Oh lord, bleeding loads of ’em.
Anything involving Jack White for a start, he likes to improvise on stage, and much I enjoyed the Raconteurs on album, those songs really improved given space to breathe on stage.
+1 for BRMC
The Datsuns – came across on album as a bit of a lame Ramones parody. Live, they were like a Ramones parody that tore the roof off.
Black Keys – dunno what they’re like these days with backing musicians and bigger stages, but a few years back when there was just the two of ’em, my lord, they were good.
While I did enjoy Carter USM “back in the day”, I liked the albums and the live shows, not sure they surpassed the records particularly on stage (was when there was just the two on stage with the drum machine, maybe they loosened up when they had live drums?).
Jane’s Addiction. Managed a couple of great albums but nothing that came anywhere close to the awesomeness of their live performances, used to be regularly name-checked by all sorts of people when “best live band” straw polls were conducted. Sadly, these days Perry’s voice is gone, Dave Navarro seems bored at most shows and they really aren’t the force they were, but never mind.
Chilli Peppers – I reckon they’ve been all round on this one. Early career, they never really nailed it in the studio imo, but their live shows were truly exciting. In later years, they seem to have got to grips with the recording studio much better, but last time I saw them live I was bored and wanted to leave before the end (which is unusual for me).
Beck (going back a few years now, dunno what he’s like these days).
Pearl Jam? (Not seen em myself, but it seems to be received wisdom that they are awesome live).
Placebo – never really liked them until I saw them at a festival.
Surprised at the number of mentions of the Prodigy – I didn’t really rate them at all live, but it was a festival show I caught – maybe they’re better with their own crowd?