Best You've Ever Heard, Live?

[Autostrada Pilot]

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.

[DCXCV]

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.

[Jaman]

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.

[akmnstr]

Credence Clearwater Revival in 1969 (am I old or what)
Bob Dylan with Joan Baez in 1975
Stevie Ray Vaughn
Kenny Wayne Shepherd   

[Oldfisti]

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!

[dropstharockalot]

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.

[Pip]

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.

[tcspeedfreak]

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 Architect]

The Cranberries.  I don't know why I really enjoyed them. 

[B.Rock]

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 

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.

[dropstharockalot]

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... 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.

[B.Rock]

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.