The Ex. Never really got them, but when they played with Chumbawamba at Cloud 9, Manchester in 86 or 87, I was converted. Loved most of their output since…
Very jealous, despite seeing Chumbawamba dozens of times from 1990 until they folded as a folk 4 piece, my favourite era is Starving children/Ballots....would.have loved to have seen them back then but it was just before my time.
Fish-era Marillion. Never got it until I saw them at the Milton Keynes Bowl as part of Quo's 'Last Gig' (1984? The bill also included Gary Glitter - it was a different time...).
Subsequently saw them many times. Can't listen to most of it now, mind.
Richard Ashcroft, saw him at a festival, was expecting 90minutes of being depressed. He was awesome totally blew me away with his performance.
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone live who I wouldn’t bother listening to on record. Possibly the nearest would be James, who I’d never really developed an interest in, although they’d had a number of hit singles I was familiar with, then I saw them at the IoW Festival some years back, and apart from realising just how many of their songs I actually knew, I was so very impressed with just how much they put into playing live.
Actually, there’s one occasion where I and my mate walked out on the headline act and went to the pub along the road. We’d actually bought tickets to see Asobi Seksu at Reading O2 Academy, but then found that they’d been relegated to supporting 65Daysofstatic. Asobi were ok, but seemed distinctly put out at having to do support, but 65Days…? Tolerated one ‘song’, then baled, just noise with no apparent structure, played by a bunch of blokes who seemed to be completely indifferent to the fact they had a paying audience. Totally disappointing gig. 😕
Another one for Gary Numan here.
Not a huge huge fan but was given a ticket by a mate a couple of years ago and he really is awesome live...and I prefer the new stuff to the old.
Beyonce. Would never, ever have considered going to one of her gigs but saw her while at T in the Park in 2011. Totally blown away by what was, by far, the best performance of the weekend. Way better than the Foos, Arctic Monkeys or Coldplay, who she had 2nd billing to. She's a force of nature just oozing talent, charisma, boundless energy and danced her ass off throughout a very slick and hugely entertaining set.
Abba, saw one of the tribute bands at a festival. The music was much more powerful with live guitar and bass (and festival cider!!) than in a cheesy disci
Saw Grace Petrie as part of the Hatfield folk festival prior to Frank Turner being on as the headline
She was good wasn't she. I'd neve heard of her before. 'Black Tie' was a hairs on the back of my neck moment...but Frank Turner was bloody brilliant...A circle Jig
The Wurzels.
Bunch of (very) old blokes, at least one of whom has died and been replaced, rehashing a load of self-parodying songs.
But blimey, they know how to entertain a crowd! Huge fun.
.
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I think that's the key, live it's not about the music, it's about entertaining your audience. On a record all you have is the music.
@chriscubed "Black Tie" is the one that makes the girls in the audience cry. The "Golden Key" is a love song with some panache though I've not heard it live yet.
Saw Grace Petrie as part of the Hatfield folk festival prior to Frank Turner being on as the headline
She was good wasn’t she. I’d neve heard of her before. ‘Black Tie’ was a hairs on the back of my neck moment…but Frank Turner was bloody brilliant…A circle Jig
I've played her most recent album a few times, and thoroughly enjoy it. Glad to know she's worth watching live. Her and FT in the same gig might be too much angst* though, as much as I love Frank. 😀
*not sure angst is the right word but it'll have to do.
Muse. Wouldn’t particularly turn up the radio if a song was playing. Astonishing live, truly breathtaking.
Second this. Was totally meh then got given a free ticket to see them at Wembley stadium - the best gig I've ever been to by some margin
Conversely, absolutely love New Order, absolutely awful live and have been for decades (yet I still keep going every few years)
I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone live who I wouldn’t bother listening to on record.
I can think of loads. mainly smaller bands who maybe don't have the money, confidence or expertise to translate their live energy onto a recording. Often it's not the music that makes the gig, it's the chat between music or the energy from the crowd, or the fact it's your birthday, you're slightly drunk, with loved ones and surrounded by ancient punks in a small, sweaty Damned gig. 😀
(To be clear, I'm not suggesting that The Damned are a smaller band, but the CD I bought at that gig wasn't great, and I don't tend to listen to their early stuff. I'd not hesitate to see them live again, though.)
Often it’s not the music that makes the gig, it’s the chat between music or the energy from the crowd, or the fact it’s your birthday, you’re slightly drunk, with loved ones and surrounded by ancient punks in a small, sweaty Damned gig. 😀
I've bought far too many CDs from bands at small events - you've had a few pints, the mood is good, the crowd is rocking, you think they're the best thing you've heard in ages.
Then you pop the CD into your car stereo the next day (with banded inkjet printed inserts), and then... ohh dear, it's terrible! Like the band equivalent of beer-goggles! 🙂
From this year…
Mushroomhead. Been about for years but never really like pd what they were doing. Saw them live a few days in a row as my mates were supporting them and damn they are a solid band. Was able to enjoy more of their recorded stuff after that weekend.
More recently, Butcher Babies. Ok, I had started liking one or two of their newer songs but watching their set at Bloodstock on Sunday gave me a whole new appreciation for the tracks which are popular with fans. Thoroughly decent people who are super supportive of upcoming musicians too, lovely to see.
@IdleJon some of the early stuff can be hit or miss. Maybe I'm not properly tuned into my lesbian side! 🙂
The social commentary/political songs are right up my street though.
Great choices. Seen saw doctors many times and they are 10/10. Also seen Utah Saints, also 10/10.
Brian Jonestown Massacre.
Was vaguely aware of them having some kind of fall out with some 90s one hit wonder band, associated them with that and never paid them any mind until a friend gave me a spare ticket to see them at the barrowland maybe 10 years ago.
Amazing! Loved them ever since, huge back catalogue to dive into.
Arcade Fire.
I thought they were just another jobbing pop/rock outfit until I saw them do a massive gig at the arena in Manchester.
Fantastically entertaining, great show, enthusiastic crowd, will definitely be going again.
The Jam...late 1978 think I quite liked David Watts and This is the Modern World but were promoted as a Mod revival band and all I knew about Mods was that they wore Parkas and had bling vestas...not quite my thing...got delayed on a pub crawl due to a medical emergency in the team (never ever go commando if you are a bit rough/inaccurate with zips)...and a mate with a backstage pass put us in the service lift up to the hall...Sheffield Poly' blown away very tight, great set
