I was cleaning out my garage this morning and came across my box of old sports/concert tickets. I had forgotten I kept all this crap. Started going through it and a lot of memories came back, especially with the concerts. Thought this might be a fun topic here. What are some of your favorite concert experiences? Here are some of mine..
US Festival Mem Day Weekend 1983 Glen Helen Park, San Bernardino CA. Too many bands to mention all of them, but Bowie,U2,Ozzy,Motley Crue, Priest,The Clash, Van Halen (for the wrong reasons) and the Scorpions stood out. 3 days. Slept one night on a sidewalk and the next in a parking lot. Totally Awesome!
REM/Dream Syndicate 6/27/84 The Music Hall, Seattle. First time I saw REM. Reckoning tour. They werent very well known at the time. I remember the theatre marquee showed that "RAM" would be appearing that evening.
Midnight Oil/House of Freaks 6/16/88 Visage, Orlando FL. Performance wise, this may be my favorite. Man, Midnight Oil tore that little piece of crap ex-warehouse apart that night. Peter Garrett...quite a presence on stage. A good friend of mine who at that point I had not met was at that show. We still talk about how great it was. And House of Freaks werent bad either, guy on guitar, guy on drums,,,thats it.
Social Distortion 5/24/92 The Edge, Orlando FL
Mike Ness comes this close to kicking the crap out of an audience member. Which made perfect sense. Great show.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Ramones, Stray Cats, Modern English, Bow Wow Wow 4/23/83 San Diego Stadium
Great lineup...great show, great memories, both the music and the atmosphere. The night I became a Stray Cats fan.
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ministry, Ice Cube, Soundgarden, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Pearl Jam, Lush. 8/23/92 Central Florida Fairgrounds
Lollapalooza. Look at where Pearl Jam is in the lineup:). HOT day. Liked every band here. I think at that point Ministry may have been the loudest band I ever heard.
The Cure 6/6/92 Jacksonville Coliseum...only concert ive ever been to where the band played EVERY single song I wanted to hear. Every one. Still remember all the goth girls in their little huddles crying after the show. they were in heaven:)
Beastie Boys/Rollins Band/Cypress Hill 11/13/92 The Edge Orlando FL...Best memory of this one...Cypress Hill was in a van adjacent to the stage prior to their performance. Everyone is waiting for the show to start. Doors of the van open, and here comes Cypress Hill, surrounded by a huge plume of smoke:). Think Spicoli getting out of the van in Fast Times, but x2. Another really fun show.
Stevie Wonder in the Bitter End
John Prine in the Bitter End
The Who - I think it was in Downing Stadium
The Who/Loverboy/John Cougar October 82, San Diego Stadium.....The Whos farewell tour. Yeah right. Good show though.
Cheap Trick. Sometime in the late 2000's..Free show in the parking lot of a Harley Davidson dealership, Orlando FL. Best money ive spent on a show:). This band still rocks.
Rush-Grace Under Pressure Tour-1984-Tacoma Dome. Damn good show. Rush didnt have many bad ones. Best memory though is how I somehow fit 7 people in my Camaro going home. Came in with 4, back with 7:)
Def Leppard...their in the round tour, sometime in the late 80's. Dont remember much about this one because a friend smuggled in a bottle of Jack. Im sure I had fun though.
Springsteens Reunion Tour, late 90's. Multiple shows through Florida. Great performances all.
Charlie Daniels play Devil went down to Georgia.... It was amazing
There were others there too but not on his level
Crosby Stils Nash. 1977. New Haven
James Taylor. 1975
Donna Summer 1979
Buddy guy n jr Wells lone star n Otis rush at tramps 1980, an unannounced Dr John on 88’s...
My morning jacket in the basement of pearl street in Northampton, just after adding two new players January of 2004, sounded like punk rock, Pink Floyd, lynerd skynerd fronted by Neil young!!!
All the Bettie seervert, Wilco, new pornographers n Neko, rilo kily, Luna n dean, Brian Jonestown massacre, Matthew sweet, the shins, television, shows...
So many more like the damned the figs buzzcocks Steve Wynn and the miracle 3 doing the days of wine n roses and their fist ep in its entirety as a second set, all at Valentine’s in Albany...
That’s a good start!!!
Big star third concerts...
And whose concert was it?
The Spice Girls.
And whose concert was it?
The Spice Girls.
Yes, I laughed:). Sometimes its all about the experience.
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But my first ever real concert was in 1998 at MSG. My cousins had an extra ticket and I had no interest in the musicians performing, but I was kind of forced to go and you know what? I had a fucking amazing time. I really did. One of my favorite nights of my life.
And whose concert was it?
The Spice Girls.
Yes, I laughed:). Sometimes its all about the experience.
True story. And Victoria was one of my first crushes and Geri gave me my first appreciation of boobs.
If the reunion tour comes to NYC, I'm going to go with no shame
And whose concert was it?
The Spice Girls.
This actually reminded me of one I attended cause I was kindly asked to go by a friend. She didnt want to go alone. So I went. It was Garth Brooks. I am NOT a country music fan by any means. However....it actually wasnt bad at all and the crowd looked FANTASTIC! Ladies really loved ol Garth. Not a Ramones/Rollins crowd, that was for damn sure!
+1
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But my first ever real concert was in 1998 at MSG. My cousins had an extra ticket and I had no interest in the musicians performing, but I was kind of forced to go and you know what? I had a fucking amazing time. I really did. One of my favorite nights of my life.
And whose concert was it?
The Spice Girls.
This actually reminded me of one I attended cause I was kindly asked to go by a friend. She didnt want to go alone. So I went. It was Garth Brooks. I am NOT a country music fan by any means. However....it actually wasnt bad at all and the crowd looked FANTASTIC! Ladies really loved ol Garth. Not a Ramones/Rollins crowd, that was for damn sure!
Haha, hey it beats Celine or Barbara or Bette
Then, the next best concert was Ozzy with Metallica opening for him. This was at the Byrne arena when the fans ripped the seat cushions off, lit them on fire and then threw them like frisbees.
Monsters of Rock in Giants' Stadium - Van Halen, The Scorpions, Dokken, and two others. It was more about the atmosphere than the groups themselves
Those were my favorites. Saw countless numbers of concerts. All kinds of music. There were others that I probably would say the music was better than monsters of rock. Rush, Black label society, etc etc
from the tour.... - ( New Window )
On a much smaller scale, seeing Brian Fallon of Gaslight Anthem playing a solo acoustic show at the Court Tavern in New Brunswick, NJ. Around Jan 2009, a few months after The 59 Sound came out and a few months before they really took off.
Seeing Sick of it All also at the Court Tavern basement, around 2010-2011. Wild show.
Seeing Lucero and The Hold Steady play the Wellmont Theater on NYE 2012.
But my gut reaction to the question brings up 2 shows, Dr. Dog at King Fu Necktie in Philly around 2010 is the first. It was a "secret show" billed under a fake name (Meth Beach, the name of their studio at the time) that was limited to 50 or so tickets. So everyone there was a diehard and the setlist was lots of old songs not in regular rotation.
The second is J. Roddy Walston and the Busoness at a little club in Baltimore called Ottobar. Baltimore was their homebase at the time, it was my first time seeing them just after their sefond album came out, and they were just phenomenal. Just pure piano driven rock and roll, beer throwing, band in the crowd, audience on stage mayhem. I dont know that ive ever had more fun at a show. If you ever get a chance to see those guys do yourself a favor and check them out.
What a fucking show.
The Replacements.
The Replacements.
I loved that band, in my top 5 all time. But I only got the chance to see them once in concert. And it was in a half empty arena when they were opening for Tom Petty. Not the ideal setting to catch them. I was really happy that they put out that live album/cd (or whatever you call what is on streaming services) a few years ago. Its really good.
But my gut reaction to the question brings up 2 shows, Dr. Dog at King Fu Necktie in Philly around 2010 is the first. It was a "secret show" billed under a fake name (Meth Beach, the name of their studio at the time) that was limited to 50 or so tickets. So everyone there was a diehard and the setlist was lots of old songs not in regular rotation.
The second is J. Roddy Walston and the Busoness at a little club in Baltimore called Ottobar. Baltimore was their homebase at the time, it was my first time seeing them just after their sefond album came out, and they were just phenomenal. Just pure piano driven rock and roll, beer throwing, band in the crowd, audience on stage mayhem. I dont know that ive ever had more fun at a show. If you ever get a chance to see those guys do yourself a favor and check them out.
Were you at the Northampton show??? Epic n religious!!! Saw them later that year in Clifton Park n the show was way to polished n too heavy on reverb vocals!!! After the Northampton show I called their publicist or agent n told them it was incredible n he told me he had a similar experience at a Radiohead show n that’s who he got in the business...
We were taking the train in from NJ. It was full of Maiden fans. People were tearing up the train, shooting off fire extinguishers and shit, fights all around. I was about 14 and scared shitless. By the time we got into aPenn station cops were grabbing everyone who looked like they were going to the concert. It was a mad dash to escape and get up stairs.
The concert was incredible too. 😀
We were taking the train in from NJ. It was full of Maiden fans. People were tearing up the train, shooting off fire extinguishers and shit, fights all around. I was about 14 and scared shitless. By the time we got into aPenn station cops were grabbing everyone who looked like they were going to the concert. It was a mad dash to escape and get up stairs.
The concert was incredible too. 😀
Ha you are about the same age as me, I went to MSG for that Piece of Mind tour. Actually I saw them with Judas Priest probably 6 times... lol. That was a great show. Also MSG, Van Halen 1984 tour. I think to this day that is still the best concert I have ever been too (and I been to a few... LOL).
Also, to follow up on the spice girls Anak... I took my kids to see Hannah Montana. It was freaking great... they did her right with that backing band, they were REALLY good.
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amd Ive seen some incredible shows, spent much of my 20s following My Morning Jacket around and those were some amazing times with a revolving cast of about 20 people I got to know really well.
But my gut reaction to the question brings up 2 shows, Dr. Dog at King Fu Necktie in Philly around 2010 is the first. It was a "secret show" billed under a fake name (Meth Beach, the name of their studio at the time) that was limited to 50 or so tickets. So everyone there was a diehard and the setlist was lots of old songs not in regular rotation.
The second is J. Roddy Walston and the Busoness at a little club in Baltimore called Ottobar. Baltimore was their homebase at the time, it was my first time seeing them just after their sefond album came out, and they were just phenomenal. Just pure piano driven rock and roll, beer throwing, band in the crowd, audience on stage mayhem. I dont know that ive ever had more fun at a show. If you ever get a chance to see those guys do yourself a favor and check them out.
Were you at the Northampton show??? Epic n religious!!! Saw them later that year in Clifton Park n the show was way to polished n too heavy on reverb vocals!!! After the Northampton show I called their publicist or agent n told them it was incredible n he told me he had a similar experience at a Radiohead show n that’s who he got in the business...
I wasn't but that era, 04-12, was when I was seeing them a lot. 60 some times total. Hard to pick a favorite. The Bonnaroo 2008 marathon double set was ridiculous. They always seemed to really bring it at Merriweather Post Pavillion outside Baltimore. Louisville Waterfront Park in 08 was a memorable one. As was their set there during Forecastle Festival (and the after party with Preservation Hall on the Belle of Louisville later that night) in 2012. Bunch of us rented an apartment in NYC for a week when they did the residency at Terminal 5. That whole week was just...I don't even know. It was exhausting, I know that.
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In comment 14292596 j_rud said:
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amd Ive seen some incredible shows, spent much of my 20s following My Morning Jacket around and those were some amazing times with a revolving cast of about 20 people I got to know really well.
But my gut reaction to the question brings up 2 shows, Dr. Dog at King Fu Necktie in Philly around 2010 is the first. It was a "secret show" billed under a fake name (Meth Beach, the name of their studio at the time) that was limited to 50 or so tickets. So everyone there was a diehard and the setlist was lots of old songs not in regular rotation.
The second is J. Roddy Walston and the Busoness at a little club in Baltimore called Ottobar. Baltimore was their homebase at the time, it was my first time seeing them just after their sefond album came out, and they were just phenomenal. Just pure piano driven rock and roll, beer throwing, band in the crowd, audience on stage mayhem. I dont know that ive ever had more fun at a show. If you ever get a chance to see those guys do yourself a favor and check them out.
Were you at the Northampton show??? Epic n religious!!! Saw them later that year in Clifton Park n the show was way to polished n too heavy on reverb vocals!!! After the Northampton show I called their publicist or agent n told them it was incredible n he told me he had a similar experience at a Radiohead show n that’s who he got in the business...
I wasn't but that era, 04-12, was when I was seeing them a lot. 60 some times total. Hard to pick a favorite. The Bonnaroo 2008 marathon double set was ridiculous. They always seemed to really bring it at Merriweather Post Pavillion outside Baltimore. Louisville Waterfront Park in 08 was a memorable one. As was their set there during Forecastle Festival (and the after party with Preservation Hall on the Belle of Louisville later that night) in 2012. Bunch of us rented an apartment in NYC for a week when they did the residency at Terminal 5. That whole week was just...I don't even know. It was exhausting, I know that.
That was the week of my birthday those terminal 5 shows n drove down from Albany!!! Awesome!!! Another highlight was the Americana show w wilco n bob dylan, who is always nothing but awful w his retooling, but the highlight was Wilco n my morning jacket w Garth n I’m screaming for chest fever, my favorite band song n it was other worldly, a great nite at spac!!!
Wilco is another favorite so Americanarama was pretty cool too.
GNR
Axl with other members
Beastie Boys
Rage Against The Machine
Tom Petty
Tool
Motley Crue
Poison
Scorpions
Bruce
Many others
Axl always puts on an amazing show and they are probably my most memorable. I am not a huge Bruce fan but he puts on a great show. Metallica was really cool at the old Giants Stadium. Tool was very unique.
But I have mentioned this numerous and I will again, Steel Panther is amazing. My brother first told me about them and got tickets. He brought his wife and I brought my wife. I played a couple of songs for my wife and she laughed. Then we went to thw concert. When we left she was amazed at how good they really are. They do not take themselves serious and say they should have been great in the 80s. But they really are talented. I have seen them 3 times live and they never disappoint. I have brought many people with me to those 3 concerts and even though they didn't know any of their songs when they left every single person loved it. They aren't for everybody because they are extremely inappropriate.
Honorable mention:
Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Summer 1977 The Works album Madison Square Garden
Pink Floyd, Animals Album tour, MSG
The Who in MSG in 1974
Billy Joel in Reunion Arena in Dallas in 1978
Rolling Stones, Journey, Lynard Skynard, Atlanta Rhythm Section at Rich Stadium in Buffalo. Stones sucked but the other three rocked.
Tracy Chapman at Eastman School of Music
Supertramp before they got famous in Kingston, Ontario at a bar
First band I ever saw live was at the Binghamton Arena called "Humble Pie" lead by a teenager named Peter Frampton.
One interesting one happened in the 80's when I was walking along the beach in Ocean City, MD and saw they were building a stage on the beach. It was a free concert starring the Beach Boys with Starship as the undercard.
But the most memorable and all time favorite was
Peter Gabriel Secret World Live with Paula Cole.
Saw the show in DC with some friends and had to take my wife to see it in Philly a few a days later. She normally doesn't care much for concerts but loved this one.
REM at Fountain Casino in Aug '83 ($6 tickets!) on their Murmer tour.
Replacements at the Ritz in 1985. What a crazy show. Bob Stinson dove into the mosh pit and broke his hand, but kept on playing.
Yes in the round at MSG in 1977 (my first concert).
Wilco's all acoustic show at their Mass MOCA festival in 2015.
Crowded House at the Beacon for their Woodface tour in 1991, right before Tim Finn left the band.
Supertramp at the RAC at Rutgers for their Breakfast in America tour, 1979.
Among the first was Led Zep at the Asbury Park Convention Hall on Woodstock weekend. Peter Grant wouldn't let them play Woodstock unless they got top billing. So they brought their entire big venue stage rig to the little 1500 seat room on the boardwalk. They raised the roof that night.
Also saw Bruce at Monmouth College (not University yet). I think it was during his Dr Zoom phase. We were in the first row, actually leaning on the stage,watching Tinker diddling with the dials. That's when I learned what a Fender Telecaster could do in the right hands.
The most recent show was Harry Connick Jr at the Gaillard Center in Charleston SC. Harry's Big Band doing their Celebration of New Orleans Music. A lady in the high-dollar front row seats bought a round of beers for the 12-piece band. In return for her Charleston Hospitality, Harry sat next to her and crooned "One Fine Fine Thing" into her ear as she fanned away her Hot Flashes with the program.
A close second was Jimmy Buffet in Nashville, 2015; Kenny Chesney made a guest appearance and sang with Jimmy.
The Laurel Pop Festival (2 days: Led Zeppelin, Johnny Winters, Jethro Tull, Al Kooper, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck w/ Rod Stewart, Mothers of Invention, Ten Years After, Savoy Brown Blues Band, Guess Who, Sly and the Family Stone) tickets $4.95 per day.
Rolling Stones at RFK ($4 per ticket) w/ Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and Stevie Wonder as openers.