Best live band you ever saw?

[SportsJunky]

I've been to some great concerts but the best was Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in Calgary back in 03? They were tireless on stage. Loved every minute of the 3 hours or so that they p!ayed.

Worst was Bob Dylan in Calgary in the early 90s. He didnt look up all night I don't think. Couldn't decipher a word he was singing or speaking.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Oh no, I love a lot of ska punk. That's why I was saying that single sounds like they are mocking the real genre with some kind of weird commercial top 40 version of ska punk.

My inquiry was perhaps more sincere than it came off. Because of that single I didn't explore them further but if that was more of a "single" and they have a lot of good stuff I'd love to give them a listen.

I'm always looking for more punk/pop punk/ska punk bands to get into.

I’d compare them to Goldfinger maybe? Minus the PETA initiatives.

One thing is that they’re very intentionally PG. For example their shows are always all ages, they don’t swear and are big on equity diversity and inclusion. This may make them seem corny or pop/mainstream.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Joanna Connor at Kingston Mines in Chicago. She can absolutely shred, and her band was incredible.

[Slacker]

Motorhead in ‘09 at Flames Central - that place was rocking and it was very loud, I couldn’t hear well for a month!
Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper in 2010 at the Corral - Their theatrics were pretty awesome.
Metallica in 2012 at Rexall Place - I think this was an impromptu tour to Edmonton and Quebec City.
AC/DC in ‘09 at Commonwealth Stadium - they continued playing during a thunderstorm 3 songs after Thunderstruck.
Iron Maiden in ‘08 at the dome - The ship set for the Rime of the Ancient Mariner was great.

[CaptainYooh]

The Best:
Pink Floyd - Division Bell Tour - 1994 - no other concert has ever come close and I've been to MANY.

Honourable mentions:
Paul McCartney
Peter Gabriel
Dire Straits
Stevie Wonder
Sting & Annie Lennox
Earth Wind and Fire + Chicago
Steely Dan

Biggest regrets (as in I've never had a chance to see these bands on stage and never will now):
AC/DC
Led Zeppelin
Queen (with Freddy)
Slade

[CaptainCrunch]

I would have loved to see the Who live in their prime. Not that they're a forgotten band, but they just don't get talked about int the same way as a lot of other vintage bands. I remember they televised the Toronto fairwell concert when I was very young, and it was amazing.

[Redliner]

I’ve seen a lot of concerts over the years, but the ones that stand out the most are the ones with the best crowd energy. Doesn’t matter how good the artist is, if the building is dead it just kills the whole experience.

Depeche Mode at the Delta Center in SLC in November 1993. Dave Gahan was at the height of his heroin-fuelled debachery phase, the show was fantastic and the energy in the building was amazing.

Moist at the Coke Stage in the summer of 1998 was absolutely incredible. There was a massive downpour that soaked the crowd halfway through the show, but the band kept playing. Then the sun came out and that warm afternoon with the steam coming off the crowd and the band just totally into it was one of those rare feelings of “oneness” that you rarely experience.

Jann Arden at the U of L theatre in 1997 was kind of similar - totally different vibe but she had every person in that room hanging off her every word.

Imagine Dragons at the BMO Centre in 2013 was pretty damn awesome too. It was just before they went completely huge and the crowd was smaller, but they put on an amazing show. Dan Reynolds hanging from the ceiling beating on a massive drum right over our heads….just awesome.

I have tickets to New Order & the Pet Shop Boys in Vancouver next year and am hoping the show will live up to expectations. I’ve heard New Order are terrible live and they’re definitely not getting any younger, but they’re a bucket list band for me so hopefully the show actually happens this time (2nd delay since it was originally scheduled in sept. 2020 - damn covid)

[Macman]

The Coke stage at the Stampede has had some surprisingly good shows. I remember seeing Big Sugar there and it was quite good. I think they went on a hiatus shortly after and Gordie went on to form another band, but I think Big Sugar is back again now.

[Krovikan]

1. Rammstein - Plains of Abraham, Quebec City
2. Rammstein - Coliseum, Edmonton
3. Rob Zombie - Saddledome
4. Powerman 5000 - Saddledome
5. Papa Roach - Saddledome, just before he blew up l opening for Powerman 5000 and Korn, his stage presence was amazing
6. Kizz - Saddledome
7. Pentatonix - Saddledome - this was alot more fun then I thought it'd be, I enjoy there earlier music but didn't think it'd be a solid concert.

I would like to see at some point Danheim, Major Lazer, Diplo, Trampsta, Lindsey Stirling, and Heilung.

I really want to see Apashe at some point, and I need to plan a trip to see Rammstein in Germany, if you are a fan of metal, I would argue you haven't seen a good concert until you see Rammstein live. They are just in another league to everyone else.

Dishonourable mention, probably the worst concert ever, the shared headliner with Rob Zombie. Never been a fan of their music, but the concert just seemed to be "encourage the mosh pit to attack and hurt each other and forget the entertainment". I ended up walking out.


Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[FanIn80]

- ACDC at the Dome on the Razor's Edge tour
- The White Stripes at the Dome
- Metallica up front two people back from the barriers with James like 10-20 feet away from me at Rexhall.
- Coldplay at Rexhall
- April Wine at the Sportsplex in Lethbridge

Edit: I've watched hours and hours of Tool concert footage, but have never been to one of their shows. I'm hoping I get another chance at some point!

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Macman

The Coke stage at the Stampede has had some surprisingly good shows. I remember seeing Big Sugar there and it was quite good. I think they went on a hiatus shortly after and Gordie went on to form another band, but I think Big Sugar is back again now.

Yup I saw the first and last concert on the Coke stage for Len, who picked up a lifetime ban after their performance. They were probably booked by someone who just listened to Steal my Sunshine and thought oh what a nice kid friendly band.


Also saw Lee Aaron on the Coke stage and she was really good. Loverboy was terrible, they were well past their prime and drunk as hell.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by FireGilbert

I'll add another vote for Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. He brought a children's choir and the string section of the local orchestra. Thankfully the children were long off stage before they played Stagger Lee.

Honorable mentions to Radiohead, Pearl Jam, Tool, QOTSA, the Tragically Hip, Bad Religion, Japandroids, and Social Distortion.

Worst was Rise Against. Not a good live band.

I saw Rise Against here seven or eight years ago. Wouldn't call it the worst, but fairly forgettable. I do think I was standing in a good spot because they sounded fine to me. I had some friends also there standing in a different spot who said they sounded God awful.

A band that really disappointed me was Modest Mouse. They're one of my all-time favourite bands, but when they played Calgary they fataing sucked. I'd give them another chance because I like them so much, but it was my worst concert experience for sure.

[GreenLantern]

Small stage: Tegan and Sarah acoustic set at Lydias in Saskatoon approximately 15 years ago, might have been longer I can't remember. I think they had maybe two albums out at the time? Or one and a EP or something.

Honorary mention: Arkells, saw them about 12 years ago at Louise on UofS campus, they were touring with Tokyo Police Club and trading off openers. Unfortunately for TPC, Arkells opened that night and were just amazing. It was literally, a tough act to follow.


Medium stage: Rural Alberta Advantage at Amigos in Saskatoon, about 12 years ago, probably more of a smaller stage but its a popular spot for up and coming bands. I remember talking to them after the set and telling them they were way to good to play there, lol.

Honorary mention: The Jezabels at Amigos, the one and only time I think they've been here, just an unreal show. Their vocalist is amazing.


Big stage: Pearl Jam, Saskplace. This was probably 7 or 8 years ago now. The venue sucks, especially for a big venue, but it was Pearl Jam and it was awesome.

Honorary mention: Chris Cornell at TCU. This is a great venue, I was like 3rd row and it was the best vocal performance I have ever seen live. Lots of acoustic stuff, he did Hunger Strike, it was one of my favourite nights ever.


Wild Card: The Trews acoustic set at Louise. They were so high/drunk the bassist could barely sit on his seat. They came stumbling out all sweaty and uncoordinated. There was a tension in the crowd like ''' oh ####.." then they started playing and blew everyones doors off. Great initimate setting.

The why the hell aren't they more famous card: The Dudes. I've seen them a lot, a few times in Calgary to, every time the show is just so energetic and enjoyable. Never understood why these guys aren't bigger than Nickleback.

[Dodsdomd]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

Honorary mention: The Jezabels at Amigos, the one and only time I think they've been here, just an unreal show. Their vocalist is amazing.

I was at that show. Bloody amazing.

[Captain Otto]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Not gonna lie. Nickleback at the centrium in red deer in like 2003 or 2004 was a pretty amazing show.

Tell me you're an Oiler fan without telling me you're an Oiler fan.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Captain Otto

Tell me you're an Oiler fan without telling me you're an Oiler fan.

Imagine being so narrow minded!

Music is so subjective I was at at least half a dozen concerts people have mentioned here as the best they have seen and they wouldn’t be top 5 for me.

[Captain Otto]

Originally Posted by Weitz

Imagine being so narrow minded!

Music is so subjective I was at at least half a dozen concerts people have mentioned here as the best they have seen and they wouldn’t be top 5 for me.

Chill out Staples. I was only kidding.

[Weitz]

Originally Posted by Captain Otto

Chill out Staples. I was only kidding.

Let’s be honest on first take your comment is likely spot on.. they do put on a great show though.

[D as in David]

I'd really like to know the best dead band everyone saw.

[Mathalete]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

The Best:
Pink Floyd - Division Bell Tour - 1994 - no other concert has ever come close and I've been to MANY.

Honourable mentions:
Paul McCartney
Peter Gabriel
Dire Straits
Stevie Wonder
Sting & Annie Lennox
Earth Wind and Fire + Chicago
Steely Dan

Biggest regrets (as in I've never had a chance to see these bands on stage and never will now):
AC/DC
Led Zeppelin
Queen (with Freddy)
Slade

You may get a chance to see AC/DC yet. They were planning a tour prior to Covid messing everything up. Who knows when, what and where it will be, but it will be definitely worth monitoring