Best Concert You've Ever Been To?

[PhebusApollo]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 10:52pm

So let's hear it. I know you all are dedicated fans of musical theatre...full of amazing shows and AMAZING voices. I'm interested in hearing what you consider to be some of the best non-theatre-related musical concerts by any band/singer/rapper/whatever that you've had the pleasure of witnessing.

I'm actually pretty curious to hear about what kind of music you all are into when (or even if) you manage to tear yourselves away from your favorite cast recording.

Only rule...(obviously) no concerts related to musical theatre. Just good old fashioned musical recording artists.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 10:55pm

U2, Vertigo tour (first leg), Seattle, last spring. The crowd was phenomenal and I was second row on the floor right up at the stage. And Adam Clayton and I shared a moment. I've yet to attend a concert that's matched the band or the audience at that show.

[justagirl2]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 10:56pm

I will inevitably be struck down for this, but I had a really good time at a *gasp* Backstreet Boys concert. It was over the summer, and they honestly can entertain. They had a perfect mix of old stuff and new stuff, and it was just a fun concert that didn't take itself too seriously. A good reason why I had fun might have been the diverse crowd, though...we counted 6 trannies in one hour, not to mention a ton of white-trash teenage girls and older people. People watching was fabulous.

[Overthemoon6]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 10:57pm

I've actually never been to a real concert.
*tear*

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 10:58pm

OMG, I LOVED the Backstreet Boys. I bet I would've loved a Spice Girl concert too...when there were still five of them.

[singingwendy]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:03pm

Ok....and early DMB show on my birthday, back before they discovered fame and "popular" producers.....it was awesome. I mean, where else could you hear thousand of people singing "suck it up, suck it up"? Actually, don't answer that question!

I was also lucky enough to see The Rolling Stones in concert during their Bridges to Babylon tour. I'm not a huge Stones fan, but they put on one hell of a concert.

One more.....Billy Joel in concert...I don't remember which tour.....and he basically let the crowd pick the songs he'd perform. He'd give the audience two choices, and play which ever one got the most applause. That was fun!

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:03pm

dave matthews band at the meadows. we were there the day before the riot when the police shot that kid in the eye with a sandbag.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:05pm

I would LOVE to see Alicia Keys, No Doubt/Gwen and Elton John live in concert. I'm seeing Franz Ferdinand in a couple of months!

[Kitzarina]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:07pm

I was going to say Backstreet Boys!!!!!!!!! Good to know I'm not the only nerd

And I would've KILLED to see Billy Joel and Elton John's tour.

[singingwendy]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:07pm

Abba---I was actually at the concerts they played in PA right before they played the Meadows. I have to say it was one of the least enjoyable DMB shows I have ever been too....mainly because some drunk 15 year old puked all over the area where we were sitting...and then the parking lot was an absolute mess and it took us longer to get out to the highway than we spent at the concert!

Knowing how DMB fans tend to follow the band, I was not at all surprised to hear about the problems later on in Hartford!

[Allie]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:13pm

Jason McCoy, hands down. He's a Canadian country music artist. It was this past summer; an outdoor concert. His music is excellent on CD, but he just ROCKS it out live. It was incredible. Even the friends I dragged along (who normally dislike most country music) had a blast.

[caitiesus1522]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:13pm

Ok I will list the concerts i have been to best to worst

Best- Billy Joel and Elton John, April 2004, Cleveland.
These two are the best performers. They were so entertaining. 3 1/2 straight hours of music and laughs.

Josh Groban, February 14, 2005, Cleveland.
Not only an amazing singer, but a very nice guy who can sing for 2 hours and woo every female in the room. Best Valentine's Day ever

Next Gloria Estefan- probably about 1998ish? She can sing!

Billy Joel/Elton John, 1994 or 1995, Columbus. I don't remember much because I was young, but I loved it

Spice Girls- 1997 I think...may be off on the year. And there were five of them

Nsync- 1998, Cleveland. I loved them so much. This was back when Britney Spears was opening for them and no one knew who she was.

American Idol (season One) tour.

Dream Street

[miss pennywise]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:14pm

Peter Gabriel
Steely Dan
Annie Lennox

[#1Elphie]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:20pm

U2, 11/22/05, MSG. I was on the rail of the ellipse and was thisclose to Bono at one point; he amost touched my hand as he walked by and I melted. It was a surreal experience, to be in the presence of such an amazing band. I can't even describe it.

Runner up is The Killers, Central Park, June 2005. I was in the front row right in front of the stage, and I can't describe the energy there. I'm usually not the most outgoing person, but I got so into it. They put on one heck of a live show.

Third place is Counting Crows, 2003. They're one of the best live bands around. Their studio recordings, though still amazing, don't come close to their live music. I love all the alternates they throw into their songs.

[PhebusApollo]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:21pm

Woops, I never responded to my own question. Anyway, a couple of summers ago I caught a solo acoustic Jason Mraz show. I don't care if you think he's just a white guy who thinks he's clever and tries to rap, this guy is amazingly talented. On top of that, he was joined by two amazing, amazing opening acts -- Raul Midon and Makana. The most INSANE guitar players I'd ever seen. It was just a good night with a really laid-back vibe, full of so much energy and passion.

Rilo Kiley is one of my favorite bands, and they put on such a great show as well. I didn't even mind having to stand for three hours smashed up against really tall strangers (I'm 5'2"), waiting for them to finally come on. It was absolutely worth it.

And on the opposite end of the spectrum, one of the worst concerts I've ever been to: The Honda Civic Tour with Good Charlotte and New Found Glory headlining (plus some other opening bands I've long since forgotten about). I'm pretty neutral to both of those bands...I don't feel the need to declare my hatred for wanna-be pop/punk bands, I just don't listen to them. I'm not even sure how or why I ended up at that concert. But I did. And I wish I never had. It was like three straight hours of mind-numbing NOISE.

ETA -- Haha, caitiesus1522. I'm not gonna lie. I've seen Dream Street live...multiple times, in fact. Ah,what can I say, I was young and had a crush on Chris Trousdale (who, incidentally, was in Les Mis years ago).
Updated On: 2/23/06 at 11:21 PM

[bta212]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:32pm

Tina Turner. "Private Dancer", Saratoga. 1986.

Liza Minelli. Carnegie Hall. 1987

Marianne Faithful. Bottom Line. 1992 (?)

[bta212]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:36pm

And Undi's list reminds me of the annual Sweet Baby James concert at Saratoga. I didn't miss one from 1982 to 1990. Ah, sweet, simple days....

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:37pm

Well don't forget I'm old, ok? My best concerts were that of Grateful Dead and Talking Heads.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:41pm

John Mayer is probably the best live artist I've seen. I know a lot of people hate him, but it's impossible to see him live and not walk out impressed.

Now, Backstreet Boys...they're another story...the first "band" I ever followed, and I still love them. This year I got to see them on my birthday, and Brian sang to me. I died.

Bon Jovi also puts on a hell of a show. DMB was horrible the first time I saw them, but excellent the second time, and the Face to Face show I saw Billy was not very good, but Elton was amazing.

Feeding the Backstreet love:



http://s49.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=2CUVX09EQ0VMK1HNE8WE90XDBP

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:41pm

Are you old enough that the Talking Heads you're referring to are from back when the ones on Easter Island were still animated?

[Jane2]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:48pm

yes Tiff, I was there!!

[harris007]

Posted: 2/23/06 at 11:50pm

garbage/no doubt 2002

kid rock/powerman 5000

blink 182 the most high energy concert i've ever been too.

eminum - right after "hi my name is " went huge

[Jyn326]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 2:53am

all I've been to:

Garth Brooks- '97 or '98 (the tour that recorded the Double Live album)

3 Backstreet Boys concerts 5 or 6 years ago. (I was obsessed with A.J. lol, glad to know there were other former BSB fans on here)

New Found Glory/Blink-182 in 2001

3 Warped Tours (2002, 2004, 2005)

2 Green Day concerts (2004 and 2005)

3 New Found Glory concerts (2005)

I think that's it

Oh and to answer the original question, the best would be Green Day. That put on an amazing show.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 2:55am

John Mayer, Summer Stage in Central Park, 2002. In the pouring rain, with only a few hundred people. It was amazing.

[Kringas]

Posted: 2/24/06 at 3:31am

Liz Phair - March 2003