Best Ever Gigs?

[Sylar]

I'm aware the 'Upcoming Gigs?' thread is a good avenue for things we're looking forward to but I'm wondering what are the best gigs you've ever been to? Not just your favourite bands but the cleanliness of performance, crowd atmosphere etc.

I ask as once again, I find myself watching/listening to Biffy's performance from Reading last year on Youtube as I'm at work and recalling just how absolutely epic they were that night - them and the crowd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuankIlVcdI

A toss up between that or Finch last year at Brixton Academy in London playing What It Is To Burn in full.

[Hiber-nation]

The Clash Edinburgh Odeon November 1978.

Hard to put into words how good it was.

[Steve-O]

Tricky as there have been a few amazing ones but off the top of my head the following 3 were astounding:

U2 at Earls Court 2001

The Darkness (seriously!) at Edinburgh Corn Exchange in Dec 2005

The Killers at Glasgow Carling Academy in 2006

[Dalianwanda]

Underworld - t in the park 1995
Arcade fire - electric picnic 2005
The ex - button factory, Dublin 2010
Hype Williams - supersonic 2012
Gang gang dance - primavera 2012

All for completely different reasons.....I could go on..and on

[hibby rae]

The Clash Edinburgh Odeon November 1978.

Hard to put into words how good it was.

I would give my right ball to have seen The Clash live. Hard to pick an absolute best gig ever but some of my favourites were:

Joe Strummer at the Liquid Rooms, not long before the great man died and I managed to have a beer with him afterwards!

Public Enemy, also a the Liquid Rooms. Seeing them in such a small venue was amazing.

Bruce Springsteen at the Emirates Stadium. First time I saw him live and I never thought I would. The moment he walked out and began playing Tenth Avenue Freeze Out and sunk down the mic to his knees is one of the happiest moments of my life.

Love, again at the Liquid Rooms! Absolutely fantastic and Forever Changes is one of the best albums I've ever heard.

That'll do for now.

[Haymaker]

This is a tough one...

I reckon Iron Maiden at Twickenham for me. Had loads of "Big" metal bands support them (Avenged Sevenfold were last) and they totally blew them all away. 2+ hours of Maiden. Well worth every penny spent.

For sheer fun, Rammstein at Brixton Academy was amazing! :agree:

However I would also say seeing The Bouncing Souls, Propagandhi and Sick of it All in tiny venues as great, no stage show just pure energy. :agree:

[Aldo]

This is a tough one... I reckon Iron Maiden at Twickenham for me. Had loads of "Big" metal bands support them (Avenged Sevenfold were last) and they totally blew them all away. 2+ hours of Maiden. Well worth every penny spent. For sheer fun, Rammstein at Brixton Academy was amazing! :agree: However I would also say seeing The Bouncing Souls, Propagandhi and Sick of it All in tiny venues as great, no stage show just pure energy. :agree:

Saw the Bouncing souls at the Cathouse (I think) in Glasgow 2009. Amazing.

Rise Against at the QMU a few years back also immense.

Seen quite a few bands at the Barrowlands which is an excellent venue and all were excellent - in particular Oasis tenth anniversary gig.

Manic Street Preachers at Livi Forum in the 90's.

Black grape and Shed seven at same venue.

Also couple of unknown bands in 2003 at bottom of the hill in San Francisco.

Loads more love live music.

[Haymaker]

Saw the Bouncing souls at the Cathouse (I think) in Glasgow 2009. Amazing.



Fantastic band. My favourite. :agree: Got to meet them before a gig in Southampton at a 200 cap venue, had some shots of weird green booze and Bryan told me I had to stage dive and "go ****ing crazy". :greengrin

[Mr White]

Either super furry animals in inverness on my 18th birthday during the radiator tour or black grape main stage titp 95, down the front, mental. pretty much my first ever gig. My mate got the fear that we were going to be trampled so we retreated a bit away from the madness. Happy days :greengrin

[Dalianwanda]

Either super furry animals in inverness on my 18th birthday during the radiator tour or black grape main stage titp 95, down the front, mental. pretty much my first ever gig. My mate got the fear that we were going to be trampled so we retreated a bit away from the madness. Happy days :greengrin

:greengrin I was down the front for Black Grape too, forgot about that, deadly....Was Kylie on after them? If it is thats when I bailed to go see Underworld..

[Mr White]

:greengrin I was down the front for Black Grape too, forgot about that, deadly....Was Kylie on after them? If it is thats when I bailed to go see Underworld..

I think kylie might well have been on that year! I'm not sure but I suspect we dragged ourselves away from black grape, smoked a conular roley and crammed into the tent for supergrass. Quality.

[Hiber-nation]

Although it sounds daft to younger readers (and maybe some older too :wink:) Rod Stewart and his band post-Faces at the Playhouse in 1977 was unbelievable. The place basically got trashed, rock n' roll like I'd never heard before and Rod at his best. Epic. Pity everything he's done since then's been utter pish but at least I saw him at his peak.

[BroxburnHibee]

U2 at Celtic Park can't remember the year

[Mr White]

The Clash Edinburgh Odeon November 1978.

Hard to put into words how good it was.

Nice. Did you ever see the ramones live?

[Mr White]

U2 at Celtic Park can't remember the year

93 perhaps?

[Steve-O]

Yes would be 93 for that U2 tour.

I forgot honourable mentions to Springsteen (2 weeks ago!), Maiden and possibly U2 again but in Auckland 2010 mainly because I was so near the front.

Oasis at the Corn Exchange wasn't bad either!

[BroxburnHibee]

93 perhaps?

Sounds about right

[Carheenlea]

The Cramps at the Barrowlands in 1990. I`m 44 and average 2 gigs a month, and that incendiary Cramps show at the Barrowlands over 20 years back has never been topped. RIP Lux.

[Northernhibee]

Idlewild - Dunfermline Carnegie Hall in (I think) 2008 - seen them fourteen times but this was part of Tigerfest - always awkward to see a band sitting down but within the first minute everyone got out of their seats and bolted down the front. Everyone jumping about, great crowd and a fantastic setlist with a few acoustic numbers thrown in at the end. Support from The Scottish Enlightenment and Foxface who are/were both cracking bands too.

Blur - Glastonbury 2009

Neil Young - Glastonbury 2009

The Flaming Lips - Glastonbury 2010

Radiohead (secret acoustic set) - Glastonbury 2010

Pixies - Edinburgh Meadowbank Stadium 2005

[grunt]

Gosh, difficult to say, but here's three which stay in the memory


Bob Dylan at Barrowlands 2004 - best Dylan gig ever
Bruce Springsteen Hammersmith Odeon 1975 - the start of something amazing
The Who at Charlton 1976 - Keith Moon singing Bell Boy

[Peevemor]

Two of my most memorable (does that make them the best?) gigs were Queen at Ingliston (1992?) and Meatloaf in his prime at the playhouse about a year later.

[Sylar]

Idlewild - Dunfermline Carnegie Hall in (I think) 2008 - seen them fourteen times but this was part of Tigerfest - always awkward to see a band sitting down but within the first minute everyone got out of their seats and bolted down the front. Everyone jumping about, great crowd and a fantastic setlist with a few acoustic numbers thrown in at the end. Support from The Scottish Enlightenment and Foxface who are/were both cracking bands too.

Blur - Glastonbury 2009

Neil Young - Glastonbury 2009

The Flaming Lips - Glastonbury 2010

Radiohead (secret acoustic set) - Glastonbury 2010

Pixies - Edinburgh Meadowbank Stadium 2005

Idlewild were my Graduation Ball act and I was absolutely delighted! Right at the very front in Mono (Dundee University) and ended up having a couple of pints with them afterwards backstage - excellent blend of acoustic and energy (Modern Way of Letting Go was crazy in such a small space) and such genuinely nice guys.

I did not badly during my time as a student in terms of quality gigs at the University come to think of it - we had Biffy Clyro for my Fresher's band, Idlewild for Graduation and when my Wife graduated the year after me with her Masters, we had Newton Faulkner :greengrin

[Northernhibee]

Idlewild were my Graduation Ball act and I was absolutely delighted! Right at the very front in Mono (Dundee University) and ended up having a couple of pints with them afterwards backstage - excellent blend of acoustic and energy (Modern Way of Letting Go was crazy in such a small space) and such genuinely nice guys.

I did not badly during my time as a student in terms of quality gigs at the University come to think of it - we had Biffy Clyro for my Fresher's band, Idlewild for Graduation and when my Wife graduated the year after me with her Masters, we had Newton Faulkner :greengrin

I went to Abertay. We got a busker who faintly smelled of piss playing the kazoo.

[Steve-O]

Two of my most memorable (does that make them the best?) gigs were Queen at Ingliston (1992?) and Meatloaf in his prime at the playhouse about a year later.

Queen minus Freddy?

[alexhibs]

I'm aware the 'Upcoming Gigs?' thread is a good avenue for things we're looking forward to but I'm wondering what are the best gigs you've ever been to? Not just your favourite bands but the cleanliness of performance, crowd atmosphere etc.

I ask as once again, I find myself watching/listening to Biffy's performance from Reading last year on Youtube as I'm at work and recalling just how absolutely epic they were that night - them and the crowd.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuankIlVcdI

A toss up between that or Finch last year at Brixton Academy in London playing What It Is To Burn in full.
Oasis just before they hit the big time ( £5 a ticket ) at Newcastle Riverside, early nineties. Small venue but great atmosphere, it was bouncing until it all kicked off. Definitely Maybae songs played ( the best IMO ). QOTSA at Edinburgh Corn Exchange 2009. Back in my youth though there was Quo, Rush etc at Edinburgh Odeon. Aah the memories.

[Peevemor]

Queen minus Freddy?

With Freddy and in fact it wasn't 22 years ago but 32 - (1982).

http://www.queenconcerts.com/detail/live/580/queen-live-01-06-1982-ingliston-showground-edinburgh-uk.html

[Hiber-nation]

Nice. Did you ever see the ramones live?

Nah, nor the Pistols but I was at the Edinburgh leg of the inaugural punk tour back in 1976 at the Playhouse featuring the Slits, Subway Sect, Ultravox (all 3 bottled off, especially John Foxx of Ultravox!), the Buzzcocks (very good) the Jam (average although their time was yet to come), and the Clash (brilliant).

[Calvin]

Maximo Park at the Barrowlands, 5th December 2005. An unbelievable gig, and I was heartened a few years later to read Paul Smith saying that it was his favourite gig ever too.

Pulp at the Royal Albert Hall about two years ago was pretty special too.

Also a nod to Arctic Monkeys at 'The Exchange' on Grove Street, 19th December 2005. I think you'd struggle to see them for £8 these days.

[Godsahibby]

Beastie Boys SECC must have been about 96.

[Steve-O]

With Freddy and in fact it wasn't 22 years ago but 32 - (1982).

http://www.queenconcerts.com/detail/live/580/queen-live-01-06-1982-ingliston-showground-edinburgh-uk.html

Thought the dates must've been wrong given he died in 91!

[Nailsea Hibby]

The Clash Edinburgh Odeon November 1978.

Hard to put into words how good it was.

I still have my ticket stub for this cost £2-50.If you watch the rude boy movie, there is a scene where one of the guys i was at Trinity school with and a fellow hibby can be seen gaining entrance to the gig through one off the bog windows at the back , still see him at the games .

[Peevemor]

Thought the dates must've been wrong given he died in 91!

The problem is that my brain doesn't want to accept that events I remember from my formative years occurred 30-40 years ago.

[Mr White]

I still have my ticket stub for this cost £2-50.If you watch the rude boy movie, there is a scene where one of the guys i was at Trinity school with and a fellow hibby can be seen gaining entrance to the gig through one off the bog windows at the back , still see him at the games .

Was it after that gig that an incident occurred with the police that led to them recording I Fought The Law?

[hibby rae]

Was it after that gig that an incident occurred with the police that led to them recording I Fought The Law?

Might be the Glasgow Apollo gig you're thinking of. The story as I know it is,the bouncers were complete thugs beating a lot of the fans. In frustration Joe or Paul threw a bottle of lemonade onto the ground and they were both arrested.

[Mr White]

Might be the Glasgow Apollo gig you're thinking of. The story as I know it is,the bouncers were complete thugs beating a lot of the fans. In frustration Joe or Paul threw a bottle of lemonade onto the ground and they were both arrested.

:aok: wasn't sure if there was any truth to it at all tbh. Glasgae polis eh? :greengrin

[Darth Hibbie]

Been to some amazing gigs over the years.

Metallica at the Barrowlands in 96 must rank up there. They were on a massive world tour selling out stadiums and the Barrowlands was the only place they could get in Scotland. Remember going to the cathouse and when that finished at 3 in the morning wandering over the road to stand outside Virgin waiting on it opening to get tickets (the things you had to do before the internet, before I had it anyway). Seeing them up close and personal like that was a one off!

after that any gig by the Wildhearts is up there. AC/DC at the O2 in London and Kiss at the SECC were also brilliant cause they are bands I did not think I would get the chance to see.

[patch1875]

Guns n roses - mk bowl
faith no more - barras
ramones - barras

Nirvana - calton studios (not a really memorable gig but I was there!)

[Hiber-nation]

I still have my ticket stub for this cost £2-50.If you watch the rude boy movie, there is a scene where one of the guys i was at Trinity school with and a fellow hibby can be seen gaining entrance to the gig through one off the bog windows at the back , still see him at the games .

Aye? Great stuff! Never knew that.

[Steve-O]

The problem is that my brain doesn't want to accept that events I remember from my formative years occurred 30-40 years ago.

Starting to get to that sort of stage myself...nearly!

[Holmesdale Hibs]

Cypress Hill 1995 (Temples of Boom tour)
Sex Pistols 1995 (I wasn't born when they were at their peak so this is the next best thing)
The Music 2010 (I think, in the Roundhouse in Camden)

[Stonewall]

Dr Feelgood - Leith Town Hall 1976
Two Tone Tour (Specials, Madness and the Selector)
Rezillos Farewell Gig at the Odeon

[Steve-O]

Queens Of The Stone Age and Nine Inch Nails were pretty awesome tonight! NIN particularly...

[(((Fergus)))]

Banshees at the Elephant Fayre, Cornwall, in 1982, memorable for the trek getting there, the music of course, and the sight of several thousand urban mutants gatecrashing a hippy festival on an idyllic country estate. It was virtually the last concert before John McGeoch, my personal guitar hero, went off the rails, so a bittersweet memory.

An entirely sour memory was seeing Psychic TV (Genesis P. Orridge) somewhere on Sauchiehall Street, where a stagecrasher was allowed to remain on stage, remove all his clothes and then swing his hips back and forth in time with the music, his accoutrements slapping alternately against his belly and his bum. Having taken a young lady out for a romantic evening of entertainment, this rather ruined the ambience.

[Mr White]

a stagecrasher was allowed to remain on stage, remove all his clothes and then swing his hips back and forth in time with the music, his accoutrements slapping alternately against his belly and his bum. Having taken a young lady out for a romantic evening of entertainment, this rather ruined the ambience.

:faf:

[brian6-2]

Oasis - Maine Road

nowt will ever come close.

[Aldo]

Oasis - Maine Road nowt will ever come close.

Oasis at the Barrowlands.

[pacorosssco]

for me the below bit unsure of the years

Charlatans loch lomond, stole the show from oasis. played like as if it was their last gig. gave it everything
new order finsbury park 97 i think and again 2012 le bataclan paris
mgmt paradiso amsterdam 2011
killers t in the park. not a huge fan but they got the whole place going.
chemical brothers corn exchange 2004?
doves t in the park 2005 great set list and great band
stone roses amsterdam last year. ok but to finally see them live gave the whole gig a buzz
oasis loch lommond was a defining gig for the time
deacon blue t in the park cant remember the year. pleasantly surprised

not a band but paul oakenfold at wilkie house. just after trainspotting came out put born slippy on ill remember that feeling forever

[TRC]

Stereophonics 2010 titp pouges Glasgow can't remember the year was amazing. Stones 1999

[Glory Lurker]

for me the below bit unsure of the years

Charlatans loch lomond, stole the show from oasis. played like as if it was their last gig. gave it everything
oasis loch lommond was a defining gig for the time

1996. I was there on the Sunday, so no Charlatans unfortunately, but still one hell of a day.

Pixies at Meadowbank in 2005 is mentioned above. Quite a few complaints at the time about the sound, but we must have had a perfect position as it was great. And Idlewild and Teenage Fanclub supporting - class.

Not for any Hibs-related reasons, Proclaimers at Corn Exchange at the end of 2003 was brilliant. They could have sung "How Much Is That Doggy in the Window" and it would have sounded ace.

The Wedding Present at the Venue in 92 was amazing. I'd not been in to them when they started out and missed seeing them in that size of venue, so was delighted to get the chance.

[KingFranck]

Maximo Park at the Barrowlands, 5th December 2005. An unbelievable gig, and I was heartened a few years later to read Paul Smith saying that it was his favourite gig ever too.

Pulp at the Royal Albert Hall about two years ago was pretty special too.

Also a nod to Arctic Monkeys at 'The Exchange' on Grove Street, 19th December 2005. I think you'd struggle to see them for £8 these days.

That Arctic Monkeys gig was something else Calvin remember it well.

Own personal favourites were the reformed Skids (as much as possible obviously!) at the Alhambra Dunfermline and T in the Park
Stiff Little Fingers 1981 at the Odeon same day Scotland beat England at Wembley
The Stagger Rats at the Meadows Festival and 10:04s at the Picture House

[YehButNoBut]

There has been many but some that stick out are

2 Tone tour at Tiffanys early 80's
Bowie at the Empire early 70's
Springsteen Playhouse late 70's
Prodigy Tenerife 1998
Faithless Barrowlands 1999
Rammstein Madrid 2013

[Hiber-nation]

Mott The Hoople supported by Queen at the Caley in Lothian Road in 1973 is worth a mention....thought the balcony was going to collapse!

12251

[The Hibee Harp]

Oasis at Irvine Beach in 1995. My first gig and I don't think anyone had come close since. Incredible performance just before Morning Glory came out.

[The Hibee Harp]

for me the below bit unsure of the years

Charlatans loch lomond, stole the show from oasis. played like as if it was their last gig. gave it everything


I don't think the Charlatans played Loch Lomond, mate. I'm sure their first gig after Rob Collins died was Knebworth a week after Loch Lomond. Sure I read that in Tim Burgess book recently but could be wrong.

[pacorosssco]

I don't think the Charlatans played Loch Lomond, mate. I'm sure their first gig after Rob Collins died was Knebworth a week after Loch Lomond. Sure I read that in Tim Burgess book recently but could be wrong.

not sure if first gig checking with mate

[Billy Whizz]

I went to lots of great concerts in the 70's and 80's
10cc at Usher hall
Kate bush at Usher hall
Phil Collins and Thin Lizzy at the Odeon
Springsteen at the playhouse in 82/83, The River album tour, can still remember him opening up with the "Ties that Bind"
Rod Stewart at the Glasgow Appollo in the late 70's

[Frazerbob]

I don't think the Charlatans played Loch Lomond, mate. I'm sure their first gig after Rob Collins died was Knebworth a week after Loch Lomond. Sure I read that in Tim Burgess book recently but could be wrong.

They didn't. Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, Black Grape and Bootleg Beetles. OCS totally stole the show.

[The Hibee Harp]

They didn't. Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, Black Grape and Bootleg Beetles. OCS totally stole the show.

Were the Manic Street Preachers not there too? I am positive I saw them that day!

[Frazerbob]

Were the Manic Street Preachers not there too? I am positive I saw them that day!

Just did a search and it appears the Manics and Cast both played. IIRC there were two dates so maybe there were different supports each day.

[FitbaFolkKen]

Beastie Boys SECC must have been about 96.

Saw them in 99 with the jungle brothers supporting and a rotating stage. The atmosphere was a cut above any other concert I've been too. Amazing!

[cocopops1875]

Just did a search and it appears the Manics and Cast both played. IIRC there were two dates so maybe there were different supports each day.

Both days were different mate as you say, I was there both days, Heavy Stereo played too

[PeeJay]

Genesis - "Lamb Lies Down on Broadway Tour" back in the Usher Hall Edinburgh in 1975 was quite special - progrock fans only, I guess :rolleyes:
Pink Floyd - "The Wall" in Dortmund 1981
Any Springsteen show I've seen have all been special ... and McCartney has always been brilliant ...

[Loopz]

Orbital at the Ross bandstand Aug 1999. It was 5 days after my birthday, 14 days after my wedding and I had just returned from my honeymoon in NY. I have a video cassette of the gig as it was shown on T.V. What a night, at a gig with all my best friends only 15 mins walk from my flat. Happy days.

[blackpoolhibs]

Mott The Hoople supported by Queen at the Caley in Lothian Road in 1973 is worth a mention....thought the balcony was going to collapse!

12251

My first ever gig, it was superb. I then followed Queen closely after that and saw them at the Playhouse when they headlined maybe a year or two after and that was fantastic. I also saw them numerous times after and saw their last show at Knebworth, very good gig but i much prefer the smaller venues.

I remember seeing Slade at Leith town hall around 73-74 too, and for raw power, stage presence and sound i'd say that was the concert that has stuck in my mind the most and still does all these years later.

[Carheenlea]

Orbital at the Ross bandstand Aug 1999. It was 5 days after my birthday, 14 days after my wedding and I had just returned from my honeymoon in NY. I have a video cassette of the gig as it was shown on T.V. What a night, at a gig with all my best friends only 15 mins walk from my flat. Happy days.

I was at this with a mate and remember it fondly. A balmy summers evening, Richie Hawtin (then with a completely bald head) easing the crowd gently towards Orbital mode with minimal techno, and then a simply outstanding set from the Hartnell brothers. Their spotlight headpieces bobbing away rhythmically as the night slowly darkened, culminating in a joyous rendition of "Chime" that coincided with the fireworks going off up on the esplanade at the tattoo.
As you say, happy days.

[Mibbes Aye]

Orbital at the Ross bandstand Aug 1999. It was 5 days after my birthday, 14 days after my wedding and I had just returned from my honeymoon in NY. I have a video cassette of the gig as it was shown on T.V. What a night, at a gig with all my best friends only 15 mins walk from my flat. Happy days.

Quality :agree:

Outstanding evening and night, was it really fifteen years ago??? :greengrin

[.Sean.]

The Rifles. Any time. Criminally under-rated and they have a real rapport with their fans. Feels like they're 'my band', love them.

[hibbymick]

David Gray at the corn exchange
REM at Murrayfield
Springsteen at the 02 arena
Proclaimers/ corn exchange and glasgow.

[CallumLaidlaw]

Travis @ TITP 2013. In King tuts tent. Was outstanding.

Foo Fighters at SECC a few years back. Most intense gig I've been to.

Ashamed to admit - Robbie Williams at Murrayfield 2003. Great showman.

[marinello59]

Stranglers, City Halls Glasgow '77. The night Punk Rock got banned from Glasgow. :greengrin

[Sylar]

Travis @ TITP 2013. In King tuts tent. Was outstanding.

Foo Fighters at SECC a few years back. Most intense gig I've been to.

Ashamed to admit - Robbie Williams at Murrayfield 2003. Great showman.

Really??

I've seen the Foo's live 3 times and Dave Grohl has been awful every time. Has no vocal stamina at all.

[Ayrshire Hibee]

Marillion secc 85
Big country glasgow green 90
Slf barras 91
Goodbye mr mackenzie garage 95
Garbage princess st gardens 99
Manics secc 2002
Muse TITP 2004
British Sea Power QMU 2005
PIXIES Meadowbank 2005
SkidS dunfermline 2007
arcade fire secc 2010
& BSP the other 14 times ive seen them