Best Live Performer(s) In Music

[Spiritinthesky]

Who has been the greatest live act ever?

The best band or act you've ever seen?

The Stones, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Queen, Pink Floyd, The Who, Bowie, Dylan, Kiss, Nirvana or someone else?

This Day in Music have just started a poll to find out. If you fancy voting for who you think should win go to http://www.thisdayinmusic.com

You can vote for any act, just go to 'other' on the list.

[Ronny Shade]

Best show I've seen by far is Prince.

[Untilteld]

carrot top.

[Heretic]

The answer is Gwar.

But aside from them...um Nirvana? They were notoriously garbage live. I wont judge anyone that I did not actually see in concert, so Prince is up there. KISS is an experience...kind of like Gwar...in that the quality of the music takes a backseat to the fact that so much is going on.

[Franklin Richards]

The Pope.


:thing: :doom: :thing:

[thedeadite]

Best show I have ever seen was David Bowie/Nine Inch Nails, there was no break were one band stopped and the other started. They simply transitioned between the 2 by doing duets of each others material in between acts.

[The Chairman]

Billy Joel is the best I've ever seen. No flashy explosions or elaborate lighting displays, just 3 1/2 hours of great music.

Second would be The Rolling Stones

[Lobo]

Kiss and Ted Nugent have been the best I've seen.

[SLVRSR4]

Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir

[CFE]

Best show I've seen by far is Prince.

Seconded...his 'Musicology' Show was unforgettable.

Acoustic "Little Red Corvette" = Brilliance.

CFE

[chaseter]

The Tijuana Donkey shows.

[taskmaster]

Behemoth and Dimmu Borgir


Serpentine...... OFFERING!

[The Chairman]

A big part of great music is hearing it live, but not all artists can do so properly. Basically, the point of this thread is to state which artist or band is best at live performances, and why.

For me, it's Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. I've watched two of their live dvds this weekend and their connection with their audience is just amazing.

[danoyse]

I've seen Bruce in concert 10 times, and he's definitely my favorite. :up:

My second favorite is U2. I've seen them 3 times and it's practically a religious experience.

I also love Billy Joel. He hasn't had a new album in ages, but his shows are still great with him just playing his old stuff.

Paul McCartney is great too - hearing old Beatles songs live is incredible, and both shows I saw were a lot of fun.

[The Chairman]

I've seen Bruce in concert 10 times, and he's definitely my favorite. :up:

Hopefully, I'll finally be getting a chance to see him May 4th at Nassau. I've got my River t-shirt and my sign request ("I'm Going Down") ready to go. He's got such an amazing connection with his audience, they know every word and even sing along to the instrumental parts. His concert look like church revivals.

I also love Billy Joel. He hasn't had a new album in ages, but his shows are still great with him just playing his old stuff.

Eh, Billy's only good these days if it's an event show like MSG. For the last two years, he's doing literally the same set at every show with little if any variation (though he recently did "Travelin' Prayer" for the first time in 30 years). He only does 20 songs a night and one of them is his roadie coming out to sing "Highway To Hell."

Check out JoelFansForever (far and away the best Billy forum on the web), a lot of Billy's longtime fans are expressing a lot of negative views because of Billy's inactivity.

[The Chairman]

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These two performances alone are proof of Bruce's live performing superiority.

[danoyse]

Hopefully, I'll finally be getting a chance to see him May 4th at Nassau. I've got my River t-shirt and my sign request ("I'm Going Down") ready to go. He's got such an amazing connection with his audience, they know every word and even sing along to the instrumental parts. His concert look like church revivals.

You'll love it. It's like a giant party. My favorite song of his is Thunder Road. I haven't heard it since 2003 but the shows are so good that I never realize he didn't play it until I'm reading the set list on Backstreets later.

Last show I saw was at Giants Stadium last summer, and the show was delayed due to an accident on the NJ Turnpike, so they didn't come on until 9:30...yet they still played 30 songs.

I emailed one of my friends who's also a Bruce fan the next day just to tell her I was watching Bruce play Rosalita and Jungleland at 12:45 that morning. :cwink:

I have both of those live DVDs - this was one of my favorite clips from the Barcelona show. I saw him in Philly about two weeks earlier and he played this at our show too:

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One of my favorite parts on the Live in NY dvd is what one of my friends refers to as "the 75-minute version" of 10th Avenue Freeze Out. :oldrazz:

Another great DVD to check out is the VH1 Storytellers show. It's all acoustic, and goes into the stories behind the songs. Great DVD. :up:

[The Chairman]

I like that Bruce never does the same set twice. The only two songs he does every night are "Badlands" and "Born To Run." Other than that, there's no telling what he'll do. Unlike Billy, who mostly plays only his greatest hits, Bruce always has surprises up his sleeve at his shows. Last tour, he was doing stuff like "Crush On You" and "Held Up Without A Gun" that hadn't been done in 30 years.

I wish I was at the Giants Stadium show. I tried getting tickets, but we missed out.

That performance of "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out" is awesome. I love the "sermon" in the middle.

Bruce is also a great storyteller. I love the one he tells in the middle of "Growin' Up" on the Live boxed set about his parents wanting him to be a lawyer or an author and his mom and sister telling him it's not too late to back to college.

""For six years they've been following me around California...Hey ma! Give it up!"

[danoyse]

You should check out E Street Radio. They play a ton of live shows - some from the 70s, some as recent as the last tour. One of my favorite band intros was from a show in LA during the reunion tour - he introduced Steven van Zandt as "the only man I've ever known who's been thrown out of Disneyland! I was with him, and I left in solidarity!"

The whole sign thing was nuts during the last tour. He played "Incident on 57th Street" and "Jersey Girl" just on sign requests from the audience.

This is one of the songs I loved on the last tour - the new version of "Reason to Believe". This was from a show in Chicago that was just a few days after I saw him at MSG:

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[The Chairman]

You should check out E Street Radio. They play a ton of live shows - some from the 70s, some as recent as the last tour. One of my favorite band intros was from a show in LA during the reunion tour - he introduced Steven van Zandt as "the only man I've ever known who's been thrown out of Disneyland! I was with him, and I left in solidarity!"

The whole sign thing was nuts during the last tour. He played "Incident on 57th Street" and "Jersey Girl" just on sign requests from the audience.

This is one of the songs I loved on the last tour - the new version of "Reason to Believe". This was from a show in Chicago that was just a few days after I saw him at MSG:

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I'm actually listening to an audience recording from the last Giants show right now.

I love the new "Reason To Believe." Definitely one of the highlights.

Were you at the Tampa show where they payed tribute to Danny? It was supposed to be one of, if not the, best of the tour.

I actually know the guy who played percussion on the Seeger Sessions. He got to play with Bruce on "American Land" in 2007 at MSG. I'm tempted to ask him to get Bruce to appear at our graduation.

[Faded To Deaf]

I would say Michael Jackson.

[The Chairman]

I would say Michael Jackson.

Michael doesn't sing live. :o

[Faded To Deaf]

Michael doesn't sing live. :o

I've seen it, one of the first I ever seen. True I saw it on T.V., but it was still live. That moonwalk was too cool for words.

[danoyse]

I'm actually listening to an audience recording from the last Giants show right now.

I love the new "Reason To Believe." Definitely one of the highlights.

Were you at the Tampa show where they payed tribute to Danny? It was supposed to be one of, if not the, best of the tour.

I actually know the guy who played percussion on the Seeger Sessions. He got to play with Bruce on "American Land" in 2007 at MSG. I'm tempted to ask him to get Bruce to appear at our graduation.

If it was the 7/31 show at Giants Stadium, that was the one I was at. I heard all 3 shows were amazing.

I wasn't at the Tampa show, but I did get to see one of Danny's last shows when they played MSG in October 2007 - in fact, that was the same show that the Seeger Sessions band joined them to sing "American Land" at the end of the show.

[The Chairman]

I've seen it, one of the first I ever seen. True I saw it on T.V., but it was still live. That moonwalk was too cool for words.

Michael's a great performer, no doubt. But the fact he doesn't his own singing live brings him down a few notches in my book. Same with Madonna.

[The Chairman]

If it was the 7/31 show at Giants Stadium, that was the one I was at. I heard all 3 shows were amazing.

I wasn't at the Tampa show, but I did get to see one of Danny's last shows when they played MSG in October 2007 - in fact, that was the same show that the Seeger Sessions band joined them to sing "American Land" at the end of the show.

It is the 07 / 31 show. I just got finished with "Brilliant Disguise." I'm on "Blinded By The Light" now.

[Faded To Deaf]

Michael's a great performer, no doubt. But the fact he doesn't his own singing live brings him down a few notches in my book. Same with Madonna.

:csad: Oh. I was like 7 years old when I saw it, so I can't say what he sang or if it were his actual singing, it was just the one that stuck out for me.

[The Chairman]

:csad: Oh. I was like 7 years old when I saw it, so I can't say what he sang or if it were his actual singing, it was just the one that stuck out for me.

It's an iconic performance, to be sure.

Michael's great, I won't deny it. I just feel gypped when I go to a concert and see a performer not actually sing live. It kills the point of a "live" performance. Elton John tore apart Madonna over this a few years ago, and he was absolutely right.

Elton, by the way, was, at his peak, another truly terrific live performer. Unfortunately, the energy level at his shows has gone down since he had his pacemaker put in (he also can't sing that well anymore). He's still great, though.

[danoyse]

It is the 07 / 31 show. I just got finished with "Brilliant Disguise." I'm on "Blinded By The Light" now.

If you hear a part where he says he's giving a "New Jersey baptism", there was a bucket of water at the front of the stage that kept soaking himself with (Giants Stadium was an oven that night), and at one point he started 'blessing' the audience with the sponge, "In the name of the Father, Son, and Elvis!" Finally he dumped the whole bucket on the audience.

That was a great show. :up:

[Faded To Deaf]

It's an iconic performance, to be sure.

Michael's great, I won't deny it. I just feel gypped when I go to a concert and see a performer not actually sing live. It kills the point of a "live" performance. Elton John tore apart Madonna over this a few years ago, and he was absolutely right.

Elton, by the way, was, at his peak, another truly terrific live performer. Unfortunately, the energy level at his shows has gone down since he had his pacemaker put in (he also can't sing that well anymore). He's still great, though.

I would feel gypped too if I paid go money for something like that, luckily I only go when I'm certain I'm in for a good time. However, I've never gone to one, so maybe I should lower my standards.

[The Chairman]

If you hear a part where he says he's giving a "New Jersey baptism", there was a bucket of water at the front of the stage that kept soaking himself with (Giants Stadium was an oven that night), and at one point he started 'blessing' the audience with the sponge, "In the name of the Father, Son, and Elvis!" Finally he dumped the whole bucket on the audience.

That was a great show. :up:

Indeed. Love that part.

[danoyse]

Another one of my favorite concert experiences - this was from the U2 2001 Elevation tour. I saw them in NY about two weeks later, and we had a friend who worked at MSG who got us down to the floor, so we were right near the stage.

When Bono and The Edge have their face-off at about 3:50, we were literally about 15 feet away from them. That was one of the most incredible shows I've ever seen - and that was my first U2 concert!

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[The Chairman]

U2 are also on my must-see list.

I've gotten most of them out of the way. Elton, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Billy, Stevie Wonder, Tony Bennett (as a guest for Stevie and Billy), Clapton, Tina Turner, can't really think of who else is left except Bruce and U2. Oh, McCartney still needs to be seen.

[Go Web Go!]

Though I'm not a huge fan, I was blown away at the show Coldplay put on when they were in town. I also thought it was pretty cool of them to take their show into the crowd for a couple of song.

[Optikal]

Best Live Gig I've ever been to was at the Manchester Evening News Arena where I saw MUSE. It blew my mind experiencing that band live!

[Kelly]

I love all genres of music, and have been to quite a few concerts, but honestly....the best I've seen (don't laugh) was Reba McIntyre...

[souloffire]

Iron Maiden by far is one of the greatest live acts in music history. The energy level in which they preform at is just ridiculous.

[Motown Marvel]

this is one of the coolest performances ever put on film. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xplo6_the-white-stripes_music) anyone who denies it's awesomeness does not like rock and roll.

[Avangarde]

Best Live Gig I've ever been to was at the Manchester Evening News Arena where I saw MUSE. It blew my mind experiencing that band live!

Muse is pretty much the best live band of today, just watch the H.A.A.R.P live at Wembley Stadium DVD and you'll see what I mean. This isn't just a matter of opinion though, many tv show's, magazines, and other reviewers have said that the Wembley show is one of the greatest live gigs of all time. Rollingstone even went as far as to say that Matt Bellamy is the new Eddie Van Halen and Jimmy Hendrix.

[Ahura Mazda]

The best I ever saw was The Who at the Paleo festival.

[November Rain]

Janet Jackson is an AMAZING performer. Her velvet rope and janet tours were amazing

I would love to watch her on tour more than anything

Her performance at the MtV:Icon thing was one of her best with each one of her backup dancers dressed up in one of her costumes from past music videos, it was simply EPIC.


i would also give it to the corrs, their unplugged album is out of this world.. Heck even their unplugged dvd is all kindsa awesome.

[Eggyman]

Band of Gypsys at the Fillmore East. I love Hendrix, and THIS is my favourite of his live performances.

[danoyse]

I love all genres of music, and have been to quite a few concerts, but honestly....the best I've seen (don't laugh) was Reba McIntyre...

I believe it. And don't be embarrassed - I went with my mom to a Neil Diamond concert after my dad ended up working out of town the night of the show. It was really fun! I dare anyone to stay in their seat during "Sweet Caroline."

[thedeadite]

I can only go by who I've actually seen myself, in person.
The David Bowie/Nine Inch Nails show (around 95) was truly an amazing spectacle, no break between acts, just a transition from one to the other.
Both put on AMAZING live shows as well so it made for quite an evening.

[Addendum]

Dream Theater

[javon]

Looooooooong ago it use to Be Mariah Carey, especially during her 1995-1996 era. Her voice was simply perfection.

[The Chairman]

Looooooooong ago it use to Be Mariah Carey, especially during her 1995-1996 era. Her voice was simply perfection.

Just because they sing well live doesn't make them a good performer. This is more a thread about who's best at entertaining their audience then who sings well in concert.

[Faded To Deaf]

Just because they sing well live doesn't make them a good performer. This is more a thread about who's best at entertaining their audience then who sings well in concert.

I don't know if it's established, but I think singing is a form of entertainment.:oldrazz:

[The Chairman]

I don't know if it's established, but I think singing is a form of entertainment.:oldrazz:

A good performer does more than just sing well. Mariah Carey sings well, but I wouldn't consider her a truly great live performer because she does very little else. I don't consider someone who stands there and sings a good live performer.

[Pickle-El]

I've seen SOOO many bands over the years. I can't comment on Bruce or U2 (as they are on my to-see lists) Tickets are a pain with them.

A list of band I remember seeing since 2000.

GNR
Motley Crue
Aerosmth
Oasis
Incubus
311
RHCP
Weezer
Linkin Park
Metallica
Eminem
Neil Young
CSNY
My Morning Jacket
Muse
Willie Nelson
etc.....the list goes on and on.

But, I've never seen a connection like this ANYWHERE else. It's amazing, and always drops the jaw of whomever I end up taking to one of their shows.

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[Pickle-El]

I've seen SOOO many bands over the years. I can't comment on Bruce or U2 (as they are on my to-see lists) Tickets are a pain with them.

A list of band I remember seeing since 2000.

GNR
Motley Crue
Aerosmth
Oasis
Incubus
311
RHCP
Weezer
Linkin Park
Metallica
Eminem
Neil Young
CSNY
My Morning Jacket
Muse
Willie Nelson
etc.....the list goes on and on.

But, I've never seen a connection like this ANYWHERE else. It's amazing, and always drops the jaw of whomever I end up taking to one of their shows.

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3UmMretwoOA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3UmMretwoOA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[Moridin]

Metallica. Unquestionably one of the greats. Incredible energy and sound from the stage and going stronger than ever.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w04QtaBoJMs
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhqvYW61gB4

Joe Satriani. The man is amazing. His sense of melody, feel for the music and technicality are incredible. His music is generally much more awe inspiring live when you can actually see what he's doing, and he rarely flubs a note.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_Mq2X2RvBo
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n1ouu1cnXM

Tool. Powerful, intense, intelligent music. I'm told their live shows are inspiring, quite an experience. Danny Carey's a phenominal drummer.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z04wUtFrEA8&NR=1
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IunBdj3MD8

Christy Moore. Irish folk legend. Professionally gigging since the mid 60's. Great live.
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhegU13Mw0Y
He could get quite intense- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoRYxdkTzO4

[K.B.]

I think The Red Hot Chilli Peppers sound far better live then on their albums and this is coming from a BIG RHCP fan. If you get the chance to see them live, fan or not, I highly recommend seeing them.

[Matrixo]

Michael Jackson doesn't really sing live because when hes dancing, he gets winded and when he sings and dances he can barely breathe.

Coldplay is beast live!

[Spider-ManHero12]

Disturbed, Metallica, and (sadly it's been no longer for 14 years), but nirvana was good as well, and a bunch more.

[CrypticOne]

I'd have to say Slipknot. Their performance was amazing.

[RAMORE]

A big part of great music is hearing it live, but not all artists can do so properly. Basically, the point of this thread is to state which artist or band is best at live performances, and why.

For me, it's Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. I've watched two of their live dvds this weekend and their connection with their audience is just amazing.

But you didn't watch it live:huh:....FAIL:grin:

For me (keep in mind I haven't been to a ton of concerts) It's a tie between Audio Adrenaline and Bush

Though I think Bush might just be a nostalgic thing it was first live concert:D

[TheAQU4M4N]

the most memorible(sp) Concert i saw was Eminem's Anger Managment Tour 3 (i loved how Proof and Em totally vibed off each other) and i met Busta Rhymes, he was signing autographs outside of MSG earlier that day.

also i think one of the best birthday presents i have ever gotten in my life was probably seeing Red Hot Chili Peppers live for the first time, i saw them at Giants Stadium and they totally rocked and i loved how each member of the band totally vibed off each other, and how sick John's improvisation on guitar.

[Bim]

Well that i've actually seen in concert: Bon Jovi and Bryan Adams. Oh, and Maná from Mexico, if anyone here even knows who they are :oldrazz:

[The Professor]

Arctic Monkeys blew my mind when I saw them live.

And almost my masculinity my come into question here, John Mayer puts on a good live show.

[The Professor]

Arctic Monkeys blew my mind when I saw them live.

And almost my masculinity my come into question here, John Mayer puts on a good live show.

[The Professor]

this is one of the coolest performances ever put on film. (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xplo6_the-white-stripes_music) anyone who denies it's awesomeness does not like rock and roll.

I can't convey my jealously via typing.

[SheldonLevene]

No fans of Dave Matthews Band here huh? That's ok I suppose they're not for everyone, but they have got to be my favorite live act. I look forward to seeing them every year.

[Lasirius]

TV on the Radio really impressed me.
The best live acts have been:
Nine Inch Nails
Garbage
Sigur Ros
Flaming Lips
Stone Temple Pilots
Muse

[NewYorkSpider]

Though I'm not a huge fan, I was blown away at the show Coldplay put on when they were in town. I also thought it was pretty cool of them to take their show into the crowd for a couple of song.

They put on one hell of a show. They sing all their songs at their best live. Politik and Clocks simply blows me away to this day.

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