What is the best live concert performance ever?

[Anubis Raptor]

Tool-10,000 days tour.

I was at coachella and it blew my mind!

 

[The Chairman]

Also, you guys got "I've Loved These Days" in place of "Everybody Loves You Now" and "This Night" instead of "This Is The Time." Also, Billy did "Under The Boardwalk" and "Spanish Harlem" at the beginning of "An Innocent Man" instead of "Stand By Me." He also dropped "Please Please Me" and "She Loves You" and did the two Paul songs.

Tony Bennett sounded amazing for 82. His voice really helped fill the stadium. "Zanzibar" I felt he should have dropped in favor of "Stilletto," and I'm a little disappointed he didn't do "Big Shot." And of course, you did get Paul.

Were the veterans brought onstage for "Goodnight Saigon"? That was easily a highlight for me.

Where were you seated? I was eighth row from the stage on the left side. I didn't bring my digital camera because I didn't think we were allowed to, but I wound up getting a throwaway and still got decent pics. I saw Kelly Ripa.

 

[danoyse]

True...he also said it was the last time he would be playing "This Night" because he's 59 and can't hit those notes anymore.

I would have loved to hear Stilletto, but he did play it last time I saw him at MSG. I was excited to hear "The Entertainer" and "Captain Jack" because I haven't heard them live in years. I don't hear him do "Big Shot" that often, I remember he retired it for awhile...although he played it at the millenium show and at the MSG run in 2006.

We didn't get as many Beatles covers (although he did play "A Hard Day's Night" during "River of Dreams")...but we did have one of the Beatles there, so it balanced out, I think.

It was kind of the worst kept secret of the night, so many people heard Paul was going to be there, but he walked on stage and it was like Shea Stadium exploded...the woman next to my sister actually started to cry.

I also love the crowd reaction every time he played a song with a Yankees reference. The Mets fans booed, the Yankee fans cheered.

Yep, he brought the vets up for "Goodnight Saigon," along members of the NYPD and FDNY. I love how he does that.

I was in section 98C, the field box seats on the left field side. Sounds like you had great seats!

 

[The Chairman]

True...he also said it was the last time he would be playing "This Night" because he's 59 and can't hit those notes anymore.

I would have loved to hear Stilletto, but he did play it last time I saw him at MSG. I was excited to hear "The Entertainer" and "Captain Jack" because I haven't heard them live in years. I don't hear him do "Big Shot" that often, I remember he retired it for awhile...although he played it at the millenium show and at the MSG run in 2006.

We didn't get as many Beatles covers (although he did play "A Hard Day's Night" during "River of Dreams")...but we did have one of the Beatles there, so it balanced out, I think.

It was kind of the worst kept secret of the night, so many people heard Paul was going to be there, but he walked on stage and it was like Shea Stadium exploded...the woman next to my sister actually started to cry.

I also love the crowd reaction every time he played a song with a Yankees reference. The Mets fans booed, the Yankee fans cheered.

Yep, he brought the vets up for "Goodnight Saigon," along members of the NYPD and FDNY. I love how he does that.

I was in section 98C, the field box seats on the left field side. Sounds like you had great seats!

We did, though I would have sat on the roof to see Paul, but as Billy said, and so it goes...I probably would've cried, then got on my knees, thanked God, and just stood there numb for the rest of the evening.

Were you at the 1999 show on New Year's Eve? I heard Billy was not on top then. He opened with "Big Shot" then and did it both times I saw him at MSG. I saw the 2 / 12 / 06 shows and the 4 / 19 / 06 shows.

I could've done without "Big Man On Mulberry Street" (if he was going to do something from The Bridge, it should've been "A Matter Of Trust," which he did at MSG), "Root Beer Rag" (definitely would've put "Sometimes A Fantasy") and "Lullabye" ("Uptown Girl" would've been my choice, though it's a major long shot). I kind of wish he had done "Shout" like he did at Yankee Stadium, too. It would've been nice to hear more from The Stranger because the album's 30years old this year, maybe the title song and "Just The Way You Are" (John Mayer could've actually done a nice duet with him on that one).

A lot of proposals were done on "She's Always A Woman," which is odd because it's not really a romantic song. I also heard that last night Billy's piano arrived late on "You May Be Right" and he stood around for awhile.

"Captain Jack" was incredible. It was like Exodus. As soon as I heard the organ and Billy kicked into the opening piano notes, I could've cried.

 

[danoyse]

We did, though I would have sat on the roof to see Paul, but as Billy said, and so it goes...I probably would've cried, then got on my knees, thanked God, and just stood there numb for the rest of the evening.

Were you at the 1999 show on New Year's Eve? I heard Billy was not on top then. He opened with "Big Shot" then and did it both times I saw him at MSG. I saw the 2 / 12 / 06 shows and the 4 / 19 / 06 shows.

I could've done without "Big Man On Mulberry Street" (if he was going to do something from The Bridge, it should've been "A Matter Of Trust," which he did at MSG), "Root Beer Rag" (definitely would've put "Sometimes A Fantasy") and "Lullabye" ("Uptown Girl" would've been my choice, though it's a major long shot). I kind of wish he had done "Shout" like he did at Yankee Stadium, too. It would've been nice to hear more from The Stranger because the album's 30years old this year, maybe the title song and "Just The Way You Are" (John Mayer could've actually done a nice duet with him on that one).

A lot of proposals were done on "She's Always A Woman," which is odd because it's not really a romantic song. I also heard that last night Billy's piano arrived late on "You May Be Right" and he stood around for awhile.

"Captain Jack" was incredible. It was like Exodus. As soon as I heard the organ and Billy kicked into the opening piano notes, I could've cried.

Someone proposed during the show last night--Billy saw it from the stage and shouted "Get a pre-nup!"

There was also some TV chef there last night (no idea who), but Billy recognized him from the stage and said "Hey, you're that chef from the TV! I love your show! Go talk to my wife, she's a chef too! Just don't get too familiar, ok?"

I loved when he sang "The Entertainer" and ran his hand across his now-bald head during the lyric "in another long-haired band."

The crowd went nuts when "Captain Jack" ended...Billy said "Thank you, you sick bastards!"

I wasn't at the 1999 show, the tickets were ridiculous expensive and the city is such a zoo on New Year's Eve that we decided not to bother. But when the CD came out Billy did a record signing at Tower Records near Lincoln Center. My sister and I waited 6-1/2 hours on line, but we got in and Billy signed our CDs.

They were rushing the line through really fast, but I thanked him when he signed my CD and he looked up and said "Hi!" Then he said "Hey, your hat's on backwards!" (I was wearing my Yankee hat backwards that day) I was so starstruck for the only time in my life that I don't even remember what I said back.

 

[The Chairman]

When he did MSG at '06, he made a lot of jokes about these shows paying off his car insurance. He was still recovering from alcoholism at the time. He also got mad at people telling other people to sit down and sang "Party Pooper" to them.

I know Christie Brinkley was there last night with Alexa Ray (my sister was named after her). They were two rows behind where I sat.

 

[danoyse]

I heard Christie was there last night and sang alone with "She's Always a Woman." I remember when Alexa was born...I am so old.

I love Lullabye because of the story behind it. Alexa was about 4 and asked what happened when you die. He wrote the song so she could learn it and know that even when he's gone that song will be a part of him he left for her, and that she can pass it on to her own kids. My sister has kid now, I get emotional over that stuff.

When I saw him with Elton the show was postponed 6 months, and Billy did a rehab stint during that time. When he sang "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" he changed the line about "Perhaps a bottle of rose instead" to "Perhaps a bottle of Perrier instead"....

 

[The Chairman]

I heard Christie was there last night and sang alone with "She's Always a Woman." I remember when Alexa was born...I am so old.

I wish Christie and Billy were still together. It's pretty obvious that Billy was Christie's best husband. Though Billy is remarried and is planning for another kid, I think.

I love Lullabye because of the story behind it. Alexa was about 4 and asked what happened when you die. He wrote the song so she could learn it and know that even when he's gone that song will be a part of him he left for her, and that she can pass it on to her own kids. My sister has kid now, I get emotional over that stuff.

Aw, I just though it was a simple lullabye. Now that I've learned more about its backstory, I like it a lot more all of a sudden. I'll probably sing it for my kids someday.

When I saw him with Elton the show was postponed 6 months, and Billy did a rehab stint during that time. When he sang "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" he changed the line about "Perhaps a bottle of rose instead" to "Perhaps a bottle of Perrier instead"....

Haha, that sounds like Billy.

 

[danoyse]

I wish Christie and Billy were still together. It's pretty obvious that Billy was Christie's best husband. Though Billy is remarried and is planning for another kid, I think.

It was so sad when they broke up. They seemed really happy.

Aw, I just though it was a simple lullabye. Now that I've learned more about its backstory, I like it a lot more all of a sudden. I'll probably sing it for my kids someday.

I remember Alexa was at the opening night of "Movin' Out" on Broadway (great show, btw) and a reporter asked what her favorite song of her dad's was...and she said Lullabye because he wrote it for her.

 

[The Chairman]

It was so sad when they broke up. They seemed really happy.

They did. Though I imagine the height difference was quite awkward. t:

On Wednesday, he described himself to those in the back who couldn't see him as 6'6, looking like a cross between Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, with long, flowing blonde hair.

I remember Alexa was at the opening night of "Movin' Out" on Broadway (great show, btw) and a reporter asked what her favorite song of her dad's was...and she said Lullabye because he wrote it for her.[/quote]

Alex has some really good music. She's on my MySpace.

 

[The Chairman]

Edit

 

[SFII]

Michael Jackson

 

[BargainHunter]

Deep Purple

 

[danoyse]

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.

I saw them at Giants Stadium in NJ last night. Show was delayed an hour because of major accident on the turnpike, but once it started they went on for nearly 3-1/2 hours and played 30 songs. Bruce was sliding across the stage on his knees and kept climbing into the audience. They didn't even get into the encores until after midnight.

Amazing show. It was my 10th Springsteen show and it won't be my last. t:

 

[The Chairman]

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.

I saw them at Giants Stadium in NJ last night. Show was delayed an hour because of major accident on the turnpike, but once it started they went on for nearly 3-1/2 hours and played 30 songs. Bruce was sliding across the stage on his knees and kept climbing into the audience. They didn't even get into the encores until after midnight.

Amazing show. It was my 10th Springsteen show and it won't be my last. t:

Bruce is on my must-see list. I missed every opportunity I've had to see him. My friend has seen him about 12 times (including front row seats) and has bene trying to take me to one forever. Do you have the set list?

I have hard time believing he beat Billy at Shae with Paul, though. Every time I read an account from that show, I cringe knowing I missed it by one show. Ah, I'll get the dvd.

I'm definitely on the lookout for when McCartney hits Madison Square Garden. He's # 1. I'd do anything to see him live. One thing I do hope, though, is he does more Wings / solo stuff. The overwhelming majority of his set is Beatles stuff with the big Wing hits with some new stuff thrown in. I wouldn't sacrifice the Beatles hits for the world (I was disappointed when he dropped "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Can't Buy Me Love" from his regular set for the Chaos & Creation tour), but he needs to add a bit more of his own stuff.

 

[Norman Osborn]

Dream Theater, Queensryche, Fates Warning in Barrie Ontario summer of 2003.......

 

[ampersand]

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.

I saw them at Giants Stadium in NJ last night. Show was delayed an hour because of major accident on the turnpike, but once it started they went on for nearly 3-1/2 hours and played 30 songs. Bruce was sliding across the stage on his knees and kept climbing into the audience. They didn't even get into the encores until after midnight.

Amazing show. It was my 10th Springsteen show and it won't be my last. t:

I was there too and it was truly an amazing performance

 

[Poeman]

So Billy Joel's last concert at shea must have been at the tops for peoples list...did anyone go?

 

[The Chairman]

So Billy Joel's last concert at shea must have been at the tops for peoples list...did anyone go?

I went to the first show. Obviously, it didn't hold the same historical or emotional impact as the second show with McCartney, but my gosh, it was a great show. Billy Joel is by far my fave live performer these days. Though I will admit, if it wasn't for the importance of the Shae gigs, I'd probably say I enjoyed his two shows at MSG in 2006 more.

 

[danoyse]

Bruce is on my must-see list. I missed every opportunity I've had to see him. My friend has seen him about 12 times (including front row seats) and has bene trying to take me to one forever. Do you have the set list?

Yes, you must see Bruce. I've seen him 10 times now (in NY, NJ, and Philly) and he's just incredible on stage. He has so much energy on stage and so much chemistry with the band that it just carries out to the entire audience, so everyone is having a great time.

Here's the set list from last night. They didn't come on stage until 9:30 because of the accident with the propane truck (it closed the NJ turnpike exit to Giants Stadium), but they played until 12:45 this morning!

Summertime Blues
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Radio Nowhere
Prove It All Night
Two Hearts
The Promised Land
Spirit in the Night
Light of Day
Brilliant Disguise
Pretty Flamingo
Blinded by the Light
Cadillac Ranch
Candy's Room
Night
Because the Night
She's the One
Livin' in the Future
Mary's Place
Incident on 57th Street
The Rising
Last to Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
* * *
Jungleland
Born to Run
Bobby Jean
Dancing in the Dark
American Land
Jersey Girl
Rosalita

A few of the songs were requests from the audience. People in the pit in front of the stage have been making signs with songs they want to hear, and Bruce has been picking songs from the signs. The requests from last night were "Blinded by the Light," "Incident on 57th Street," "Jersey Girl," and "Cadillac Ranch".

I have hard time believing he beat Billy at Shae with Paul, though. Every time I read an account from that show, I cringe knowing I missed it by one show. Ah, I'll get the dvd.

I wouldn't call one better than the other--it was really different because of the whole history at the stadium and that he was a surprise guest. It was just all Bruce last night. And I got home at 2:30 this morning, only got about 2-1/2 hours sleep before I had to go to work and my voice is still shot...but it was sooooo worth it.

I'm definitely on the lookout for when McCartney hits Madison Square Garden. He's # 1. I'd do anything to see him live. One thing I do hope, though, is he does more Wings / solo stuff. The overwhelming majority of his set is Beatles stuff with the big Wing hits with some new stuff thrown in. I wouldn't sacrifice the Beatles hits for the world (I was disappointed when he dropped "I Saw Her Standing There" and "Can't Buy Me Love" from his regular set for the Chaos & Creation tour), but he needs to add a bit more of his own stuff.

He did a pretty good mix when I saw him back in 2002. I remember he sang Blackbird and people at MSG were actually shushing other people so they could hear. I'd never seen that at a concert before.

 

[danoyse]

I was there too and it was truly an amazing performance

Absolutely! I saw him at MSG back in October and he was amazing then too, but the stadium shows are just such a giant party, it's fantastic!

 

[The Chairman]

Yes, you must see Bruce. I've seen him 10 times now (in NY, NJ, and Philly) and he's just incredible on stage. He has so much energy on stage and so much chemistry with the band that it just carries out to the entire audience, so everyone is having a great time.

That's what I hear.

Here's the set list from last night. They didn't come on stage until 9:30 because of the accident with the propane truck (it closed the NJ turnpike exit to Giants Stadium), but they played until 12:45 this morning!

Summertime Blues
Tenth Avenue Freeze-out
Radio Nowhere
Prove It All Night
Two Hearts
The Promised Land
Spirit in the Night
Light of Day
Brilliant Disguise
Pretty Flamingo
Blinded by the Light
Cadillac Ranch
Candy's Room
Night
Because the Night
She's the One
Livin' in the Future
Mary's Place
Incident on 57th Street
The Rising
Last to Die
Long Walk Home
Badlands
* * *
Jungleland
Born to Run
Bobby Jean
Dancing in the Dark
American Land
Jersey Girl
Rosalita

A few of the songs were requests from the audience. People in the pit in front of the stage have been making signs with songs they want to hear, and Bruce has been picking songs from the signs. The requests from last night were "Blinded by the Light," "Incident on 57th Street," "Jersey Girl," and "Cadillac Ranch".

Wow, sounds like it was indeed an excellent show. I used to be turned off to Bruce because of his set lists. He never does any of the big hits (Hungry Heart, Born In The U.S.A.), I guess becuase he feels the rarities are his better works.

I wouldn't call one better than the other--it was really different because of the whole history at the stadium and that he was a surprise guest. It was just all Bruce last night. And I got home at 2:30 this morning, only got about 2-1/2 hours sleep before I had to go to work and my voice is still shot...but it was sooooo worth it.

I think the latest I ever got home form a concert was 2:00, which was my first concert ever in 1999, Elton. Now THAT was a show. Just him and his piano for 3 1/2 hours.

He did a pretty good mix when I saw him back in 2002. I remember he sang Blackbird and people at MSG were actually shushing other people so they could hear. I'd never seen that at a concert before.

Well, I was a member of Paul's forum for awhile, and a lot of users complained about how his solo stuff wa srestricte dto the obvious cuts like "Live And Let Die," "Band On The Run" and "Jet" while rare Beatles cuts like "Good Day Sunshine" and "For No One" always pop up. I as well as othrs came up with a fantasy Paul set awhile back that accurately reflected how a lot or the fans thought his shows should be in terms of division of Wings, Beatles and solo stuff. He did do "Mrs. Vanderbilt" a few times recently, so some new Wings stuff isn't out of the question for his next tour.

I wish I had been around for Paul's 1989-90 tour, easily his best.

 

[danoyse]

Wow, sounds like it was indeed an excellent show. I used to be turned off to Bruce because of his set lists. He never does any of the big hits (Hungry Heart, Born In The U.S.A.), I guess becuase he feels the rarities are his better works.

Oh, it's definitely better when he plays the rare stuff. My favorite song is "Thunder Road" and I don't even notice when he doesn't play it because he just blows you away with everything else he plays. There are usually a lot of surprises. And I love when he plays the piano.

He doesn't play "Born in the USA" much. I've heard it drives him crazy that he wrote the song about neglected veterans and people just drown out the rest of the song shouting the chorus. He still plays it, I heard it a lot during The Rising tour, but I didn't hear it at either of the two shows I saw on this tour.

I think the latest I ever got home form a concert was 2:00, which was my first concert ever in 1999, Elton. Now THAT was a show. Just him and his piano for 3 1/2 hours.

I got home at 3am from the Billy Joel concert at Shea last month, but I figured it wouldn't be so bad last night since I live closer to Giants Stadium. Thanks to the propane truck, I got home at 2:30. Ugh. But it was so worth it.

Elton is incredible in concert.

Well, I was a member of Paul's forum for awhile, and a lot of users complained about how his solo stuff wa srestricte dto the obvious cuts like "Live And Let Die," "Band On The Run" and "Jet" while rare Beatles cuts like "Good Day Sunshine" and "For No One" always pop up. I as well as othrs came up with a fantasy Paul set awhile back that accurately reflected how a lot or the fans thought his shows should be in terms of division of Wings, Beatles and solo stuff. He did do "Mrs. Vanderbilt" a few times recently, so some new Wings stuff isn't out of the question for his next tour.

I wish I had been around for Paul's 1989-90 tour, easily his best.

I don't know much of his stuff outside of the Beatles, so I'm ok with him just playing the most popular post-Beatles stuff. I like his new album a lot, though.

 

[Dark Victory]

Muse live in Wembly hands down

 

[JayCaz]

Live Aid's gotta be up there, as well as Oasis at Knebworth.

Any Morrisey gig is always excellent too.