independence Day [00:52:42] - ENCORE - Rose Parade (Aborted) [00:57:00] - Bye (on piano) [00:58:27] - The Biggest Lie [01:00:22] - Angeles [01:04:07] - Last Call [01:07:15]

[@brownycow22]

Thank you!

[@user-hw4hf2zb3t]

Fernando Correa thank you

[@FaintUnicycle98]

Thank you man

[@dugnutt5974]

Doing god’s work

[@constantinevoronoff639]

Treasure❤

[@alephnull7410]

2:16 the sweet sound of a disposable camera welcomes us back to 1999

[@johnnydi2203]

Elliott Smith shows are always full of people shouting out the songs they want to hear. In a way, what could be better than that? They want to be there.

[@josephedwards4325]

Amazing that he can play all these songs on the guitar pretty much perfectly. A lot of the really well produced ones on like figure 8 you just assume that he can't have written that on guitar: but no, he had it all worked out.

[@Selim-qs1be]

watching this on new year's eve.. end of decade.

[@Jbrizzin-]

Best elliott performance, especially st ides heaven

[@iloveyoubebe]

This just made my day :’) Knitting Factory NYC was the venue I would start going to shows. just seeing that stage alone gives me fond memories & to see Elliott Smith perform there is well, priceless. I remember my sister who is 3 years older crying the day news broke of his passing. I didn’t know him too well then but after I saw her reaction, it made me curious to dig deeper into his life & music. RIP to a true soul

[@chiemmanuelle1211]

How I wish I was there! He looks like an angel in every way... WHAT A BEAUTIFUL VOICE !!!

[@dithirambos]

agree agree agree

[@Missjunebugfreak]

Yessss!!! His voice is everything 😍

[@broken_disco_ball]

Happy New Year, everyone...here's to a happy 2024. Thank you, Elliott!

[@juanbinckoski]

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood damn!!!!!!!!!! I love you, dude.

[@Unreissued]

the most appropriate response haha love it!

[@wendigo2442]

I think he desd

[@j.b.8546]

LOL there used to be a comment somewhere on this performance about Elliott performing "LA" in NYC at the height of the East vs West coast hip-hop rivalry. I still think and laugh about it randomly "I didn't know Elliott went hard like that"

[@danielneemann9338]

its still here lol, brilliant indeed

[@toneohm]

might be the first time I've ever seen him do LA live..!!! that is awesome,, He is really on point in the show... ugh,, my favorite musician.. XO ever since i really dove in.. around 2007... and no other music can ever live up to his..

[@banzaisdead]

What a version of “Bye” my god

[@kidmud9995]

that all i want now is happiness for you and me for you and meeeee i love how he sings that, i wish he did that in the album version

[@rb919]

It sounds like there's a girl singing some pretty sweet backing vocals on Ballad of Big Nothing : ) This show is fantastic

[@Unreissued]

there definitely is. perfect.

[@JS-nw7xf]

And you can hear her faintly during choruses of St Ides Heaven and a few other choice moments...

[@copsarebastards]

Yeah and the girl in the crowd when he is tuning before he plays it, who can hear that the string is flat, talented crowd! Haha.

[@jeremyfarrell5723]

He is the most influential singer songwriter of my time.

[@troygaspard6732]

This so intimate, and a treasure for his fans.

[@sodykiss2209]

That was the best Elliott Smit concert i ever watched so many songs even between the bars which is a rarity live, He played piano, new year with elliott, He got a scarf from a listener, The woman who filmed it knew any song of him and askes him "What's your favourite song" THANKS FOR UPLOADING

[@Anotherroom]

you can find him playing between the bars on like 9/10 of his concerts on KZbin. calling it a "rarity" is a stretch.

Happy new year :) 24:08

[@sadloveshootingstar]

what a magical moment captured in time... i hate the digital era :(((

[@ultraviolentromantic]

his cover of george’s song is spectacular

[@user-hw4hf2zb3t]

twenty years ago. elliott, when are you coming back? the world is much darker without you.

[@Pahichdvach]

25 😢 fuck 25...😢

[@videopklala]

So happy to have finally found this - was wondering if it was recorded and then I find out there's video. I was in the balcony - I think my first time at the Knitting Factory. Very special to spend NYE with Elliott....

[@AndrewAlarcon17]

Thanks for this so much!

[@Reptarevangelion]

thanks so much!!!

[@pressureofdays]

Amazingly awesome! Thanks!

[@apeirofobia]

Thank youuu again

[@konundrum3678]

Thanks for the post!

[@vaibhavgawde11]

thank you .for posting this

[@omgitsjohnsamaras]

I hope these keep on coming! Thank you so much.

[@mgrieco301]

i love these new videos coming about. this one is truly beautiful. thank you

[@TheProds]

Thank you for uploading this 🙏

[@andrewmoffat3747]

:') thank you. this is amazing.

[@Iznessmaurer]

Wow! No more words needed, apart from thank you sincerely for the upload.

[@petebenzin]

Thank you sososoo much for this upload!! Finding stuff like this makes shitty nights so much better

[@DanRelayer_Ukraine]

Whoa! Thanks again oh so much. He was in such top live form in 1999.

[@alandavidlima]

Happy new year Elliott!! Love you.

[@cswalder7675]

Man, thank you so much for posting this video and taking the time to write out the backdrop.

[@loveledyouhere]

oh my this is amazing. The piano song "bye" is perfect.THANKS!

[@peckoltia31]

This video is his best play on KZbin I guess. Thanks for sharing.

[@aoslei]

wow i think i'm gonna spend all my new years eve to come with this video, everything's perfect and imperfect at the same time and that's beautiful and authentic :D i also think it's the best elliott smith concert video on YT, thank you so much for sharing !!

[@MiloMay]

Happy new year

[@callen9623]

Thank You. Hope you found more peace now. You made things a little more easy for us to deal with.

[@alexanderfraktman3257]

Wow, over 20 years since the night of that show! His playing never ceases to amaze me! Especially bye on the piano :0

[@sandiegoryu]

Wow I've never heard that intro for LA before. Awesome!

[@margaridafernandes5737]

Happy new year!!!!

[@4L3X3M]

Good vibes in that room

[@HYFYE]

The lighting was perfect too

[@vertyisprobablydead]

Girl yelling for Alphabet Town I'm with you girl.

[@celam1244]

I read that he practiced the countdown backstage and wanted to get it right 😂 he was so dorky and cool.

[@07Brunow]

Just a man, his guitar and his feelings. Beaultiful.

[@joelgloria6154]

Beautiful

[@ELLIOTTSPAIN]

GRACIAS

[@acryptphotography3238]

Elliott and Jeff Buckley, two of my favourite performances at knitting!

[@jaelsosa]

Same here

[@BirenTamang-ou6jt]

Best way to celebrate new year eve.

[@ColombianThunder]

Happy New Years everyone!

[@johnnydondisco2864]

Best Elliott concert personally fs. Only to be there

[@kitpalmer1583]

think that might be his sister doing harmonies in Ballad of Big Nothing :')

[@openchested]

23:10 aw he took the pixie stick AND 24:24 gave the pixie stick dude the champagne

[@williamnelson3631]

best, ever elliott

[@bluesriot2]

pretty sweet playing, especially pitseleh and independence day, rip mr xo

[@Lucia-sm5cb]

happy new year everyone :)

[@TheVanelf]

I can't believe he played Pitseleh!

[@galacticspacebear9589]

Anyone else watching this New Year's Eve?

[@hardfolk]

Wowwwwwww

[@lxithium2223]

the year after neutral milk hotel played, ah music was great once!

[@camilleBel]

cant believe Ive nver seen that :'(

[@joshdonaldson2888]

Why is no one mentioning the girl who knew every lyric and harmonised w him throughout most of the shiw

[@mlwsf]

"thank you, baby." All sultry.

[@jamesheath7601]

New Years countdown 23:59

[@justinsvideo]

New Year's countdown at 24:00 :)

[@Kings_Crossing]

29:32 looks like they were past midnight :)

[@dawsonky786]

What is making his guitar sound like this? Is it the recording? I am specifically referencing the intro piece and outro figure to Happiness, where the sound I’m referring to is most noticeable. Is it the 90s film or what?

[@itsgonnbeok7249]

Not sure what you are referring to, i listened back a couple times. Are you referring to the quality of the audio, or elliott's guitar playing? The audio is definitely poor, but it's definitely not a pre or post recording

[@quasar1]

@@itsgonnbeok7249 I think he's referring to the chorus-ish effect, giving the audio a slight vibrato (or wiggly) quality that probably has something to do with the digitalization process or old film or something all technical like that

[@georgegetze3176]

He seems all giddy about those girls behind the camera

[@_l3m35_]

I understand people excitement watching their favorite artist live, but all demands are so damn annoying... It's like trying to push him around instead of just appreciating the opportunity and letting the artist do what he wants.

[@retinarental1603]

18:34

[@theviper3479]

yo i was born around this hour lol 1999 31 dec around 11:30

[@danielneemann9338]

as a kid i wondered if i'd run into people born then. interesting

[@tunedime]

@@danielneemann9338trippy

[@retinarental1603]

3:58

[@retinarental1603]

10:45

[@benmeltzer]

"Stupidity Tries" is at 29:08.

[@tuffguy8054]

figure 8 released on new years day iirc edit: wasn't

[@KevinMoyerPDX]

tuff guy I don’t think so unless it was some unique scenario, or maybe a single? figure 8 album was released April of 2000

[@tuffguy8054]

@@KevinMoyerPDX my mistake

[@retinarental1603]

ᴡʜʏ ᴅᴏᴇs ɪᴛ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴀᴛ ᴀʀᴏᴜɴᴅ 30:30?

[@xxmyharturhandzxx]

the tape probably corrupted or something

[@retinarental1603]

matt gray ʜᴏᴡ ᴅᴏᴇs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴ 😐

[@perfectoid8376]

if you wanna see Elliot's level of savageness listen to 33:33

[@AcidRavelEffect]

he said, "what can be done in only two minutes." and then nobody sparked up... :( would've been epic.

[@nitetimerxdio2762]

hell yes, I am the 666th like

[@maxwilliams4665]

Love Elliott but he seems like a robot here, sounds perfect but there's nothing behind his eyes

[@j.b.8546]

I'm no expert but he looks depressed. I get this stupid look on my face, worse than my usual expression lol

[@emmie135]

I'm pretty sure he was nervous! He didn't know why all these people would want to see him on such an important night. I think he was having a pretty good time, though.

[@bobbibaker4685]

He was painfully shy, and usually spent performances with his face in the mic.