Friday Afternoon Music Thread
by Jeff Sullivan on Nov 11, 2011 12:32 PM PST
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I think I might have asked this as a prompt before, but who is the absolute best live band you've ever seen?
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And So I Watch You From Afar
Amazing stage presence, incredibly interactive with the crowd throughout, and their set was absolutely flawless.
Honorable mention for early years Tera Melos though for the absolute insanity that took place at their live shows.
An admittedly uninspired pick, but Pearl Jam is pretty incredible live
Recent favorite is Slow Dance, the Seattle hip hop group, which was probably one of the most insane shows I’ve seen.
Some may laugh, but the best band I ever saw live was...
Heart. You wouldn’t think so, but Nancy Wilson has some amazing pipes and they were called out for 2 encores. I believe it was the first show ever at White River. I know they aren’t underground or indie, but they were great!
Not on the same billing
Separate concerts
Bear vs Shark, hands down.
Incredible, incredible energy. Microphones in mouths, climbing on keyboards, just weird and amazing.
Other really memorable shows:
Turisas – The only metal show I’ve ever seen that I could describe as “fun”. Great live band, way better than their pretty good albums.
midnightPumpkin – Brilliant 2.5 hour set, never missing a beat, with an awesome guest and double-encore.
POS – Intimate hip-hop show, awesome artist.
Strike Anywhere – Best live punk band I’ve seen, and I’ve seen quite a few.
Many other good ones, but these stand out.
M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage
I miss Bear vs. Shark so much. I never go to see them live so I'm pretty jealous of you right now :(
by Cascadian Man on Nov 11, 2011 2:33 PM PST up reply actions
Bear vs Shark and Fall of Troy when they still played good live shows (and it was their homecoming of their tour)
Really great show.
Pretty sad I missed BvS the first time they came through Seattle, but so happy I got to see them once.
Sorry :(
M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage
El Corazon in 2005? I was at that show.
Marc (I think that’s the BVS singer’s name, anyway) kissed me on the head. Wild, amazing time.
I definitely remember that.
Out of all the people there, there were not that many actively engaged in BvS, but it didn’t even matter. Amazing show.
M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage
Franz Ferdinand
Wasn’t a fan before I saw them, was a fan when they were done. Incredible, just an undeniable force live. Prett awesome.
Honorable mention to the Presidents of The United State of America and The Thermals.
by BrooklynPreacher on Nov 11, 2011 1:47 PM PST reply actions
My Morning Jacket or Superchunk.
They both rocked the shit out of my ass.
My Morning Jacket was opening for the Doves in late-2002. I had no clue who they were, and I don’t think the rest of the half-full Crystal Ballroom crowd did either. By the end of the show, however, the gangs of people that were pressing against the stage were practically begging with their outstretched hands to touch Jim James. It was pretty incredible.
The user formerly known as Phildopip
by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Nov 11, 2011 1:50 PM PST reply actions
When did you see Superchunk?
And My Morning Jacket just gets better and better live. Do whatever you can to see them perform Circuital.
Superchunk and Teenage Fanclub played the Wonder Ballroom in Portland last October.
It was an amazing show. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more energetic group of fortysomethings on stage.
I saw My Morning Jacket again for the “It Still Moves” tour, and while they played a better show that night, it wasn’t the complete surprise to me as when I first saw them live. But glancing at their tour schedule, looks like I’ve missed the boat on seeing the “Circuital” tour. Bummer.
The user formerly known as Phildopip
by Phil Hatzenbuehler on Nov 11, 2011 3:27 PM PST up reply actions
Red Elvises at the Santa Monica Peer.
Small venue, great show, very interactive and they stuck around to drink with the crowd after the show.
Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Never before have I felt like a venue was going to actually explode.
To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.
by bluemax on Nov 11, 2011 2:11 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Damn!
You didn’t see them in the US, did you? Those guys are INSANE live! I would probably give up a nut to see them.
I SELL HERP AND DERP ACCESSORIES!
by Blazer_Fan_Nick on Nov 11, 2011 4:26 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah I'd really like to see them, too. I've been a fan for years and years.
M's fan newly relocated to SF My homepage
I'd give your nut to see them too.
From what I’ve seen of their live stuff from Japan, holy crap, what a show?
by thehemogoblin on Nov 13, 2011 11:19 PM PST up reply actions
I saw them in Seattle in 2005? 2006?
Whenever the last time they came to the US. I’ve heard rumors they MIGHT come again next year.
To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.
So jealous!
Saw Bad Manners, and The Toasters and The Skatalites a couple times, but would love to see Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra…
by Chris_FB on Nov 11, 2011 5:52 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Yeah I saw Bad Manners at the Key Club in LA
and The Toasters at some place in Seattle I can’t remember the name of. Both were amazing but for some reason that TSPO show stands above them in my memory.
To improve, they should try to become the musical southern cal of the west. - bRuins Nation poster on the Stanford band.
Band of Horses or Noah and the Whale
I saw Band of Horses at the fillmore in detroit and it was phenomenal. They brought on a marching band for their encore.
I saw Noah and the Whale last night. They came to my school and we’re unbelievable as well. They are incredibly talented musicians.
by KingsleyTenenbaum on Nov 11, 2011 2:15 PM PST reply actions
I saw Eric Clapton last time he was in Seattle, my only wish is that I got to see him when he was younger.
Other than that it was totally amazing.
Surprisingly for me it might have been Counting Crows
I got free tickets to a Goo-Goo Dolls/Counting Crows show at White River a few years ago and took my girlfriend who used to be a big Dolls fan. I was never really a big Counting Crows fan, I had August and Everything After and Mr. Jones gets stuck in my head like no other song but their set sounded like listeneing to an album. It was an almost flawless performance and the audio was practically perfect. I’ve been to a lot of great shows with crazy stage performances but what I always remember is how good the sound is in live shows and that one just stands out to me.
by CMoney87 on Nov 11, 2011 2:41 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Andrew W.K.
Seriously. I don’t even like his music, but when my roommate and I discovered he was playing WWU we knew we had to go. It was awesome.
Ween, Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth...
There are many more (which i guess defeats the purpose of “absolute best”).
Ween plays for like 2-1/2 hours straight and are awesome – if you’re into that.
Flaming Lips have some of the craziest shows with tons of energy and costumes and so forth.
Sonic Youth is just good fun.
of Montreal is pretty awesome live too – although Kevin Barnes doesn’t play instruments much any more and just runs around, which is fine.
Seeing the Flaming Lips is always a ridiculous, over-the-top good time.
And their Bohemian Rhapsody cover at Sasquatch (2006) is still one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen.
I look at it two ways.
One way is the best musical precision/execution, the other is best performance.
Disturbed is a very excellent live precision band. They play everything very tight and always sound great live. Conversely, the first time I saw Slipknot it blew me away. They create a great stage presence and though they aren’t the most tight with their execution, the mood and atmosphere alone make it one fucking amazing show. Saw them both together in ’08 at the White River.
Bands that combine great performance and execution that I’ve seen are A Perfect Circle, The Dead Weather and Deftones.
I SELL HERP AND DERP ACCESSORIES!
by Blazer_Fan_Nick on Nov 11, 2011 4:35 PM PST reply actions
Prince.
I saw Prince 8 times this past April/May. 6 times at the Forum, once at the Troubadour, and once at the House of Blues. Absolutely ridiculous combination of talent, showmanship, musicianship. And the material to bring it all together.
I've seen him twice and he is unbelievable
He’s coming to Vancouver in December and I really want to go but don’t think I can make it.
Holy crap - you got tickets to the Troubadour!
That show sold out super fast. That must have been an amazing place to see him.
I saw Built to Spill play Perfect From Now On there and it was awesome. One of my favorite venues in LA.
by BennyGStein on Nov 12, 2011 12:30 PM PST up reply actions
Rush
Specifically, in late summer out at The Gorge. They open for themselves, basically – an hour+ set, 20 minute break, then over 2 hours including encore. Technically flawless, great sound, never going through the motions even after a long tour. And a Neil Peart drum solo under the stars is always a treat.
by Chris_FB on Nov 11, 2011 5:50 PM PST via mobile reply actions
That's awesome, I never heard of a band opening for themselves.
You probably got your money’s worth at that show.
2011 Safeco Field Record: 1-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 13-5
DragonForce.
I was fourteen and crazy about that band at the time. It was a mind-blowing experience. Don’t listen to those guys that much anymore, but they’ll always have a place in my library.
another unoriginal pick
White Stripes, 2005, at the Brooklyn Cyclones ballpark.
Caught me way off guard. I mean…an outdoor baseball stadium.
I’m sure when I walked away from most of the Elliott Smith shows I saw in late 90s early 00s…those were the best shows ever.
Toss up, I guess. Elliott at Trees in 99 was fabulous, not to mention the next year at the Black Cat.
Go Strangers.
I am deeply jealous and resentful of you for having seen the Black Cat show
by lemonverbena on Nov 12, 2011 11:47 AM PST up reply actions
I have a boot (you probably do too)
where I hear myself shout a request. Bled White. I don’t think it was in his rotation then.
Man alive, Elliott utterly captivated me in 2000. I think my friends thought I went off the deep end.
Speaking of Verbena, saw AA Bondy in Dallas last night. Super duper.
Go Strangers.
by hightowersmith on Nov 13, 2011 12:28 PM PST up reply actions
So jealous.
As a hardcore Elliott fan who was not old enough when he was around. Discovered him in my 9th grade year, am a freshman in college now.
by Woodinville_12thMan on Nov 14, 2011 5:06 PM PST up reply actions
Explosions in the Sky maybe?
This is impossible.
Iggy Pop on the tour when he was still young and David Bowie played keyboards
and sang backing vocals. In a smaller venue, I loved the Miracle Workers one night in Satyricon.
ignacio
Mark Knopfler, April 2010
Completely blew me away.
I am very deeply envious.
Best couple I can think of are Aussie bands I doubt have expanded overseas, so it seems a bit pointless.
I do have a very fond memory for a show The Whitlams did just after my 18th birthday. They played for two hours straight, came and did another four songs as a cameo at the end, then about fifteen minutes after the gig had ended and a decent chunk of people had left, they came out, sat at the bar and had a big open forum discussion with the rest of us. That was one epic, epic night.
by Aussie Mariner on Nov 11, 2011 11:13 PM PST up reply actions
You Am I always put on a pretty amazing show
They’re the Aussie band I always point to when people say no good music comes from down there.
Plenty of good music comes from down here.
I appreciate the support, even if I’m not a big You Am I fan!
by Aussie Mariner on Nov 12, 2011 7:56 PM PST up reply actions
Tame Impala?
Secretary of WAR and defense (Tyler Greene Fanclub). PUT TYLER ON THE GREENE.
by vivaelpujols on Nov 15, 2011 2:54 AM PST up reply actions
Well, actually four shows:
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, 1978, San Diego Sports Arena, just after Darkness came out. I still get the chills remembering Jungleland. Hardly anyone there; I was too young and dumb to realize I could have left the upper deck and watched from right up front.
Elvis Costello and the Attractions with Rockpile opening at Hollywood High School, probably also 1978. I was amazed that such a goofy-looking guy could be so charismatic.
Gillian Welch, Crystal Ballroom, maybe 2000-2001. I wanted so much to stand right in front of the stage I didn’t even go into the beer garden!
Bob Dylan and the Band, 1973, Seattle Center Coliseum. My second ever concert. Thought The Band was the best thing I ever saw, until Dylan came on stage. The Man with the Stage Fright, but riveting.
The Wilders with the Reeltime Travelers, Pickathon Music Festival, 2005, Pendarvis Farm outside Portland. This was meant to be two late-night shows in the Barn during this camping-out bluegrass festival, but they played together the whole time. Nobody’s feet ever stopped moving.
"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring". ~Rogers Hornsby
Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine
My first gig 20 years ago and they tore the place apart. For larger gigs it would be the Chili Peppers at Hyde Park.
Metallica
Lollapalooza 95. Screaming Trees, Rancid, Ramones, and Soundgarden opened with a brief appearance by Divo, but Metallica absolutely killed it. I’ve seen Concrete Blonde a few times, and I’ve seen Johnette solo a few times, and she delivers amazing performances every time. Ween, Candlebox, Modest Mouse back in the late 90s when they were playing Showbox a lot. Dream Theater, Rammstein, and Tool all put on spectacular shows.
Pearl Jam
They change their set lists every night, and play at least two encores with five songs each for every show that they play. Probably some of the hardest working musicians out there.
2011 Safeco Field Record: 1-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 13-5
I would put them second after Pearl Jam
They sounded incredible at the Showbox. Even after all those years Chris could still hit those high notes. Kim was shredding it, and it probably helps to have Matt Cameron at the drumkit.
2011 Safeco Field Record: 1-0 ; Overall Safeco Field Record: 13-5
That show was so good.
One of the most eclectic setlists I’ve ever seen, intentionally avoiding all their big singles and playing covers and deep cuts. Still looked like a lot of tension between Kim and the rest of the band, though.
I've seen Pearl Jam many times and, Soundgarden once
My opinion may be skewed because I was in the front row for Soundgarden, but Soundgarden was better than every Pearl jam show I’ve seen put together.
Ray Charles
About a year before he passed away, he still had it. Not at his best vocally, but made up for it with style, class and charm. And Ray Charles even at only 80% is still Ray.
And a special nod to Stevie Ray Vaughn doing his best Jimi.
I got to see Bad Religion and the Bouncing Souls in Eugene last year — it was both bands' first shows here and it was absolutely awesome.
I even moshed a little bit despite my amazingly-still-messed-up rib. And that takes a lot to get me, the quintessential wallflower, moving.
I also loved how much Bad Religion’s frontman messed around with the crowd, saying how he wasn’t surprised it took him 30 years to finally make it to Eugene and how he’d rather watch Wisconsin play than Oregon. I can’t wait for the Ducks to steamroll the Badgers in the Rose Bowl this year, just so I can find his UCLA email and remind him about what he said last year.
My Bloody Valentine and Portishead.
Both, coincidentally, at the crappy Wamu theater several years apart.
by sanford_and_son on Nov 14, 2011 8:30 AM PST reply actions
Gogol Bordello
Went to bumbershoot expressly for the shins (also awesome) but it was such a wonderful sensory shock to watch mad people jump around.
by dougstrangerthanfiction on Nov 14, 2011 10:33 AM PST reply actions
I've got to go with Gogol Bordello too.
Didn’t care much for them before I saw them but their live performance changed my mind.
Godsmack puts on a pretty good show too. At one point in the middle, the lead singer Sully gets on a second drum set and he and the drummer just go off while the sets are spinning around. Pretty cool the first time I saw that.
I’ve been reading LL off and on for about 2 years, and just signed up so that I could say that the absolute best live band I ever saw was Slim Cessna’s AutoClub.
It was in May of 2005 in Chicago. I drove through the night to get home, and when I did had a fight with my girlfriend that culminated with the purchase of a bottle of Jack Daniels and a slew of blog articles about how awesome Slim Cessna was (I was a blogger back then).
Several years later, I happened to propose to my now wife shortly before we were to go see Slim Cessna’s Autoclub perform. It was awesome.
Joe Bonamassa until about three weeks ago.
I saw Warren Haynes in Spokane in late Oct. Amazing set! Blew me away! Joe has another shot at reclaiming the title, as I will see him at the Paramount in Dec.
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