What's the best band you've ever heard, Live? Many bands sound good on CD, but what's the best live music you've ever heard, sober or other wise? [clap]
Green Day
Killswitch Engage
Surprisingly....REM. Consistantly...Counting Crows. I've seen them 10 times or so. Once the drummer had to leave mid set to go to hospital. They stopped, pulled out a huge binder and picked out an entirely new acoustic setlist. [clap] Real bands can do that.
Dropkick Murphys... Both indoor and outdoor.
Primus, Anthrax, Public Enemy and an all star jam at the end Featuring Ice Tea all in the same concert. Best performance/concert ever...except for the opening act, a white rap group called Young Black Teenagers who approprietly got booed off the stage. [clap]
My wife has seen Green Day at least 5 times and says they sound perfect everytime...
Quote from: hbliam on January 22, 2010, 06:09:08 PM
Surprisingly....REM. Consistantly...Counting Crows. I've seen them 10 times or so. Once the drummer had to leave mid set to go to hospital. They stopped, pulled out a huge binder and picked out an entirely new acoustic setlist. [clap] Real bands can do that.
I think I just threw up a little. [puke]
Pink Floyd - both in '88 and '94.
Page/Plant in '96 was incredible.
U2 in '01
Alice in Chains in '93 was pretty damn good at Lollapalooza. They were also fantastic when I saw them in '06.
Social D - killer.
Jonny Lang always knocks it out.
As does Gov't Mule.
Van Halen in '08 far exceeded my expectations.
Maroon 5 is much better live than on album.
So is Los Lonely Boys and Indigenous.
I could go on.
Seeing Umphrey's McGee tomorrow night. [thumbsup]
Quote from: kopfjäger on January 22, 2010, 06:31:01 PM
I think I just threw up a little. [puke]
Oh this is a shit on others opinions thread? Sorry missed that part of the title. [roll]
Sorry but Live, Maroon 5, Michael Franti, Augustana, Steve Miller, U2, and the various others I've sat through lately haven't been that great live.
Tool in '98 in Houston.
Multiple widespread panic Halloween shows in new Orleans, but the crowd is a big part of that. And a panic show at the backyard in Austin when Howser was dying :'(
Quote from: hbliam on January 22, 2010, 06:54:49 PM
Oh this is a shit on others opinions thread? Sorry missed that part of the title. [roll]
Not the thread, just your post. :-\
Quote from: Randimus Maximus on January 22, 2010, 06:47:09 PM
Pink Floyd - both in '88 and '94.
Page/Plant in '96 was incredible.
U2 in '01
Alice in Chains in '93 was pretty damn good at Lollapalooza. They were also fantastic when I saw them in '06.
Social D - killer.
Jonny Lang always knocks it out.
As does Gov't Mule.
Van Halen in '08 far exceeded my expectations.
Maroon 5 is much better live than on album.
So is Los Lonely Boys and Indigenous.
I could go on.
Seeing Umphrey's McGee tomorrow night. [thumbsup]
pffft..
Bangles Summer '89
MSU..front row..Suzanna Hoffs looked me in the eyes and sang "Eternal Flame".
f*cking amazing!
Quote from: kopfjäger on January 22, 2010, 06:59:01 PM
Not the thread, just your post. :-\
Tool. You, not the band. :)
The Who and Pink Floyd, both in 1977 (different concerts).
Best:
Social Distortion, now that I think of it (thanks Randimus :))
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream tour. Lubbock TX of all places.
P Funk - SxSW one year
Sonic Youth - A Thousand Leaves, another SxSW show. Not my favorite album by them, but my fav show.
Broken Social Scene
Worst/most disappointing:
Pavement - they are not a good live band, but I will keep going to their shows.
Cat Power - they are very much not a good live band
Al Green - he had the crowd sing most of his songs. Saw him with the Isley Brothers, who turned. it. out.
The ones that got away:
Grounded for Janes Addiction/Smashing Pumpkins
Showed up to a fundraiser where Willie Nelson was scheduled to play. He was arrested for possession, so they sent Billy Ray Cyrus instead. I would rather be kicked in the balls by Willie Nelson than watch Billy Ray Cyrus live.
Missed Radiohead at Szigetfest in Budapest Hungary by a couple hours.
Skeletons in my closet:
Madonna
Harry Connick Jr
Ted Nugent/Lynyrd Skynyrd
Ace Frehley
Quote from: il d00d on January 22, 2010, 07:27:45 PM
Missed Radiohead at Szigetfest in Budapest Hungary by a couple hours.
Damn, talk about bad timing. Not very often a person finds themselves with the chance to see these guys live.
Eric Clapton playing with Jeff Beck, John Mayer, Carlos Santana, AND Booker T and the MG's (different sets) back in 04(?)
Lynrd Skynrd and ZZ Top playing a cover of "everyone must get stoned" new years eve 1999
Trace Atkins Bagram AFB Afghanistan.
Quote from: NorDog on January 22, 2010, 07:11:55 PM
The Who and Pink Floyd, both in 1977 (different concerts).
The Who and Floyd [clap] [clap] Wow! Wish I were there [beer]
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Five Times
They don't disappoint.
Paul Butterfield Band with Elvin Bishop, Mike Bloomfield and Sam Lay as band members.
I know I'm missing someone... :-\
U2 (x5)
Talk Talk
UB40
any local blues gig serving beer [beer]
Led Zeppelin, Frankfurt, 1980 (I even got the T-shirt)
I love live music, but the following groups always seem to be better live than on CD.
The Who have been phenomenal every time I've seen them.
Dweezil Zappa's latest "Zappa Plays Zappa" show is amazing.
Porcupine Tree rocks.
Rush
King's X
There have been many other bands that I've seen who were amazing, but this list is based on bands I have seen multiple times for a better basis of comparison since any band can have an off or on night.
The Tragically Hip
Much better live than studio recorded
[thumbsup]
Quote from: Desert Dust on January 23, 2010, 12:07:17 AM
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Five Times
They don't disappoint.
+1 [thumbsup]
Also saw Pearl Jam at First Avenue in Mpls about a week before "Ten" was released. Incredible show.
Another one that comes to mind was Sheryl Crow, believe it or not. It was in the late '90s (Globe Sessions tour if I recall), small venue, she had a small orchestra section as backup for much of it. All was spot-on and excellent.
I'd really like to see Tool (the band ;) ).
Also Brian Setzer and orchestra right before the Dirty Boogie tour
Sounded phenomenal and EVERYONE was dancing
Dropkick Murphys are always great live. As are Pennywise and Social D. The best Murphys show was in Austin in 2000, I think. They had Lars Frederickson and the Bastards opening. Murphys guitarist Jim Lynch had broken his wrist/hand/arm in Jersey a week or so earlier so they had Lars Frederickson filling in. AWESOME! Lars is so much better on his own than with Rancid.
Also, U2 in Stuttgart, Germany 1993. Big open-air show. Sound was really good, even at the back as we were prepping to exfil. Opening band, Die Toten Hosen was really good too.
As for recent concerts, I saw Seether at the Norva in Norfolk and they rocked the place. The opening band, State of Shock, wasn't bad either.
(http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo256/Crazy_Horse_1877/Seetheretal_0031.jpg)
(http://i381.photobucket.com/albums/oo256/Crazy_Horse_1877/Alison-StateofShock.jpg)
Well this one is obvious for me.
In my opinion there are no other bands out there that can even come close to the energy, stage presence, crowd noise and singing, and sound than Metallica. Seen them 14 times and everytime leaves me amazed at how much energy they get out of the crowd. They also sound just like the albums (James' voice is going a little bit lately) and play for at least 2 hours if not more. After a Metallica show the crowd is walking out like zombies becuase they have given the band all of the energy they've got. Even when 'tallica was at Bonnaroo where a lot of the crowd is in to hippy music I talked to major hippies who would have said they hated Metallica's music before say they were one of the best shows there.
Rest of the better bands I've seen live (in order0
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Ted Nugent/Lynrd Skynrd
Stone Temple Pilots (back in the day this band was amazing live)
Pearl Jam-very good musical performance but damn did Vedder talk too much about the gov't
Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Megadeth
Limp Bizkit (again a very entergetic and crowd involved performance)
Kid Rock
AC/DC
So many others but those are the ones that stand out.
Quote from: Mike_D on January 23, 2010, 03:20:53 AM
Led Zeppelin, Frankfurt, 1980 (I even got the T-shirt)
Now I'm Jealous. Watching Zepplin live. Wow [bow_down]
Stone Temple Pilots and Red Hot Chilly Peppers at Jones Beach theater. 2002, I think.
Quote from: alfisti on January 23, 2010, 03:29:30 AM
The Tragically Hip
Much better live than studio recorded
[thumbsup]
Seen The Hip 5 times to date and they ALWAYS put on a phenominal show! HUGE +1
Quote from: Desert Dust on January 23, 2010, 04:50:26 AM
Now I'm Jealous. Watching Zepplin live. Wow [bow_down]
Though I have heard that Zep were a bit hit & miss. A friend of mine saw them on back to back shows in '77 I think, and said in the first show he was really bummed because they sucked, but then the next show they killed it.
Also, +1 on Metallica. In the 3-4 times I've seen them they were never off. Great band, even if I haven't liked any of the new stuff in the last 10 years or so.
Quote from: superjohn on January 23, 2010, 05:52:11 AM
Though I have heard that Zep were a bit hit & miss.
The show I saw was amazing. At one point, Jimmy Page sat on a stool with a single red light shining down on him and played White Summer/Black Mountain Side with the rest of the stage in darkness. After about 10 minutes, he slowly stood up and in a flash of light, burst into Kashmir. The Festhalle went nuts.
Used to see Tool live quite a bit, as I worked on the Undertow tour for a while. Absolutely great show and tight as hell (not so surprising when you consider how talented all these guys are) but DAMN it was hard on your hearing even with earplugs...
I'd love to see Tool live--I thought Lateralus was their best work, 10,000 Days, not so much.
I really like 10,000 days. It has a different complexity to their work and shows that they are maturing musically together. I will say though that I did not like it all that much at first, but it really grew on me.
Voodoo Glow Skulls
Nashville Pussy
the last time i saw Tool, maynard wore a black body suit and stood at the back and you couldnt see him :P
Jr Brown
Quote from: JEFF_H on January 23, 2010, 08:07:10 AM
Nashville Pussy
"Keep on f*ckin" sounded like Alice Cooper's voice.
Let them eat p*ssy..nice album cover. [laugh]
For you Zepplin or Doors fans in the LA or San Diego area, there are two fabulous cover bands.
Wild Child does amazing doors covers.
Led Zepagain...............well, the name kind of speaks for itself.
Only 15-20 bucks for a night of great entertainment.
Tragically Hip - I've seen them 6-7 times and they always put on a great show.
U2 - 360o Tour, 2009 at Skydome, Toronto. Incredible concert, great acoustics even with the roof open and the CN tower visible overhead.
Michael Buble - yes, seriously. He's an extremely entertaining singer to see live, especially if you like big band music.
Billy Bragg - not much of a "showman" but definitely worth seeing live. Refreshing to see a lone guy on stage with a guitar, singing because he actually cares.
Pearl Jam -- Vs. tour. They were flawless. I just saw them a couple months ago as well...still great but Matt Cameron is no Dave A. (especially on songs that require a groove).
Rush -- Roll the Bones tour.
Elton John -- I was in 6th grade, Still Standing tour I think. Great show.
Iron Maiden -- Powerslave. Not sure they were the best *heard*, although they were good. Definitely the best *seen* though.
Tool -- Aenima. They were great despite being in the all-time worst concert venue (Reno Livestock Events Center). They should have fired their booking agent after playing that shithole. I'd really like to see them again in a better venue.
Metallica - Master of Puppets tour...they opened for Ozzy (and kicked his ass). They were impressive. I also saw them for their Black album stadium tour. They were equally as unimpressive then. [puke]
Honorable mention to Pennywise and NOFX. Punk is awesome, but isn't the best music to compare bands live musically. I've seen them both at least 5 times though and they always kick ass. [thumbsup]
Worst -- Megadeth Peace Sells Tour. They sucked major ass. STP opened for them (weird combo) and blew them away. Sex Type Thing is still their best song.
I would have to say these in no order sounded amazing...
-Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream tour at the UI
-The Rolling Stones at the MGM in Vegas
-The Police at Wrigley Field
My wife saw the Red Hot Chile Peppers at the Rusty Rudder in Dewey Beach in the late 80s. I would have loved to see that show.
The Allman Brothers: I didn't expect much the first time I saw them, but those guys are pure pros. They played 25-30 minute jams and didn't miss one note. I seen them about four other times since. There's no dancing, no jumping around the stage, no fancy lights. The just play with perfection.
In order from best to the rest:
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at Mt. View Shoreline mid 90s
The Allman Brothers at Concord Pavilion, late 90s
Crosby Stills and Nash at the Filmore in SF around 2000
Page and Plant at San Jose at the Shark Tank in the late 90s
Mudcrutch at Viejas Casino two years ago (Tom Petty's first band; a reunion)
The B 52s near Stockton, CA late 90s
Clapton at Mt. View Shoreline in the late 90s
The Stones at Candlestick Park in the early 80s
Santana at Concord Pavilion in the early 90s
Bob Dylan at San Diego State, 2002
B.B. King at the free outdoor Chicago Blues Fest about 20 years ago.
Tool's live performances are always amazing... have seen AEnima and 10,000 days shows and both times they tight as a nun.
Adrian Belew in Nashville right as I was in college... nice.
Quote from: ducatiz on January 24, 2010, 07:31:05 AM
Tool's live performances are always amazing... have seen AEnima and 10,000 days shows and both times they tight as a nun.
Adrian Belew in Nashville right as I was in college... nice.
How tight is that?
Quote from: Desert Dust on January 24, 2010, 07:42:30 AM
How tight is that?
pretty make the beast with two backsing tight. i've seen well-practised jazz acts who aren't as tight as Tool in concert, it was like they are a single organism, eating, swallowing and farting all in concert
Quote from: ducatiz on January 24, 2010, 07:44:48 AM
pretty make the beast with two backsing tight. i've seen well-practised jazz acts who aren't as tight as Tool in concert, it was like they are a single organism, eating, swallowing and farting all in concert
Do you speak from experience? [bow_down]
Sister Lolita was a nun and my first grade teacher. She would rap my knuckles with a yardstick for nodding off in class. [laugh]
Quote from: Desert Dust on January 24, 2010, 09:11:22 AM
Do you speak from experience? [bow_down]
yes, i do, i have seen Tool and many, many many jazz acts live... ;D
QuoteSister Lolita was a nun and my first grade teacher. She would rap my knuckles with a yardstick for nodding off in class. [laugh]
i had a battleaxe named Sister MicahBridget for 2nd grade. She looked like a bulldog, about 5'1" tall and 4'8" wide. Mean as an old bulldog too. when she walked down the hall, her hose would "swich swich swich" loudly as we all sniggered like.. well.. second graders..
I see a lot of live music, but try to stick with smaller clubs - I've never been a big fan of stadium shows. It is hard to pick favorites
Neko Case at the 930 club was awesome. They are great to see live
Virgin Fest 2 summer ago was amazing. The whole thing. LCD Soundsystem, not someone I thought would be good live, was amazing. Even got to see Amy Winehouse get in a fight with her microphone and it got ugly!
Fondly remember seeing Red Hot Chili Peppers in small clubs in Tucson way before they charted. Fishbone too.
Quote from: ducatiz on January 24, 2010, 09:21:27 AM
yes, i do, i have seen Tool and many, many many jazz acts live... ;D
i had a battleaxe named Sister MicahBridget for 2nd grade. She looked like a bulldog, about 5'1" tall and 4'8" wide. Mean as an old bulldog too. when she walked down the hall, her hose would "swich swich swich" loudly as we all sniggered like.. well.. second graders..Must be all of that repression of erotic desires that makes 'em so mean!
Quote from: Desert Dust on January 24, 2010, 09:29:41 AM
Must be all of that repression of erotic desires that makes 'em so mean!
>shudder< [puke]
As I've caught shows in a number of different types and sizes of venues, it goes without saying small venues always sound the best. In the rare occasion of the right seats in the right place, a huge stadium may sound excellent. Also, to say a show was "the best" is often a combination of not only the sound, but also the stage, the lighting, the energy of the crowd, and so on.
That said, here's my short list of shows in no particular order:
Any show at the Joint, Las Vegas. Seen 10 or so different bands and have never been disappointed with their sound. They just know how to make a live show sound right. Marilyn Manson on New Year's Eve '98 and Velvet Revolver/STP '08 particularly come to mind.
Metallica consistently puts on a great all-around show, despite the debate of their earlier material vs. their older material. No politics, no lectures, just music. Older Queensrÿche shows get honorable mention.
For overall energy no matter how directed and interpreted, nothing can top 200,000+ pogo-ers for Korn and Limp Bizkit, among others, during Arsonstock '99. It's no wonder all that peace and love found in that lineup of touchy-feely bands ended the weekend like it did.
For visually appealing shows Pink Floyd and Roger Waters stand out, and I'm sure there's others I can't recall. ;)
For a complete scene of the crowd, the show, the makeshift carnival atmosphere and overall experience, I'd list any Grateful Dead show. Hell, because traffic was stopped on the interstate for a show in Autzen Stadium, I could never forget all the hackey-sackers and frisbee tossers in the middle of the freeway. Also, any show at the Gorge in WA gets honorable mention. Steve Miller, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Steely Dan, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, Queensrÿche …
Better live than on media:
Dave Matthews Band - especially outside (Charlottesville, Nissan Pavilion, JFK). Sound was always good and the crowd experience was something else altogether.
Best song I've heard live:
My answer here isn't going to win me any cool points from the A crowd but it's the truth.
Allison Krauss - don't remember the songs name but they brought out an old school 30's microphone and she sang it a cappella. Never seen a crowd of 20k go from rowdy to dead silent to entranced within a matter of seconds. Purest voice i've ever heard - live or otherwise.
Thinking of this sure makes me miss Northern Virginia. I saw a lot of great bands/performers between Nissan Pavilion, Wolf Trap, RFK and the occasional run to Charlottesville.
My Favorite show was The Pietasters, Mustard Plug, and Dropkick Murphy`s at Tramps in NYC.
Umphrey's McGee was pretty incredible last night.
They are an interesting band. They can sound like Bob Marley, Metallica, Santana, Queen & 311 all in the same song.
They did a great mashup with Fat Bottomed Girls, Good Times/Bad Times and their own stuff, as well as an incredible cover of Baba O'Reilly.
As they say in the jam band world, their transitions were phenomenal.
U2 was amazing....just the energy in the air.
Muse was amazing....the lights, the energy, the sound...all incredible.
Jack Johnson was 100% spot on....even outdoors. Brought a magical feeling to the summer night.
Linkin Park (twice)
Gogol Bordello
The Offspring
I've enjoyed plenty of other shows, but those were easily the most fun/intense/energetic and well played shows.
too hard to narrow down, but a few of my favorite live bands...
Rush
Sonic Youth
Social D
Dinosaur Jr
Primus
Butthole Surfers
Motorhead
Stray Cats
Cypress Hill
Santana
Pogues
Joe & the Mescaleros (RIP Joe)
Violent Femmes (great audience participation band!)
I don't really go to "big show/venues" anymore - getting too old - too many people, and would rather watch a concert dvd, as that's pretty much what they have turned into.
Credence Clearwater Revival in 1969 (am I old or what)
Bob Dylan with Joan Baez in 1975
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
Quote from: akmnstr on January 25, 2010, 10:49:40 AM
Credence Clearwater Revival in 1969 (am I old or what)
Bob Dylan with Joan Baez in 1975
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Kenny Wayne Shepherd
I had the privilege of seeing SRV live back in '89 in Saratoga.
Great show!
[thumbsup] [thumbsup] [thumbsup]
The Black Keys, on the "Attack & Release" tour at The Vogue in Indy about two years ago. Say what you will about Kearney's drumming, but these guys bring the best small-stage show I've seen. The sound was spot-on and Auerbach is an amazing presence. The two of them provide a ton of entertainment, especially considering the stripped-down nature of what they do. All-around excellent show.
DMB at Verizon (when it was Deer Creek) - Crash tour. Everyone knows DMB is great live.
North Mississippi All-Stars at Rib Fest. Lucked into this one, as I didn't realize they were even on the bill. Awful sound set-up and they completely overcame the venue's shortcomings. They basically shut down the fest with one of Luther's 10-minute slide solos... I mean, things just came to a halt. People were literally stopped in their tracks and staring at the stage.
Recently:
Supergiant from New Mexico - pure energy in the Fu Manchi vein. The singer's pipes are insane, and they've got a great big wall-of-fuzz sound that moves your bones.
The Pinstripes - ska from Cinci. Ultra-sharp and clean, especially considering they showed up with a replacement drummer that night.
Alexisonfire, '07 Carling Academy, Bristol UK.
Insanely good show. Sounded fantastic, performed like it was their last show ever. Pulmonary Archery made me tear up a bit it was so good.
Quote from: Rev. Millertime on January 22, 2010, 06:10:08 PM
Dropkick Murphys... Both indoor and outdoor.
+1 saw them twice last year.
also maybe not so much the music but an awesome show in general was slip knot last winter in st. paul
The Cranberries. I don't know why I really enjoyed them.
Quote from: JEFF_H on January 23, 2010, 08:07:10 AM
Voodoo Glow Skulls
Nashville Pussy
the last time i saw Tool, maynard wore a black body suit and stood at the back and you couldnt see him :P
For whatever reason I've seen VGS live more than anyone else and they are a really good time. Who do voodoo we do!
NOFX put on a great show, Social Distortion was very good, Guttermouth was a pile of fun, Real McKenzies and Dropkick Murphys were both pretty good... Unfortunately pretty much everything musically sucks now, and what doesn't, ticketmaster has monopolized the market on.
Quote from: B.Rock on January 26, 2010, 06:48:39 AM
/////////
... Unfortunately pretty much everything musically sucks now, and what doesn't, ticketmaster has monopolized the market on.
I feel just the opposite way... everything Ticketbastard has monopolized the market on sucks, and what they haven't is pretty darn good.
I think I've paid for maybe three big-venue shows with $30+ tickets in the past five years. I'd much rather take in a decent local band for $5 or $10 (and drink the difference 'til they sound even better!). I'm not some big indie/obscure band snob, but there's a good chance there's a few kids in your town putting out a decent sound right now.
Quote from: dropstharockalot on January 26, 2010, 08:59:18 AM
I feel just the opposite way... everything Ticketbastard has monopolized the market on sucks, and what they haven't is pretty darn good.
I think I've paid for maybe three big-venue shows with $30+ tickets in the past five years. I'd much rather take in a decent local band for $5 or $10 (and drink the difference 'til they sound even better!). I'm not some big indie/obscure band snob, but there's a good chance there's a few kids in your town putting out a decent sound right now.
You've got a point. What I was trying to say (and not doing it well) was that Ticketmaster has monopolized most of the shows and venues, so even when I DO find something I want to see, they add on 40%, and f that and f them for trying to get it.
I have seen a few "local kids" type shows for 5 bucks and whatnot lately. Often fun. [thumbsup]