https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/13/thousands-of-rare-concert-recordings-are-landing-on-the-internet-archive-listen-now/ -:-:-:- The first StrictlyVC of 2026 hits San Francisco. Tickets are going fast. Register now. Save up to $680 on your Disrupt 2026 pass. Ends 11:59 p.m. PT tonight. REGISTER NOW. Close [tc-lockup] TechCrunch Desktop Logo [tc-lo] TechCrunch Mobile Logo * Latest * Startups * Venture * Apple * Security * AI * Apps * Events * Podcasts * Newsletters Search [ ]Submit * Site Search Toggle Mega Menu Toggle Topics Latest AI Amazon Apps Biotech & Health Climate Cloud Computing Commerce Crypto Enterprise EVs Fintech Fundraising Gadgets Gaming Google Government & Policy Hardware Instagram Layoffs Media & Entertainment Meta Microsoft Privacy Robotics Security Social Space Startups TikTok Transportation Venture More from TechCrunch Staff Events Startup Battlefield StrictlyVC Newsletters Podcasts Videos Partner Content TechCrunch Brand Studio Crunchboard Contact Us In Brief Posted: 1:20 PM PDT * April 13, 2026 Vibrant cassette tapes in yellow, pink, green, blue, and orangeImage Credits:Javier Zayas Photography / Getty Images * Amanda Silberling * Amanda Silberling Thousands of rare concert recordings are landing on the Internet Archive -- listen now Chicago-based music superfan Aadam Jacobs has been recording the concerts he attends since the 1980s, amassing an archive of over 10,000 tapes. Now 59, Jacobs knows that these cassettes are going to degrade over time, so he agreed to let volunteers from the Internet Archive, the nonprofit digital library, digitize the tapes. So far, about 2,500 of these tapes have been posted on the Internet Archive, including some rare gems like a Nirvana performance from 1989. (The group wouldn't break through to mainstream audiences until they released the single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in 1991.) Within the collection, you can also find previously unknown recordings from influential artists like Sonic Youth, R.E.M., Phish, Liz Phair, Pavement, Neutral Milk Hotel, and a whole bunch of other punk groups. For many of these recordings, Jacobs was using pretty mediocre equipment, but the volunteer audio engineers working with the Internet Archive have made these tapes sound great. One volunteer, Brian Emerick, drives to Jacobs' house once a month to pick up more boxes of tapes -- he has to use anachronistic cassette decks to play the tapes, which get converted into digital files. From there, other volunteers clean up, organize, and label the recordings, even tracking down song names from forgotten punk bands. Sometimes, the internet is good. And so is this Tracy Chapman recording from 1988. Topics In Brief, Internet archive, Media & Entertainment Event Logo April 30 San Francisco, CA StrictlyVC kicks off the year in SF. Get in the room for unfiltered fireside chats with industry leaders, insider VC insights, and high-value connections that actually move the needle. Tickets are limited. REGISTER NOW Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry's biggest tech news TechCrunch Daily News Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch's coverage. TechCrunch Mobility TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight. Startups Weekly Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly. StrictlyVC Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day. No newsletters selected. [ ] Subscribe By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. Related * [science-illo] Biotech & Health Max Hodak's Science Corp. is preparing to place its first sensor in a human brain + Tim Fernholz 5 hours ago Latest in Media & Entertainment * YouTube logo on building Apps YouTube livestreams will now hold back ads during peak engagement to protect the vibe + Aisha Malik 5 hours ago * Vibrant cassette tapes in yellow, pink, green, blue, and orange In Brief Thousands of rare concert recordings are landing on the Internet Archive -- listen now + Amanda Silberling 1 day ago * X icon on a smartphone screen Social X says it's reducing payments to clickbait accounts + Anthony Ha 2 days ago TechCrunch Logo * X * LinkedIn * Facebook * Instagram * youTube * Mastodon * Threads * Bluesky * TechCrunch * Staff * Contact Us * Advertise * Crunchboard Jobs * Site Map * Terms of Service * Privacy Policy * RSS Terms of Use * Code of Conduct * OpenAI * Iran * Gas Prices * Tesla * Apple * Tech Layoffs * ChatGPT (c) 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.