Top 10 Concert Experiences

[Principled Man]

4 hours ago, 1-0-0-1-0-0-1 said:

Worst Concert? Smashing Pumpkins in 2016. It was billed as an SP show but it was just Billy Corgan doing acoustic versions of their songs, which we didn't know going in.

 

Wasn't every Pumpkins show really just Billy & The Hired Help ?   

[grep]

1. First Concert - Rush MSG Sept 84 on the p/g Tour
2. Last Concert - Judas Priest, 2022.
3. Worst Concert - Kiss about 10 years ago in NJ. Sounded like ass. Def Leppard opened that show and sounded fantastic.
4. Loudest Concert - I don't remember.
5. Best Concert - DT, 20th Anniversary show in April 2006, RCMH.  The place was electric.
6. Seen the Most - Rush. 28 times.
7. Most Surprising - Rival Sons. Saw them open for Sabbath back in 16'. Instant fan.
8. Happy I got to see - Journey. Foreigner, and Styx with their original singers. (Schon, Graham, DeYoung)
9. Wish I could have seen - Tom Petty, Motorhead, Tina Turner, Triumph (though I have seen Rik live 6 or 7 times)
10. Next Concert - Zebra.
11. Bucket List of still alive: YYNOT, TOOL, Billy Joel, GVF, Mammoth WVH.

Edited August 27 by grep

[apetersvt]

1. First Concert? Rush - Hold Your Fire - Hampton VA (Tommy Shaw Opener)
2. Last Concert? Dead and Company - Sphere - Vegas - July 2024
3. Worst Concert? Was not impressed with the Melvins - opener for Primus back in '93.  As far as headliners, I would go with Hootie And The Blowfish.  Not that bad, but not my thing - went with ex-wife on our anniversary.
4. Loudest Concert? Gov't Mule - Alley Katz - Richmond, VA - thinking it was around '98.
5. Best Concert? Being on Rush forum I will go with R40 - Newark (6th row) or R30 - Va Beach (front row center).  Non Rush - votes go for the final ABB concert at the Beacon in NY, Grateful Dead - Philly Spectrum - Oct 94, the Fare The Well shows in Chicago - July 2015
6. Seen the Most? Local band - Craigslist Jerry - seen about 150 times.  For national touring bands - I think I've seen Bob Weir about 80 times (Grateful Dead, Ratdog, Further, The Dead, The Other Ones, Dead and Co, solo) and Warren Haynes about 80 times (Mule, Allmans, Phil and Friends)The Dead, solo)
7. Most Surprising? The Black Crowes - saw them the first in '96.  Had only heard them on the radio.  Didn't realize they could jam.
8. Happy I got to see? The Grateful Dead with Jerry
9. Wish I could have seen? Led Zeppelin
10. Next Concert? King Gizzard is playing a hometown show today, but it's sold out.  Trying to get a ticket.  Bunch of local shows coming up (I typically go see live music 2-3 times a week).  JRAD (Joe Russo Almost Dead) is next up.

[grep]

59 minutes ago, apetersvt said:

1. First Concert? Rush - Hold Your Fire - Hampton VA (Tommy Shaw Opener)
2. Last Concert? Dead and Company - Sphere - Vegas - July 2024
3. Worst Concert? Was not impressed with the Melvins - opener for Primus back in '93.  As far as headliners, I would go with Hootie And The Blowfish.  Not that bad, but not my thing - went with ex-wife on our anniversary.
4. Loudest Concert? Gov't Mule - Alley Katz - Richmond, VA - thinking it was around '98.
5. Best Concert? Being on Rush forum I will go with R40 - Newark (6th row) or R30 - Va Beach (front row center).  Non Rush - votes go for the final ABB concert at the Beacon in NY, Grateful Dead - Philly Spectrum - Oct 94, the Fare The Well shows in Chicago - July 2015
6. Seen the Most? Local band - Craigslist Jerry - seen about 150 times.  For national touring bands - I think I've seen Bob Weir about 80 times (Grateful Dead, Ratdog, Further, The Dead, The Other Ones, Dead and Co, solo) and Warren Haynes about 80 times (Mule, Allmans, Phil and Friends)The Dead, solo)
7. Most Surprising? The Black Crowes - saw them the first in '96.  Had only heard them on the radio.  Didn't realize they could jam.
8. Happy I got to see? The Grateful Dead with Jerry
9. Wish I could have seen? Led Zeppelin
10. Next Concert? King Gizzard is playing a hometown show today, but it's sold out.  Trying to get a ticket.  Bunch of local shows coming up (I typically go see live music 2-3 times a week).  JRAD (Joe Russo Almost Dead) is next up.

R40 in Newark was my 25th show and I was 2 rows behind you  on Alex's side.    I was on the CP board at the time, and there were a few of us in the same general area on the floor....

Edited August 28 by grep

[Timbale]

1. First Concert? Technically, Harry Chapin with my family.  The first rock concert I went to without parents was Rush, Maple Leaf Gardens, Sept '84.
2. Last Concert?  I've been out of the concert loop for a while - go to see many friends' bands play locally, but I think my last show was Jon Batiste about 3 years ago.
3. Worst Concert?  Sandra Bernhard, some time in the 90s.  Thought it would be a comedy show, but she had a band and played AWFUL covers of Stones and other classic rock songs.      It was unbearable.
4. Loudest Concert? I can't remember the band, but it was at the Ottawa Blues Festival -- the drummer's snare was like an icepick in my ear for every 2 and 4.
5. Best Concert?  Hard call, but probably Tom Waits in 1999.
6. Seen the Most? Rush - I think 12 times.
7. Most Surprising?  Jon Batiste - a close call to the crown of best concert.  He was astonishing -- like Prince, James Brown and McCoy Tyner all wrapped up into one.
8. Happy I got to see?  Leonard Cohen.  I saw him twice before he passed. I am grateful that he went back to touring in his later years.  It was a semi-religious experience both times.
9. Wish I could have seen?  Genesis.  Of course I would have LOVED to have seen them with Gabriel, but even seeing the Phil-led band in its heyday would have been great.  I considered this most recent (final) tour, but I just didn't think the magic would be there...and the Chester/Phil double drum thing was such a big part of what made their post - Gabriel shows great.
10. Next Concert?  At this point, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

[Alexmai]

1. First Concert? Kiss and Iron Maiden, August 29th 1980, (Castle St. Angel, Rome, Italy), Unmasked tour, 2nd concert with Eric Carr on drums
2. Last Concert? Vasco Rossi, summer 2023, Bologna Stadium Dall'Ara
3. Worst Concert? All good!
4. Loudest Concert? Monsters of rock, Modena 1988, Iron Maiden and Kiss were the last two bands to play (reverse order since 1980)
5. Best Concert? Rush, Wembley Arena 2004
6. Seen the Most? Kiss (1980, 1988, 1999, 2008, 2010, 2019)
7. Most Surprising? Lenny Kravitz, Flaminio Stadium, Rome 1993
8. Happy I got to see? Rush
9. Wish I could have seen? Queen with Freddie Mercury
10. Next Concert? No plans

[jamie]

1. First Concert? Tom Petty and Steve Winwood at the Hollywood Bowl in 2008. I was 11
2. Last Concert? Yob at Brick by Brick in San Diego last year. They're a doom metal trio.
3. Worst Concert? I hate to say it, but my experience seeing Iron Maiden in 2017 wasn't great. The venue sucked, the concert-goers sucked, and the openers sucked except for Ghost.
4. Loudest Concert? It's a tie between Iron Maiden, The Melvins, and Mr. Bungle
5. Best Concert? Several: Rush, Weird Al, Roger Waters, Ghost, Dream Theater, Chili Peppers
6. Seen the Most? Yob 4 times
7. Most Surprising? Pond, I didn't expect to become a fan until I saw them.
8. Happy I got to see? Rush and Iron Maiden!
9. Wish I could have seen? Oingo Boingo
10. Next Concert? None at the moment

[apetersvt]

On 8/28/2024 at 2:05 PM, grep said:

R40 in Newark was my 25th show and I was 2 rows behind you  on Alex's side.    I was on the CP board at the time, and there were a few of us in the same general area on the floor....

I will see if I can figure out how to post my pics, but just before the show started, I saw Ray Daniels heading towards me escorting someone.  Turns out it was filmmaker Michael Moore.  In the row directly in front of me.  I will keep my opinions of him to myself.

[BastillePark]

On 8/26/2024 at 1:07 PM, zepphead said:

 

Great thread Leanne!!!

 

1. First Concert? Rory Gallagher Ulster Hall Belfast 1974
2. Last Concert? Liam Gallagher Boucher Road Belfast Aug 2024
3. Worst Concert? Focus Queens University Belfast 1976. Guitarist Jan Akkerman left the band a week before the gig. A late replacement was drafted in. A Shambles!

4. Loudest Concert? Motorhead Belfast 1981
5. Best Concert? Rush Time Machine Tour Dublin May 2011
6. Seen the Most? Rush 5 times
7. Most Surprising? Status Quo Dublin 1979. Much heavier than their studio efforts
8. Happy I got to see? Queen with Freddie, ACDC with Bon Scott, Warren Zevon, Dio (solo and with Rainbow), Jethro Tull with Martin Barre
9. Wish I could have seen? Zeppelin, Floyd, Genesis with Gabriel, David Bowie, R40
10. Next Concert? Eagles in Las Vegas September this year.

The concerts highlighted on #8 are positively epic. Zevon is one of my top 2 singer songwriters that I didn't come to appreciate that until later in my life. Of those you saw, I've only seen Dio, and man what a singer.

[grep]

16 hours ago, apetersvt said:

I will see if I can figure out how to post my pics, but just before the show started, I saw Ray Daniels heading towards me escorting someone.  Turns out it was filmmaker Michael Moore.  In the row directly in front of me.  I will keep my opinions of him to myself.

That brings back a memory - I heard that Moore was there.

I've got quite a few photos of that show too.... a few on my wall as well. :)

[zepphead]

18 hours ago, BastillePark said:

The concerts highlighted on #8 are positively epic. Zevon is one of my top 2 singer songwriters that I didn't come to appreciate that until later in my life. Of those you saw, I've only seen Dio, and man what a singer.

I got to see Warren twice .... both times in Belfast.

First time was in 1988 in the Ulster Hall with a full band. I remember the gig was very poorly attended but he put on a great show.

Next time was 2000 in The Grand Opera House. This was a one man show. Ironically he said he had been struggling with a bad cold and was using a throat spray 

throughout the gig. It was only a while later he was diagnosed with the throat cancer which eventually killed him.

[GeddyLeeRoth]

 1. First Concert? Van Halen, 5150 Tour 1986
2. Last Concert? Exodus, Testament & Death Angel 2022
3. Worst Concert? Ratt, Dancing Under Cover Tour 1987
4. Loudest Concert? Danzig 777 Tour, 2003 (the ceiling was crumbling and people were leaving it was so loud)
5. Best Concert? Rush, final show of Clock Work Angels Tour in KC, MO. THEY WERE ON FIRE.
6. Seen the Most? Tie: Rush/Slayer 10x each
7. Most Surprising? Ozzy Osbourne 1986 w Blue Oyster Cult--Metallica was supposed to open (unpleasant surprise!)
8. Happy I got to see? Everytime I saw Rush, but I remember being awestruck when I finally saw Metallica in '88 
9. Wish I could have seen? Led Zeppelin IV Tour (when they had enough awesome material but still on their game)
10. Next Concert? At the age of 51 w 3 kids and no local friends to see shows with I might finally be done. 

[Lurkst]

Excellent thread! Have had to take a long think before answering:-

 

1. First Concert? Marillion at Glasgow Barrowlands, Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) 1986.
2. Last Concert? Air playing Moon Safari at Spandau Citadel (Berlin), last month
3. Worst Concert? King's X at Strawberry Fields in Glasgow (circa 2000). Seen them several times before and they had always been fantastic, even in that venue, but this performance was absolutely mailed in. Don't know what was up but the chemistry was awful.
4. Loudest Concert? Bob Mould alone with an electric guitar in a tiny venue, my ears were ringing for days! As for a band I'd say Oasis (currently trending) playing in a big top, summer 95. The feedback after I Am The Walrus was physically painful.
5. Best Concert? Neil Young at Edinburgh Playhouse in 2008 doing a half solo acoustic/ half electric band show. Enjoyed it so much I flew to London to see it again.
6. Seen the Most? Rush of course. 17 times from 1988 to 2013.
7. Most Surprising? George Michael, treated the wife to a weekend in Barcelona to see him, wasn't expecting much but he was a fantastic performer. 
8. Happy I got to see? Could be a long list, I will say Elliott Smith however. A cool guy and a very tragic loss.
9. Wish I could have seen? Would be an even longer list, but I think the one that I kick myself most over (because I actually had a ticket) Nirvana at Edinburgh Calton Studios in 1990. Decided to go to a party instead thinking I'd see them next time, of course by then things had blown out of all proportion.
10. Next Concert? Public Service Broadcasting previewing their new album at Oran Mor in Glasgow.

 

 

Edited September 1 by Lurkst

[J2112YYZ]

1. First Concert? The Monkees 20th anniversary tour in 1986 or 87? Went with my parents. Weird Al opened.
 

2. Last Concert? Jinjer in August of last year.
 

3. Worst Concert? I can't say I've ever experienced a truly bad performance from any headliners I've seen. There's been a number of bad openers and there have been other issues like crappy venues or overall bad environment that put a damper on some shows but the bands I've gone to see always seem to deliver.
 

4. Loudest Concert? Slipknot with Gojira and Behemoth in 2019. All three were the loudest and heaviest I've ever heard.
 

5. Best Concert? Rush in Syracuse on the Time Machine tour. I had front row on Alex's side.
 

6. Seen the Most? Rush 12 times.
 

7. Most Surprising? I'm not sure about that one. I think every band I went to see met my expectations.
 

8. Happy I got to see? Ronnie James Dio
 

9. Wish I could have seen? Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin 
 

10. Next Concert? The Warning on September 18th

[Rick N. Backer]

1. First Concert?  AC/DC 1981
2. Last Concert?  GNR, 2023
3. Worst Concert?  Probably Motley Crue 2022 or 2015 (although they were great in 1987)
4. Loudest Concert?  AC/DC 1981 and 2015
5. Best Concert? Either McCartney in 2008 or Harry Connick, Jr. in 2000.
6. Seen the Most?  The Wiggles and Aerosmith
7. Most Surprising?  Red Hot Chili Peppers
8. Happy I got to see?  Stevie Ray Vaughn
9. Wish I could have seen? George Harrison
10. Next Concert? Possibly Maiden

[Timbale]

On 8/31/2024 at 3:19 PM, Lurkst said:

Excellent thread! Have had to take a long think before answering:-

 

1. First Concert? Marillion at Glasgow Barrowlands, Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) 1986.
2. Last Concert? Air playing Moon Safari at Spandau Citadel (Berlin), last month
3. Worst Concert? King's X at Strawberry Fields in Glasgow (circa 2000). Seen them several times before and they had always been fantastic, even in that venue, but this performance was absolutely mailed in. Don't know what was up but the chemistry was awful.
4. Loudest Concert? Bob Mould alone with an electric guitar in a tiny venue, my ears were ringing for days! As for a band I'd say Oasis (currently trending) playing in a big top, summer 95. The feedback after I Am The Walrus was physically painful.
5. Best Concert? Neil Young at Edinburgh Playhouse in 2008 doing a half solo acoustic/ half electric band show. Enjoyed it so much I flew to London to see it again.
6. Seen the Most? Rush of course. 17 times from 1988 to 2013.
7. Most Surprising? George Michael, treated the wife to a weekend in Barcelona to see him, wasn't expecting much but he was a fantastic performer. 
8. Happy I got to see? Could be a long list, I will say Elliott Smith however. A cool guy and a very tragic loss.
9. Wish I could have seen? Would be an even longer list, but I think the one that I kick myself most over (because I actually had a ticket) Nirvana at Edinburgh Calton Studios in 1990. Decided to go to a party instead thinking I'd see them next time, of course by then things had blown out of all proportion.
10. Next Concert? Public Service Broadcasting previewing their new album at Oran Mor in Glasgow.

 

 

Very jealous you saw Elliott Smith.  Wow.

[Lurkst]

16 hours ago, Timbale said:

Very jealous you saw Elliott Smith.  Wow.

 

Can't remember too much about the gig. It was in a small club in Glasgow and one thing that stuck in my mind was that Elliott played bass for the support act, then they just swapped instruments for the main set.

[J2112YYZ]

On 8/25/2024 at 3:26 PM, Principled Man said:

1. First Concert?  KISS (1975) - My first TWO concerts.  I was young and naive, but I grew out of it!  
2. Last Concert?  Disturbed (2023) - A surprise ticket from my friends in Minneapolis
3. Worst Concert?  TIE: Van Halen (1980), Disturbed (2023)  VH's sound was extremely distorted.  Disturbed and the opening acts were just too dysfunctional
4. Loudest Concert?  Disturbed (2023) - I was wearing earplugs in the men's room!   
5. Best Concert?  RUSH - Time Machine Tour (Milwaukee, WI)  A very close 2nd is RUSH - Clockwork Angels Tour  
6. Seen the Most?  RUSH - 10 times
7. Most Surprising?  -- Molly Hatchet (1982?)  They stole the show from headliner Triumph.  Hatchet rocked the house!  
8. Happy I got to see?  Queensryche: Operation: Livecrime Tour (1991) 
9. Wish I could have seen?  Led Zeppelin   
10. Next Concert?  To Be Determined!  

 

 

What do you mean by Disturbed and their openers being too dysfunctional?

[Principled Man]

50 minutes ago, J2112YYZ said:

What do you mean by Disturbed and their openers being too dysfunctional?

The running theme in their songs was about their dysfunctional lives - anger, drugs, depression, suicide….

[custom55]

1. First Concert?  Santana / Booker T and the MG's 1971 at the Felt Forum
2. Last Concert? Stones at MetLife Stadium 2024
3. Worst Concert? YES.  First show w/o Jon at Atlantic City ( I walked out ) Date ?
4. Loudest Concert? The Who Quadrophenia at Phiily 1973
5. Best Concert? Floyd DSOTM Roosevelt Stadium NJ 1973
6. Seen the Most? Stones 60+
7. Most Surprising? Alice in Chains opening for Van Halen 1991 Izod Arena NJ
8. Happy I got to see? Black Sabbath 1972 /1975 and Led Zeppelin 14 times between 1973 and 1977.
9. Wish I could have seen? Queen
10. Next Concert?  Hopefully Phish at MSG New Year's Eve.