For energy I d go hives, idles
For audience engagement I d go james
Saw The Divine Comedy last month, really talented, did his songs in alphabetic order and talked about each one, more of a show than a gig. Would deffo go again
Frank Turners whole career is built on live shows so he knows how to put on a good one. Feeder as someone else mentioned are awesome, Tony thingymijig the lead singer from Terrorvision does some one man shows which are great.
Possibly the best gig I’ve been to - ZZ Top, Manchester O2 about five years ago.
Audience full of ageing angels, spectacular rapport with the audience, and just plain fun.
High art? Probably not, but I’d have loved to see them again.
Only seen them when supporting other bands but Reverend And The Makers are epic live. Loud, frantic, engaging, properly get a crowd bouncing.
Might try and see Shed Seven again sometime. Probably seen them more than any other band including an acoustic gig Rick Witter and Paul Banks did at Fibbers in York which was one of the best I've been to. Interested to see how they are now that half the band have left!
Lancashire Hotpots (only semi-joking)
I’d say preferably in Lancashire but not sure they’ve ever been anywhere else.
They're ace! And they go all over the country. Guaranteed a good night out.
I've had good times with several of the bands suggested above: The Hold Steady, The Flaming Lips (usually), Alabama 3 (usually), The Hives and Frank Turner are all pretty good or better.
Some additional suggestions I'd make include The Heavy, Broken Social Scene and Bob Mould. Broken Social Scene in particular can put on a really enjoyable, uplifting show. The Computers have reformed I gather so they'd be worth checking out too.
Talking Heads/David Byrne
(+1) Flaming Lips
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Beck
Bruno Mars
Little Simz
Parliament
Blue Man Group
Snoop Dogg
Also Prince, James Brown, David Bowie, Nina Simone, Queen occur to my mind when thinking of past greats. Each entertaining and engaging in their own powerful way. Which, for that matter also makes me think of Cardiacs. RIP.
Due to attend Oh Sees concert in a couple of weeks and have great expectations 🎸⚡️🥁🥁
elsketcho
Free MemberThe Flaming Lips always do an amazing gig
Posted 2 days ago
Reminds me to hunt out the ticket I bought for Leeds Uni gig in July 2020… was postponed to 2021 , and is now ( I think ) scheduled for July 2022 …. Best check that as well I guess
James, Shed Seven and Sleeper all very good live and seen all recently. Elvana amazing too.
Possibly showing my (lack of) age here...
Paramore (first 'big' band I saw live as a young teenager)
Slaves
Marmozets
Jamie T
Estrons
Taylor swift (no shame, she was incredible live at big weekend a few years back)
I like when you go to a music festival and you see random acts that you wouldn’t normally seek out, and you don’t know what to expect from them but then wind up being surprised/converted by just how entertaining/engaging/talented etc they are!
Have been won over more than a few times by artists (and genres) in this way. A few off the top:
Plan B
Paloma Faith
DakhaBrakha
Osibisa
Tinariwen
Gregory Isaacs (RIP)
Amyl and the Sniffers
If you fancy an Aussie punk rock band fronted by a wild bikini-clad peroxide blonde then this band is for you. Excellent mosh pit!
Another shout for Shed Seven, always a good gig, always smiling after seeing them.
The Lottery Winners are entertaining as well well.
Teenage Fanclub are very good live.
The Charlatans, great live band.
Inhaler were amazing in London late last year.
Palaye Royale were also better than i expected.
Luke Combs (seen him 3 times now)
Ashley McBryde
Fatboy Slim puts on a good show.
Taylor swift (no shame, she was incredible live at big weekend a few years back)
Agree 100% - she was amazing when we saw her (2018)
Frank Turners whole career is built on live shows so he knows how to put on a good one.
+1 for Frank Turner and uplifting live shows
He's got a few UK dates this month, then back in September
