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12.11am
8 February 2014
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I really looked for an existing topic, but didn’t find one. I’ve been thinking over the concerts I’ve been to, and I think I’ve picked some pretty good ones (actually I just wanted to brag about the ones I’ve seen and figured it would be polite to invite you to do the same 
. It might be nice to compare…I’ll try to limit it to the 10 I’m most glad I saw (and end up with 13, not bad):
Paul 2013 (overwhelmingly the best, at 3h5m a good 25 minutes more than any other concert, including the Grateful Dead – at 71 a close 2nd in energy output behind Phil Collins at 31)
Genesis, 1982 (Phil expended more energy than anyone I’ve ever seen, always sprinting from mic to drums and back whenever he had a chance)
Rolling Stones, 1981
Clapton, 1989
Tom Petty & Heartbreakers, 2006
CSNY 2006
Ringo & Starrs, 2014
Elton, 1990
CSN, 1989
Jeff Beck, 1980
The Police, 1981 (Zenyatta Mendatta, their peak imo – also at the show: Peter Tosh, Oingo Boingo, the GoGos, someone else)
Dylan, 3 times (2000 was a doozie, electric, acoustic, electric – 3 sets)
John Prine, 1983
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parlance4.28pm
Reviewers
1 November 2013
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I’ve only seen 3 concerts (other than bands with people I know in them). The first was Wilco, but I was a little kid and don’t remember it much. Then, both this year, was Paul (which I’m doubtful will ever be topped. Incredible.) and Boston (which was pretty great).
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4.36pm
1 November 2013
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I only saw the Ringo All Star concert. It is both the best and the worst concert I have ever seen.
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Matt Busby
4.45pm
7 August 2014
Offline Blink-182 in 2012. Arctic Monkeys last year (Good band, but went because my mate in uni loves them). The Libertines this year. Only 3 so far unfortunately. Hoping to catch Paul and Noel Gallagher the next time they are playing nearby.
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Matt Busby7.17pm
21 November 2012
Offline Do festivals count too?
Okay my top 10:
1. Editors (absolutely smashed it on Pinkpop. Didn’t do a thing wrong.)
2. The Rolling Stones (it’s The Stones, come on)
3. Arctic Monkeys (made a few mistakes but they’re one of my favourite bands so..)
4. Stromae (not a big Stromae fan, but the whole show was great and he got everyone singing and dancing)
5. Mika (the first time I saw him in 2008. I used to be a fan but hate his music now. I can look back and honestly say it’s one of the best shows I’ve seen though. Tight band, good vocals and great show around it, only reason why he ends up at #5 is the fact I hate most of his music now and can’t remember why I ever liked it)
6. Jett Rebel (is a Dutch singer/musician. Even though I only knew 3 of his songs, I really enjoyed it. Hope he’ll be big)
7. Metallica (it was by request man, BY REQUEST!)
8. Ed Sheeran (he was on his own and put on a great show. Great how he knew how to work the crows)
9. Jake Bugg (he was great, bit boring though) tie with John Mayer, who was great but a bit boring too.
10. Paramore (hate most of their songs, don’t have an idea why I even went to their concert, but I really enjoyed it. Great show and Hayley is awesome.)
I also really want to see Paul and Noel Gallagher, but I don’t think Paul will come here soon. Noel’s album will be out soon (I think..and hope) and on his last tour he came here twice so there’s a chance. I’d also love to see Foo Fighters, who’ll probably come here next year, and Muse and Coldplay. That’s pretty much my bucketlist right now.
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Matt Busby8.28pm
6 August 2013
Offline Best one I ever went to was Barenaked Ladies at the Thompson-Boling Arena in 2001. All energy from start to finish, and just non-stop fun. I read somewhere where Ed Robertson said that BNL’s live peak was 2000-2001, and judging by that show, I believe it. 2nd was probably Steve Miller in ’97-the man just tore the building down that night. Aerosmith’s show was a lot of fun, TMBG in ’99 was also a lot of fun, and Nickel Creek’s show was good, though their opening act blew them away: Old Crow Medicine Show.
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Matt Busby"There's no such thing as bad student... only bad teacher."
8.37pm
7 August 2014
Offline @Linde Cool to see that you like Noel Gallagher! I personally think that Oasis’ first two albums are the closest things to Beatles records that any band has produced in the last 20 years.
10.39pm
21 November 2012
Offline Yeah I’m a huge fan. The only Oasis album I really dislike is Be Here Now. And of course the odd song here and there. His solo album was great too. Not a big fan of Beady Eye though, I sorta hope they’ll quit. I don’t know why people keep comparing Oasis’ first two albums to Beatles records though. I don’t really hear it. I mean, there are influences, sure, but I don’t think they sound like them.
Anyway, I’m derailing.
11.08pm
8 February 2014
Offline Linde said
Do festivals count too?
Yes! In my case, I thought of each band at a multi-band concert as a separate concert, but I’ve never seen more than 5 bands in a day or a multi day thing. Put whatever you want, as long as you enjoyed it 
EDIT: To you younger folk, I urge you to see your faves whenever you get a chance. There’s nothing like live music, and I’m so glad I saw those ones back in my 20s (the 80s). With musicians, you never know if there will be another chance. If there is, see them again! (and yes I know some of you have a few years before your 20s, even more time!)
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parlance11.30pm
7 August 2014
Offline Linde said
Yeah I’m a huge fan. The only Oasis album I really dislike is Be Here Now. And of course the odd song here and there. His solo album was great too. Not a big fan of Beady Eye though, I sorta hope they’ll quit. I don’t know why people keep comparing Oasis’ first two albums to Beatles records though. I don’t really hear it. I mean, there are influences, sure, but I don’t think they sound like them.Anyway, I’m derailing.
I love Be Here Now. Just 70 minutes of cocaine-fueled madness and sheer joy, far too loud though. I don’t necessarily mean the sound of them, more in the sense of what those songs encapsulated and meant for so many people. Anyway, good to see another Oasis fan.
3.28pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline Love the topic, @Matt Busby . You’ve seen some amazing shows.
I won’t even attempt a ranking system, I’ve seen far too many concerts and it would be impossible. I will say that Paul was the best so far. And now for the best of the rest, in no particular order…
The Allman Brothers Band – It’s been a while since I’ve seen them (No Dickie Betts? No thanks), but have seen them too many times to count. Among the more memorables; the night the 52 US hostages were released (January 1981?) from Iran. The place went nuts when the band announced that they had been released. The second time I saw them (summer 1978 I think) when the Outlaws opened. The last time I saw them in NY before moving to Arizona was The Gregg Allman Band followed by The Dickie Betts Band followed by The Charlie Daniels Band followed by all three bands jamming Allman Brothers songs. There must have been at least 1,385 guitarists!
Ted Nugent – Six of us during Senior Day weekend (June 1981) partying on a friend’s sailboat on The Great Sacandaga Lake. The concert was incredible. Nugent’s energy was otherworldly.
The Marshall Tucker Band / B.B. King – Late 70’s – Went for Tucker and fell in love with King. I’ve been a huge fan ever since.
Eric Clapton – One of the first shows Zag & I went to after moving to Arizona in 1989. It was the tour for the Journeyman album. It was Clapton – ’nuff said.
Rainbow, Pat Travers and a local band from Albany (forget the name) – Another great show from the late 70’s. Local band was great, Pat Travers was awesome and Rainbow was wild. During an encore, Ritchie Blackmore proceeded to smash his guitar neck against a stack of amps, separating said neck from guitar. A lucky fan went home with the neckless guitar after Blackmore tossed it into the crowd. Thank goodness no one was injured. Pat Travers came running out on stage to help the band take the song home. Wildest thing I’ve ever seen at a concert.
Many more to come, but gotta go. To be continued…
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Matt Busby, parlanceTo the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
4.49pm
8 November 2012
Offline My top 16 17. Some are more emotional favorites than objective “bests”:
Duran Duran, Chicago, 1987 (first D2 show), Vegas 2005, Los Angeles 2012
Paul, Outside Lands (front row!), 2013. And let’s preemptively add Dodgers Stadium, 2014 
Prince (saw 4 of the $25 shows at The Forum, and the favorite was with Stevie Wonder), Los Angeles, 2011
The Jacksons Victory Tour, Chicago, 1984 (my very first concert)
David Sylvian, Paris, 2007 (a friend and I traveled to see him, the only time I’ve gone out of the country to do that)
Janelle Monae, Los Angeles, 2009 (small stage by a hotel bar and I was front row)
Tears for Fears, Santa Rosa/San Jose/LA, 2009 (I would have completed the CA leg with San Diego, but had work)
Oingo Boingo, (performing as the Clowns of Death) 1994 and farewell show, 1995
Paul Young, New York, 1990 (last US appearance)
Corinne Bailey Rae, Los Angeles, 2009 (intimate show performing her first album after her husband died)
Ryuichi Sakamoto, Los Angeles, 2010 (he pre-recorded music on another piano that was onstage and dueted with himself)
Rewiring Genesis performing The Lamb Lies on Broadway in its entirety (thought @Matt Busby might appreciate that one), 2009
Christopher O’Reilly (performing the songs of Nick Drake. First time I ever cried at a show) Los Angeles, 2007
Ringo, Los Angeles, 2014 (more for Ringo than the All Starrs)
The Bird and The Bee (Natural History Museum) Los Angeles, 2009
Oren Lavie, Los Angeles, 2009 and 2010 (gorgeous, lush music, and I love his quirky, witty banter)
Denny Laine with Peter Asher, Los Angeles, 2014 (epic show of epicness)
parlance
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Matt Busby5.50pm
8 February 2014
Offline parlance said
My top 16. Some are more emotional favorites than objective “bests”:
Denny Laine with Peter Asher, Los Angeles, 2014
parlance
Very eclectic set of shows, @parlance …I looked for a Denny Laine show and he isn’t coming anywhere near me this year. How was it (obviously good!)?
And you’re right, I’d love to see Lamb in concert, even by a tribute band.
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parlance6.15pm
8 November 2012
Offline Matt Busby said
Very eclectic set of shows, parlance …I looked for a Denny Laine show and he isn’t coming anywhere near me this year. How was it (obviously good!)?
Definitely! That was the one I posted about here.
parlance
7.22pm
11 November 2010
Offline I’m just going to do an informal, out-of-depth list because my memory is pretty fuzzy on some things. Instead of numbering as a top ten, I’m just going to go more or less chronologically.
1. The Smithereens – I’ve seen The Smithereens several times, the first of which was in 2001 or 2002 and the most recent of which was in 2011(?). I don’t remember well enough to list every single time. I’ve seen Pat DiNizio solo a couple times, too.
2. The Grip Weeds – May 31, 2010?
3. The Beach Boys – I honestly couldn’t even guess when I saw them. It was definitely before the 2012 reunion with Brian Wilson.
4. Ben Folds – January 2011
5. Blue Öyster Cult – May 17, 2014
6. Pat Benetar – July 2014
7. Soundgarden – July 24, 2014
8. Nine Inch Nails – July 24, 2014
There are others that I’ve seen. Some people/bands I’ve seen not because I listen to their music, but because the circumstances led me to see them perform. I saw OAR play a short set at a baseball game (sometime in mid- to late 2000’s), but, obviously, I was there for the baseball game. I saw Matisyahu because he was performing for free at my college in 2012. I saw Oneohtrix Point Never because he was the opening act for Soundgarden/Nine Inch Nails. This list, of course, excludes local bands, bands of people that I know, and tribute bands.
I feel like I’m forgetting something.
Also, there are many bands on other peoples’ lists that I would like to see.
I'm Necko. I'm like Ringo except I wear necklaces.
I'm also ewe2 on weekends.
Most likely to post things that make you go hmm... 2015, 2016, 2017. 
8.28pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
Offline …continued from post # 11. BTW, Necko – love the Smithereens. I regret never having seen them live.
Triumph – Great concert with fantastic light show for its time. The show was temporarily halted while Rik Emmett changed a busted guitar string. Looking back, I’m not sure why he didn’t simply break out another guitar, but maybe that particular song needed a particular sound generated by that particular instrument. The void was filled with jokes from the bass player. They couldn’t have been that good, because I don’t remember any.
Ozzy – This was the first show Zag & I ever went to together. It was the tour promoting his live album (yeah, I thought that was odd too) Speak of the Devil. That album was all live tracks of Black Sabbath covers so I really enjoyed it. After he played a ton of Sabbath, he played the solo hits he had up to that point having also just released Bark At The Moon. We had a great time and Ozzy consumed no wildlife.
Judas Priest – We saw these guys twice as Zag is a huge fan. After the first time we saw them, I was also a fan. The second time was gravy. They put on great shows and I was drained after both. The live album Priest… Live! captured the second tour for us, so the memories are preserved…at least sonically.
Cheap Trick – Those of you who have been around the Forum for a while know that these guys were my first concert. In all, I’ve seen them three times. The last time, mid to late 1980, they were covering ‘Day Tripper ’ which was a huge thrill for me. I believe Foghat opened that show.
Bob Dylan – I was thrilled to be in the presence of Bob Dylan. Everything else about this experience bordered on the surreal. First, the arena was located in a retirement community (Sun City West, AZ) – it was the only time I can recall where more than one concert-goer dragged an oxygen tank behind them. Usually, pre-show, the arena lights would be dimmed and music would be playing, etc… Here, the lights were brightly shining and the only sounds were those of the ‘crowd’ settling into seats in an orderly fashion. As each song was played, it took a line or two before I could recognize it because his voice was less than stellar (summer 2001). Some of you have read this from me before, but at one point my buddy and I thought he was either singing a song we did not know or we could not understand what he was singing. Turns out he was mumbling his way through introducing the band. Still, I can say I saw Dylan.
Neil Young – He was the headliner for a Lollapalooza (forget the year) show I went to in Phoenix. He played on every stage, with every band all day and night and then played his own set on the Main Stage. He looked like he was having so much fun. I had always been a fan of his work. That show turned me into an admirer of the man.
Grateful Dead – I saw these guys twice. The second time was in Phoenix a year before Jerry died. The first time was in Glens Falls NY in a small (4,800) arena which was an unusually small venue for them at that time (1982). Our seats were way in the back, but with a little cunning and cuteness, my buddies and I were standing on second row seats when the band started. I honestly don’t remember much after that except for going through a McDonald’s drive through on the way home and being too wasted to order anything.
Among the best of the rest – Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Steve Miller, Molly Hatchet (twice), The Scorpions, Blackfoot (in a club – Rickey Medlocke initiated a high five with me on their way off the stage), Rush (3 times), Pat Benatar (her drummer was amazing), Santana, Blue Oyster Cult, The Cult and maybe a few others that will come back to me in time…or not.
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meanmistermustard, Matt BusbyTo the fountain of perpetual mirth, let it roll for all its worth. And all the children boogie.
8.58pm
8 November 2012
Offline9.31pm
28 March 2014
Offline Good thread Matt! 
Most of my bands where Heavy Metal acts growing up, like Scorpions, Ozzy, Van Halen, Judas Priest, Guns & Roses, Def Leppard ect…. And other bands like Supertramp, Nazareth & Pink Floyd, but I am most happy that I have seen Macca twice now, and both times for Free!
Once was a BIG outdoor concert in Quebec City to celebrate it’s 400th Birthday with approx 1/4 million people. Nice of Paul to hold a free concert for that. I stayed up 48 hours straight to get up close to the stage (and wait), and it was worth it!
And another time in Montreal Quebec, someone gave me 2 free tickets to an arena show! Sweet!
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BEATLES Music gives me Eargasms! 
9.53pm
Reviewers
14 April 2010
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9.58pm
21 November 2012
Offline You lot have seen amazing acts like Bob Dylan and Macca, and here I come with Mika or some s**t like that.
I also forgot to mention Kaiser Chiefs, they were pretty cool live. I liked them. That Ricky guy kept on jumping around and so did we. I think I have never moved as much in an hour as then.
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