best concert ever... (Page 3)

I have two that I can't decide between...

U2 with the BoDeans on the Joshua Tree tour in 1987 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY.  As much as I loved U2 at the time, it was practically a religious experience for me.  The BoDeans were so good as the opening act that I became a fan.

R.E.M. with Indigo Girls on the Green tour in 1989 at Riverfront Coliseum in Cincinnati.  An entire evening of excellent music and energy.

Countdown

#3 - Natalie Merchant, ~03, Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan.  Hill auditorium has amazing acoustics, we were on the floor, but probably 20 rows back.

#2 - Rage against the machine, 99, Palace of Auburn Hills (MI).  Second deck, but not quite nose bleed, stage right.

#1 - George Clinton, ~97, a tiny venue at Eastern Michigan University.  Like 3rd row, stage left.  Amazing, played a lot of classics.  Flashlight had a 20 minute instrumental part.

Production: Beyonce. Maybe it was the alcohol, or the group I was with, or just because it was the Houston Rodeo, but I just loved it!!!

Music: Dwight Yoakam. I just can't get enough of his music. Not many people may agree with me, but I'm ok with that. I saw him for the first time in Houston, and I'm pretty sure I was the youngest one there.

Club/Small Venue: Firehouse Saloon. Great venue where you're upclose and personal with the band.

Great story and thank you for introducing his music to me. I must admit I've not listened to his stuff before. I've just spent the last hour listening to various youtube clips of him & the Commotions.

I have been to so many its really hard to put down which is best so my top 5 are all equal to me:

1.) Billy Joel

2.) Aerosmit & Motley Crue

3.) Metallica *all 5 times

4.) Dave Matthews Band*Obviously

5.) AC/DC

• John Butler Trio  at the Phoenix  in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Yukon Blonde  at the Townhouse in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
• Roger Howse playing acoustic blues every Tuesday night at  'Bearlys house of Blues and Ribs" in Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada

Yes, the friend of mine that turned me on to Bela Fleck was a bass player and a big fan of Victor Wooten. He's amazing to watch play live.

I feel lucky to be in Minneapolis with the single best small venue for music - First Avenue.  Historic.  It fun but also sad because bands can start and end there.  I am waiting to say that I personally witnessed the start of a big name, but it's not happened yet.    SO far my best chance is Har Mar Superstar.  Just kidding!  Another perennial favorite First Ave act is El Vez. 

At First Ave, the most memorable concert I attended was probably Violent Femmes.  Weird because I am not a "big fan" of theirs, but the energy was simply amazing.    You can get very close to the stage, which  is great for a super fan of any act.

I have a hard time getting into the big acts.  I've seen Bruce, REM, etc, but they are so far away and I am too short to enjoy any standing room only situations.   I thought No Doubt put on a great show.  It's usually the opening acts or anyone who I am not really anticipating that inspire me.

Large venue - The Who at Rich Stadium in 1982 or Stones at same venue in 1981

Small venue - Santana at Toads in New Haven (dont remember the year, but a while ago)

Music quality - Any Santana concert (I've seen many), followed closely by Eric Clapton

Rocking, fun time - Aerosmith with Ted Nugent at New Haven Coliseum in the 80's (forget which year)

Honorable mention in multiple categories - Frank Zappa at Albany Palace in 1981 (or was it 1982?)

Rush at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Wisconsin. Best sound quality and an awesome show. Cant recall the tour as Ive seen them so many times. May have been Presto.

2nd - Def Leppard at the arena at SIU in the mid 80s. They played in the round in a 3000 seat stadium. Very cool. Not a bad seat in the house and they put on a good show. All the original group and newly one armed drummer on a spinning drum kit.

I saw several shows at alpine valley.  Iron Maiden with the Bullet Boys was a good heavy metal show there.... Rock On!

First Ave is awesome.  My first show there was Living Color...  I've seen a hundred since...

I've also been impressed by No Doubt in concert.  I saw them at a smaller venue many moons ago and ended up right in front of the stage...probably one of the best nights I can remember.  I've made a point of trying to see them each time they've toured.  Last time they toured Paramore opened, which made for a fun time.

Favorite show ever was Erasure in Houston in the early 1990s.  It was more of a theatrical production than a concert.  They played at Jones Hall where the Houston Symphony typically performs.  There were at least a dozen costume changes, amazing sets, awesome dancers, etc.  DH went with me and another couple (this was in our early dating days) and had no idea how, um, girly Andy Bell and Vince Clark were...he enjoyed the show, but there was definitely a shock factor! I've seen then a couple of times since and they are always fun.

Best/strangest Venue, any concert at the Gorge amphitheater on the Columbia River in George Wa.  Also, The Further festival at said amphitheater,  All I can say is WOW.  Eye opening. 

Best concert:  Clash of the Titans:  Alice in chains, Megadeth, Anthrax, and Slayer.  Wow.

Also, a really Dam good show, Metallica at Beasley in Pullman wa. (WSU)

Not so much GN'R with Skid row in the Tacoma dome, '92?  Axl did not perform his A off at this one, he threw a tyrade.  Oh well, it had much potential.

Most of the concerts that I went to were many moons ago when I was either in College or in the Army.

Large Venue:  Rolling Stones & J. Giles Band, Olympic Stadium - Munich, 1982 or 1983.

Sound:  The Scorpions, Darmstadt Germany - 1982 or 1983.  Concert was in a small theater with the best acoustics that I have ever heard.  About half of their songs were sung in German.

Fun / Rowdy:  Lynyrd Skynrd, Jacksonville Coliseum - 1976.  The band and hometown crowd were rocking the whole time. 

Best Venue:  Red Rocks by far.  There is a reason that it is voted Best Outdoor venue by Rolling Stone every year. 

agreed!  And not only is it an awsome concert venue...it's a great area to run and bike!

I've never been to Red Rocks, but grew up right next to The Gorge and have been to several shows there (thought it has been a decade or two). Anyone who's been to both have an opinion on which they prefer?

Yes, it is a great place to mountain bike.