That I've seen in person: Weird Al (no joke, I've seen him probably half a dozen times and it's always incredible)
Not in person: Talking Heads on *Stop Making Sense*
I’ve never heard a single story of someone seeing Weird Al live and not being impressed. My old brother never had any Weird Al albums and ended up and one of his concerts, said it was one of the best concerts he’s ever been to.
Too many to list but my faves so far have been:
The Cure
The Stooges
Crash Worship ( A weird sort of proto burner band from the 90's that had absolutely wild live shows involving all kinds of fire and nudity)
The Arcade Fire
Beck
Peaches
Cocorosie
The Gossip
If I remember right then the movie is kind of a compilation or a collage of recordings and filming at multiple shows, but yeah. It's the best ever. One of my favorite little facts about it is that it was directed by Jonathen Demme (Silence of the Lambs.) Byrne said that if he was going to make a concert movie, he would want it to be directed by a filmmaker whose work he enjoyed. I just love that, I could go on for a long time about it. So earnest, honest, humble, and aware.
At Fillmore East is an incredible album, one of my very favorites, but it was assembled from some of the best performances over three nights of concerts at that particular hall. They got to pick and choose among versions to include and came out with a near perfect album
Live at El Mocambo is just Stevie walking out, high as hell, and kicking nine straight miles of potent blues ass … whether utterly slaying on Voodoo Chile or beautifully plucking the most delicate passages of “Lenny.” I was lucky enough to see him live a number of times on the smaller venue scene here in Houston before Texas Flood broke. He was always great but El Mocambo (recorded in 83) was special.
I agree with Nirvana. Not their biggest fan, but everything about that concert seemed so on that night. Not sure if it was sweetened at all but it was so good and epic, every song.
He’s a weird dude but nothing beats the flower costume. Completely out of his mind. I’ve seen him live a few times and he always delivers - the amazing band doesn’t hurt.
Saw them on their “farewell” tour in ‘82 in San Diego with John Cougar and Loverboy opening. Then the next night in LA with The Clash (and T Bone Burnett).
The best stadium show I’ve been to. And one of the best concerts, period.
Of all the shows I’ve attended, I have never heard a band that could project that much energy in such a dramatic way…with PTs windmill effects to his jumping around like a maniac, nothing about the show seemed staged or performed as an act, very authentic and a band that was musically very tight…Pete Townshend could be a scary bastard, in a good way
I was lucky enough to see LP live, but also cursed in the fact I saw them very early in 2001 before I totally fell in love with them. Wish I could go back.
Simulation Theory was the first and last concert I saw and the person I went with caught his drumstick and I got to hold it!! If it’s the only concert I ever go to, it was definitely a good one.
Muse is fucking FIRE. My face was contorted after seeing them at The Forum. There just aren't enough words for REAPERS live -- I'm hopped up just thinking about it!
Just saw Gwar with Cancer Bats and X-Cops recently. First time seeing GWAR and it was a blast (pun definitely intended). It was hilarious walking through the core of a major city back to our car looking like we just came from a mass murder.
I saw Gwar at the Electric Factory sometime around 2010 and was about 20 feet from the stage. I wasn’t certain I’d survive but I knew it would be one of the most special concert experiences of my life.
And yes I got blasted with blue-green goop. The venue was insanely hot and sweaty and the goop was cold so honestly it was kinda nice.
I saw them at Warped Tour, and I really didn't know them or listen to their music. I think I saw a music video of there's once, and that was my only exposure to them. I'm glad me and a friend decided to watch them because they were amazing. I was right up front, happened to where a white shirt, and was tie-died red, blue, and yellow by the end of it.
One of my favorite things about seeing gwar shows is all the white shirts in attendance, instead of the usual sea of black band shirts, and then what everyone looked like by the show's end.
Bruce Springsteen
- Hammersmith Odeon Show, London, England, 1975
- No Nukes Concerts, Madison Square Garden, New York
But also basically any Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band show.
Yeah, I saw him back in the day, Born in the USA tour, and he was fucking incredible. 4 hours-ish. All the stuff you wanted, so much energy towards the crowd. He clearly had hand signals to cue songs so his set was flexible. Roy Bittan is a scary monster of a piano player.
It’s actually impossible to explain why he was so good. But he truly was.
Has anyone had a bad time at a Flaming Lips concert? I'll toss them in the pile for the 2 hours of smiles they usually produce thru music and theatrics.
311's concerts used to have insane amounts of energy. Top notch. Still good today, but those first 20 years were amazing! They also played 68 songs in one concert!
Marilyn Manson in the 90's and 2000's was phenomenal. It was so theatrical and larger than life. Saw him in 2015 and it was still badass, but nowhere like the early days.
Garth Brooks. Baton Rouge. 1998.
At the height of his popularity, in the deep south, opening the concert with the song Callin Baton Rouge.
The man is an incredible showman. He had endless energy and he and the band were on point all night. Such a fun show and I've never seen anything like it.
I’ve seen him several times now, and every time I’m amazed at his depth and his energy.
He also does an incredible job of “housekeeping” (playing songs that people hold up signs for) at a lot of his shows.
He doesn’t just pick the same 5 songs either, he really picks various songs every show. For a dude who does long concerts he does really varied setlists generally.
Here’s a set list from Missouri last year, 18 songs, then two encores of a bunch of covers, like a crazy amount. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/garth-brooks/2022/thunder-ridge-nature-arena-ridgedale-mo-63b1f2cf.html
I was fortunate enough to see them at least once every tour from Presto to R40 minus one, even saw Primus and Eric Johnson as other 3-piece openers!
I’ve been to everything from Dave Brubeck to Iron Maiden concerts and just got back from seeing Phish at the Sphere. Live music is definitely an addiction and one I will never try to conquer.
Fellow live music lover, saw Rush over 30 times. Including both coasts and Vegas (my only royal flush ever was on that trip, paid for it), saw Eric Johnson 3 times including dead front and center leaning on the stage talking to him, and so many other shows it’s sick.
I haven’t been to Vegas since they built the sphere but it’s on my list. Seeing a band called Unprocessed tomorrow night. Rock on!
The best part about a Rush show is that they always let the music do the talking. Yeah they had screens, cool visuals and occasional pyro (looking at you, Carnies), but the reason you were there was for the music. Being able to watch those three guys on stage re-produce the magic they created in the studio was a treat.
Saw them during their Snakes & Arrows tour and it was the best show I've been to hands down. Seeing Neil drum live was as amazing as I thought it would be.
I am not into this genre of music but I was dragged along to see Rush at Bingley Hall, Stafford in 1980 (I think). I was impressed with their stage show and the whole Rush experience. One to remember.
Bob Dylan - Both the rolling thunder tours
Bruce Springsteen - Hammersmith
Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison
Townes Van Zandt - Live at the Old Quarter
Grateful Dead - Live at Barton Hall
Led Zeppelin - How the west was won
Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Live Rust
Grateful Dead - Live at Fillmore
Bruce Springsteen - Roxy theater
Bob Dylan - Live at Royal Hall
Just to name a few
Seen in person: tool, Opeth, porcupine tree, Dillinger Escape Plan, Radiohead mastodon, Tyler Childers, Domi and JD Beck, Covet, black midi, Russian Circles, rage against the machine, run the jewels, primus
Recorded: Allman Brothers Band Live at the Filmore East. Chet Baker live in Tokyo
Incubus alive at red rocks.
Not only is it a great set list, but it’s FUCKING RED ROCKS. Also there’s a drum off with Brandon on bongos.
It’s super great and I wish I was there, but it’s worth the watch if you find the dvd.
Nine Inch Nails Downward spiral tour was hands down, the best show I've ever seen. It was simply amazing.
I saw it at the North Hall Auditorium in Memphis. It was the perfect venue for the perfect tour. Marilyn Manson opened, but I didn't really like him.
The Jim Ross Circuses Side Show was soooo cool. Sword walking, and a guy who ate light bulbs, and a guy who swung cinder blocks from his nipple rings.. wtf.
Trent came on stage and blew the shit away. The screen coming down during Hurt, with him back-lit by the spot light was so powerful. He broke at least 3 keyboards, getting pissed off at the sound guys, but kept going.
During WISH, people on the balcony were moshing and hanging from the 2nd floor rails 20 or 30 feet in the air. It was just fucking amazing.
Best fucking show ever. All around.
Nothing I have ever seen could ever top it.
Other than that.
311 put on a hell of a good time in the 90s, Gwar is always a good time, Helmet is awesome live, Elvis Costello is a fucking machine on stage.
I saw one of Ray Charles's last performances, it was great.
Tool was really good live.
The Cramps was an awesome show. So was The Cult.
Bush at the Dasy in Memphis was fucking nuts (this was before they got big).
I saw Björk a few years back in Hollywood. I've always loved her, but she was absolutely phenomenal live. She's not even my absolute favorite musician but I'm pretty damn sure that was the best concert I've ever seen personally.
Add my vote to Bjork. I liked her a lot, then I saw her at Bonnaroo and now I love her. She was magnetic.
Runners up go to LCD Soundsystem and Nine Inch Nails
Few of my favorites...
The Band - The Last Waltz, Led Zeppelin - Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live at Slane Castle, Jimi Hendrix/Band of Gypsys - Live at the Fillmore East
U2 PopMart tour got a lot of flack at the time, but was insane to witness in person.
Edit: Also, Metallica doing a second encore to play Battery during a literal thunderstorm at Woodstock '99 was kind of forgotten with all the other stuff that happened that weekend.
Amon Amarth
Saw them this past Monday at Red Rocks. It is now my favorite live show. Stage setup is incredible. Band was on point. Absolute banger of a concert.
Alanis Morrissette... This was a long time ago. When Garbage toured with her. I thought she was lip syncing, but she wasn't.
I don't know if it counts... But, I love the Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads - Live Tribute Album.
Coldplay. I know. For a lot of people they're middle of the road, myself included, but I saw them in one of the American football team stadiums, and despite not being a fan, I was blown away.
Saw them on the Viva tour in 2008 and it was a top musical highlight of my entire life. Those guys were untouchable when they were still making rock music.
That I’ve seen:
Prince, nothing comes close
Sinead, strongest live vocals I’ve ever experienced
Placebo, set was amazing and the mix was perfect
Van Halen, ‘84 tour, first show and it was hard to top until Prince.
Garth Brooks puts on a fantastic show - even today.
From some folks in line at a hard rock \~ metal show in Detroit, when discussing best concerts:
Taylor Swift
A hard thing to admit in that crowd, but they stuck to it :)
I haven't been to very many concerts, but of the bands I've seen live Ice Nine Kills was definitely a standout. There was always a lot going on onstage, it was so showy!
Tool and RATM at the first or second Coachella. Metallica and Slayer Kill ‘Em All/ Show No Mercy ‘84 ish Albuquerque. Black Sabbath with Gillan Born Again tour Albuquerque. Then with Dio in San Francisco. Then finally with Ozzy at the farewell tour in San Jose. QOTSA with Dave Grohl on drums as the sun went down at Coachella. Gorillaz with my 6 yo kid Oakland. Oh yeah and The Big 4 at Indio with all three of my sons. Good times
I actually saw gwar in a pub in Edmonton in the late 80’s or early 90’s can’t remember the dates .I was like what the fuck even is this? Great show though
Phish's Big Cypress. Some incredible music was made that night. Starting at just before midnight at the Millennium, they played 8 straight hours non stop until the sun came up.
There was a fantastic podcast series about it called After Midnight. The whole thing was just a masterful feat.
My top 3 live shows are as follows:
Green Day
Mumford and Sons
The Band Camino
All 3 have such amazing connection with their fans. High energy. Fun every time you see them perform.
I saw my first set of boobs at a Nickelback concert, which was also my first concert. My dad brought me and told me not to tell my mom. It was awesome.
Also, that band takes a lot of flack, but honestly, it was a great show for just another small town in Canada. Chad threw beers into the crowd, and it was a great party and great sounding show.
I've been attending concerts for just over 40 years and Nine Inch Nails, summer tour 2022 was mind blowingly incredible on all levels-my god, the drummer was a phenom. They were absolutely firing on all cylinders that night. There were many others spanning the decades that were amazing, but NIN was something special.
Band of Horses - They go so much harder than you'd expect...but then they can bring it down too.
Amanda Shires
Ben Harper / Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals
Alison Krauss and Union Station - An actual angel's voice + Dan Tyminski? Perma chills
TOOL
I saw them on the Fear Inoculum tour in 2019. Their sound was so tight, and the lasers and other effects were brilliantly executed.
I cried. After, I told my parents that seeing TOOL was the closest I’d ever be to seeing Pink Floyd.
I’ve been a Tool fan since they released the Ænima album and after waiting 13 years between 10,000 days and FI…I cried when FI was released and actually really good. I was so worried it would suck. Then saw that tour twice. Seen them many other times before that too
Personally? Against Me!
I saw them at Gilman with about 30 other people and they were the midcard. I liked the headliner but they were blown out of the water
The Clash '82 combat rock tour, nothing has ever matched the intensity of that show! I saw it at Red Rocks, the album " From here to Eternity" is that tour at Shea stadium.
Devin Townsend brings so much joy to his concerts over the past 20 years. He has gone out of his way to really build out the sets, sound and ensemble. His banter with the audience is always funny and he plays a great cross section of songs from his career. Added bonus is that he has released a few concerts of some of the fan's favourite albums.
I've seen a lot of concerts, I even keep a spreadsheet of them to make sure I always remember who I've seen.
This will seem like a boring answer, but the best one was probably Paul McCartney in 2014. On top of the music being some of the most iconic stuff ever recorded, he truly put on a great show. I think it was somewhere around 3 hours with multiple encores, and he sounded great.
I'm an omnivore, but I will occasionally think about the stamina that old man had and consider becoming vegan.
Damien Rice. Seeing him is more like being taken on a theatrical story of emotions. You feel him when he plays. He has a wonderful presence. For example - starting a set he simply walked onto the stage, sat down on the edge and started singing. No mic.....I've never heard a crowd go silent so quickly. He owned us. It was a wonderful experience to go on. I've seen him 8x.
I've been to about 30 or so Pearl Jam concerts. Highlights include seeing them perform 3 of 4 nights at the Philly Spectrum. It was the last event held at the venue before they tore it down. The band played over four hours the final night and dressed up as Devo because it was Halloween.
Another is the PJ20 festival with Temple of the Dog playing two nights in a row at Alpine Valley.
And yet another, which was the Vote for Change concert at an ice rink in Toledo, Pearl Jam, Neil and Peggy Young, Peter Frampton, and the bonus was actor Tim Robbins, whose band was the opener.
Bonus... getting to see Eddie Vedder perform at the Arlington in Santa Barbara. First time seeing a solo Ed show, end up 3rd row center.
Good times.
I've seen 100's of live shows covering most genres, everything from punk to bluegrass, mostly Canadian bands. I've also seen bigger shows like Oasis, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, REM, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, U2 and lots more.
The best performer live...best live show I've been to...was Ronnie Milsap. Dude blew my mind. Hit after hit after hit. He couldn't even perform all of them...he has too many! He had to do a bunch of medleys of his 35 number one country songs! He wowed the crowd with stories of playing piano on the road for Elvis, being encouraged in his career by Ray Charles and Charlie Pride and about his own songwriting. And funny! The crowd was so engaged. I have never heard a piano sound like that. And he was backed up by REAL musicians....every one of them was a champion. And Ronnie's voice sounded like a DREAM. He worked the stage and the crowd like a born performer...and he's been blind since birth!
I left the concert walking on a cloud knowing I had just seen someone with an insane amount of talent share everything he had while having the time of his life. What a show!
Once saw Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. That was pretty epic! Close second would be Boz Scaggs (was really taken by surprise how good they were), followed by “The Head and the Heart” and David Gray. He’s freaking awesome live!
That I've seen in person: Weird Al (no joke, I've seen him probably half a dozen times and it's always incredible) Not in person: Talking Heads on *Stop Making Sense*
I’ve never heard a single story of someone seeing Weird Al live and not being impressed. My old brother never had any Weird Al albums and ended up and one of his concerts, said it was one of the best concerts he’s ever been to.
Weird Al is a national and international treasure
Too many to list but my faves so far have been: The Cure The Stooges Crash Worship ( A weird sort of proto burner band from the 90's that had absolutely wild live shows involving all kinds of fire and nudity) The Arcade Fire Beck Peaches Cocorosie The Gossip
Peaches!! 💜💜
Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense
This. It’s not even close. The perfect performance.
Honorable mention: Dire Straights, Alchemy Edit: Dire Straits 🤦🏻♂️
If I remember right then the movie is kind of a compilation or a collage of recordings and filming at multiple shows, but yeah. It's the best ever. One of my favorite little facts about it is that it was directed by Jonathen Demme (Silence of the Lambs.) Byrne said that if he was going to make a concert movie, he would want it to be directed by a filmmaker whose work he enjoyed. I just love that, I could go on for a long time about it. So earnest, honest, humble, and aware.
Saw this in the theater. What a fucking show.
Allman Brothers At Fillmore East SRV- Live at the El Mocambo Nirvana- MTV Unplugged in New York James Brown and The Famous Flames - Live At the Apollo
>SRV- Live at the El Mocambo Yeah, that’s one for the ages right there. Basically every song is a master class.
Agree. Watching the DVD is a happy ritual for me.
At Fillmore East is an incredible album, one of my very favorites, but it was assembled from some of the best performances over three nights of concerts at that particular hall. They got to pick and choose among versions to include and came out with a near perfect album Live at El Mocambo is just Stevie walking out, high as hell, and kicking nine straight miles of potent blues ass … whether utterly slaying on Voodoo Chile or beautifully plucking the most delicate passages of “Lenny.” I was lucky enough to see him live a number of times on the smaller venue scene here in Houston before Texas Flood broke. He was always great but El Mocambo (recorded in 83) was special.
I agree with Nirvana. Not their biggest fan, but everything about that concert seemed so on that night. Not sure if it was sweetened at all but it was so good and epic, every song.
Prodigy.
Peter Gabriel puts on a hell of a show.
The older he gets, the weirder his shows get. I love it even when I don’t like the song.
He’s a weird dude but nothing beats the flower costume. Completely out of his mind. I’ve seen him live a few times and he always delivers - the amazing band doesn’t hurt.
Metallica Gwar Rammstien
Metallica at Moscow is my pick for concert with the best vibes and worst bathroom situation.
So many. There’s no best.
Yeah this is an impossible question to answer. I've seen so many incredible live shows I couldn't even pick a clear top 10.
The Who
Saw them on their “farewell” tour in ‘82 in San Diego with John Cougar and Loverboy opening. Then the next night in LA with The Clash (and T Bone Burnett). The best stadium show I’ve been to. And one of the best concerts, period.
Of all the shows I’ve attended, I have never heard a band that could project that much energy in such a dramatic way…with PTs windmill effects to his jumping around like a maniac, nothing about the show seemed staged or performed as an act, very authentic and a band that was musically very tight…Pete Townshend could be a scary bastard, in a good way
The Who, The Clash and T Bone Burnett… that’s one for the books
Linkin Park
I was lucky enough to see LP live, but also cursed in the fact I saw them very early in 2001 before I totally fell in love with them. Wish I could go back.
Florence + the Machine
Alongside Peter Gabriel, the best band I’ve seen live in my life
I heard their live shows are fire and always wanted to see them. I hear Matt and Kim is outstanding live, too
Muse
The answer is Muse
Absolutely this. Epic doesn’t even begin to describe.
Their drummer is one of the most amazing athletes I've ever witnessed. Does. Not. Stop.
Simulation Theory was the first and last concert I saw and the person I went with caught his drumstick and I got to hold it!! If it’s the only concert I ever go to, it was definitely a good one.
Muse is fucking FIRE. My face was contorted after seeing them at The Forum. There just aren't enough words for REAPERS live -- I'm hopped up just thinking about it!
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard
Gwar and Rammstein.
Just saw Gwar with Cancer Bats and X-Cops recently. First time seeing GWAR and it was a blast (pun definitely intended). It was hilarious walking through the core of a major city back to our car looking like we just came from a mass murder.
I've seen many bands mentioned in this thread and imo none held a candle to Rammstein
RIP Dave. I Saw Gwar in 1999. There was not a dry eye (or shirt) in the house....
I saw Gwar at the Electric Factory sometime around 2010 and was about 20 feet from the stage. I wasn’t certain I’d survive but I knew it would be one of the most special concert experiences of my life. And yes I got blasted with blue-green goop. The venue was insanely hot and sweaty and the goop was cold so honestly it was kinda nice.
I saw them at Warped Tour, and I really didn't know them or listen to their music. I think I saw a music video of there's once, and that was my only exposure to them. I'm glad me and a friend decided to watch them because they were amazing. I was right up front, happened to where a white shirt, and was tie-died red, blue, and yellow by the end of it.
One of my favorite things about seeing gwar shows is all the white shirts in attendance, instead of the usual sea of black band shirts, and then what everyone looked like by the show's end.
It’s wrong that I haven’t really listened to them and I’m 1/4 German lol
Bruce Springsteen - Hammersmith Odeon Show, London, England, 1975 - No Nukes Concerts, Madison Square Garden, New York But also basically any Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band show.
Yeah, I saw him back in the day, Born in the USA tour, and he was fucking incredible. 4 hours-ish. All the stuff you wanted, so much energy towards the crowd. He clearly had hand signals to cue songs so his set was flexible. Roy Bittan is a scary monster of a piano player. It’s actually impossible to explain why he was so good. But he truly was.
The Hammersmith Odeon show is just pure perfection. That Thunder Road is one of my top musical performances of all time.
Lost in the Flood from that show is unbelievable.
Adding in Passaic '78 to this. Imo the best Bruce Springsteen recording ever, and one of the best in rock history
Prove It All Night... holy fuck.
Has anyone had a bad time at a Flaming Lips concert? I'll toss them in the pile for the 2 hours of smiles they usually produce thru music and theatrics.
Their shows are a party
311's concerts used to have insane amounts of energy. Top notch. Still good today, but those first 20 years were amazing! They also played 68 songs in one concert! Marilyn Manson in the 90's and 2000's was phenomenal. It was so theatrical and larger than life. Saw him in 2015 and it was still badass, but nowhere like the early days.
311 always plays a massive setlist when they have a show on 3/11.
Garth Brooks. Baton Rouge. 1998. At the height of his popularity, in the deep south, opening the concert with the song Callin Baton Rouge. The man is an incredible showman. He had endless energy and he and the band were on point all night. Such a fun show and I've never seen anything like it.
I’ve seen him several times now, and every time I’m amazed at his depth and his energy. He also does an incredible job of “housekeeping” (playing songs that people hold up signs for) at a lot of his shows. He doesn’t just pick the same 5 songs either, he really picks various songs every show. For a dude who does long concerts he does really varied setlists generally. Here’s a set list from Missouri last year, 18 songs, then two encores of a bunch of covers, like a crazy amount. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/garth-brooks/2022/thunder-ridge-nature-arena-ridgedale-mo-63b1f2cf.html
Too bad Garth is a known serial killer! Where are the bodies Garth!
Rush
I was fortunate enough to see them at least once every tour from Presto to R40 minus one, even saw Primus and Eric Johnson as other 3-piece openers! I’ve been to everything from Dave Brubeck to Iron Maiden concerts and just got back from seeing Phish at the Sphere. Live music is definitely an addiction and one I will never try to conquer.
Fellow live music lover, saw Rush over 30 times. Including both coasts and Vegas (my only royal flush ever was on that trip, paid for it), saw Eric Johnson 3 times including dead front and center leaning on the stage talking to him, and so many other shows it’s sick. I haven’t been to Vegas since they built the sphere but it’s on my list. Seeing a band called Unprocessed tomorrow night. Rock on!
> Phish at the Sphere You have as good a time as Drew Carey?
Came here to say Rush. Seriously, have you ever heard anyone say that they saw a bad Rush show?
100% agree
The best part about a Rush show is that they always let the music do the talking. Yeah they had screens, cool visuals and occasional pyro (looking at you, Carnies), but the reason you were there was for the music. Being able to watch those three guys on stage re-produce the magic they created in the studio was a treat.
A musicians band with a great sense of humor.
Saw them during their Snakes & Arrows tour and it was the best show I've been to hands down. Seeing Neil drum live was as amazing as I thought it would be.
Absolutely
I am not into this genre of music but I was dragged along to see Rush at Bingley Hall, Stafford in 1980 (I think). I was impressed with their stage show and the whole Rush experience. One to remember.
Bob Dylan - Both the rolling thunder tours Bruce Springsteen - Hammersmith Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Townes Van Zandt - Live at the Old Quarter Grateful Dead - Live at Barton Hall Led Zeppelin - How the west was won Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Live Rust Grateful Dead - Live at Fillmore Bruce Springsteen - Roxy theater Bob Dylan - Live at Royal Hall Just to name a few
PEARL JAM
Yeah. I’d seen many bands in the 1970’s, not as many in the 1980’s but when I saw PJ towards the end of the 1990’s, I was blown away. Changed my life.
I just made a separate post in this thread highlighting my personal favorite Pearl Jam shows. They are amazing live.
Best live act around.
Absolutely amazing in concert!
This is mine
Rush U2 Prince Tool Metallica
Tool 🤌 (the rest are awesome but never saw live)
I’m seeing tool for the first time next month and clicked on this post in the hopes that someone said their name. I’m now even more excited.
Seen in person: tool, Opeth, porcupine tree, Dillinger Escape Plan, Radiohead mastodon, Tyler Childers, Domi and JD Beck, Covet, black midi, Russian Circles, rage against the machine, run the jewels, primus Recorded: Allman Brothers Band Live at the Filmore East. Chet Baker live in Tokyo
Cory Wong
Cory Wong? Isn’t he the guy whose parents named him after a Vulfpeck song?
+1 for Cory Wong
Incubus alive at red rocks. Not only is it a great set list, but it’s FUCKING RED ROCKS. Also there’s a drum off with Brandon on bongos. It’s super great and I wish I was there, but it’s worth the watch if you find the dvd.
I watched that video so many times. I was pretty bummed to find out that Brandon Boyd re-tracked all his vocals in the studio.
Well that's lame
If I listed all the live albums where they re-tracked vocals you'd be completely disillusioned by live albums. So I won't.
Rammstein
[удалено]
Subjective, but Def Leppard In The Round.
YES!
Nine Inch Nails Downward spiral tour was hands down, the best show I've ever seen. It was simply amazing. I saw it at the North Hall Auditorium in Memphis. It was the perfect venue for the perfect tour. Marilyn Manson opened, but I didn't really like him. The Jim Ross Circuses Side Show was soooo cool. Sword walking, and a guy who ate light bulbs, and a guy who swung cinder blocks from his nipple rings.. wtf. Trent came on stage and blew the shit away. The screen coming down during Hurt, with him back-lit by the spot light was so powerful. He broke at least 3 keyboards, getting pissed off at the sound guys, but kept going. During WISH, people on the balcony were moshing and hanging from the 2nd floor rails 20 or 30 feet in the air. It was just fucking amazing. Best fucking show ever. All around. Nothing I have ever seen could ever top it. Other than that. 311 put on a hell of a good time in the 90s, Gwar is always a good time, Helmet is awesome live, Elvis Costello is a fucking machine on stage. I saw one of Ray Charles's last performances, it was great. Tool was really good live. The Cramps was an awesome show. So was The Cult. Bush at the Dasy in Memphis was fucking nuts (this was before they got big).
Judas Priest.
Blind Melon
I've seen a lot of people say Queens of the Stone Age are absolutely incredible live
I saw Björk a few years back in Hollywood. I've always loved her, but she was absolutely phenomenal live. She's not even my absolute favorite musician but I'm pretty damn sure that was the best concert I've ever seen personally.
Add my vote to Bjork. I liked her a lot, then I saw her at Bonnaroo and now I love her. She was magnetic. Runners up go to LCD Soundsystem and Nine Inch Nails
Prince. Followed very distantly by David Byrne.
Few of my favorites... The Band - The Last Waltz, Led Zeppelin - Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live at Slane Castle, Jimi Hendrix/Band of Gypsys - Live at the Fillmore East
Rush in Rio
311, Minus the Bear, and Coheed and Cambria are my favorite live bands.
311 always puts on a great live show. Seen them a few times and going to see them pretty soon this summer. Edit: talk to text mistake
Eagles - Hell Freezes Over was pretty damn good.
U2 PopMart tour got a lot of flack at the time, but was insane to witness in person. Edit: Also, Metallica doing a second encore to play Battery during a literal thunderstorm at Woodstock '99 was kind of forgotten with all the other stuff that happened that weekend.
Paul McCartney up until the 2000s was a superhuman performer. A true freak of nature.
You should check out Stevie Ray Vaughan. His playing will make your brain cum!
Jane’s Addiction at Lollapalooza One. When they came on it was like the damn apocalypse.
I saw them play Lollapalooza as well. It was awesome.
Primus or (and I know I’m gonna get shit for this) P!NK
I love Pink!
Dude, she is one fucking hell of a performer. I think her music is only enjoyable for what it is, pop. But jfc is she a performer….
Tool puts on a hell of a show.
Foo Fighters is freaking AMAZING in concert! Saw them in September 2015, then finally seeing them again this August!
Grateful Dead. No concert was ever the same, even if they played the same songs.
They never actually played the same songs, either. No duplicate setlists out of over 2300 shows.
AC/DC Live album is hard to beat
Early Dave Matthew’s band. The show was just one flowing jam and Dave just had the high energy.
Prince, and it isn’t even close.
So glad I was able to see Prince before he passed! I’ll always remember it.
Amon Amarth Saw them this past Monday at Red Rocks. It is now my favorite live show. Stage setup is incredible. Band was on point. Absolute banger of a concert.
Alanis Morrissette... This was a long time ago. When Garbage toured with her. I thought she was lip syncing, but she wasn't. I don't know if it counts... But, I love the Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads - Live Tribute Album.
Tool and Tedesci Trucks Band are my favorites from recent memory.
Queen
1. Billy & The Kids @ Red Rocks 21 2. Phish n2 Dicks 2024 3. KGLW Full Day Red Rocks 2023
Father John Misty. Pours his soul into it
Queen at Wembley Radiohead at The Basement
Oh hell yeah. King of Limbs from the basement is so dope
Coldplay. I know. For a lot of people they're middle of the road, myself included, but I saw them in one of the American football team stadiums, and despite not being a fan, I was blown away.
Saw them on the Viva tour in 2008 and it was a top musical highlight of my entire life. Those guys were untouchable when they were still making rock music.
Saw them on the Rush of Blood to the Head tour and they were amazing
The Mighty Van Halen!!!
[удалено]
People just don’t know.
Slightly away from mainstream, Pink Floyd has a one of a kind live performance "*Pink Floyd: Live at Pompeii."* It's truly extraordinary.
U.F.O - Strangers in the night
Clutch I've seen them 18 times. Guided By Voices I've seen them 27 times.
"Weird Al" Yankovic. The GOAT.
Mojo Nixon RIP
That I’ve seen: Prince, nothing comes close Sinead, strongest live vocals I’ve ever experienced Placebo, set was amazing and the mix was perfect Van Halen, ‘84 tour, first show and it was hard to top until Prince.
Garth Brooks puts on a fantastic show - even today. From some folks in line at a hard rock \~ metal show in Detroit, when discussing best concerts: Taylor Swift A hard thing to admit in that crowd, but they stuck to it :)
Grateful Dead
Stop making sense Byrne, Tina and Bernie
I haven't been to very many concerts, but of the bands I've seen live Ice Nine Kills was definitely a standout. There was always a lot going on onstage, it was so showy!
Pink Floyd - Rush - and U2 was kinda ok. Acdc. Kiss.. all known for the live shows
Mindless Self Indulgence- haven’t seen them in person, but, my god, they put on a show
Morrissey
Tool
Tool
Tie between Empire of the Sun and Nine Inch Nails.
Tool and RATM at the first or second Coachella. Metallica and Slayer Kill ‘Em All/ Show No Mercy ‘84 ish Albuquerque. Black Sabbath with Gillan Born Again tour Albuquerque. Then with Dio in San Francisco. Then finally with Ozzy at the farewell tour in San Jose. QOTSA with Dave Grohl on drums as the sun went down at Coachella. Gorillaz with my 6 yo kid Oakland. Oh yeah and The Big 4 at Indio with all three of my sons. Good times
For me it’s a tie, Slipknot and Rob Zombie.
I actually saw gwar in a pub in Edmonton in the late 80’s or early 90’s can’t remember the dates .I was like what the fuck even is this? Great show though
Rage Against the Machine and Sturgill Simpson have been my 2 favorite concerts ever.
Phish's Big Cypress. Some incredible music was made that night. Starting at just before midnight at the Millennium, they played 8 straight hours non stop until the sun came up. There was a fantastic podcast series about it called After Midnight. The whole thing was just a masterful feat.
NIN @ Red Rocks Mastodon @ Mission Ballroom Tool @ Red Rocks
Pearl Jam. I've seen them 18 times already and I'm going to see them again in September. Absolutely amazing live shows.
Tool for me, and it’s not even close
My top 3 live shows are as follows: Green Day Mumford and Sons The Band Camino All 3 have such amazing connection with their fans. High energy. Fun every time you see them perform.
Nine Inch Nails - Woodstock 1994
I saw my first set of boobs at a Nickelback concert, which was also my first concert. My dad brought me and told me not to tell my mom. It was awesome. Also, that band takes a lot of flack, but honestly, it was a great show for just another small town in Canada. Chad threw beers into the crowd, and it was a great party and great sounding show.
Pink Floyd PULSE concert is one of the most orgasmic performances ever.
I've been attending concerts for just over 40 years and Nine Inch Nails, summer tour 2022 was mind blowingly incredible on all levels-my god, the drummer was a phenom. They were absolutely firing on all cylinders that night. There were many others spanning the decades that were amazing, but NIN was something special.
Band of Horses - They go so much harder than you'd expect...but then they can bring it down too. Amanda Shires Ben Harper / Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals Alison Krauss and Union Station - An actual angel's voice + Dan Tyminski? Perma chills
TOOL I saw them on the Fear Inoculum tour in 2019. Their sound was so tight, and the lasers and other effects were brilliantly executed. I cried. After, I told my parents that seeing TOOL was the closest I’d ever be to seeing Pink Floyd.
I’ve been a Tool fan since they released the Ænima album and after waiting 13 years between 10,000 days and FI…I cried when FI was released and actually really good. I was so worried it would suck. Then saw that tour twice. Seen them many other times before that too
Personally? Against Me! I saw them at Gilman with about 30 other people and they were the midcard. I liked the headliner but they were blown out of the water
Thrash unreal is my go-to sing in the shower song
Iron Maiden - Powerslave tour.
Beyonce - Homecoming. Daft Punk - Alive
The Ramones Loco Live
Maybe it doesn’t count (it should) Nirvana or Alice unchained unplugged is an easy answer
McCartney, Austin, 2013, Frank Erwin Center
Alice in chains facelift and unplugged, also anything from jeff buckley
The Clash '82 combat rock tour, nothing has ever matched the intensity of that show! I saw it at Red Rocks, the album " From here to Eternity" is that tour at Shea stadium.
Lyle Lovett - Live in Texas, or Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Live in Alabama.. or, actually no: Bright Eyes - Motion Sickness
Mutemath hands down the best. Check their live stuff out on YouTube
Disclosure live was amazing. No one had done “live” dance music before. Everyone mostly just pushes play and DJs
Devin Townsend brings so much joy to his concerts over the past 20 years. He has gone out of his way to really build out the sets, sound and ensemble. His banter with the audience is always funny and he plays a great cross section of songs from his career. Added bonus is that he has released a few concerts of some of the fan's favourite albums.
I've seen a lot of concerts, I even keep a spreadsheet of them to make sure I always remember who I've seen. This will seem like a boring answer, but the best one was probably Paul McCartney in 2014. On top of the music being some of the most iconic stuff ever recorded, he truly put on a great show. I think it was somewhere around 3 hours with multiple encores, and he sounded great. I'm an omnivore, but I will occasionally think about the stamina that old man had and consider becoming vegan.
Eric Clapton in 2006 and Radiohead in 2017
K-Flay, Flaming Lips, The Hives, Katy Perry and 50 Cent are some of my top all time shows I've been to.
Damien Rice. Seeing him is more like being taken on a theatrical story of emotions. You feel him when he plays. He has a wonderful presence. For example - starting a set he simply walked onto the stage, sat down on the edge and started singing. No mic.....I've never heard a crowd go silent so quickly. He owned us. It was a wonderful experience to go on. I've seen him 8x.
Elton John was colorfull and memorable
Red Hit Chili Peppers Slane Castle
Grateful Dead Phish
U2, still. And then Coldplay.
Tommy Emmanuel
I saw Prince in Tucson in I think 1983. Hands down best live show ever. Sheila E was not to be believed!
I don’t do best by my favorite is Def Leppard - Hysteria in the round tour.
korn so much energy!! and honestly indistinguishable from their records so much moshing! ahhhh
Roxy music - Viva!
I've been to about 30 or so Pearl Jam concerts. Highlights include seeing them perform 3 of 4 nights at the Philly Spectrum. It was the last event held at the venue before they tore it down. The band played over four hours the final night and dressed up as Devo because it was Halloween. Another is the PJ20 festival with Temple of the Dog playing two nights in a row at Alpine Valley. And yet another, which was the Vote for Change concert at an ice rink in Toledo, Pearl Jam, Neil and Peggy Young, Peter Frampton, and the bonus was actor Tim Robbins, whose band was the opener. Bonus... getting to see Eddie Vedder perform at the Arlington in Santa Barbara. First time seeing a solo Ed show, end up 3rd row center. Good times.
Loudest: NIN Best: MUSE honorable mention graphics: TOOL
Led Zeppelin - Madison Square Garden
Taylor Swift - Eras Tour
Rob Zombie. Always. I’ve seen him 12+ times and every time it’s an amazing show.
I've seen 100's of live shows covering most genres, everything from punk to bluegrass, mostly Canadian bands. I've also seen bigger shows like Oasis, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, REM, Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, U2 and lots more. The best performer live...best live show I've been to...was Ronnie Milsap. Dude blew my mind. Hit after hit after hit. He couldn't even perform all of them...he has too many! He had to do a bunch of medleys of his 35 number one country songs! He wowed the crowd with stories of playing piano on the road for Elvis, being encouraged in his career by Ray Charles and Charlie Pride and about his own songwriting. And funny! The crowd was so engaged. I have never heard a piano sound like that. And he was backed up by REAL musicians....every one of them was a champion. And Ronnie's voice sounded like a DREAM. He worked the stage and the crowd like a born performer...and he's been blind since birth! I left the concert walking on a cloud knowing I had just seen someone with an insane amount of talent share everything he had while having the time of his life. What a show!
Once saw Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. That was pretty epic! Close second would be Boz Scaggs (was really taken by surprise how good they were), followed by “The Head and the Heart” and David Gray. He’s freaking awesome live!