Favourite concert(s)

[Burnsjed]

We have a topic for favourite albums, singles and everything else, so I thought it would be interesting to talk about favourite concerts, and the reasons behind them being your favourite.

Here are mine, as always in no particular order!

28th April 1981 - Gary Numan - Wembley Farewell concert. Wembley Arena, London
Was my first ever concert and at the time I absolutely idolised Gary Numan. It was supposedly his last ever live performance, though over the years I have seen him at least 25 times since!

22 November 1982 - Japan - Son's Of Pioneers Tour. Hammersmith Odeon, London.
Was the final concert Japan ever played outside of Japan, and was a very emotional evening. The band were in fantastic form, and I am incredibly grateful I had the opportunity of seeing them live.

1985 - Sting - Dream of the Blue Turtles, Royal Albert Hall, London
This concert absolutely blew me away. I was playing in a band at the time, and actually felt quite depressed after leaving this, they were that good! Branford Marsalis on Sax, Kenny Kirkland on keyboards, Omar Hakim on drums, Darryl Jones on bass. This was the most incredible line-up of all time! Highly recommend the CD "Bring on the Night" from this tour. Sting was smart, he surrounded himself with genius!


24 May 1988 - David Sylvian - In Praise of Shamans. La Cigale, Paris
Had front row seats in a tiny concert hall, we were so close to the stage that they announced before the show that every one had to remain seated, think the band were a little intimidated/worried!
Was an amazing concert, the band Sylvian toured with were simply incredible, Jansen on drums, Barbieri on Keyboards, Torn on guitar (he was amazing), Isham on trumpet and others (incredible musician), Maidman on bass, Aceto on guitars and keyboards.
I couldn't wait to see him in London so had to pop over and see him in Paris and it was truly worth it, this concert will remain with me for ever.

A few other honoree mentions are, Frank Sinatra (the man is a legend), Michael Jackson (amazing entertainer), Nina Simone (simply beautiful voice), U2 (Achtung Baby tour) and finally Buckshot LeFonque, they were supposed to be the support, and I was only going to the concert to watch them, but the headline was involved in a minor car crash and cancelled. On Arrival we were given the chance of a refund of watching the support (which given that was the only reason I was there) we proceeded inside!
Hardly anyone was there, we stood at the front of the stage, and afterwards the band came down and spoke to the audience. There really was only a handful of people in there! Branford just rocks!

[Bap De La Bap]

I'm at work so dont have the exact dates/ticket stubs

Neurosis - last year at The Forum (Intense and I tranced out n dissapeared for a while)
Peeping Tom - last year at Koko camden (I love Mike Patton!)
Faith No More - Pheonix festival 1993
Billy Idol - Download fest' 2005 ( I almost cried when he done Eyes without a face....well I hadnt slept for 2 days..)
No Doubt - Manchester academy 1997 (i was so excited about this one as it hade been postponed then cancelled from the year before)
Madonna - wembley 1987 ( Whos that Girl?)
Mr Bungle - astoria 2001? craziest band Ive seen.
Opeth - Roundhouse Camden - last year
Today is the day - the Garage Islington ( I was deaf for a week)

[Xx_Vanity_xX]

i havent actually been to many concerts.

I've been to see Donny Osmond twice NOT by choice at all! My mum is a huge fan, couldn't find anyone else to go with so i offered...and however much i found him cheesy as hell...it was quite fun.

Next concert was The Rasmus in 2004? i think....in Bristol. I went with mym mum (cos she liked them too) my best friend at the time and her sister. Managed to force my way into the moshpit halfway through the concert only to get a drumstick thrown at me by the drummer...it hurt baad

Nxt concert was Alkaline Trio...when i was in year 11 at school so thats....i dont know what year lol But i went to see them with my best friend Eloise. Was a brilliant concert and met a few other people from school...including my ex...f*****g b*****d.... Got so hot and swaety as we were riiiight at thr front of the moshpit and had every other rocker in the place crushing us up to the security bar. Had to walk through bristol city centre at late night to find Eloise's parents to take us back home...that was an adventure in itself.

Last concert i went to was a birthday present. It was Level 42 (unfortunately not the original line up but still with Mark King and Mike Lindup) and it was one of the best concerts i've been too.

[sisterlondon]

Last concert i went to was a birthday present. It was Level 42 (unfortunately not the original line up but still with Mark King and Mike Lindup) and it was one of the best concerts i've been too.

Wow, I'm jealous! I missed them in 1983 and 1987, and I still regret it big time

I have to think about my fave gigs...

[Tanya80]

oh man, u're sooo lucky seeing Japan & Gary Numan live Burnsjed!!.....so far, i only been to 2 shows & they are:

Duran Duran ( Jingle Jam in Atlanta 2004 ) - it was a special concert, since it was my 1st time seeing the guys live , despite Andy not being there, i had a wonderful time , i was sooo happy to hear Rio, Girls On Film, A View To A Kill & Planet Earth live ...

Duran Duran ( Cleveland, 2005 ) - this one was unexpected, it was my 1st time visiting Cleveland & 2nd, getting a wave & a smile from John, while watching the crew taking stuff down & etc backstage......but i had a wonderful time, meeting fellow duranies & hearing Hold Back The Rain, Is There Something I Should Know, The Chauffer & Tiger Tiger live

[Burnsjed]

I got to see Duran on the Union of the Snake tour, was obviously entertaining, but I kinda wished I had seen them slightly earlier.
Mr Le Bon doesn't have the best voice live, but they are clearly good at what they do.
Numan is a real showman, I use to go and see him on every night he played in London, I would see him 5 nights on the trot on some tours, and on the Warriors tour on what we thought was the last night of the tour, he gave away tickets for a free concert the following night, a man that totally appreciates his fans.

[krausy]

I got to see Duran on the Union of the Snake tour, was obviously entertaining, but I kinda wished I had seen them slightly earlier.
Mr Le Bon doesn't have the best voice live, but they are clearly good at what they do.
Numan is a real showman, I use to go and see him on every night he played in London, I would see him 5 nights on the trot on some tours, and on the Warriors tour on what we thought was the last night of the tour, he gave away tickets for a free concert the following night, a man that totally appreciates his fans.

Good fact to know about Mr. Numan. Things like that always impress me and I usually end up being a huge fan------it reallys does make a difference when one feels appreciated---know what I mean?

[baht habit]

1- Sting 2003 Hammerstein Ballroom NY. In promotion of the just released Sacred Love, Sting did a five city tour at intimate theaters a few months before going on a proper tour in 2004 and since it was general admission, I was able to get right up front and be only 25 feet or so from my drumming idol Vinnie Colaiuta. Since the PA system was actually above and somewhat behind me, the sound I heard was from the crystal clear monitors on stage and the live drum sound cut through with intensity. It was magical to hear such world class musicians perform in such a setting.

2- Sting 1994 Meadowlands NJ. Ten Summoners Tales Tour. A perfect setlist played by some extremely precise and powerful performers (Dominic Miller on guitar, David Sancious on keyboards and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums). Probably the best overall show I've ever witnessed.

3- David Sylvian Robert Fripp 1993 Beacon Theater NY. The Road To Graceland Tour. No explanation necessary.

4- Jeff Beck 2006 House Of Blues Atlantic City NJ. Beck did a select number of shows over the past two years where he reconnected with his jazz fusion roots of the 70s. Such a virtuoso demands a virtuoso band. Maestro Colaiuta on drums once again did not disappoint.

5- Frank Zappa 1988 Tower Theater PA. Broadway The Hardway Tour. The first concert I ever attended. The musical brilliance on that stage was astounding. Zappa was a one of a kind genius: equally humorous and serious....and a little sardonic on the side. The 12 piece band were amazingly tight at performing Zappa's complex compositions. Being an election year, there loomed a political flavoring throughout and people actually registered to vote at the gig.

6- Lyle Lovett/Sting 1996 Deer Creek IN. On this particular occasion, Lovett actually stole the night in support of Sting. In comparison, Sting's set seemed like he and his band (guitarist Dom Miller, keyboardist Kenny Kirkland, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, saxophonist Butch Thomas, trombonist Clark Gayton) were actually professionally mailing it in, as good as they were. Lovett has always written great songs and his band (including keyboards, electric guitar, bass, drums, pedal steel guitar and a mindblowing cellist) were incredible at getting those songs across to a crowd more geared to see pop rock by Sting.

7- Annie Lennox 2004 Tweeter Center Camden NJ. Bare Tour. Usually a wretched place to see a show. But Lennox was a powerhouse and her band was so slick. She most probably is the best vocalist I've ever heard live. Her and the band played faithful renditions of many of the Eurythmics greatest songs and plenty of her solo hits. This was a shared billing gig with Sting but his set was diminished by the dynamo that preceded he and his band.

8- Robert Fripp Trey Gunn California String Quartet 1992 Glassboro State NJ. mind altering.

9- Dar Williams 1998 Atlantic Community College NJ. beautiful.

10- Sting 1991 Spectrum Philly PA. The Soul Cages Tour. The first time I ever saw Sting (and Vinnie Colaiuta on drums) live and it was solid.

11- Jewel 1995 Theatre of Living Arts Philly PA. Before she got all popped out, she was an engaging folkie with a set of esoteric songs. And she did some kick-@ss yodeling to great applause.

12- Sting 2005 Borgata Atlantic City NJ. Broken Music Tour. Sting stripped his usually ornate solo career sound down to the bare minimum and flat out rocked with aggression (in a way that the recent Police reunion is unfortunately unable to).

13- Exzene Cervenka 1991 Chestnut Cabaret Philly PA. The former singer in X and a great backing band played some type of ghostly ambient country that was hypnotic.

[Burnsjed]

Somebody likes Sting!
Though I have seen him 4 time I think, so I can hardly speak, and will go to Wrigley to see Police no doubt!

[krausy]

Somebody likes Sting!
Though I have seen him 4 time I think, so I can hardly speak, and will go to Wrigley to see Police no doubt!

ANYBODY from here who goes to see the Police this year MUST report back to us!!!!!

[Steerpike]

Somebody likes Sting!
Though I have seen him 4 time I think, so I can hardly speak, and will go to Wrigley to see Police no doubt!

I so wanted to see the Police, I saw them about 4 times in the early 80's including in a tent in Tooting Beck Common, but no one wanted to come with me. They said it was too expensive.

If someone here still wants to see them in London, please e-mail me as I think there are a few tix left.

[sisterlondon]

I saw Sting in the Soul Cages tour (some ages ago!) I had tix for the Nothing like the sun tour but he lost his voice and cancelled my gig But the other one was great as well Have fun seeing Police!

[heartofdavid]

One of the best concerts I've seen is Thin Lizzy opening for Queen, back in early 1977 at the Chicago Stadium (as it was then called). There was a blizzard going on and the show started about an hour late - they'd started setting up the stage late because the trucks hauling all the equipment were held up by the weather. Thin Lizzy were fantastic, a very strong and surprising opening act. They played a long set - the audience was very appreciative.

Queen were...Queen, lol. This was The Day at the Races tour, Somebody To Love was the hit. Freddie was a brilliant showman, performing in leotard type outfits, black and white. He had some difficulty with his voice that night, cracked a few times, but it became stronger as the show went on. Brian May is one of the few guitarists who I don't mind hearing play an extended solo, doing an amazing layering effect utilizing echo until it sounded like a symphony of guitars.

And Freddie in a kimono that revealed candy-striped hot pants for the encore was fun, did a rock-n-roll medley for that.

[Burnsjed]

I remember seeing Phil Lynott down the Kings Road one Christmas during the early 80's, I basically lived down that road during the 80's, unfortunately, didn't have the money to actually live there, but you get the picture!

[japanfan]

You cannae beat Ocean Colour Scene Live!