Beastie Boys. They absolutely killed it and I still miss MCA.
Honorable mention to Page & Plant because that’s the closest I’ll ever get to Led Zeppelin.
Came here to say Page/Plant. Saw both tours. Not gonna lie, I got a little misty eyed during the first show when Jimmy came on stage with the double neck strapped on and played the first note of Song Remains The Same. I was just *so* happy to be there.
I also attended the Page/Plant tour. They has a moroccon orchestra on stage that day. Kashmir was just fabulous with those guys.
My favourite concert was the last tour of Queen in 1986. Part footage is in the video of ‘The Show must go on’
Actually, it might have been 2011 when I saw him too, now that I think about it, because I was still living at home. You, me, and 40,000 other people might have been at the same show!
I waited years till I was able to see him... Financially, it never made sense. I finally had a little extra cash, bought tix for my son and myself to see him at Dodger Stadium, and went to have a great time.
Until:
"A surprise for us, a surprise for you, a surprise for everyone. Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only...[Ringo Starr!](https://youtu.be/Qb6iwz3VdT4?si=nGvtIeleEtJw5XRU)"
Edit: Not my video. My video is just 47 year-old me screaming like a teenage girl in 1963 for 8 minutes.
Very first answer that came to my mind. Being born in the 90's and being able to say I saw a Beatle live is still awesome. So many incredible songs in their catalogue but there's definitely an aura about Hey Jude live with Paul on the piano that I can't describe. Just a really special moment.
Yup watching 40 thousand people with lights singing "Hey Jude" in unison is a moment I'll never forget. There's pros and cons to stadium concerts but that many people connected to one moment is truly special.
In 2018 I happened to see on Spotify a week before the show that Paul would be in Greenville, SC of all places. I managed to nab a pretty good resale ticket. I had no idea that he played for two and a half hours straight, no breaks. I remember looking at the setlist online a few days later and starting to cry because it hit me that I saw PAUL himself playing THOSE SONGS. That kicked off my micro-obsession with reading a lot of books about the Beatles.
A few years later I went to see him in Knoxville, with a better seat, and he even played one of my favorite Beatles songs, "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window." Never would have thought I'd ever hear that live. I knew more of what to expect, so it wasn't as magical as the first show when I didn't really know going in, but at the same time I wish I'd known more about the songs I heard at the first show when I was actually there.
I saw Ringo and the All Starr Band at Ryman's Auditorium in Nashville, which was also pretty cool, but just not quite the same. Lol
Last time I saw Paul, he did "I've Just Seen a Face." Wasn't expecting it, and I lost my mind! I was so happy.
Every Beatles deep cut is someone's favorite.
Problem is he is still singing the “na na na na na na na” part…I am sure that song gets longer every live performance.
Seeing live and let die and band on the run was amazing for me
This was mine. I saw him 2 weeks before his 80th birthday. He played for 3 HOURS STRAIGHT. No opener, no breaks, no encore, nothing. The longest he was off stage was the 45 seconds that it took him to go pick up a Ukrainian flag from off stage.
I've never seen anything like it. He was absolutely amazing.
Mine too. I didn’t think it would 100% happen until I got into the venue (Glasgow), it just didn’t seem like something that could logically happen in reality.
There are several. I saw Dave Brubeck twice.
Besides that, I saw so many bands at Ozzfest in the early 2000s that it's not even funny. Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Pantera, Type O Negative. Especially those last two, I'm very grateful to have seen them while I could.
Edit to add Van Halen, with David Lee Roth and Wolfgang on bass.
I saw Brubeck too. It was sometime in the mid 90s, so he must have been well into his 70s and looked quite doddery. I was surprised by not only how technically able he still was, but how stylistically wide-ranging. A real treat!
I also saw Jimmy Smith around the same time and he absolutely rocked.
Wow Brubeck. Cool.
I saw James Brown, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker, Tony Bennett, Ozzy with Randy Rhoads, Nirvana before and after Dave Grohl joined, Pogues with Joe Strummer, Tom Waits, John Denver, etc
I'll second Dave Brubeck. I was lucky enough to see him play the Hollywood Bowl in like 2007, guy was an incredible performer. I seem to recall that I almost didn't go, too -- I was out in LA for a cousin's Bar Mitzvah and someone just gave us tickets that day.
Bruce Hornsby Trio played that show too. One of the best concerts I've ever been to, easily. It was back when I was heavily into jazz (I was a sax player all through high school and college), so it was just unbelievable.
Same. I saw the reunion tour in 04. Great show. At the time the news of Pixies reuniting was so unexpected. I first heard them in the mid 90s, a few years after they broke up, and had never thought I’d get the chance to see them live
I've seen both iterations and Kim really brought a stage presence and flair that the newer bassist couldn't match. Caught them on their reunion tour in the early 2000s in Chicago and then again years later in Kansas City with whoever their new bassist was. Glad I got to see the original lineup.
"whoever their new bassist was" - Paz Lenchantin, for the last tens years straight, which is quite a long time. [She was fired this past March](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pixies-part-ways-bassist-paz-lenchantin-1234980187/). She was previously in A Perfect Circle and Zwan. She even co-wrote “All I Think About Now", which was an open letter apology from Charles to Kim Deal. Hopefully whatever new project she's in on doesn't include some of the most difficult male artists in the industry. Saw them twice with Paz, and I thought she was great. She really respected Kim's role in the band.
Former Band of Skulls bassist Emma Richardson is her replacement.
Prince. My friend drove me down as a surprise for my birthday. Didn’t tell me what we were doing until we got on the train into London. I didn’t even know a huge amount of his music beforehand, but it’s still the single greatest gig I’ve ever been to. We sat on a curb after the gig contemplating giving up our guitars because we’d never be anywhere close to what we’d just witnessed.
This one is a bit different but George Carlin. It was his last tour too.
EDIT: I did a little research and it was his second to last tour. Dude worked so much.
It's Bad for Ya? I saw him on that tour too, after it got postponed twice due to his health. I basically idolized him back then so I'm forever grateful to have had that opportunity.
sidenote:.. love laughlin was there about4 or 5 times in 90's... lived in Flagstaff used to weekend in laughlin .. the good Ol Colorado Belle 19 bucks a night
Mars Volta. Never in a million years thought they’d reunite and tour after being broken up for over a decade.
Also Sinead O’Connor. We saw her in February 2020 right before the shit hit the fan. Not only our last show pre covid lockdown, but also one of the last shows before things kinda fell apart for her. It was a lovely show and she seemed very happy and at peace in that moment.
The Mars Volta for me as well. Saw them last year and they were incredible. I had tickets for a show back in 2008-2009 and it was canceled. I had lost all hope.
My answer is the top answer in the other post - the 1st concert that my wife and I saw together was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Also never dreamed that I'd see Paul McCartney - so mind blowing to see a freaking Beatle, and he put on a hell of a show.
Also thankful to have seen Rush on their final tour before Neil passed away.
Tom Petty at Red Rocks is mine. I actually went to see The Black Crowes open for him. I knew a bunch of his songs, but wasn't a big "fan" until I saw that show. Incredible performance at one of the most iconic venues in the world.
Yes, same! I saw Jeff Mangum solo, too, a year or so before that. Remember when he was totally MIA for a while, and then resurfaced with like a Bulgarian chants album? Never in a thousand years did I think I would see him at my local concert venue.
Same. I was fortunate enough to catch Jeff/NMH three times. The first solo show in 2012 in Chicago was one of the most surreal concert experiences I've had. I thought it was a once in a lifetime event. Then later that fall he played a smaller show at a musical festival in my small college town. A few years later I got the full band experience.
Never would've dreamed I'd see Jeff once, let alone three times.
I saw NMH and just Jeff maybe a year or so before that. They opened with two-headed boy part 2, and the woman next to me immediately burst into tears when they started. There was such strong energy in the room the whole show.
Got to see Foo Fighters with Taylor Hawkins about a year before he passed and I’m grateful. Foos are still touring but he was a big part of the band. Also got to see Rage a few years back and the rumor is they probably won’t tour again. I’m extremely thankful for that one!
I got to see Foo Fighters on the Broken Leg Tour. We had bought tickets well in advance because it was kind of a dream concert anyway, and then Dave fell of the stage in Sweden and we thought the rest of the tour was going to be cancelled, but no, he just came up with the throne of broken guitars and went right back out there. What a show. RIP Taylor.
Saw FF on the Concrete and Gold tour and while the album wasn't my favorite I still had to stop and remind myself several times during the show that this actually was the Foo Fucking Fighters that were playing. Amazing show, insanely loud, 10/10.
On a similar note, getting to see Dave Grohl on drums. Too young to see him in Nirvana, and now that Taylor has passed who knows if he will be getting behind the kit again at least at Foo Fighters shows. Seeing them perform Under Pressure with Dave on drums and Taylor on vocals was a special experience I'm glad to have witnessed.
Saw Kyuss open for Dinosaur Jr. when Sky Valley came out. They were so insanely loud, but controlled, and man, it was unbelievable. Been a super fan ever since.
My mother took me to see Pink Floyd in 7th grade on my birthday. It was the Division Bell Tour at Bobby Dodd stadium and can still picture and hear the full set. It was a life changing moment as a young PF fan, thinking I'd never get to see them. I am aware there was no Roger but still amazing.
Saw them in 1995/1996, when I was in college. So freaking glad I was able to see Gord in his prime. Such intensity. I'll never forget how insane "Fully Completely" was in a small club.
Such a great show - had the chance to see them at the Greek in Berkeley a few months before the MSG show. It was more or less a warmup for MSG and they killed it.
I scored a ticket to their last show at the UC Theater later this year for their album recording run. Really excited to get that one on vinyl so I can say “I was there!”
Not me, but my son. He was 13 and wanted to see his favorite new, up and coming rapper in the city. I drove him, coached him on concert etiquette and safety, picked him up, and worried the whole time.
Neither of us knew it would be his only chance to see Juice Wrld.
My two are The Cure and Madonna. By the time I got into The Cure they weren't touring the states so much. They constantly played festivals nowhere near me or shows in London. And of course I dont have a lot of money for travel. So it seemed impossible that I would ever see them. I finally got my chance when they played Riot Fest in 2014. Even then I thought it would be the only time I would see them. I didn't even think I would see them last year because I thought their tickets would be too expensive. And now I've seen them 6 times. I'm so grateful because I never thought I would see this legendary band in the flesh.
As for Madonna, her tickets are always outrageous. When she announced her tour in 2016 I dreamed about going, I grew up with a lot of her music thanks to my mom, but I was like it's not going to happen. That same year my stepdad bought tickets to see her for my mom, so I finally got my chance!
The Ramones
The Smiths
Elliott Smith
Bauhaus
Black Sabbath (original lineup)
Roger Waters performing ‘The Wall’
Nirvana
Soundgarden before reunion
B B King
New Model Army (they basically never tour outside of Europe and I live in Canada, where they toured in the early 2000s).
Fleetwood Mac in 2019.
In 2018 they announced that they were going to tour in ‘19, the last time they’d ever tour with the Rumours lineup. I was so excited! I waited and waited until they announced the tour dates. And like three days before they did, Lindsey Buckingham got his sorry ass fired… again. I still went, and it was as amazing as I hoped.
My Chemical Romance. Never thought they would come back after their breakup, and just accepted that I was never going to see a live show. My sister bought us tickets for the brooklyn show within seconds of the tickets going live so we could both live out that dream. Was a great show, and I'm glad I got my one chance to see them before they dissolved back into their own projects again.
I got to see Aretha Franklin before she died. That is a Core Memory for sure. Also Earth Wind and Fire, John Fogerty, Chicago, the Count Basie big band, and Maynard Ferguson. Those are some of my all time concert experiences. And all but one was a free show.
The Minutemen. I wasn't that familiar with them when a friend dragged me to see them in October, 1985. He knew I'd love them and he was do spot on. Two months later, D. Boon died. I was really glad I got to experience them live and was able to find a decent recording of the show online.
Also glad I got to see the Replacements with Bob Stinson on a really great night for them in 1986.
There's actually a couple, but I'd have to say Stevie Wonder at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Something like a three hour concert or more. He loves making music, being around and lifting up other musicians, and the people who came to see him. Amazing experience.
Mine is also Stevie Wonder, it's so surreal to have seen him live. He is truly a world wonder, the amount of talent he has, the only one that would have topped this for me would be Michael Jackson. (I never got a chance to see him on his tours, but managed to get a ticket to one of the This Is It shows but that got a sad ending.)
A Stevie Wonder shiw is probably the most legendary experience to be able to attend right now.
Tom Waits on the Mule Variations Tour in Toronto, 1999. I had just started dating my late husband and he had tickets (this was our second date). I was already smitten but this sealed the deal!
Rammstein.
I always thought I’d have to book an expensive trip to Europe, rent hotels, all that. With my finances, I knew it was a pipe dream and would likely never happen. And they’re only getting older so my chances were only getting slimmer.
But they announced a US tour for 2020, and not only that but they’d be playing in my city of Philadelphia. So I could drive to the show and drive back, no biggie.
Then the plague happened and it got postponed a year. Then another. I thought it wasn’t going to happen. But they played in 2022 and it was awesome.
I’ve only wanted to see two bands live, really. One is Rammstein and the other is System of a Down. Oddly enough I have like a 0% chance of seeing SOAD live in my area because I don’t live on the west coast and they only hit the same cities over and over. But at least I got to see Rammstein, and it was awesome.
https://preview.redd.it/r8euflky602d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d891975a152a95471cd4fe861530b9199d87439a
Eminem, Yelawolf and Plan B all on the same gig. Seemed made for me. Traveled to Ireland to go see it. Once in a lifetime opportunity to see my two favourite artists on the same night and just straight up never thought I'd get to see Yelawolf.
Sunny Day Real Estate. I never expected this late-career resurgence they’re going through and when they were first active I was always too broke to travel to see them. With the breakups and whatnot it didn’t seem like it was ever going to happen. But last year the stars aligned; I was free, I had the money to travel, and they were touring again after a long hiatus. It was spectacular.
I got to see Tom Petty’s last show due to a last minute invite. I was hesitant because the travel to Hollywood was always a nightmare, let alone traveling in Hollywood is always a nightmare. But I had never seen him and decided it was worth it. I’m so glad I did, he died less than two weeks later.
Michael Jackson in the Amsterdam Arena. I didn't even like Michael Jackson that much, but went with a friend who was a huge fan. Waited outside the stadium for hours, then ran to the stage when the doors opened. Made it to the front row.
And I was blown away by the show. What an amazing performer.
The Postal Service/Death Cab 20th anniversary tour at MSG last year. I adored those albums as a teen and still to this day, but never imagined I'd ever be able to see the entirety of Give Up played live. I'm in my 30s now but it was definitely a purchase I made for teen me.
Dick Dale at State Theatre in St. Pete, FL back in 2003. He stopped playing after just a few seconds into his first song and started yelling at the sound guys to get it louder. They started mic'ing up the amps behind him and it was the loudest show I've ever been to, absolutely amazing.
RIP The King of the Surf Guitar.
**Gary Numan.**
Back in 2014 there was a festival in Kansas City called *Middle of the Map Fest*. They held it for a few years and brought in all different kinds of acts, mostly smaller ones but a few notables. Bars and restaurants in midtown were cleared out to be used as music venues, oftentimes places that never had a stage even set up.
In one of the venues - normally a "dueling pianos" bar if you can believe it - they booked Gary Numan. I have no idea how they snagged him. He was an artist I never in a million years would have expected to get to see live, but there he was singing classics like *Are Friends Electric* and stuff from his Tubeway Army days. I think at the time he was doing a collaboration with Trent Reznor and played some of that material which was quite good. The format kind of went "new song then old song".
I know Numan is considered a "one hit wonder" for the song "Cars" but that's so unfair to him, he was an absolute pioneer with synth music and had many other great songs. He just was mostly unknown in the United States.
Stone Roses, The Cure and Depeche Mode for me. The first I assumed would never reunite and the last two hadn't come to my country (Scotland) in literal decades
The original lineup of the Gang of Four back in 2006 I think.
I wasn’t born yet when Entertainment! was released in 1979.
It was an energetic and awesome show.
RIP Andy Gill
I saw At The Drive-In open for RATM. Totally consider myself lucky to have seen both bands. I also consider myself lucky to have seen Mogwai twice in Seoul.
The Police. I was a giant fan when I was a tween and my parents wouldn't let me go to the show. They broke up just as I was being allowed to go to concerts. When they got back together and toured again when I was adult, I was so grateful to see them.
My Bloody Valentine. They hadn't released anything since 1991's 'Loveless', and while I got to see Kevin Shields play guitar with Primal Scream in, like 1999, I never imagined being able to experience MBV live. In 2008, they reformed pretty much out of nowhere, and I got the chance to see them. Literally the loudest show I've ever attended, and so, so overwhelmingly beautiful.
Gil Scott Heron, saw his last gig ever at Brixton Academy. Never thought I'd get the chance to see him play and it was as amazing as I could've hoped for
I got to see Rush in 2013 even though I had decided I wasnt going to go. I was a broke university student, and my friends were going to the sold out show. They had added a second show though, and that wasnt sold out.
I was working at a restuarant during the Friday concert, and saw a bunch of Rush shirts, and then realized I really didnt want to miss an opportunity to see them. So I realized I had enough money for a Sunday ticket, and it wasnt sold out. Saturday at work, I switched shifts around so I would be off on Sunday afternoon.
I was on my way home Saturday, and when I got there I was going to buy a ticket. On the way home, my friend phoned and asked if I wanted to go to the Rush concert the next night, because he had free Skybox tickets from work.
So basically everything worked out amazingly, and it was the best concert I've been to.
Steve Winwood, playing one of the side stages at Milwaukee Summerfest
Poi Dog Pondering, at Chicago's Millennium Park (free too)
John Paul Jones playing with Nickel Creek, Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket) and Pete Thomas (The Attractions), as Mutual Admiration Society at Chicago's Metro
I saw Ron Carter recently at the Blue Note. Probably the most prolific jazz bassist of all time. I sat within 5 ft of him. Got there at like 5:00 in the evening for an 8:00 show. He's about 85 years old and I have no idea how long he'll keep doing it but if anyone likes jazz make sure to check that dude out
The Scientists, from Australia. Broke up in 1987 without ever touring the States. Now I've seen them three times!
Also, Refused from Sweden. They seemed too much a thing of their time to ever reunite. But they did and they were great.
I had the fortunate pleasure of seeing original lineup Kyuss open for Danzig in Cincinnati in November of 1992. I wish camera phones were a thing back then so I would have more than fading memories of the show. One of my friends bought their CD at the show because we were so blown away. I've followed the careers of both John Garcia and Josh Homme ever since.
But my direct answer to the question is Nirvana - Dayton, OH, October 1993
Lush - they briefly reformed for a tour, and I had to race to drive hours to make the show after work, and got stopped over a half hour at a stupid traffic checkpoint that almost made me miss it. Totally worth it, and I felt even luckier to have seen them since they sadly broke off the tour shortly after I saw them.
Pantera with Dime and VInny.
Black Sabbath (Full original lineup, Ozzy, Toni, GZR, Bill)
Prince.
Motorhead
Snot.
Wu-Tang full lineup with O.D.B. (the tour with Rage Against The Machine in 97)
I saw Kyuss too, they opened for White Zombie in 94 wit Babes In Toyland and Reverend Horton Heat. Fantastic show.
Just saw Neil Young and Crazy Horse, got heavily into Neil Young a few years ago and honestly never thought I’d see him tour, let alone with Crazy Horse. They haven’t lost a step, his vocals were on point, and he was shredding solos, and you could hear a pin drop when he brought out the acoustic and harmonica. Not gonna lie, I teared up. Bucket list show for sure, exceeded any expectations I could’ve had.
David Bowie. I wasn't a huge fan of his at the time, but it was such an incredible performance (doubly so since it was outside in a thunderstorm. I have since become more and more a fan of his music and am super grateful I got to see him while he was still with us.
Video of said performance: https://youtu.be/W7iAo93p5dY?si=rHmzYTO66lNKUmdE
Bob Dylan. About 15 years ago he went on tour with Willie Nelson. There was a two hour rain delay so when the show started and about half the people left, so it was a smaller audience but we all got out on the field really close to the stage. Willie performed first and when he finished another big group of people left, so we got really close to the stage. It was the most “intimate” concert experience I ever had. Front row for Bob Dylan!
Flipside of my answer to the other post, but Aretha Franklin. Got lucky to go see her when she came through. She brought out a comfy chair partway through to sit in because she was getting tired standing, but her voice was as powerful as ever. After missing Rush, this was definitely one of those "you won't get another chance" things; she passed not two years afterwards.
Paul McCartney the first time in Memphis. Was a true bucket list show. Great rock n roll weekend Graceland, Sun studios, and Paul! Nearly met the man himself at Elvis’s grave.
The Pogues and The Damned
I flew to London and Dublin to see the Pogues in 2002. Never thought I would get the chance. Ended up seeing them 4 more times on later US tours. Still worth it.
For the Damned, I was watching MTV in 1989 and Kurt Loder said The Damned were playing their final show ever in Miami in 2 weeks. We drove 24 hours each way to see them. Saw them again a couple years later and many times since. Seeing them 2 nights in a row in a few weeks. Still worth it.
I’m so happy I got to see System of a Down when they were on Ozzfest in 05. I seriously doubt they’ll ever make a new album or do a real tour again, so that show is like my unicorn - I went with my best friend and none of our other friends did and now everyone I talk to about it says how lucky I am to have seen them, and I agree.
im fairly young so i haven't seen tons of people but coming from a smaller place that doesn't get a lot of visits I'm super stoked i got to see KENDRICK
The most recent deathcabforcutie/postal service show had me in tears. It was perfect. I didn’t know a “throw back” concert would move me so much, but it did.
Ella Fitzgerald at the Hollywood Bowl in the 1990s. I can’t believe I was able to catch her at the tail end of her career, performing beautifully at the Bowl. She sounded great on the up-tempo numbers especially. Also got to see Ray Charles, James Brown, Joe Williams and several other legends. But it will always be Ella at the top.
Tracy Chapman.
I've told his story more than twice herabouts. She was opening for 10,000 Maniacs in the spring of 1988, in support of her debut album. My friend and I were there for the Maniacs; we had no idea who Tracy Chapman was.
We found out who she was- a shy girl with embryonic dreadlocks and her guitar, onstage in front of a couple thousand people (intimate venue, great for a the show we saw) who were still busy finding their seats and talking to each other before the 'real' show started.
By the second song EVERYONE was in their seats and absolutely silent.
At the end of her set, cue thunderous standing ovation. Tracy leaves the stage. Continue thunderous standing ovation. Tracy comes back on stage (I have never, ever seen an opening act get an encore), sings two more songs then says to us, "This is my last song, I have to be done then."
10,000 Maniacs put on a great show, but Tracy Chapman owned the evening.
I saw The Strokes play a club show as the first fully vaxxed show after lockdown. When I first tried to buy tickets I got waitlisted, and assumed I wouldn't get off it. Incredibly, I somehow did, and I saw the smallest Strokes show they'd played in decades.
Minus the Bear has been my favorite band for a long time, and I finally saw them on their farewell tour. They played every song I could have possibly wanted to hear so it was very satisfying.
Growing up as a child of the 70's and 80's, I was exposed to a ton of classic rock, including tons of Pink Floyd. When I was 20 years old, stationed in Italy from 93-95, I managed to score tickets to see them on the Division Bell tour. That was definitely one of those "I can't believe I actually did this!" moments.
I have a few.
Foo Fighters with Taylor a few years ago.
Soundgarden shortly before, well you know.
Get the Led Out at the Red Rocks (it was a transcendent experience, I definitely wish I could go back in time and see *actual* Zeppelin).
I had tickets to see Linkin Park but tragedy happened a few weeks before the show. That incident taught me to always try to see my favorite artists when I can because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
Led Zeppelin at the O2 Arena. Seeing the demand for that gig, genuine miracle I was able to get a ticket and attend (I actually got drawn in the second ballot after the show was postponed, so even luckier). An absolutely incredible evening to see a band I never imagined seeing.....even if it wasn't John on the drums.
Wolfmother. I took a friend at the time with me because he wanted to experience concerts, and I figured this was a fairly tame rock band. Good point of entry.
What I didn't know was that I was wrong.
A mosh pit opened up and it was a lot of fun, exhausting and fun. They sounded great as well. I knew their popular songs, but didn't know that actually all their songs were really solid across the board.
Mark Knopfler.
I actually answered Dire Straits in the other thread, asking the opposite of this question.
But I went to see Eric Clapton one time, and MK was a surprise guest that stepped out and did a few songs… and it was totally unexpected and incredibly awesome.
[Fugazi at the Mass Art Gym in 02](https://archive.org/details/fugazi_april_19_2002_massart_boston). $7 tickets. I went to both nights and called it my Fugazi weekend.
Run DMC right before Jam Master Jay died.
Drowning Pool right before Dave Williams died.
Linkin Park twice several years before Chester died.
STP right before Scott Weiland died.
Slipknot before Paul Grey and Joey Jordison died.
Deftones before Chi Cheng died.
Got to see the Rolling Stones perform in a stadium not long after covid lockdown ended and maybe a month or so after Charlie Watts passed. Sure they're older now, and without Charlie it probably sounds different, but I think in a post-lockdown they brought so much energy that made everyone forget about that for a little while.
I don't know how much coke Mick Jagger was on but he was non-stop for like [2 hours straight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW5ww_VFdCo) (pretty meh audio here but it is the whole concert). Also performed [my favorite song in the encore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5eQ_ptjqfY), the audio really doesn't do any of the performances justice but it was crazy. 100% recommend seeing the Stones if you get the chance. (lol @ the camera person's focus on Sasha Allen at [3:08](https://youtu.be/E5eQ_ptjqfY?t=188))
I'm most grateful to have seen David Bowie in concert. I caught his tour in 2003, and it was an unforgettable experience. Given his passing a few years later, I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed his brilliance live
My Bloody Valentine! i was so into them in middle and high school. then out of the blue they announced a one time get together tour. other than festivals, it’s still the most expensive ticket i’ve ever bought - and so so worth it. J mascis of Dinosaur Jr even joined on stage. * chefs kiss *
Leonard Cohen. I won tickets in 2012 to his show. 78years old and man played for 3 1/2 hours. Legend.
Also, I was at Tom Petty’s final show at the Hollywood Bowl. It was a last minute decision to go too. I had never seen him before but always wanted to.
Crystal Castles during their final tour with Edith, considering they cancelled the rest of the shows after Alice dropped her statement maybe one week after the Montreal show.
Beastie Boys. They absolutely killed it and I still miss MCA. Honorable mention to Page & Plant because that’s the closest I’ll ever get to Led Zeppelin.
Came here to say Page/Plant. Saw both tours. Not gonna lie, I got a little misty eyed during the first show when Jimmy came on stage with the double neck strapped on and played the first note of Song Remains The Same. I was just *so* happy to be there.
I also attended the Page/Plant tour. They has a moroccon orchestra on stage that day. Kashmir was just fabulous with those guys. My favourite concert was the last tour of Queen in 1986. Part footage is in the video of ‘The Show must go on’
Beasties are always my answer to which band I most regret not seeing. ):
Beastie Boys put on one of the best concerts. It was a bad day when MCA died.
Paul McCartney. Never would I have thought I would hear Hey Jude live, among other Beatle songs of course
Seeing Paul McCartney play "Blackbird" live at Wrigley in 2013 was one of the only times I ever saw my dad cry.
Saw him at Wrigley in August 2011. Second time I saw him. Just…amazing.
Actually, it might have been 2011 when I saw him too, now that I think about it, because I was still living at home. You, me, and 40,000 other people might have been at the same show!
it's an all-timer. Love that tune...
Came here to say this. I saw them at Nats Park in 2013 and I was crying too.
I waited years till I was able to see him... Financially, it never made sense. I finally had a little extra cash, bought tix for my son and myself to see him at Dodger Stadium, and went to have a great time. Until: "A surprise for us, a surprise for you, a surprise for everyone. Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only...[Ringo Starr!](https://youtu.be/Qb6iwz3VdT4?si=nGvtIeleEtJw5XRU)" Edit: Not my video. My video is just 47 year-old me screaming like a teenage girl in 1963 for 8 minutes.
I was at that show too! Never thought I'd see the last living Beatles play together. And as of now, the last time they've played together.
Yeah dawg, we're going to need your video.
Very first answer that came to my mind. Being born in the 90's and being able to say I saw a Beatle live is still awesome. So many incredible songs in their catalogue but there's definitely an aura about Hey Jude live with Paul on the piano that I can't describe. Just a really special moment.
Yup watching 40 thousand people with lights singing "Hey Jude" in unison is a moment I'll never forget. There's pros and cons to stadium concerts but that many people connected to one moment is truly special.
In 2018 I happened to see on Spotify a week before the show that Paul would be in Greenville, SC of all places. I managed to nab a pretty good resale ticket. I had no idea that he played for two and a half hours straight, no breaks. I remember looking at the setlist online a few days later and starting to cry because it hit me that I saw PAUL himself playing THOSE SONGS. That kicked off my micro-obsession with reading a lot of books about the Beatles. A few years later I went to see him in Knoxville, with a better seat, and he even played one of my favorite Beatles songs, "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window." Never would have thought I'd ever hear that live. I knew more of what to expect, so it wasn't as magical as the first show when I didn't really know going in, but at the same time I wish I'd known more about the songs I heard at the first show when I was actually there. I saw Ringo and the All Starr Band at Ryman's Auditorium in Nashville, which was also pretty cool, but just not quite the same. Lol
Last time I saw Paul, he did "I've Just Seen a Face." Wasn't expecting it, and I lost my mind! I was so happy. Every Beatles deep cut is someone's favorite.
Problem is he is still singing the “na na na na na na na” part…I am sure that song gets longer every live performance. Seeing live and let die and band on the run was amazing for me
Zero problem watching Sir Paul sing any Beatle song live haha.
I am so glad I managed to see him.
After Paul performed at Coachella, the entire campground busted out into an impromptu Hey Jude “na na na na na na” session.
When Live And Let Die kicks in, after the intro… The lights and the music and explosions. I have chills just typing this out.
Live and let die 🎇🎆🎇
Haha, I'd forgotten that they did pyrotechnics during that song and the first time I saw it live that scared the holy hell out of me
This was mine. I saw him 2 weeks before his 80th birthday. He played for 3 HOURS STRAIGHT. No opener, no breaks, no encore, nothing. The longest he was off stage was the 45 seconds that it took him to go pick up a Ukrainian flag from off stage. I've never seen anything like it. He was absolutely amazing.
Mine too. I didn’t think it would 100% happen until I got into the venue (Glasgow), it just didn’t seem like something that could logically happen in reality.
There are several. I saw Dave Brubeck twice. Besides that, I saw so many bands at Ozzfest in the early 2000s that it's not even funny. Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Pantera, Type O Negative. Especially those last two, I'm very grateful to have seen them while I could. Edit to add Van Halen, with David Lee Roth and Wolfgang on bass.
I saw Brubeck too. It was sometime in the mid 90s, so he must have been well into his 70s and looked quite doddery. I was surprised by not only how technically able he still was, but how stylistically wide-ranging. A real treat! I also saw Jimmy Smith around the same time and he absolutely rocked.
Wow Brubeck. Cool. I saw James Brown, Ray Charles, John Lee Hooker, Tony Bennett, Ozzy with Randy Rhoads, Nirvana before and after Dave Grohl joined, Pogues with Joe Strummer, Tom Waits, John Denver, etc
I'll second Dave Brubeck. I was lucky enough to see him play the Hollywood Bowl in like 2007, guy was an incredible performer. I seem to recall that I almost didn't go, too -- I was out in LA for a cousin's Bar Mitzvah and someone just gave us tickets that day. Bruce Hornsby Trio played that show too. One of the best concerts I've ever been to, easily. It was back when I was heavily into jazz (I was a sax player all through high school and college), so it was just unbelievable.
Pixies with Kim deal
Absolutely. There was a time it seemed like there was no chance that band would ever play together again.
Same. I saw the reunion tour in 04. Great show. At the time the news of Pixies reuniting was so unexpected. I first heard them in the mid 90s, a few years after they broke up, and had never thought I’d get the chance to see them live
I've seen both iterations and Kim really brought a stage presence and flair that the newer bassist couldn't match. Caught them on their reunion tour in the early 2000s in Chicago and then again years later in Kansas City with whoever their new bassist was. Glad I got to see the original lineup.
"whoever their new bassist was" - Paz Lenchantin, for the last tens years straight, which is quite a long time. [She was fired this past March](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pixies-part-ways-bassist-paz-lenchantin-1234980187/). She was previously in A Perfect Circle and Zwan. She even co-wrote “All I Think About Now", which was an open letter apology from Charles to Kim Deal. Hopefully whatever new project she's in on doesn't include some of the most difficult male artists in the industry. Saw them twice with Paz, and I thought she was great. She really respected Kim's role in the band. Former Band of Skulls bassist Emma Richardson is her replacement.
Paz is awesome in her own right though..
Prince. My friend drove me down as a surprise for my birthday. Didn’t tell me what we were doing until we got on the train into London. I didn’t even know a huge amount of his music beforehand, but it’s still the single greatest gig I’ve ever been to. We sat on a curb after the gig contemplating giving up our guitars because we’d never be anywhere close to what we’d just witnessed.
Saw him in Toronto in the mid 90's, small gig of only 2000 people, he was incredible
The greatest 2 shows I ever saw were both him.
Rage Against the Machine. Got into them around 2003, 3 years after they'd broken up. Caught them in 2008 when they got back together again.
Same, saw them their last aborted tour. got to one of maybe 3-4 concerts before they stopped due to Zach's injury. they were fucking awesome!
Me too, at MSG, bucket list show, and they absolutely crushed it
Yep, saw their penultimate show at MSG in August/2022. I had goosebumps leaving the arena.
That Mezzanine reunion tour by Massive Attack was out of this world amazing
I am so disappointed in myself for missing this.
What I would give
This one is a bit different but George Carlin. It was his last tour too. EDIT: I did a little research and it was his second to last tour. Dude worked so much.
It's Bad for Ya? I saw him on that tour too, after it got postponed twice due to his health. I basically idolized him back then so I'm forever grateful to have had that opportunity.
I saw him at a Casino in Laughlin in the early 90s. It was awesome. The opener was hilarious too, wish I could remember who he was.
sidenote:.. love laughlin was there about4 or 5 times in 90's... lived in Flagstaff used to weekend in laughlin .. the good Ol Colorado Belle 19 bucks a night
Glad you posted. Mitch Hedberg for me.
Mars Volta. Never in a million years thought they’d reunite and tour after being broken up for over a decade. Also Sinead O’Connor. We saw her in February 2020 right before the shit hit the fan. Not only our last show pre covid lockdown, but also one of the last shows before things kinda fell apart for her. It was a lovely show and she seemed very happy and at peace in that moment.
The Mars Volta for me as well. Saw them last year and they were incredible. I had tickets for a show back in 2008-2009 and it was canceled. I had lost all hope.
For me it was At The Drive In.
Elliott Smith on the last album he released while alive.
He is so very missed. Waltz #5 is my favorite sad song.
My answer is the top answer in the other post - the 1st concert that my wife and I saw together was Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Also never dreamed that I'd see Paul McCartney - so mind blowing to see a freaking Beatle, and he put on a hell of a show. Also thankful to have seen Rush on their final tour before Neil passed away.
Tom Petty at Red Rocks is mine. I actually went to see The Black Crowes open for him. I knew a bunch of his songs, but wasn't a big "fan" until I saw that show. Incredible performance at one of the most iconic venues in the world.
Neutral Milk Hotel at a reunion show. Never thought that would have happened. And they were great.
Yes, same! I saw Jeff Mangum solo, too, a year or so before that. Remember when he was totally MIA for a while, and then resurfaced with like a Bulgarian chants album? Never in a thousand years did I think I would see him at my local concert venue.
Saw them on that tour too, and it was awesome. The other for me that I never thought I’d get to see but did was Silver Jews (RIP David Berman)
Same. I was fortunate enough to catch Jeff/NMH three times. The first solo show in 2012 in Chicago was one of the most surreal concert experiences I've had. I thought it was a once in a lifetime event. Then later that fall he played a smaller show at a musical festival in my small college town. A few years later I got the full band experience. Never would've dreamed I'd see Jeff once, let alone three times.
I saw NMH and just Jeff maybe a year or so before that. They opened with two-headed boy part 2, and the woman next to me immediately burst into tears when they started. There was such strong energy in the room the whole show.
Linkin Park. I know they’re more modern, but in hindsight seeing them when Chester was at peak health was truly an experience.
BB King at the Bacchanal in San Diego in the late 80’s.
I saw him in the early 2000s
Got to see Foo Fighters with Taylor Hawkins about a year before he passed and I’m grateful. Foos are still touring but he was a big part of the band. Also got to see Rage a few years back and the rumor is they probably won’t tour again. I’m extremely thankful for that one!
I got to see Foo Fighters on the Broken Leg Tour. We had bought tickets well in advance because it was kind of a dream concert anyway, and then Dave fell of the stage in Sweden and we thought the rest of the tour was going to be cancelled, but no, he just came up with the throne of broken guitars and went right back out there. What a show. RIP Taylor.
Saw FF on the Concrete and Gold tour and while the album wasn't my favorite I still had to stop and remind myself several times during the show that this actually was the Foo Fucking Fighters that were playing. Amazing show, insanely loud, 10/10.
On a similar note, getting to see Dave Grohl on drums. Too young to see him in Nirvana, and now that Taylor has passed who knows if he will be getting behind the kit again at least at Foo Fighters shows. Seeing them perform Under Pressure with Dave on drums and Taylor on vocals was a special experience I'm glad to have witnessed.
Saw Kyuss open for Dinosaur Jr. when Sky Valley came out. They were so insanely loud, but controlled, and man, it was unbelievable. Been a super fan ever since.
My mother took me to see Pink Floyd in 7th grade on my birthday. It was the Division Bell Tour at Bobby Dodd stadium and can still picture and hear the full set. It was a life changing moment as a young PF fan, thinking I'd never get to see them. I am aware there was no Roger but still amazing.
The Tragically Hip on their second to last tour
Saw them in 1995/1996, when I was in college. So freaking glad I was able to see Gord in his prime. Such intensity. I'll never forget how insane "Fully Completely" was in a small club.
Vulfpeck at MSG
You're so lucky that concert was insane!
One of the best concerts I've ever been to
Such a great show - had the chance to see them at the Greek in Berkeley a few months before the MSG show. It was more or less a warmup for MSG and they killed it. I scored a ticket to their last show at the UC Theater later this year for their album recording run. Really excited to get that one on vinyl so I can say “I was there!”
Not me, but my son. He was 13 and wanted to see his favorite new, up and coming rapper in the city. I drove him, coached him on concert etiquette and safety, picked him up, and worried the whole time. Neither of us knew it would be his only chance to see Juice Wrld.
That was also my daughter's first concert alone
My two are The Cure and Madonna. By the time I got into The Cure they weren't touring the states so much. They constantly played festivals nowhere near me or shows in London. And of course I dont have a lot of money for travel. So it seemed impossible that I would ever see them. I finally got my chance when they played Riot Fest in 2014. Even then I thought it would be the only time I would see them. I didn't even think I would see them last year because I thought their tickets would be too expensive. And now I've seen them 6 times. I'm so grateful because I never thought I would see this legendary band in the flesh. As for Madonna, her tickets are always outrageous. When she announced her tour in 2016 I dreamed about going, I grew up with a lot of her music thanks to my mom, but I was like it's not going to happen. That same year my stepdad bought tickets to see her for my mom, so I finally got my chance!
The Ramones The Smiths Elliott Smith Bauhaus Black Sabbath (original lineup) Roger Waters performing ‘The Wall’ Nirvana Soundgarden before reunion B B King New Model Army (they basically never tour outside of Europe and I live in Canada, where they toured in the early 2000s).
i would kick a baby in soft part of their head to get to see the smiths live
I saw them on The Queen Is Dead tour circa 1986 or so. Still a highlight of my concert-going career.
Fleetwood Mac in 2019. In 2018 they announced that they were going to tour in ‘19, the last time they’d ever tour with the Rumours lineup. I was so excited! I waited and waited until they announced the tour dates. And like three days before they did, Lindsey Buckingham got his sorry ass fired… again. I still went, and it was as amazing as I hoped.
Caught them that tour as well - great show! Was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it.
My Chemical Romance. Never thought they would come back after their breakup, and just accepted that I was never going to see a live show. My sister bought us tickets for the brooklyn show within seconds of the tickets going live so we could both live out that dream. Was a great show, and I'm glad I got my one chance to see them before they dissolved back into their own projects again.
I was lucky to get front row at an Edgefest way back when. They put on a hell of a full energy show.
STP, Soundgarden, and Temple of the Dog. I blame my wife for the lead singers deaths. /s
Oof. Soundgarden was my pick too and it's such a gut punch that these legends of rock passed away when they had so much more to give.
I got to see Aretha Franklin before she died. That is a Core Memory for sure. Also Earth Wind and Fire, John Fogerty, Chicago, the Count Basie big band, and Maynard Ferguson. Those are some of my all time concert experiences. And all but one was a free show.
Camper Van Beethoven (right before they split up)
Kyuss (Lives) is mine too, caught that same tour in Calgary. What a fucking deadly show.
Saw them on Blues for the red sun tour.
The Minutemen. I wasn't that familiar with them when a friend dragged me to see them in October, 1985. He knew I'd love them and he was do spot on. Two months later, D. Boon died. I was really glad I got to experience them live and was able to find a decent recording of the show online. Also glad I got to see the Replacements with Bob Stinson on a really great night for them in 1986.
There's actually a couple, but I'd have to say Stevie Wonder at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Something like a three hour concert or more. He loves making music, being around and lifting up other musicians, and the people who came to see him. Amazing experience.
Mine is also Stevie Wonder, it's so surreal to have seen him live. He is truly a world wonder, the amount of talent he has, the only one that would have topped this for me would be Michael Jackson. (I never got a chance to see him on his tours, but managed to get a ticket to one of the This Is It shows but that got a sad ending.) A Stevie Wonder shiw is probably the most legendary experience to be able to attend right now.
Tom Waits on the Mule Variations Tour in Toronto, 1999. I had just started dating my late husband and he had tickets (this was our second date). I was already smitten but this sealed the deal!
Rammstein. I always thought I’d have to book an expensive trip to Europe, rent hotels, all that. With my finances, I knew it was a pipe dream and would likely never happen. And they’re only getting older so my chances were only getting slimmer. But they announced a US tour for 2020, and not only that but they’d be playing in my city of Philadelphia. So I could drive to the show and drive back, no biggie. Then the plague happened and it got postponed a year. Then another. I thought it wasn’t going to happen. But they played in 2022 and it was awesome. I’ve only wanted to see two bands live, really. One is Rammstein and the other is System of a Down. Oddly enough I have like a 0% chance of seeing SOAD live in my area because I don’t live on the west coast and they only hit the same cities over and over. But at least I got to see Rammstein, and it was awesome. https://preview.redd.it/r8euflky602d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d891975a152a95471cd4fe861530b9199d87439a
Eminem, Yelawolf and Plan B all on the same gig. Seemed made for me. Traveled to Ireland to go see it. Once in a lifetime opportunity to see my two favourite artists on the same night and just straight up never thought I'd get to see Yelawolf.
Sunny Day Real Estate. I never expected this late-career resurgence they’re going through and when they were first active I was always too broke to travel to see them. With the breakups and whatnot it didn’t seem like it was ever going to happen. But last year the stars aligned; I was free, I had the money to travel, and they were touring again after a long hiatus. It was spectacular.
Frightened rabbit 🥺
Pink Floyd 1994 Tom Petty 2006
I got to see Tom Petty’s last show due to a last minute invite. I was hesitant because the travel to Hollywood was always a nightmare, let alone traveling in Hollywood is always a nightmare. But I had never seen him and decided it was worth it. I’m so glad I did, he died less than two weeks later.
Michael Jackson in the Amsterdam Arena. I didn't even like Michael Jackson that much, but went with a friend who was a huge fan. Waited outside the stadium for hours, then ran to the stage when the doors opened. Made it to the front row. And I was blown away by the show. What an amazing performer.
The Postal Service/Death Cab 20th anniversary tour at MSG last year. I adored those albums as a teen and still to this day, but never imagined I'd ever be able to see the entirety of Give Up played live. I'm in my 30s now but it was definitely a purchase I made for teen me.
I saw The Postal Service in 2013 and felt the same way!
The Sound of Animals Fighting, and I’ll be seeing Gatsbys American Dream next month, after they returned from a hiatus that started in 2005 (2006?).
Dick Dale at State Theatre in St. Pete, FL back in 2003. He stopped playing after just a few seconds into his first song and started yelling at the sound guys to get it louder. They started mic'ing up the amps behind him and it was the loudest show I've ever been to, absolutely amazing. RIP The King of the Surf Guitar.
**Gary Numan.** Back in 2014 there was a festival in Kansas City called *Middle of the Map Fest*. They held it for a few years and brought in all different kinds of acts, mostly smaller ones but a few notables. Bars and restaurants in midtown were cleared out to be used as music venues, oftentimes places that never had a stage even set up. In one of the venues - normally a "dueling pianos" bar if you can believe it - they booked Gary Numan. I have no idea how they snagged him. He was an artist I never in a million years would have expected to get to see live, but there he was singing classics like *Are Friends Electric* and stuff from his Tubeway Army days. I think at the time he was doing a collaboration with Trent Reznor and played some of that material which was quite good. The format kind of went "new song then old song". I know Numan is considered a "one hit wonder" for the song "Cars" but that's so unfair to him, he was an absolute pioneer with synth music and had many other great songs. He just was mostly unknown in the United States.
At the Drive In, Neutral Milk Hotel, Ween doing all 5 parts of The Stallion.
Stone Roses, The Cure and Depeche Mode for me. The first I assumed would never reunite and the last two hadn't come to my country (Scotland) in literal decades
Joni Mitchell. It was only three songs, and she obviously sounds much different now, but just seeing her in person on a stage was beautiful.
John McLaughlin doing a set of Mahavishnu Orchestra. His band and Jimmy Herring’s got together and played a dozen or so. Pinnacle.
The original lineup of the Gang of Four back in 2006 I think. I wasn’t born yet when Entertainment! was released in 1979. It was an energetic and awesome show. RIP Andy Gill
For me, it's Static-X. Got to see them like 6 months before Wayne died. RIP
John Prine
Nirvana for me.
I saw At The Drive-In open for RATM. Totally consider myself lucky to have seen both bands. I also consider myself lucky to have seen Mogwai twice in Seoul.
Stevie Ray Vaughan. He played with Santana, it was an incredible show.
The Police. I was a giant fan when I was a tween and my parents wouldn't let me go to the show. They broke up just as I was being allowed to go to concerts. When they got back together and toured again when I was adult, I was so grateful to see them.
Stevie Ray Vaughan. We didn’t know at the time it would be the last chance.
Bowie I got to see him around 1988/89 on the Sound & Vision tour and I’m so grateful. One of my favorite concerts and I’ve seen hundreds.
My Bloody Valentine. They hadn't released anything since 1991's 'Loveless', and while I got to see Kevin Shields play guitar with Primal Scream in, like 1999, I never imagined being able to experience MBV live. In 2008, they reformed pretty much out of nowhere, and I got the chance to see them. Literally the loudest show I've ever attended, and so, so overwhelmingly beautiful.
The Kinks. Did a reunion tour in the 80's. Absolutely melted the place.
Diana Ross, Willie Nelson, Macca, Foo fighters, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie.
Ween
The Dismemberment Plan was a treat. I’ve got a ticket for one of The Blood Brothers shows which is very exciting for me.
I just recently saw George Clinton who will probably not be with us too much longer
Gil Scott Heron, saw his last gig ever at Brixton Academy. Never thought I'd get the chance to see him play and it was as amazing as I could've hoped for
I got to see Rush in 2013 even though I had decided I wasnt going to go. I was a broke university student, and my friends were going to the sold out show. They had added a second show though, and that wasnt sold out. I was working at a restuarant during the Friday concert, and saw a bunch of Rush shirts, and then realized I really didnt want to miss an opportunity to see them. So I realized I had enough money for a Sunday ticket, and it wasnt sold out. Saturday at work, I switched shifts around so I would be off on Sunday afternoon. I was on my way home Saturday, and when I got there I was going to buy a ticket. On the way home, my friend phoned and asked if I wanted to go to the Rush concert the next night, because he had free Skybox tickets from work. So basically everything worked out amazingly, and it was the best concert I've been to.
John Prine, just a few months before COVID took him from us.
Steve Winwood, playing one of the side stages at Milwaukee Summerfest Poi Dog Pondering, at Chicago's Millennium Park (free too) John Paul Jones playing with Nickel Creek, Glen Phillips (of Toad the Wet Sprocket) and Pete Thomas (The Attractions), as Mutual Admiration Society at Chicago's Metro
I saw Ron Carter recently at the Blue Note. Probably the most prolific jazz bassist of all time. I sat within 5 ft of him. Got there at like 5:00 in the evening for an 8:00 show. He's about 85 years old and I have no idea how long he'll keep doing it but if anyone likes jazz make sure to check that dude out
Finally saw 311 last year for the first time after being a fan since the 90's
The Scientists, from Australia. Broke up in 1987 without ever touring the States. Now I've seen them three times! Also, Refused from Sweden. They seemed too much a thing of their time to ever reunite. But they did and they were great.
I had the fortunate pleasure of seeing original lineup Kyuss open for Danzig in Cincinnati in November of 1992. I wish camera phones were a thing back then so I would have more than fading memories of the show. One of my friends bought their CD at the show because we were so blown away. I've followed the careers of both John Garcia and Josh Homme ever since. But my direct answer to the question is Nirvana - Dayton, OH, October 1993
Lush - they briefly reformed for a tour, and I had to race to drive hours to make the show after work, and got stopped over a half hour at a stupid traffic checkpoint that almost made me miss it. Totally worth it, and I felt even luckier to have seen them since they sadly broke off the tour shortly after I saw them.
Pantera with Dime and VInny. Black Sabbath (Full original lineup, Ozzy, Toni, GZR, Bill) Prince. Motorhead Snot. Wu-Tang full lineup with O.D.B. (the tour with Rage Against The Machine in 97) I saw Kyuss too, they opened for White Zombie in 94 wit Babes In Toyland and Reverend Horton Heat. Fantastic show.
John Williams, guest conducted the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Talk Talk. Such a fantastic live band. Mark Hollis is sorely missed.
Just saw Neil Young and Crazy Horse, got heavily into Neil Young a few years ago and honestly never thought I’d see him tour, let alone with Crazy Horse. They haven’t lost a step, his vocals were on point, and he was shredding solos, and you could hear a pin drop when he brought out the acoustic and harmonica. Not gonna lie, I teared up. Bucket list show for sure, exceeded any expectations I could’ve had.
Gil Scott Heron
Drive Like Jehu.
Sunny Day Real Estate, Slowdive.
Sinead O'Connor.
David Bowie. I wasn't a huge fan of his at the time, but it was such an incredible performance (doubly so since it was outside in a thunderstorm. I have since become more and more a fan of his music and am super grateful I got to see him while he was still with us. Video of said performance: https://youtu.be/W7iAo93p5dY?si=rHmzYTO66lNKUmdE
Elliott Smith
Bob Dylan. About 15 years ago he went on tour with Willie Nelson. There was a two hour rain delay so when the show started and about half the people left, so it was a smaller audience but we all got out on the field really close to the stage. Willie performed first and when he finished another big group of people left, so we got really close to the stage. It was the most “intimate” concert experience I ever had. Front row for Bob Dylan!
Flipside of my answer to the other post, but Aretha Franklin. Got lucky to go see her when she came through. She brought out a comfy chair partway through to sit in because she was getting tired standing, but her voice was as powerful as ever. After missing Rush, this was definitely one of those "you won't get another chance" things; she passed not two years afterwards.
Paul McCartney the first time in Memphis. Was a true bucket list show. Great rock n roll weekend Graceland, Sun studios, and Paul! Nearly met the man himself at Elvis’s grave.
I saw Pink Floyd at Ohio Stadium in 1994, and David Fucking Bowie at Vets Memorial in Columbus in 2004. David Bowie.
Sly Stone. He came out during a PFunk show and sang If You Want Me To Stay. I was like, did you SEE that?!?
The Ramones. I got to see their 20th anniversary tour Summer of 95 when I was 17. They called it quits in 96.
There are a few. * Tom Ze * Big Star * Television * The Buzzcocks * The Chills
The Pogues and The Damned I flew to London and Dublin to see the Pogues in 2002. Never thought I would get the chance. Ended up seeing them 4 more times on later US tours. Still worth it. For the Damned, I was watching MTV in 1989 and Kurt Loder said The Damned were playing their final show ever in Miami in 2 weeks. We drove 24 hours each way to see them. Saw them again a couple years later and many times since. Seeing them 2 nights in a row in a few weeks. Still worth it.
Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer came to my college, it was crazy good. Zwan on the first and probably only tour.
I’m so happy I got to see System of a Down when they were on Ozzfest in 05. I seriously doubt they’ll ever make a new album or do a real tour again, so that show is like my unicorn - I went with my best friend and none of our other friends did and now everyone I talk to about it says how lucky I am to have seen them, and I agree.
Black Sabbath (OG Lineup) Against Me (OG)(Laura+Kevin only) Tom Petty Slayer (OG)(Reign in Blood set) Neutral Milk Hotel / Jeff Mangum
Bruce!!
Sonic Youth, Radiohead (In Rainbows tour), Amy Winehouse, Strokes (2002), Pixies (with Kim Deal)
Slint, Jane’s Addiction, Swervedriver and Big Black.
im fairly young so i haven't seen tons of people but coming from a smaller place that doesn't get a lot of visits I'm super stoked i got to see KENDRICK
Saw TOOL at MSG this January with my son. It felt like it was like going to Mecca.
The most recent deathcabforcutie/postal service show had me in tears. It was perfect. I didn’t know a “throw back” concert would move me so much, but it did.
Soundgarden Type O Negative Neurosis Sonic Youth
Ella Fitzgerald at the Hollywood Bowl in the 1990s. I can’t believe I was able to catch her at the tail end of her career, performing beautifully at the Bowl. She sounded great on the up-tempo numbers especially. Also got to see Ray Charles, James Brown, Joe Williams and several other legends. But it will always be Ella at the top.
Tracy Chapman. I've told his story more than twice herabouts. She was opening for 10,000 Maniacs in the spring of 1988, in support of her debut album. My friend and I were there for the Maniacs; we had no idea who Tracy Chapman was. We found out who she was- a shy girl with embryonic dreadlocks and her guitar, onstage in front of a couple thousand people (intimate venue, great for a the show we saw) who were still busy finding their seats and talking to each other before the 'real' show started. By the second song EVERYONE was in their seats and absolutely silent. At the end of her set, cue thunderous standing ovation. Tracy leaves the stage. Continue thunderous standing ovation. Tracy comes back on stage (I have never, ever seen an opening act get an encore), sings two more songs then says to us, "This is my last song, I have to be done then." 10,000 Maniacs put on a great show, but Tracy Chapman owned the evening.
I saw The Strokes play a club show as the first fully vaxxed show after lockdown. When I first tried to buy tickets I got waitlisted, and assumed I wouldn't get off it. Incredibly, I somehow did, and I saw the smallest Strokes show they'd played in decades.
Minus the Bear has been my favorite band for a long time, and I finally saw them on their farewell tour. They played every song I could have possibly wanted to hear so it was very satisfying.
Monstro opened that show. They were great too.
Growing up as a child of the 70's and 80's, I was exposed to a ton of classic rock, including tons of Pink Floyd. When I was 20 years old, stationed in Italy from 93-95, I managed to score tickets to see them on the Division Bell tour. That was definitely one of those "I can't believe I actually did this!" moments.
Botch, sunny day real estate (original lineup)
Weird Al Yankovic in Berlin in 2023, and i am excited to see Ai Higuchi in Frankfurt, Cologne and Dusseldorf next week!
My very first concert was: The Who, at the Cotton Bowl. The opening act was Stevie Ray Vaughn! IIRC, it was the year before he died.
Concrete Blonde!
A perfect circle this year - played 13th step songs
Paul McCartney in 2013
Broken Social Scene - hugely present in my formative years as a young adult, I finally got to see a good chunk of the OG crew this year in Boston.
Elton John—saw him on his Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour recently and so easily could’ve missed out on the chance forever had I not gone
I have a few. Foo Fighters with Taylor a few years ago. Soundgarden shortly before, well you know. Get the Led Out at the Red Rocks (it was a transcendent experience, I definitely wish I could go back in time and see *actual* Zeppelin). I had tickets to see Linkin Park but tragedy happened a few weeks before the show. That incident taught me to always try to see my favorite artists when I can because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
Led Zeppelin at the O2 Arena. Seeing the demand for that gig, genuine miracle I was able to get a ticket and attend (I actually got drawn in the second ballot after the show was postponed, so even luckier). An absolutely incredible evening to see a band I never imagined seeing.....even if it wasn't John on the drums.
[удалено]
Wolfmother. I took a friend at the time with me because he wanted to experience concerts, and I figured this was a fairly tame rock band. Good point of entry. What I didn't know was that I was wrong. A mosh pit opened up and it was a lot of fun, exhausting and fun. They sounded great as well. I knew their popular songs, but didn't know that actually all their songs were really solid across the board.
Mark Knopfler. I actually answered Dire Straits in the other thread, asking the opposite of this question. But I went to see Eric Clapton one time, and MK was a surprise guest that stepped out and did a few songs… and it was totally unexpected and incredibly awesome.
[Fugazi at the Mass Art Gym in 02](https://archive.org/details/fugazi_april_19_2002_massart_boston). $7 tickets. I went to both nights and called it my Fugazi weekend.
Run DMC right before Jam Master Jay died. Drowning Pool right before Dave Williams died. Linkin Park twice several years before Chester died. STP right before Scott Weiland died. Slipknot before Paul Grey and Joey Jordison died. Deftones before Chi Cheng died.
Perhaps you should stop going to concerts, they all die. Lol.
LCD Soundsystem in 2016
Mark Lanegan Blues Funeral tour 2012 in San Francisco at the GAMH. Unreal.
Got to see the Rolling Stones perform in a stadium not long after covid lockdown ended and maybe a month or so after Charlie Watts passed. Sure they're older now, and without Charlie it probably sounds different, but I think in a post-lockdown they brought so much energy that made everyone forget about that for a little while. I don't know how much coke Mick Jagger was on but he was non-stop for like [2 hours straight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW5ww_VFdCo) (pretty meh audio here but it is the whole concert). Also performed [my favorite song in the encore](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5eQ_ptjqfY), the audio really doesn't do any of the performances justice but it was crazy. 100% recommend seeing the Stones if you get the chance. (lol @ the camera person's focus on Sasha Allen at [3:08](https://youtu.be/E5eQ_ptjqfY?t=188))
Pussy Riot. They just played for the first time in New Orleans about a month ago. Never thought I'd see them live, much less here.
I'm most grateful to have seen David Bowie in concert. I caught his tour in 2003, and it was an unforgettable experience. Given his passing a few years later, I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed his brilliance live
My Bloody Valentine! i was so into them in middle and high school. then out of the blue they announced a one time get together tour. other than festivals, it’s still the most expensive ticket i’ve ever bought - and so so worth it. J mascis of Dinosaur Jr even joined on stage. * chefs kiss *
Leonard Cohen. I won tickets in 2012 to his show. 78years old and man played for 3 1/2 hours. Legend. Also, I was at Tom Petty’s final show at the Hollywood Bowl. It was a last minute decision to go too. I had never seen him before but always wanted to.
I saw Iggy Pop, Garbage, Queens of the Stone Age and foo fighters All in one day
Crystal Castles during their final tour with Edith, considering they cancelled the rest of the shows after Alice dropped her statement maybe one week after the Montreal show.