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Best 5 Gigs You've been To?

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Which gigs do you have the best memories of? For me it'd probably be (in no particular order):

1) The Wonder Stuff (Leicester Polytechnic, circa 1988)

Before they'd had any hits and the venue was not full, but it sure as hell FELT like it was. People were moshing and stagediving all over the place, myself included, and it was bloody obvious they were on the verge of becoming pretty big. The atmosphere was electric and Miles was in a fantastically snarly mood. Hilarious stuff. They remain the band I went to see the most times and each one of those gigs had something special to remember.

2) Neil Young (Nottingham Arena, summer 2009)

Picked my mate up from his house and was met with "Oh, this is Cheryl. She's going to come along with us as well", which initially made me sarcastically think "Oh great, I'll just be your taxi then", but thankfully they didn't make me feel like a gooseberry and it turned out that she was a hysterically funny girl who, astonishingly, was quite happy to sit outside the venue waiting for us, while we enjoyed the gig, which she had no interest in! I'd seen Neil Young the year before too, at London's Hammersmith Apollo, and thought he was incredible, but somehow he managed to play a gig even better than that here, and to my delight, played practically ALL of my favourite songs he'd ever released, which is some going when you consider he'd already had more than a 40 year career by that stage, with almost as many albums!

3) The Felice Brothers and Craig Finn (Birmingham HMV Institute, Wednesday 14th March 2012)

The most recent gig I went to was one of the greatest I've ever attended. We went early as my mate (same one as I went to Neil Young with) wanted to get his Felice Brothers album signed and we hung around in the car park for what I expected to be ages, but amazingly, we met all the Felices AND Craig Finn within the space of about the next 20 minutes! All of them were really good guys who were happy to chat. So then we had several hours to kill and, as luck would have it, the venue is only 2 minutes walk from the centre of Birmingham and the Bull Ring Centre, so we just had a really pleasant wander round the shops, had a coffee, went for a pizza and then went to the gig, where both acts were outstanding. I'd already seen Finn before with The Hold Steady, but had no idea that the Felice Brothers would be quite so fantastic. Brimming with energy and a real good time band. Definitely the best "double bill" I've been to anyway. And to top it all off, the roads were completely clear almost the whole way home and we got back exactly an hour after leaving the venue. Couldn't have gone better.

4) Pixies (De Montfort Hall, circa 1989)

Aah, back in the days when i was still a teenager, and still attended gigs with about fifteen mates! I seem to remember them starting with "Cecilia Ann", and all of us being utterly bladdered by the end of the night. Happy days.

5) Madness (De Montfort Hall, circa 1985)

Their popularity may have been on the wane at that stage of their career, but there were no signs of this in a frenetically charged show which felt like greatest hits, even though a lot of the stuff they played were album tracks, such was the strength of their material (songs like "Mrs. Hutchinson" FELT like singles even though they weren't!) and WHAT entertainers they are! That was only the second gig I'd ever been to (the first being, rather less impressively, King, though I loved that gig too at the time. Unless you include The Wombles, who I saw at a fete in Wellingborough when i was seven).

Having said that, I can think of LOADS of other great gigs I went to that may have made the list on another day, so honourable mentiones go to Catherine Wheel (Princess Charlotte, circa 1991), which was the loudest gig I've ever been to, The Levellers (Granby Halls, 1991), which was probably the biggest beerfest of the lot, Suede at the Poly before they were famous, The Charlatans in Nottingham circa 1993, who I didn't expect to be anywhere near as brilliant as they were, and Monotonix at Summer Sundae a few years ago who were, erm, lethal.

I should try and make a list of who I've seen. Would probably take me about a month to write them all down though!

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wow ummm

late 70's - Kiss. my fave band through my teen years... huge arena show, i managed to push my way to the front and... got some of Gene Simmons "blood" on my arm... hmm lol

80s - KC and the Sunshine band... lol, just a full on funky night :)

90s - Paul McCartney - wow, probably one of the greatest legends of Music, we were 7 rows back, felt the heat from "jet" and watched as he swung above our heads, awesome.

00's - Big day out a couple of years ago, Rage against the machine....Bjork...hilltop Hoods, regurgitator.... and Billy Fking Bragg... what a day!!!!!

00's - The Living End - pure rock n roll energy... simply brilliant.

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wow ummm

late 70's - Kiss. my fave band through my teen years... huge arena show, i managed to push my way to the front and... got some of Gene Simmons "blood" on my arm... hmm lol

80s - KC and the Sunshine band... lol, just a full on funky night :)

90s - Paul McCartney - wow, probably one of the greatest legends of Music, we were 7 rows back, felt the heat from "jet" and watched as he swung above our heads, awesome.

00's - Big day out a couple of years ago, Rage against the machine....Bjork...hilltop Hoods, regurgitator.... and Billy Fking Bragg... what a day!!!!!

00's - The Living End - pure rock n roll energy... simply brilliant.

I'm kind of jealous of the KC and the Sunshine Band one... lol

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1) An acoustic evening with Jaret & Eric of Bowling for Soup (Leics o2 accademy2 - 2011).

Proberbly the most relaxed and personal gig i've ever been to. Had 4 different acts (3 'support' but they had a either Jaret or Eric involved) then when they started they played a song had a chat with the fans, asked them what we wanted next then played that. And was pretty much the same all the way through the gig.

2) Queen ft/ Paul Rogers (Sheffield Hallam arena 2005)

Closest I'll even come to seeing Queen live, only had Brian May and Roger Taylor but was good enough for me. Played it really well with the whole Freddy side of things, i.e. for Bohemian Rhapsody they played the beginning of Queen live at wembley on the screen with Freddy playing his piano and did that right up to the 'headbanging' guitar. And only ruined slightly by the Ex missus having a go towards the end and Driving home in silence.

3) Take That (Stadium of Light 2011) :ph34r:

Yes embarrassing I know but took the missus and her mates to see it (long drive from Wrexham to Sunderland watch the show then drive to Leicester in one day) but it was proberbly one of the best shows I've ever seen.

4) Foo Fighters (Isle of Wight Festival 2011)

Got VIP tickets to IOW festival and the highlight for me was Foo Fighters. Sat in the VIP garden and not being squashed by loads of people made it even better.

5) Stereophonics (Nottingham Arena 2002)

First gig I ever went to. Had not long passed my driving test and was going to drive but ex missus's mum (same ex as before) wouldnt let her go in the car with me so had to pay alot more to go down via a coach deal. But had Feeder as support (just after they'd released Buck Rogers) and it was the first time I'd really seen live music. Phonics were amazing and played all the classics (saying that at that time they proberbly wernt classics as they'd only released 2 albums lol)

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Mine are nearly all one band i'm afraid.

U2 - Wembley 2009 - In the pit right at the front

U2 - Twickenham 2005 - Just behind the pit but right at the front

U2 - NEC Birmingham 2001 - 1st U2 gig but great atmosphere

U2 - Sheffield Don Valley 2009 - Behind the stage but still a good atmosphere

Elbow - Wembley 2009 - Got a wave from the lead singer and the bass player

Also managed to meet U2 when they played on the roof at the BBC studios. Bono wouldn't shake my hand but said hello.

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1) An acoustic evening with Jaret & Eric of Bowling for Soup (Leics o2 accademy2 - 2011).

Proberbly the most relaxed and personal gig i've ever been to. Had 4 different acts (3 'support' but they had a either Jaret or Eric involved) then when they started they played a song had a chat with the fans, asked them what we wanted next then played that. And was pretty much the same all the way through the gig.

2) Queen ft/ Paul Rogers (Sheffield Hallam arena 2005)

Closest I'll even come to seeing Queen live, only had Brian May and Roger Taylor but was good enough for me. Played it really well with the whole Freddy side of things, i.e. for Bohemian Rhapsody they played the beginning of Queen live at wembley on the screen with Freddy playing his piano and did that right up to the 'headbanging' guitar. And only ruined slightly by the Ex missus having a go towards the end and Driving home in silence.

3) Take That (Stadium of Light 2011) :ph34r:

Yes embarrassing I know but took the missus and her mates to see it (long drive from Wrexham to Sunderland watch the show then drive to Leicester in one day) but it was proberbly one of the best shows I've ever seen.

4) Foo Fighters (Isle of Wight Festival 2011)

Got VIP tickets to IOW festival and the highlight for me was Foo Fighters. Sat in the VIP garden and not being squashed by loads of people made it even better.

5) Stereophonics (Nottingham Arena 2002)

First gig I ever went to. Had not long passed my driving test and was going to drive but ex missus's mum (same ex as before) wouldnt let her go in the car with me so had to pay alot more to go down via a coach deal. But had Feeder as support (just after they'd released Buck Rogers) and it was the first time I'd really seen live music. Phonics were amazing and played all the classics (saying that at that time they proberbly wernt classics as they'd only released 2 albums lol)

I was squashed between several people when i watched Mumford and Sons at Summer Sundae a couple of years ago. The fact that I was squashed between 4 hot women, however, made this rather a pleasurable experience!

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Mine are nearly all one band i'm afraid. U2 - Wembley 2009 - In the pit right at the front U2 - Twickenham 2005 - Just behind the pit but right at the front U2 - NEC Birmingham 2001 - 1st U2 gig but great atmosphere U2 - Sheffield Don Valley 2009 - Behind the stage but still a good atmosphere Elbow - Wembley 2009 - Got a wave from the lead singer and the bass player Also managed to meet U2 when they played on the roof at the BBC studios. Bono wouldn't shake my hand but said hello.
[lol] Bono - the Jesse Owens of pop. Mind you, that makes you...er...
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1 The Flaming Lips performing The Soft Bulletin, Dinosaur Jr performing Bug and Deerhoof @ alexandra palace. simply the most amazing gig ever, great venue, great bands amazing night. The first time you see The Flaming Lips live, life is never quite the same afterwards.

I try to go to as many gigs as possible so kinda hard to remember what I've been to and to pick the best ones! lol

other honorable mentions that stand out at the minute in no particular order

The Bronx, Pulled apart by Horses and Mariachi el Bronx downstairs at rock city

The Smashing Pumpkins supported by The Verve Siamese Dream tour

Frank Turner solo show rescue rooms.

DJ Shadow Shadowsphere tour @ rock city kinda blew my mind

The Gaslight Anthem ( every show )

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oh add Jello Biafra & the Guantanamo school of medicine in a tiny tiny room in sheffield doing Holiday in Cambodia, Moon over Marin, California Uber Alles was pretty amazing not exactly dead Kennedys but still Jello

and Fugazi @ Nottingham Polytechnic favourite band ever without question

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1 The Flaming Lips performing The Soft Bulletin, Dinosaur Jr performing Bug and Deerhoof @ alexandra palace. simply the most amazing gig ever, great venue, great bands amazing night. The first time you see The Flaming Lips live, life is never quite the same afterwards. I try to go to as many gigs as possible so kinda hard to remember what I've been to and to pick the best ones! lol other honorable mentions that stand out at the minute in no particular order The Bronx, Pulled apart by Horses and Mariachi el Bronx downstairs at rock city The Smashing Pumpkins supported by The Verve Siamese Dream tour Frank Turner solo show rescue rooms. DJ Shadow Shadowsphere tour @ rock city kinda blew my mind The Gaslight Anthem ( every show )
So did I before I A) Got married and B) Became a dad. Still I know what you mean - I've thought of loads more great gigs I went to after I posted my list. Almost wish I'd written it down every time I'd seen someone but that would have been far too time consuming. Would love to have seen The Flaming Lips doing that show.

I was actually at the Birmingham show on the "Siamese Dream" tour and yes, that was indeed a highlight. Did Corgan do the same at the one you went to as he did at the one I was at? After they'd finished, he just, rather bizarrely, stood on stage saying "No, there's no more. You can go home now". Everybody stood there thinking "Nah, he MUSt be gonna do some more", but nope. About 30 minutes later everybody finally realised that, nope, he's not going to do anything else. It was very surreal, and admittedly quite funny.

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1,2,3,4: Rammstein 2005,2005,2010,2012 - they don't just play a few songs and bugger off home, they put on a proper show. And it's fucking immense!

5: Probably Slipknot, Download 2004 - I'm not even a massive fan of them but I thought they were excellent. Not bad for a band I only saw because they happened to be there.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQIcodBQhY8&hd=1

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in no particular order

MUSE - wembley sept 2010 - first MASSIVE gig id ever been to and was overwhelmed by it. fantastic performance from matt and the lads, great atmosphere from the fans. all on pitch standing were bouncing throughout. played all the resistance album and all the older hits . it was my first new wembley trip and the stadium helped to make it a special occasion (went back a month later to see england v montenegro! SNORE!)

Foo Fighters - mk bowl july 2011 - three hours of new album, hits, special guest appearances (Alice cooper singing schools out!) scorching hot day, loads of beer! finished off with Everlong one of my fave songs

Arctic Monkeys - NEC Nov 2011 - saw them in notts 2009 and was massively disappointed i think this was because they played mainly songs from the 3rd album which was slower and darker than the previous two so a fairly sombre mood when they played those songs but going to brum 2011 Alex Turners mood seemed to have changed from before, he seemed carefree, plenty of crowd interaction and gave everything. also got to hear Mardy Bum in full, quality tune!

Kasabian - o2 acad leics oct 2011 - second time i saw the lads (first was at v fest 2010) and to be in such an enclosed tight intimate environment was amazing. the whole room was buzzing for it and when they came out and Club Foot kicked in the place went mental. people flying everywhere along with getting civered in beer. it got a bit mental up at the front so i sneaked backwards to watch the rest of the gig in relative peace. nothing better than seeing kasabian in their hometown!

Faithless - Aug 2010 V Festival. fantastic performance and when insomnia went off the ground was shaking from the bouncing. dont think ive felt that again at any gig.

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4) Pixies (De Montfort Hall, circa 1989)

Aah, back in the days when i was still a teenager, and still attended gigs with about fifteen mates! I seem to remember them starting with "Cecilia Ann", and all of us being utterly bladdered by the end of the night. Happy days.

You've been to three gigs better than this? LIES! I was there and it was the best gig EVAH! I had read that Kim deal has the nicest smile in music and I found it was true.

So there, that's my number one.

2) All About Eve - Aston Leisure Centre 1989

My first ever gig, so it might be a bit positively tainted in my memory, but it was pretty amazing, finally getting to see one of my musical loves in the flesh (and a lead singer I fancied the pants off!) Their early stuff (pre-eponymous debut album remains the best stuff they play live... Our Summer, Candy Tree, etc.) I almost caught drummer Mark Price's drumstick too, but merely tipped it further back into the crowd. Despite this fact it has not prevented me from always trying to get to the front of a gig.

3) The Hives - Rock City 2004

A band I've seen twice and whilst there wasn't much in it, the first gig was better. I think it's because at the second gig (Wulfrun Hall) the venue let kids in who really ruined the atmosphere (not least by not understanding the support act at all (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - one of the best supporting acts I've seen.) and shouting for them to get off constantly through their set. I swear, I've never wanted to punch 13 year olds so much, and whatismore, had I, totally jusifiably, smacked a teenager in the gob that night, it would have been ME that got thrown out!) In any case Howlin' Pelle is the best front man I've seen live, full of energy, crowd rapport, stage presence, the works. I shook his hand as he went off that night.

4) Fleet Foxes - Rock City (I think) 2008

Truly spine-chilling vocals and incredible harmonys. Hearing them live I was expecting the harmonies to be slightly off (easy to get it right in a studio where they can be recorded seperately), but not a hint of it. As far as a vocal performance by a band goes, it would be hard to top that. The highlight though was when Robin Pecknold sang Meadowlarks solo with just his guitar. Beautiful. Apparently it was the first time they had ever performed that song live to an audience too.

5) Cowboy Junkies - Rescue Rooms 2009

When it comes to a solo vocal performance, then Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies takes it by a country (sic) mile. This was a weird gig because everyone just stood silently and watched in reverential awe (even more so that the Fleet Foxes gig). There was also a request for no smoking in the audience (which makes me wonder about the date I've put - when did the smoking ban start? It seems longer than that.) so that Margo's throat (and thereby the performance) were not affected.

Honourable mentions also go to James, Ride, Flaming Lips, Ash, St Etienne and The Subways to name a few.

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1. Bon Jovi at the Ricoh Arena 2008.

Front row and also where my love of photography happened as I got amazing shots there.

2. Goo Goo Dolls at Leicester's O2 Academy 2010

Been a fan for years and managed front row...again got some fantastic photos.

3. Bryan Adams - Birmingham NEC

My first ever concert of my life in 1994.

4. Halestorm/ Buckcherry/ Papa Roach/ Disturbed at Nottingham Arena 2010

Great show seeing all those bands together.

5. Alter Bridge 2011 at Birmingham.

Again near the front and a great show.

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You've been to three gigs better than this? LIES! I was there and it was the best gig EVAH! I had read that Kim deal has the nicest smile in music and I found it was true.

So there, that's my number one.

2) All About Eve - Aston Leisure Centre 1989

My first ever gig, so it might be a bit positively tainted in my memory, but it was pretty amazing, finally getting to see one of my musical loves in the flesh (and a lead singer I fancied the pants off!) Their early stuff (pre-eponymous debut album remains the best stuff they play live... Our Summer, Candy Tree, etc.) I almost caught drummer Mark Price's drumstick too, but merely tipped it further back into the crowd. Despite this fact it has not prevented me from always trying to get to the front of a gig.

3) The Hives - Rock City 2004

A band I've seen twice and whilst there wasn't much in it, the first gig was better. I think it's because at the second gig (Wulfrun Hall) the venue let kids in who really ruined the atmosphere (not least by not understanding the support act at all (Jon Spencer Blues Explosion - one of the best supporting acts I've seen.) and shouting for them to get off constantly through their set. I swear, I've never wanted to punch 13 year olds so much, and whatismore, had I, totally jusifiably, smacked a teenager in the gob that night, it would have been ME that got thrown out!) In any case Howlin' Pelle is the best front man I've seen live, full of energy, crowd rapport, stage presence, the works. I shook his hand as he went off that night.

4) Fleet Foxes - Rock City (I think) 2008

Truly spine-chilling vocals and incredible harmonys. Hearing them live I was expecting the harmonies to be slightly off (easy to get it right in a studio where they can be recorded seperately), but not a hint of it. As far as a vocal performance by a band goes, it would be hard to top that. The highlight though was when Robin Pecknold sang Meadowlarks solo with just his guitar. Beautiful. Apparently it was the first time they had ever performed that song live to an audience too.

5) Cowboy Junkies - Rescue Rooms 2009

When it comes to a solo vocal performance, then Margo Timmins of Cowboy Junkies takes it by a country (sic) mile. This was a weird gig because everyone just stood silently and watched in reverential awe (even more so that the Fleet Foxes gig). There was also a request for no smoking in the audience (which makes me wonder about the date I've put - when did the smoking ban start? It seems longer than that.) so that Margo's throat (and thereby the performance) were not affected.

Honourable mentions also go to James, Ride, Flaming Lips, Ash, St Etienne and The Subways to name a few.

You saw the bit where I said "in no particular order", right?

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In no particular order:

1. Rammstein at Nottingham Ice Rink centre, whatever it's called. First proper gig I ever went to, and it was awesome. I wasn't even a particular fan of Rammstein but they put on a fantastic show.

2. Muse, same venue. Same as above really, fantastic show, cemented my love for Muse.

3. Pulp, at Leeds 2011. Didn't really expect too much as I was expecting them to be kinda rusty, being one of their first gigs in years, but I was so wrong, and Cocker is brilliant.

4. Enter Shikari, Sheffield O2 Academy. Might not be everyone's cup of tea but they are so good live. Was just mental in a relatively small arena, so many ashen faced people leaving from near the front in the first 10 minutes. lol

5. Enter Shikari or Muse @ Leeds again (huge variety in the bands I've seen..) Shikari was chucking it down with rain but it somehow made it much better, you could see the steam rising into the air during the set. Muse, again put on a fantastic show, and played the whole of Origin of Symmetry :wub: Only thing that ruined it is a lot of the crowd didn't know the older songs, only joining in with the more recent singles.

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Geez a bit of a tuff one.

No real order

1. Powderfinger/Fatboy Slim 2010 in Durban South Africa. Wasn't a big fan of either of them but was an intimate party gig and new all the tunes so made for a great night. Plus being with so many Aussies in a foreign country was pretty special.

2. Phoenix - 2010 - Went with a group of mates i had never been to see bands with before and really enjoyed it. 10 minute version of '1901' to close the set was pretty amazing.

3. Kasabian 2012 - All the tunes and being dedicated the last song which was Underdog becuase i was wearing my city scarf was mind blowing.

4. Artic Monkeys/360 - 2011/12 - Was one after the other in a big National park everyone in a great mood with new friends was easily one of the great nights.

5. The Living End 2009 - They were the first album i ever brought and to see them live in front of 15,000 pure rock n roll as OZ they make there quality and pretty much there music is made to be played live.

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1. Foo Fighters - Milton Keynes July 2011, Wow they're amazing,

2. Katy Perry - Nottingham 2011 - Great live and she looked great

3. Muse - Manchester 2010 - These guys know how to put on a show

4. Bon Jovi - Twickenham 2007 or 08 - Was made even better because i was allowed up on stage while they played

5. The Blackout - Birmingham Kerrang Tour 2012 - They had to stand in for Sum 41 and TBH they rocked the place

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  • 3 weeks later...

My top 5 are all Gary Numan concerts. If you ever went to his shows in the 80's and early 90's you'll know why. I've yet to see a show to rival his except NIN on DVD.

I don't realy want to put them in order because they were all great but 2 stand out because of what happened in the crowd.

1. Fury Tour 85 - Hammersmith Odeon - Woman with massive t*** runs around the audience naked. Not something you saw much of in those days

2. Pure Tour 01 - Nottingham Rock City - My mate got a BJ from a woman while he was taking photos of Numan onstage. I laughed my head off all the way back to Leicester in the taxi because she was fat and ugly and had tried it on with me first. I refused as politely as possible of course

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My top 5 are all Gary Numan concerts. If you ever went to his shows in the 80's and early 90's you'll know why. I've yet to see a show to rival his except NIN on DVD.

I don't realy want to put them in order because they were all great but 2 stand out because of what happened in the crowd.

1. Fury Tour 85 - Hammersmith Odeon - Woman with massive t*** runs around the audience naked. Not something you saw much of in those days

2. Pure Tour 01 - Nottingham Rock City - My mate got a BJ from a woman while he was taking photos of Numan onstage. I laughed my head off all the way back to Leicester in the taxi because she was fat and ugly and had tried it on with me first. I refused as politely as possible of course

You might be interested in my mate's (and fellow Rogues Radio DJ) blog http://numaboots.blogspot.co.uk/

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