The story I heard about the speed of this performance was that this was the drummer's first time drumming with his father in the crowd, and he got real hyped and really sped up the song. You can see Knopfler turning towards the drummer and laughing a couple of times, he got the band so hyped.

Mark Knopfler is a guitar god and this is one of the absolute best live performances ever. And OMG those drums - every time I watch Terry Williams tear it up on this video I go apologize to my drums.

The keyboard player doesn't just have a "piano fort".. He's got a piano forte!

This is what happens when all members of the band are top shelf.

That drummer beat the hell out of those drums.

The epitome of what a rock show should be. Thank god they got this preserved on film for posterity!

Yet another brilliant British band.

Dire Straits made their OWN LANE!! 🔥🔥🔥 Head & wrist bands- classic 80s!!

Are u kiddin me!! These guys are from another planet!!! Aint never heard anything like this ever...gave me chills, frills, and more. Oh man say no more!

Terry Williams on drums. Unbelievable.

You could do Dire Straits songs only for a month straight and you'd have no complaints here. Fantastic catalog of fun, beautiful, and emotional songs. Once upon a time the biggest band in the world with some of the best rock songs ever written. Then at the peak of their powers they called it a day and never played together again.

I was 6 years old when I first heard this song, in 1976. Knew right then I'd be a Dire Straits fan for life.

Mark Knoffler is a generational talent - so unique, you always know it’s him in the first few notes. Drummer was on fire in this one too.

the drummer is rippen it up

Mark Knofler finger pickin’ like his heads on fire! So different from the studio version , yet a scorcher live! Good job guys 😎

"In the fourth quarter of the finals", "hooked up like a bass". Love you guys.

The drummer was HAMMIN' those fills were flying.

I really don't think it gets much better than this! Knopfler is a genius, and the drummer was out of his mind. "Sultans" is my favorite of their many great ones.

This performance is sick. Pure perfection.

This is one of the best live performances...The vocals, the instrumentals, just amazing. But one of the things I love best about this video is how much fun they are all having! Looks like Knopfler was having a blast, smiling and laughing without missing a brilliant note with his magic guitar work! Beautiful reaction!

Drummer went the hell off!

"Are you kidding me". This is John McEnroe on crack ! Game, set and match! Thank the Lord for video. This brilliance will never be lost.

Consider: this was 1980. Whoever was on sound recording deserves a gold medal. Look how much grinning they're doing! It's so cool to see everybody having a blast on stage... look at the pianist between verses jamming out, like, losing his mind the song's that good Mark Knopfler (pronounced "Nawp -flur") - Lead Guitar. Terry Williams - Drums

This is the song that SAVED rock and roll!!! At that time disco ruled, they came basically out of nowhere to reclaim rock as a force to be reckoned with. The Bee gees and Abba and Andy Gibb, K.C. and the sunshine band owned the airwaves and radio. They brought rock back to mainstream and took it back, just before Punk and New Wave kicked in. I know! I was 19 at that time, I was and still am a Rocker! I lived in NYC and saw it all go down!

One of the best live performances out there! 🙏🏻

Mark sweats so much on stage that the sweat bands are a must during a live performance. The energy is unbelievable. The talent is a Gift to mankind!

Its not over. That slowdown was just the beginning.

This is one of the best live performances I've ever heard/seen.

The fans that night in '77 had absolutely no idea what they were in store for. Lucky phickers!

They always play it faster live. I was there when this was filmed, Terry Williams on the drums was the star for me

One of the best guitar flexes ever captured on video!

Great performance, great band, great song ...and Mark Knopfler is an otherworldly guitarist. Brilliant player, unique style. Good one guys

I had to chuckle when you paused and spoke of shoes and wristbands. I could have sworn you were going to mention the amazing transition. 😃

The only thing better than a great song is a killer live rendition of it, and this is one of the all-time greats for sure. Airplay Beats has me rocking at my desk once again - peace and love from Canada!

Terry Williams OWNS this performance. Takes it to a whole new level. He is legendary for it.

Marc Knoffler is a excellent guitarist! A lot to check out in their catalog. Thanks fellas excellent reaction! Appreciate you 🙏 ❤

The headband was to keep the sweat out his eyes in the small hot clubs when they first started out & he just kept it.

Same concert...Telegraph Road...a masterpiece!

There's a live clip of Dire Straits doing 'Sultans of Swing' on The Old Grey Whistle Test in the UK back when they were still young and hungry and not world famous. Well worth a watch.

10 of the best minutes on KZfaq. Mark Knopfler is one of the most talented guitarists of any genre - so fast and slinky and unique in his fluidity. You know its him in a few notes. And Terry Williams just tears up the drums here. One of the most talented bands ever.

Shout to the drummer in this version.

So that is a live performance of an iconic song and it looks like he is passing the time of day. Genius.

I saw a lot of reactions to this performance... and everybody says cuz of the solo at the end. I said watch this performance bcuz of the drummer.

If you want to see a bunch of musicians getting off on each other, this is the performance for you. I’m not sure if this is correct but I heard the drummer’s father was in the audience seeing his son play live for the first time. And he went off!!!! I think that’s what Mark was pointing out. I could be wrong!!!❤

They had an excellent double live album, ‘Alchemy’, in the mid ‘80s, which is basically stretched-out versions of songs from their first four albums, and this is part of that project. They started as a tight 4-piece. Mark Knopfler is lead guitar, vocals, and songwriter. His brother David quit the band, they went as a 3-piece for their third album, then replaced the drummer and brought in second guitar and keyboards, expanded the sound. They don’t have a bad album, but my favorites are the debut and the third, ‘Making Movies’. “Tunnel Of Love” is an epic, “Romeo and Juliet” is a heartbroken love song, and “Skateaway” is a tribute to Lou Reed.

Saw them at MSG in early 80's, around this time, and they were amazing. Had 10th row center seats, crystal clear sound and incredible guitar

It is 8:30 in the morning here in Oregon,, and I cannot walk out the door to start my day until I watch my favorite brothers react live to this..peace guys..

One of the top rock guitarist.

I was blessed enough to see these guys in concert back in the day. Unmatched performance. The whole Alchemy Live album is worth a listen, try "Two Young Lovers" from this album and get a bonus treat with the great Mel Collins kicking ass on the sax as well!

Great Band from the late 70s and into the 80s. Mark Knopfler is one of the most unique guitarists ever.

Strap in!

After performance , the intrsraments snuck off stage and shared a cigarette. Smokin performance and great reaction! ❤

I am so glad you are finally watching and reacting to this! Major jam session!❤

Always fun to watch people react to this live version.

I love this version of Sultans of Swing! This is one of my fav songs. Thanks for a great reaction video.

Saw them live.. Trance inducing stuff ! Knopfler is one of a very elite few guitarists recognisable after hearing just a few notes.. The drummer is the unsung hero An extraordinary performance

Mid 80s this was the first song I heard on the radio that was played from a CD and you could hear the difference. It was so much cleaner.

Every note is so natural from all the musicians. Mark makes it look easy.

Great Reaction Guys ! NOW FOR THE GOOD NEWS:) From this same ALCHEMY LIVE Concert in London, we have, on KZfaq: The encore "Telegraph Road" which is, also, amazing, with The Keys being more prominent. ENJOY. I bought my first records in London in 1960 and that is, arguably,th best live drumming performance that I have heard. The drummer's Father was in the audience and he wanted to impress him,. I think it's fair to say that he did. lol

The live version of Brothers in Arms from On the Night. Paul Franklin (Vince Gill’s steel guitarist) plays a solo that gives you chills, but is way too short.

Not only can Mark Knopfler make his guitar sing, but he can also make it tell you a joke if you asked him.

Boys! You guys almost brought tears of joy to my eyes! This song came out in 1978. I was 18 at the time. It is one of my most favorite songs of all time and this version is the bomb! To see the joy in both of your eyes just hits me hard right in the heart. Mark Knopfler is one of the greatest guitar pickers ever! Play list my friends?

From the same concert, Alchemy, check out Once Upon a Time in the West. Highly, highly recommended. Monstrous!!!

One of the best live rock performances EVER. I attended a Mark Knopfler concert in Montreal in 2019. He & his 9-person band played mostly his solo work plus a few DS songs: Once Upon a Time in the West, Romeo & Juliet, Your Latest Trick, On Every Street, & Money For Nothing. MK has been performing for 50+ years & still sounds great.

Telegraph Road from the same show will blow your mind ❤

Yes, thank you! Please react to 🎸"Telegraph Road"🎸 same venue, just later in the show!☯☮

Terry's Williams on the drums,, what a performance,,his dad was in the audience and this was the first time,he saw them play live.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Greatest living guitarist

I was invited to see them in around 85/86. We hsd 5th row seats and i was BLOWN away!!! Seen hundreds of shows and this was one of the best. Such a full sound.

THE DRUMMER WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on your choice❤: how a single song becomes a musical journey. Alchemy is a brilliant live album with two 80s "prog music journeys" Tunnel Of Love and Telegraph Road, or what do you think of the musically totally unexpected Private Investigations (UK no.2; from the best studio album Love Over Gold)? Think about these live tracks later. Maybe you'll go a little chronologically according to the studio albums. I let myself be surprised; you're doing well. Addendum: Mark Knopfler plays guitar on Bob Dylan's Slow Train Coming 1979 (e.g. Precious Angel) and later produced Bob's brilliant album Infidels 1983, which also featured Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare and Mick Taylor.

Love your reaction guys. I really recommend the song Brothers In Arms from DIRE STRAITS- Live "On The Night" 1993. Every reactor that I've seen stated that this performance impacted them immensely. The guitar work from Mark Knopfler is something to behold. I've never heard a guitar cry the way Mark makes it. That Pensa guitar sound is something to behold. Anyway Cheers guys, love your channel.All the best from Australia👍🎸🎸🎸

Incredible. Period.

Touted as one of the best live rock performances....ever. They're not just pounding out noise, they're actually all exemplary musicians and complement each other amazingly.

Mark Knopfler is one of the best 10 guitar players ever.

check out "Telegraph Road" from the same concert

The best live performance of all time! And Mark Knopfler is my guitar god! Tyvm for reacting to this! ❤❤❤

Why MK is for me the best musician ever on the history of rock and roll: - His creativy for more than 40 years both with Ds and on his solo career is incomparable. - Furthermore, the fact that he managed to offer us dozens of different versions of Sultans and all the rest of the songs is unique. I dont know any other band or artist that on each tour comes with new versions of the old hits. - His melodies, sensitivity and touch, for my ears, is again unique, I connect so much with his melodies, gentle and elegant music I just love it - The mega old fingerpicking brought into the 70'-80' and so it is again such a different experience to pick guitarists going fast and laud without any feeling behind... Anyway, these are my reasons, so personal but MK is my absolutely number 1!!!!!

A GREAT band is one who can do their music better live than the studio versions. This is long play jams. They were famous for it. Music is the best thing on earth ever invented by man.

New subscriber - thanks to your great reactions to & appreciation of this incredible live performance by Dire Straits. And it's amazing to me that the lead guitarist & vocalist Mark Knopfler is able to play those mind blowing riffs without using a guitar pick (it's all fingerpicking). Looking forward to more of your reactions. Thank you.

Love your Goats Head Soup album in the background! Oh and Dire Straits are awesome.

So glad you guys found this! I saw it a couple weeks ago and thought of you right away. Mark Knopfler is amazing, and this is just spectacular.

Some songs don't translate well to live. But this version of Sultans is fabulous, just fabulous. You really have to listen to the original AND this one to get an idea of the full range of what this song can be.

Epic.

This is killer. Saw them twice.Drumer kicks ass

Great stuff. Telegraph road live next please 👍

Great stuff, again! And off topic, I love seeing that Goats Head Soup vinyl back there on the shelf. The whole album is special, and I look forward to hearing more reactions from it.

Ok so I love this song, and this is my favorite video of it, its just the way Mark just adapts and flows with the song and all the embellishments and additions Master Piece of live performance

It’s so true about the drummer! I know, Mark Did not expect that and that is a truly great band they are so tight so frigging tight that they just went with it. One of the best performances ever and I will say that I had the pleasure of seeing Mark Knopfler alone and Mark Knopfler with the Dire Straits and Mark Knopfler and Emmylou Harris on their all the road running tour, it was exactly as great as you think it was

I never tire of seeing this performance✨👏

I'm always excited to see them perform!!! They're all great musicians, and the drummer!!!!!

This was recorded at Hammersmith Odeon in London, 1983. It's from a double live album called Alchemy. The whole album is superb.

Yes lads!! Loved this tune since time mate, and your reaction was pure gold. One love 👊🏻

It was a huge song on the radio. So glad you enjoyed it. One of my all time favorite groups and Mark himself on solo albums too are great songs. p.s. he also did the music for the movie _The Princess Bride_

Mark is another guitar wizard 0:41the drummer is freakin it 2:18

As great on that guitar as Mark Knopfler was you’d have got to give major major props to that drummer, WOW!

Nobody will ever again rock the John McEnroe look (or NBA player, to use your reference) with such swagger and coolness. To be honest, when you're that good on guitar and vocals, you can wear whatever and make it work lol. The whole band is having such a blast, it's so much fun to rewatch that live performance.

Mark was in a quiet part of London on a rainy night and heard the sound of a jazz band playing in a pub. Curiosity as well as the rain enticed him inside where he saw the notice calling themselves The Sultans of Swing. There were only a few others inside due to other similar places in that area. Two of the sultans were George and Harry. In the corner were a few youngsters who weren’t interested in the music as it wasn’t what they called rock and roll. The episode stuck with Mark and this was realised in the creation of the bands first and famous song of The Su”tans of Swing..

Another great Scottish band !

This album is soooo good but unfortunately it’s is very hard to find right now in the US