The best concerts I ever went to......

[Beemer]

Saw Ultravox at Sweetwaters in 1981, that was a brilliant show. Also performing that year were INXS (before they were famous!) Mondo Rock (sunk without a trace, but pretty good at the time) and Icehouse (known then as Flowers I think).

Split Enz farewell tour show in Rotorua was fantastic, and I also caught them when they appeared with the NZ Symphony Orchestra (ENZSO) about eight or nine years ago in Upper Hutt.

And, I did enjoy the Hollies when they played in Hamilton about 20 years ago!

[MisterD]

Oh I love these threads...music tastes are such an insight into people's characters....

For me 1989 and 1990 were top gig years, at Uni in Newcastle upon Tyne with the utterly awsome Riverside venue so all these were in front of less that 500 people:

Faith no More (Real thing tour)
Smashing Pumpkins (Gish)
Pearl Jam (Alive)
New Model Army
PWEI and GBOA (Gaye Bikers on Acid if any of you crowd haven't come across them...also performed a "secret gig" as Lesbian Dope-heads on mopeds if memory serves)

The Mayfair weighed in with Nirvana and a stonking Hawkwind gig with fire-eaters and everything...it's a bloody marvel I ever got a degree.

[MisterD]

I totally bloody forgot about Glastonbury....how could I?
Robert Plant (saw some tearful old hippies at that one as the sun set over Glasto Tor)
Tom Jones!
Rolf Harris (Honky Tonk Woman with wobble-board)!

[Krayy]

...
Most Distorted Sound was Dylan / Petty & Heartbreakers at Mt Smart....

Wasn't that the one where Dylan came out stoned or drunk and fell of the stage?

[SPman]

Neil Finn doing some beatles numbers in front of the curtain, before a Split Enz concert at His Majesty's in ....76?. Shit he was good - 15 yr old and a guitar on a stool...bloody brilliant.

[Damon]

I've only been to a few

Pearl Jam
Metallica
Live
Garbage (supporting Alanis Morissette (sp?) who was shit)
A few different kiwi bands

but if there was only one band i could see it would be Pink Floyd, do they even tour anymore?

[chris]

Radiohead around 1990 before they became 'trendy' to listen to. Very dodgy club in Birmingham, and about 50 people had paid to see this new band.

Ultimate has to be the Pixies around the same time. Best. Concert. Ever.

[Matt Bleck]

SOULFLY, big day out 97, Max Cavelra friggin rocks

[spudchucka]

Split Enz in around 1985, INXS were the support group!

Edit: Actually it was more like 1980. I was just a young-un, about 14 at the time.

[MisterD]

but if there was only one band i could see it would be Pink Floyd, do they even tour anymore?

They buried their differences and got back together for the Live8 thing, DVD out just in time for Xmas....all except for Sid, who legend has it is one of the winos in Cambridge (England)

[Devil]

Definately Slayer in '95 at the AKL Town Hall. Divine Intervention Tour. Oh yes.
Opened with Raining Blood. I poo'd myself.

[What?]

Wasn't that the one where Dylan came out stoned or drunk and fell of the stage?

Don't recall any such antics. It was at the time when the world thought Mr Petty was getting it on with Stevie Nicks (who was there, but not on stage). Turned out she was actually with Mr Campbell.

[limbimtimwim]

Tool - Wellington, Chch, Wellington . The kings of 'ohhh.. that was complicated'
Bob (You know, *the* Bob) - Wellington. Fantastic backing band too.
The Mars Volta - Auckland. Amazing. This guy would swing the mike around his neck, let it swing down to his foot and kick it back up in the air, catch it and continue to scream. Another guy attacking an organ with his fists. What a show, fucking amazing.
Split Enz - Wellington, I was very very young but I'll never forget it
Tim and Neil Finn, just this year, good stuff.

Best live band ever however are Odessa, Wellington band. Awesome. Consistently amazing bursting with energy shows.

[Scorpygirl]

Best concerts for me were:

Simon and Garfunkel - 1983 - at Western Springs - Sounds of Silence and Bridge Over Troubled Waters were awesome.
Midnight Oil - Diesel and Dust Tour - 1989 - at the Big Top. Wow could Peter Garrett move.
U2 - Joshua Tree tour at Western Springs - One Tree Hill went off big time!!!
Jimmy Barnes at the Powerstation
Elton John and Billy Joel - 1997 - Ericcson Stadium. Stood on the chillibin cause I couldn't see.
When the Cats Away - go the ladies!!!!! They were awesome and got the crowd really involved.

Sorry a bit easy listening but that's me.

[Rhino]

Best live gigs,

Jimmy Barnes at The Power Station, Auckland (More balls than any 2000+ rocker)
The Eagles Hell Freezes Over Tour, Christchurch
Elton John & Billy Joel, Ericcson Stadium
Amazing Rhythm Aces, Town Hall, Christchurch (Byrd Burton is a brilliant guitarist)
When The Cats Away, Auckland. Annie Crummers rendition of "I Hope I Never" was outstanding.
Joe Cocker, Auckland (He has forgotten more than most musos will ever know.)