Below
you'll find a routinely growing list of concerts. These signify the best, most
profound, crazy, unforgettable experiences I've had as it relates to seeing
live music. Countless hours have been spent traveling, listening, and doing god
knows what to makes all of these a reality. I've seen over two thousand bands,
and this eventual list of 100 means the most to me, and I hope you enjoy
reading.
100 CANNIBAL CORPSE
FEBRUARY 3, ENGINE ROOM, HOUSTON
Ever been to a show where some guy's arm gets ripped from the socket and said
guy refuses to leave. Well, I have and let me tell you it's f**king gnarly to
witness. This show at a disgustingly packed Houston club was memorable for
plenty of reasons, such as the three-hour, 30 song set by the death metal
pioneers and the wild experience I had getting to the show, but in the nearly
20 years since I witness that concert, I've never forgotten how much that crazy
asshole refused to leave. It's still one of the most aggressive shows I ever
went to, which is why it opens our countdown at number 100.
99 CONVERGE
NEW METAL & HARDCORE FEST, APRIL 2003, PALLADIUM, WORCHESTER
This one time, years ago, I ventured to the town of Worchester, Massachusetts
for the now defunct New England Metal & Hardcore Festival. Although many
memorable performances were seen, it was the homecoming of sorts set by hardcore
thrash legends Converge that remained in my brain for years to come. The blink
and you'll miss it 30-minute co-headlining set never let up as the opener
"Concubine" blurred the lines between chaos and celebration, with vocalist
Jacob Bannon taking the form of a beast as he prowled the stage, in all his
metal glory.
98 KANYE WEST
COACHELLA, APRIL 29, 2006, EMPIRE POOI FIELDS, INDIO
He wasn't even supposed to be there, but two days before, low and behold there
he was on the Main stage schedule, in between Common and Sigur Ros. He was late
by 20 minutes, raced through all the big hits from his first two blockbuster
records, and had the crowd eating from his palm for the duration. Everyone sang
along to all the obvious choices I wont list, mostly because if you're a fan you
know all the hits from his early records. It was a tremendous surprise, an
early statement of arrival from Mr. West and another perfect Coachella "I was
there moments," but we'll get there in time.
97 LIMP BIZKIT
FAMILY VALUES TOUR, OCTOBER 17, 1998, CAJUN DOME, LAFAYETTE
This might be laughable now, but there was a time when we all did laughable
things. For myself, especially in 1998, this kind of music set off so much
movement in my life that it stayed with me. Entering the stage from a giant,
extremely cool crashed UFO, the Jacksonville upstarts tore through an
energetically angry set full of eventual nu metal classics. "Faith" killed, as
did "Counterfeit," but overall, the set was defined by one the early badass
stage designs I had witnessed and it's played a role in my love for stupid
large stage shows that captivate.
96 MASSIVE ATTACK
COACHELLA, APRIL 30, EMPIRE POLO FIELD, INDIO
At the time I didn't really enjoy the set, but over the years my thoughts have
wavered. The show could've had a better slot, as being right before the first
Tool show in four years doesn't exactly translate well to the more intricate,
subdued at times set by the legendary British duo. Having said that,
technically speaking the show embraced the technology of the time as more of a
complement to the setlist, which with perfect set pieces like "Teardrop" only
added to the specialness of the evening. It was steady, perfectly paced, and a
festival set for the ages.
95 EAGLES OF DEATH METAL
COACHELLA, APRIL 29, 2006, EMPIRE POLO FIELD, INDIO
Even beyond the swagger of Jesse Highes, or the double drumming of Joshua Homme
and/or Samantha Maloney, the show at Coachella towards the end of the first day
was memorable because of the magnificent introduction speech from legendary actor
Danny DeVito. "Welcome the Motherf**king Eagles of Death Metal'' echoed across
the stage and the crowd as the California group roared their way through a 50-minute
set of hip shaking, flirtatious growls. Hughes is nothing if not sexually
charged, but the set was chalk full of the band's early hits, some of which
haven't aged as well as we'd hope. Either way, you know what you're getting
into with a EoDM show, and that night at Coachella, they didn't disappoint
94 PRIMUS
SAILING THE SEAS OF CHEESE TOUR, MARCH 2, 2004, STATE PALACE THEATER
I'm not even friends with the person I went to this show with (apparently me
not having enough time for them at my wedding was the last straw for this
person), but the show was one of the first times I went to a single band
concert. There was no opening act, with the band instead performing two sets of
various selections from their career, but the main attraction obviously was the
full album performance of Seas of Cheese, which was as quirky and
bizarre as you'd expect from Claypool and cohorts. The record itself is only
about 40 minutes, but the Seas set was well over an hour, culminating
with a 20-minute rendition of "Fish On," featuring about 15 pig mask clad bands
members.
93 THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN
SOUTHPORT 2016, NOVEMBER 7, 2016, SOUTHPORT HALL, NEW ORLEANS
Right on the eve of the night we as a nation would elect a literal sexual
predator whose orange glow makes the sun jealous, Dillinger Escape Plan made a
stop on their farewell tour to a little club nestled somewhere in uptown New
Orleans. All the songs fans wanted to hear were represented with the capacity
crowd jumping, thrashing, and generally being assaulted by the blinding
quickness of the music and the lights. It was the only time I saw them headline
their own show, but goodness was it intense and unforgettable. Even today, it
feels like never ending controlled chaos.
92 DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
BONNAROO, JUNE 15, 2008, MANCHESTER
The weekend had been long, and mostly annoying, but the music had been great.
Standing in that field Sunday evening, watching Gibbard and the rest of Death
Cab wind down the fest with the last pre headliner set, everything felt worth
it. The skies in Manchester at sunset can be otherworldly at moments, and that
backdrop served as a perfect complement to the band's mild mannered indie rock.
My then girlfriend and I left immediately following the set, embarking on a 10-year
trip home after just hours of sleep, but sometimes you sacrifice yourself to
keep the music going.
91 STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
VOODOO FEST, OCTOBER 28, 2000, CITY PARK NEW ORLEANS
As the encore began, a naked Scott Weiland, clothed only with an American Flag
around his nether regions, danced manically across the stage as "Dead &
Bloated" echoed over the crowd of thousands. The band, closing the then one day
Voodoo Fest, showed all the legendary status of one of the bigger alt rock acts
of the now extinct 1990s. For 90 minutes, they cranked out intense hard rock,
with Weiland especially worth watching as his snake-like movements provoked and
entertained the crowd. I remember going with my dad who remarked it to be one
of the best shows he had seen, even though he may have just been saying that to
make me feel better, although that was never really his style.
90 BLACK LIPS
SEPTEMBER 10, 2004, TIPITINAS, NEW ORLEANS
King Khan and the Shrines opened the show, and were extremely entertaining, but
the punk rock styling of the Black Lips was enough to make everyone forget
about the openers as the show progressed. I've seen the band four or so times
by now, but this show always stands out to me. Covered in sweat, hopping along
the dirty beer soaked floor of uptown Nola's Tipitinas, I felt like a teenager
again as I sang along to "O,Katrina," their most memorable song for my money.
89 NIRVANA
DECEMBER 3, 1993, UNO LAKEFRONT ARENA, NEW ORLEANS
For the record, some shows, no matter how technically bad they were, are able
to still be memorable. For obvious reasons, the band never toured again after
this trek, but just getting to see this monumental 90s band was enough to make
the memory worth it. The show wasn't great, with opening acts Shonen Knife
& the Breeders both putting on better shows with superior sound. For
Nirvana though, even though the band was clearly f**ked up and not focusing, it
was still memorable just because at moments the arena came alive for some big
known hits we all already know the names of. It's a sad reminder that sometimes
our idols are clearly human, full of sadness and personal turmoil, and that
even they have bad nights, weeks, months, or years.
88 RUSSIAN CIRCLES
FUN FUN FUN FEST, NOVEMBER 4, 2011, AUDITORIUM SHORES, AUSTIN
The heaviness; good lord, the heaviness! To say I was unprepared for my first
Russian Circles show is an understatement, but I left that set a huge fan of
the band, and that love continues even now. The three-piece band is never easy
listening, but they're so in sync and on the same page that they act as a
moving juggernaut of thick riffs, heavy rises and falls, and not a word said
throughout the entire set. For all metal fans, these guys continue to be one of
the most consistent bands around.
87 ANGEL OLSEN
NOVEMBER 5, 2019, CIVIC THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
As the house lights made the room big and bright, an ornately elegant but
spooky backdrop featuring stars hung quietly in the background, the evening
paused while we the audience waited. Eventually, the house lights dimmed to
allow the band to enter the evening. It went off flawlessly, with Olsen's voice
straining beautifully under the weight of emotion that surrounds the record.
I've seen plenty of shows, but her voice was something I wasn't prepared for.
So full of volume, depth, and exactly how she sounds on records, she allowed
the backing band, fully equipped with amazing musicians playing guitars, bass,
and classical string instruments to propel her own vocals to make something so
beautiful.
86 MADONNA
COACHELLA, APRIL 6, 2006, EMPIRE POLO FIELDS, INDIO
Typically I would never pay to see a Madonna show, but absolutely I'll see her
in the Dance Tent on the closing night of Coachella 2006. Playing just an hour
before Tool was to begin on the main stage, a pack of thousands migrated to get
a spot. The Queen of Pop arrived late, by about 20 minutes, but as soon as the
beat of "Hung Up '' started creeping into the packed Sahara Tent, it didn't
matter. It really was insane to be there at her first ever festival set. During
her four or five song set, she had the crowd easily dancing to her disco
infused pop. In the end, there's not much to actually say, other than, "Shit, I
saw Madonna one time."
85 DAVID BYRNE
SHAKY KNEES, MAY 4, 2018, CENTRAL PARK, ATLANTA
Definitely one of the strangest, but also thoroughly engaging of the entire
festival. With a veritable marching band behind him, Byrne dominated the crowd
and stage for the whole set, mixing in newer tracks and reworkings of classic
"Talking Heads" that everyone seemed to devour in joy. He's a true king of his
craft and the ability to pull in a crowd that seems to be flawlessly easy, it
was easily the most imaginative display, and a stark contrast to every other set
of the weekend. It may not have been this reviewer's best set, but I feel sorry
for you if you attended and happened to miss this show. No one does shows like
this, especially when it comes to the rock genre.
84 KING GIZZARD & the LIZARD WIZARD
JUNE 21, 2018, THE REPUBLIC, NEW ORLEANS
This being my second time catching the seven-piece band in little over a year, I
was oddly more pumped than I was the first time. But to be fair, it was a far
better concert than previously. With Stu at the helm, the band tore through a two-hour
set in the sweltering club. I remember my friends and I got way too drunk but
we couldn't have cared less. It's the type of show where fun is boundless and
you just lose yourself in the experience. King Gizzard is great in that way.
It's also a constantly changing show full of all sorts of different sounds, so it's
able to stay fresher than other bands.
83 KORN
ISSUES TOUR, FEBRUARY 21, 2000, NEW ORLEANS ARENA
My time with the nu metal titans has nearly completely come and gone, but I'll
never forget that day with two of my best high school friends. Staind opened,
we met them, and by 9 p.m. Korn was about the come on. Opening with "Falling
Away from Me" behind a giant circular tarp, the energy was high as the drape
fell, showcasing the asylum theme of the stage show, with gothic style
architecture and a circular stage taking up an immense amount of height and
space. I think back to how aggressively I would head bang and it makes me
dizzy, but 18 year old me was on top of the world, even though I had absolutely
no reason to be.
82 LYKKE LI
FUN FUN FUN FEST, NOVEMBER 5, 2011, AUDITORIUM SHORES, AUSTIN
I remember being with my friend, drinking all you can drink Tecate all day
because of "Pretty Important Person" passes and then bearing through a
hellacious sandstorm to see Swedish mistress Lykke Li perform the pre headliner
set on the second night of the fest. Banners hung from the back, swaying in the
erratic wind as her voice billowed out from the stage to a field of masked
fans, trying to avoid the sand filling the air. I've met people who didn't
enjoy this set, but as my headliner for the evening, it was everything you
could have hoped for. Ending the night with the lovelorn seductive songstress,
simple amazing.
81 SLIPKNOT
MARCH 25, 2005, UNO LAKEFRONT ARENA, NEW ORLEANS
By the time the Iowa 9 hit the UNO Lakefront Arena on that summer night, an
opener, Lamb of God & Shadows Fall had all rocked the crowd. It hadn't even
started, though in hindsight for two solid hours Corey Taylor, the Clown, Jim
Root and company filled the finale with every track you'd want to hear, ramps,
fire, lasers, rotating drum sets, and plenty of head banging. The crowd was
into it from the start, but with tracks like "Purity," "Surfacing," and "Left
Behind" filling in the needed anthems of the night, there was no stopping the
band as they tore through a 20-song set. It was one of the better metal package
tours I've ever attended, and for that reason Slipknot's set comes in at
81.
80
BLACK SABBATH
OZZFEST 2004, AUGUST 5, 2004, SMIRNOFF MUSIC CENTER, DALLAS
By 9:30 p.m., after 21 other bands and over 12 hours of heavy metal, the gods
descended on the Amphitheater for a 90-minute set of classics. There's too many
to name them all, but tracks like "Paranoid," "Children of the Grave," "Iron
Man," and "Snowblind" all sounded just as good as they had decades earlier,
with a few minor setbacks. Osbourne's voice wasn't quite its old self, and the
between song banter was hard to make out as English, but Ioomi especially
carried the show. Often, I lost myself just seeing Tony play the most difficult
classic metal around at his age, but blowing away virtually every other band
that had appeared that day.
79 DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE
APRIL 9, 2019, ORPHEUM THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
This might be the most recent on today's segments, but it left a very clear and
lasting impression. It's the type of show that makes you want to go back and
revisit all the songs you heard in the days and weeks after the show. That
night in New Orleans, the band was tight but also jovial, making several jokes
throughout the set. Highlights like the emotional "What Sarah Said" or the
always evolving love of "I Will Follow You in the Dark." But still, selections
like the more upbeat "Sound of Settling" or "Cath" gave the crowd the right
amount of pep when it required it. But of course, the epic conclusion of
"Transatlanticism" just served as the icing atop a delicious cake.
78 WEEZER
VOODOO 2010, OCTOBER 29, 2010, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
At this particular fest, the band played right before Muse on an opposite
stage, but while the band wasn't positioned to headline, they certainly seemed
to be while on stage. The set had all the characteristics of a great sing along
set, with frontman Rivers Cuomo even cloning into the crowd scaffolding during
a memorable moment while singing "Beverly Hills." Other tracks like "Hash Pipe"
"Island in The Sun," "Buddy Holly," and especially "Say It Ain't So" made the
show even more exciting, if not for the sheer noise and vocals being generated
by the crowd. It was nearly everything you want out of that type of set, which
is why it ends up on this list.
77 CAGE THE ELEPHANT
SHAKY KNEES, MAY 4, 2016, OLYMPIC PARK, ATLANTA
Cage the Elephant is the type of band that makes it easy to move your hips and
rock out even when tired, sweaty, or especially drunk. On second thought,
however, maybe it's just the mesmerizing movements of singer Matt Schultz, who
for 60 minutes on a May Friday in Atlanta sashayed about the main stage moving
quicker than any other person that weekend, all while developing a stunning set
with his musical cohorts. This was my second time seeing the band, and it was
by far the best I've seen by them so far.
76 MASTODON
HALLOWEEN NIGHT 2015, CIVIC THEATRE, NEW ORLEANS
Metal on Halloween should be the law, and this year was no exception. One of my
favorite metal bands of the last 10 plus years, Mastodon on Halloween Night in
NOLA was made even better by an epic showing from the Atlanta kings. For over
two hours, they pummeled the crowd with their intricate mix of metallic prog
rock, all while costumed and enjoying the reactions of the crowd. A must see
show wherever they play, it was made all the better by seeing this with my
sister and some awesome friends.
75 GRIZZLY BEAR
NOVEMBER 12, 2017, CIVIC THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
On a dreary night in 2017, the Civic hosted one of the most reliable
alternative bands of the last decade, and unsurprisingly the show was as top
notch as their discography. Picking from songs from their most recent Painted
Ruins, all the way back to classics like Two Weeks, Ed Droste,
Daniel Rossen, and company perfectly complemented the intimacy of the venue
with haunting theatrics and a stage visual show that showcased their
intricately wound rhythms. Highlights included new song "Morning Sound," and
the insane build up and winding road nature of what's maybe the band's best
song, "Sun In Your Eyes."
74 DJ SHADOW
BONNAROO 2007, JUNE 15, 2007, MANCHESTER
I remember being firmly out of my mind by the time Shadow began his set shortly
after 2 a.m., but I also remember his set capping up a brilliant night of
performances. With nothing but a computer, a table, and a decent sized screen,
Shadow blasted the raucous tent crowd well past the 4 a.m. mark with his
signature scratches and loops, often at the expense of an already tired
festival crowd. There's plenty of great electronic composers in the world, and
on the Friday night of Bonnaroo 07, DJ Shadow reminded all in attendance that
he needs to be a part of those "best of" conversations as they relate to
electronic music.
73 THE WAR ON DRUGS
SHAKY KNEES 2018, MAY 5, 2018, CENTRAL PARK, ATLANTA
Dealing with rain delays are always a frustrating thing, but with that slight
delay came a shimmeringly beautiful sky that perfectly complemented the band's
dense, authentic sound. It was my first time seeing them, and based on what I
saw, these guys will continue doing well for themselves. The sound was damn
near perfect on the main stage all weekend, save for Courtney Barnett's
unfortunate sound issues. And with that kind of power, TWOD was able to display
the kind of depth of craft they've become known for on their well-produced
records. Definitely a band I'm excited to see again, and certainly a band you
should see when you get the chance.
72 WASHED OUT
MAY 11, 2012, THE PARISH, NEW ORLEANS
The club was crowded, sweaty, and too cool for itself as the sounds of indie
dream pop darlings Washed Out cascaded over the darkly intimate surrounding of The
Parish. The show was only about an hour long, but the peaceful, tranquil
musical renderings of Ernest Greene, Jr. suited the space well. With selections
like "I Feel it All Around" and "Amor Fati," the crowd never lost its
willingness to sway and lose itself in the beauty of the music.
71 DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979
VOODOO MUSIC FEST 2014, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
The reunited duo took the stage to scattered applause early in the afternoon,
but all who showed up for the Main Stage set got exactly what they were hoping
for. Sebastian Granger and JFK hammered away with old selections and new ones,
but for me there are times where the music is irrelevant to the attitude and
energy of the band playing, which is what DFA1979 are so talented at. They may
just be two men, but they make more sound per capita better than most other
bands around.
70
SLEEP
JANUARY 23, 2018, CIVIC THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
When the chance came to be able to witness Matt Pike and his Sleep cohorts, it
seemed like a no brainer. It turned out to be just the right choice. Minutes
before the show, NASA messages were plugging away, but by the time the band
opened with their magnum opus "Dopesmoker," the crowd was fully exposed to the
power of the trio. For nearly two hours, they plugged away and it never ceased.
It was easily the heaviest show I saw that year and it lands at number 70 on my
Top 100 shows countdown.
69 GIRL TALK
BONNAROO 2009, JUNE 12, MANCHESTER
The easiest thing to forget about Greg Gillis is how much fun can actually be
had while listening to other people's music as he rearranges things to better
work in his format, which is the mash up for those unacquainted. This very late-night
set on the second night of Roo 2009 was insane from start to finish, with
hundreds of people filling the stage from pretty much the outset if memory
serves me right. Imagine being on a different plane, systematically speaking,
and loving every moment of the crammed, sweaty atmosphere of a 3 a.m. Girl Talk
party.
68 TV ON THE RADIO
REPUBLIC, SEPTEMBER 14, 2006, NEW ORLEANS
Ever not even known a show is happening until your friend calls you up and asks
you to go? That's the situation I found myself in during the band's ''Return to
Cookie Mountain'' tour. The Republic is a small club with a dance floor in
front of the stage, the area flanked by columns. It was still early on for the
band, and during that last summer dance fest, the band commanded the small
stage. Tracks like the closer "Staring at the Sun" helped keep the crowd
motivated to sing and dance along all the way to the conclusion, but others,
such as "Young Liars," "Dirtywhirl," and the anthemic "Wolf Like Me" made for a
show that pretty much anyone should be able to enjoy.
67 SYSTEM OF A DOWN
OZZFEST 2002, SEPTEMBER 8, SMIRNOFF MUSIC CENTRE, DALLAS
Scheduled in between Rob Zombie and Ozzy, still riding high off the massive hit
that is Toxicity, the Armenian-Los Angeles band dominated a packed house
at the Dallas amphitheater as the co headliner of the fest. With a huge stage
and an enormous screen taking up the back wall of curtains, they were able to
display excellent images to go with songs with "Forest," "War?" and of course
"Chop Suey." After a day of more than 20 other bands, they still stood out with
power and concentration.
66 DEFTONES
MAY 23, 2007, HOUSE OF BLUES, NEW ORLEANS
This show fell during an album (Saturday Night Wrist) that isn't widely
loved by fans of the Sacramento art metal group, but it was one of the stronger
performances from the band that I've seen with my own eyes. The setlist
featured rarely played tracks like "Back to School," and covers of "No Ordinary
Love" from Sade and the Cure's "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep," which is part
of why this show is such a standout, but I also remember the sheer heaviness
during moments like "Headup" and "Be Quiet and Drive." They're one of the
better live bands around, you just have to catch em on the right night for it
to be obvious.
65 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
BONNAROO 2013, JUNE 14, MANCHESTER
For my first wedding, I was lucky enough to go with one of my favorite people
to perhaps my favorite place on Earth, "the Farm" of Bonnaroo in Manchester,
Tennessee. Coming on at 2 a.m. to a glowing atmosphere, the art indie gods were
in rare form. For 90 minutes, the four elements of the group, Panda Bear,
Deakin, Geologist and Avey Tare, mesmerized the very inebriated crowd with
their brand of whimsical escapism. There were plenty of other things keeping me
in the joyous spirit, but that is the quintessential place for a wonderful
Animal Collective experience.
64 MUMFORD AND SONS
VOODOO MUSIC FEST 2018, OCTOBER 26, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
Mumford is a band that often gets a bad rap, but this hit after hit set that
drove into a field of thousands on the opening night of Voodoo was stiff, even
cynics couldn't deny. These guys know how to put on a rock show. Hits like "The
Wolf" soared while newcomers "Guiding Light" only set the stage for the rock
festival powerhouse that is "The Wolf." Sure it's somewhat cheesy at times, but
they believe it wholeheartedly and that enjoyment from the band sells it like
few can.
63 RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE
DECEMBER 11, 1999, UNO LAKEFRONT ARENA, NEW ORLEANS
"Hello, we are Rage Against the Machine from Los Angeles, California," welcomed
the crowd to a forthcoming 90-minute set from seminal protest rockers from
Cali, but that was just the tip of excitement for 17 year old me, who along
with my friend Miles rocked out for the duration of the show. Opening with
"Testify" and closing with "Killing in the Name" made for dramatic iron rings
and closings, but other songs, such as the bomb like opening of "Bulls on
Parade" made the show that much more enthralling.
62 EL-P
BONNAROO 2007, JUNE 15, MANCHESTER
Playing right before the aforementioned DJ Shadow show on the same day, El
reached into his assorted bag of tricks and delivered a pure hip hop show so
good it ended up being a major highlight of the weekend. "Tasmanian Pain
Coater" is an excellent opening choice, but aside from that we got a guest spot
from Aesop Rock as well, which just made the set that much more
memorable.
61 THE WEEKND
VOODOO MUSIC FEST 2016, OCTOBER 28, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
Going into my first the Weeknd show, I wasn't sure of what the spectacle would
bring, but it proved to be truly incredible. The stage set was a triangular
truss system that altered heights at the corner. It also featured fireworks and
more lights than most stars can get away with. Opening with "The Hills Have
Eyes" and never bringing down the tempo, he, accompanied by a full band,
crushed the crowd for slightly over an hour and brought plenty of joy to the
large crowd amassed before him. One of the best shows I've ever seen, and a
must see if you ever get the chance.
60
MINISTRY
FAREWELL TOUR 2008, APRIL 19, HOUSE OF BLUES, NEW ORLEANS
Without a doubt one of the most intensely loud concerts I've ever seen in my
life. It was 2008 and, supposedly, Alien Jourgensen was hanging up his boots. It's
worth noting the band has released at least three records since then, and toured
most years. Anyway, the set was well over two hours, with one bludgeon of a
song after another, it really was a test of endurance. The stage was lined with
strobe lights, video screens, and some cages thrown in, and it never went dark
once, but I'm proud to say I made it through, and my hearing was messed up for
only a few days. That's also never happened again, which is a good barometer
for how loud it actually was.
59 MUSE
VOODOO MUSIC FEST 2010, OCTOBER, 29 2010, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
I want you to recall a time when you FINALLY got to witness a band in a live
setting after trying for years. I ask this because that's exactly where I was
moments before Muse entered the stage at the opening night of that year's
Voodoo Fest. Surrounded by a variety of screens and more strobes and lights
than a EDM show, the English three piece opened with "Uprising," launching a
huge stage show that immediately got the crowd reacting. There was plenty of
other song along moments, but, wow, what a spectacle.
58 BON IVER
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FEST 2012, APRIL 27, FAIRGROUNDS, NEW ORLEANS
It was a sunny, traditionally hot and humid day typical of NOLA when Justin
Vernon and his Bon Iver compatriots took to the Gentilly stage to close out the
day. Taking songs from their first two records, moments like "Skinny Love" made
the crowd closer as they sang in unison, while others like the not as well
known "Calgary" and "Creature Fear" still managed to pull at the heart strings
for many in attendance. At the time, I was deeply in love with someone I'm not
with any longer, and I still remember the love and gratefulness of being able
to share something so wonderful with people I loved, even if time changes
all.
57 RUN THE JEWELS
JOY THEATER, OCTOBER 13, 2017, JOY THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
El-P and Killer Mike have, in just a few short years, skyrocketed from a club
band to an act that is prepared to start filling up high profile spots on major
festivals lineups, and it's with good reason. Just ask any person who's seen
them, especially if it happened on the current tour. When you successfully have
produced three albums that are all better than the previous one, you have a ton
of room to make every show hit as hard as possible, and RTJ doesn't miss those
moments. Crowd interaction and excitement was high, and from the moment Uncle
El and Mike launched into "Legend Has It," we all knew this would be a fun,
thrilling show. It's likely that they don't plan on going anywhere anytime
soon, so be sure to jump in for your chance to see the single best rap group of
the last 10 years.
56 CHVRCHES
BONNAROO 2O16, JUNE 10, MANCHESTER
Maybe they could've been given a later, in the dark start time, but even in the
sunny Tennessee sky, the trio made the crowd move to their trademark synth
rock. Pulling, at the time, from their first two records, the Glasgow natives
amped the crowd up as they awaited J.Cole and LCD Soundsystem. "Clearest Blue"
with guest Hayley Williams was amazing, and the in between song banter from
Lauren Mayberry was top notch. Their sound might be slightly more produced
compared to other recent synth rock groups, but it works better than all those
others, and they know how to keep a crowd going.
55 THE NATIONAL
BONNAROO 2013, JUNE 16, MANCHESTER
The National have been a band that I've slowly started to love more and more
over the last few years, and this time seeing them was well worth the wait.
They played everything I hoped for, and even had a special guest in the form of
Annie Clarke from St. Vincent. An excellent show, full of plenty of emotions,
and an excellent way to spend the last day of the festival. Being in that
crowd, on the tail end of a life affirming trip, seeing "Mr. November" chanting
in the crowd with thousands of others, it rarely gets better than that, and it
still makes me smile when I think about it.
54 HUM
FUN FUN FUN FEST 2011, NOVEMBER 6, 2011, AUDITORIUM SHORES, AUSTIN
It's safe to say that had I not traveled to see this one band that I likely
wouldn't have met my soulmate. You see, Hum has been a childhood favorite of
mine and, by happenstance, I happened to be introduced ever so briefly to a
woman I'd end up marrying years down the road. The show itself was wonderful
and tight, with the band seeming as though they had never stopped touring.
Tracks like colossal opener "Little Dipper" hit with all its post rock
magnificence, but fan favorites like "Stars" were the real highlights, with a
field of middle-aged white guys basking in the glory of the return of
Hum.
53 ARCADE FIRE
NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FEST 2011, MAY 6, FAIRGROUNDS, NEW ORLEANS
"Look at all these f**king hipsters" could be heard loud and clear as fans of
Arcade Fire made their way to the front of the curious Acura Stage for the
second Friday of Jazz Fest. Organizers took a chance on a band solidly in the
indie world, but the show made on impact on even the most die-hard Jazz Fest
fans with a set featuring upbeat anthems, themed interludes, a Cyndi Lauper
appearance, and enough Millennial rage to make everyone seem like a pampered
indie kid. It was my first time seeing them, and it didn't disappoint.
52 THE CURE
VOODOO FEST 2013, NOVEMBER 3, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
The man, the myth, the cat lady? Those were my first impressions as the Cure
began their festival closing set on a hot November day in New Orleans. It was
the first spot through town in over a decade, and the show more than made up
for it. The Cure isn't a band known for wasting time, so to cram in nearly 30
songs over two and half hours wasn't too difficult for the English goth
legends, but they still threw in gleeful surprises like the first ever
performance of "Burn" from The Crow soundtrack, not to mention other
staples like "Boys Don't Cry" and "Friday I'm in Love."
51 TOOL
COACHELLA 2006, SUNDAY APRIL 30, EMPIRE POLO FIELDS, INDIO
I had already witnessed maybe the best show I would ever see the day before
(more on that later), but more than anything this trip was about seeing the
dominant prog rock of Tool as they returned for their first show in five years.
Opening with "Stinkfist" after a slight delay, the quartet, made up of Keenan,
Jones, Carey, and Chancellor, proved the time away had been worth it with an
80-minute set mostly made up of classics that made it easy for the crowd to
sing along to. The crowd was insane and very large for this reunion of sorts,
but for those moments on stage, they were the main attraction to all who
gathered at the main stage for a legendary headlining appearance.
50
PEELANDER Z
March 28, 2019, ONE EYED JACKS, NEW ORLEANS
Just to get this outta the way, this band of wild space ninjas is less of a
concert and more of an experience. I've seen them now twice, once at a festival
and this set, and honestly both times have been top notch and fun filled from
the beginning all the way to the end. The band's English isn't amazing, but it
really could be amazing in any language. It might also be intentional on the
part of the band, as they've resided in Austin for many years. Go see them. You'll
get to play games, chant ridiculous names like "Mike," get shot with tacos, or
any other number of crazy things. They make everyone part of their little world
for a bit, and no one leaves unhappy or not smiling. For thrill seekers
only.
49 IGGY AND THE STOOGES
VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE 2003, NOVEMBER 1, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
At the time, I hadn't really explored much of the early punk rock days, but
obviously going in, especially after the Coachella appearance, I knew it was
important to see them. Iggy Pop hadn't really been absent from the industry
much in his career, so he was way more known to me than the Asheton brothers
were. Either way, they played in between Staind and Marilyn Manson and, in
hindsight, they blew them each away. It was 60 minutes of raw nasty punk, with
the trademark shirtless Pop bouncing around the stage like a maniac,
48 THE NATIONAL
SHAKY KNEES 2018, MAY 6, CENTRAL PARK, ATLANTA
I've seen them four times now, and this was by far the best. The closing band
of the fest, it was a departure from the bombast of the previous night, yet the
members of the band truly showed that they can be viable a headline for a
festival. The brothers Dessner and Devendorf, and singer Matt Berninger, all
delivered their best. And with humble moments like "Fake Empire," not to
mention the closing beautiful two song combo of "Terrible Love" and the
haunting "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks," made for a truly moving end to a night and
a weekend
47 ANIMAL COLLECTIVE
MARCH 17, 2018, MUSIC BOX, NEW ORLEANS
At times the music was vivid and engaging, while other times it was the type of
atmospheric energy and whirlwind that you wouldn't be surprised would be coming
from the trio. Certain movements could have passed for traditional tracks you'd
find on one of their albums, with harmonizing and hard-to-miss melodies, while
others were anything but that. All in all, it was certainly a moment to cherish
and remember fondly. I mean, it's not every day you get to see a pretty well-known
alternative band play things and produce arrangements that no one outside of
the music box will likely ever hear.
46 REFUSED
FREE PRESS SUMMER FEST, JUNE 5, 2016, NRG STADIUM PARKING LOT, HOUSTON
Literally the only band I was super excited to see at this middle of the road
fest. Like many, I had fallen in love with their seminal release "The Shape of
Punk to Come," but once you see the band present those songs live, a whole new
element emerges. Infused with the spirit of punk, the Swedish group delivered a
shockingly tight show despite the less than enormous crowd. Truly one of the
last unicorns in the world of music, and boy am I happy to have seen them.
45 SOUNDGARDEN
AUGUST 16, 2014, WOODLANDS, HOUSTON
When this tour was first announced, I really couldn't believe it. The whole
show and production were so good, but I walked away surprised. On that day, my
favorite band wasn't my favorite band of the day. Soundgarden was just so
overwhelmingly loud and intense, you almost couldn't escape it. Cornell, Thayil,
Cameron and Shepard were the co headliner, so they started during the early
dusk, then soaring gradually for 75 minutes until they concluded with "Black
Hole Sun" and "Beyond the Wheel," shrouded in a wall of sound unlike anything I
had seen, in an amphitheater no less.
44 GREEN DAY
VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE 2004, OCTOBER 16, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
It was the first time I had ever been to a show with one of my sisters, and it
was all damn day. She had long met up with friends, but around 8 p.m. Green Day
came on, instantly launching "American Idiot" and then "Jesus of Suburbia,"
before then filling the next hour with every hit you could imagine. Green Day
ruled the stage with brilliant crowd interaction, chants, people being pulled
from the crowd to play guitar, and I'm sure plenty I've forgotten. It was a
solid crowd pleasing set right before closers Beastie Boys, it ended up being
the highlight of mine and my friends' entire day.
43 RUN THE JEWELS
OCTOBER 4, 2015, REPUBLIC, NEW ORLEANS
Sauntering onto the stage to the chorus of Queen's "We Are the Champions," the
duo dove headfirst into the set. With a pretty even mix of songs from both
records, they nailed it nearly every way they could. Opening proper with "Run
the Jewels," the energy only went up as they knocked out "Oh My Darling Don't
Cry" and "Banana Clipper'' within the first 15 minutes. Also worth noting that
a good friend in North Carolina saw them a while back and said that Killer Mike
was pretty uninterested, or seemed so at his show, but on this night he was all
over the place, rocking hard and clearly having a blast. They both were in
fact.
42 DEERHUNTER
NOVEMBER 8, 2010, HOUSE OF BLUES, NEW ORLEANS
I had missed them three times before, and I absolutely couldn't wait. By the
time they began, the club was packed. I had heard from others they didn't enjoy
it, but I never really got it. Sure it may have been hype for me, but I still
really thought they sounded great. Each time I've seen them since, it's gotten
more and more strange, but the "Halcyon Digest" tour was probably the best
incarnation of the band, with a perfect blend of weird with brilliant
alternatives soundscapes and indie songwriting.
41 TOOL
SEPTEMBER 11, 2006, WOODLANDS, HOUSTON
The big surprise for me initially was the all-white stage and white gear. It
was unusual, but as the white turned into a huge screen stage, it was obvious
Tool had managed to surprise with an elaborate stage set yet again. This wasn't
the best show the band has played, Keenan was very sick and did his best, but
that's sorta why I enjoyed it so much. He wasn't able to get the range he
typically could, but hearing segments of songs with just instrumentals was a
refreshing change. Of course the crowd helped on songs like "Schism," "Aenima,"
or "Stinkfist," but it was still a very well done show. They were on stage for
just about two hours, with "Right in Two" wending the set as Keenan began
treatment for an extremely bad infection.
40 THE SHINS
SHAKY KNEES 2017, MAY 14, CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK, ATLANTA
The James Mercer led Shins from the PNW were the second to last band on the
final day, and so for my only time seeing them, I couldn't have hoped for more.
They mixed the setlist among nearly all their records into the hour set, and
plenty of smiles were shared when "New Slang," "Australia," and all the other
jolly sounding anthems from the indie heroes were played. Also, Mercer is so
kind hearted on stage while also being to the point, which is refreshing in a
genre known for being holier than thou. The day was pretty hot, and we were all
tired, but being with some of your favorite people definitely helps set the
mood.
39 A PERFECT CIRCLE
VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE 2003, NOVEMBER 2, CITY PARK NEW ORLEANSA
Playing directly after that QOTSA set we discussed, it was a flurry of mood
lights and dramatic opening when Howerdel, Iha, Keenan, Freese, and the others
took the stage right before the headliners, White Stripes. Opening with
"Vanishing" and shrouded behind a silk screen on a high platform, Keenan's
voice hovered over the crowd as the band, just as shrouded, created tons of
atmosphere and gloom during their 75-minute set. They didn't disappoint, with
Keenan in a jokey, talkative mood.
38 YEAH YEAH YEAHS
COACHELLA 2006, APRIL 30, EMPIRE POLO FIELDS, INDIO
I've still only seen the NYC art rock legends twice, but even so, both were
full of the type of energy you would expect, especially this first one. During
the last day, the YYY's had the daunting task of playing directly before
Massive Attack and Tool, both of whom we've already discussed. Karen O is a
different creature while on stage, which guitarist Zimmer being the always
cool, calm, black dressed man. Then you have Britain on drums, who never stops
smiling the entire time he plays. It's refreshing to see from such a serious
genre as indie rock, which is probably why it's stayed so fresh in my head all
these years. Dancing to "Y Control" and belting the chorus "Maps" under a pink
mountain backed sky certainly help as well.
37 FLORENCE + THE MACHINE
VOODOO 2010, SATURDAY OCTOBER 30, 2010
The winds had picked up in City Park as the sun began to hide in the far east. And
with a flair of dramatic whimsy, Florence entered from stage right and before
you could prepare, the openings of "Howl" started the show in anthemic fashion.
Florence and her backing band were supporting the still growing popularity of Lungs,
which by this time had hits like "Dog Days are Over" and "Cosmic Love" to help
sway the audience in gothic-tinged indie rock with an unmistakable strong
voice.
36 PUP
MAY 11, 2019, ONE EYED JACKS, NEW ORLEANS
Every now and then, you're surprised by a performance and your life shifts.
That's what occurred when I witnessed the marvelous Canadian pop punk with a
thrash twist PUP, who were playing in support of their excellent Morbid
Stuff record from earlier this year. It was a punk show for all intents and
purposes, with the band playing for less than an hour, but the raw intensity
from the opening moments of "Free at Last" to the closing moments of chaos
provided by "DVP," the show was everything you would want from a band on the rise.
Many of the other songs played seemed to inspire a kind of jubilant
disobedience that only this kind of band can conjure. The title track to the
new album was amazing, while "If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will," reached
out and grabbed the audience so fiercely you could barely hear the vocals, but
those moments are the ones that stay with you the most.
35 JAPANDROIDS
BONNAROO 2013, JUNE 13, MANCHESTER
The nights tend to get pretty cold, and of course I had forgotten that.
Freezing my ass off, but wanting to get a good spot for the Japandroids, we
made the quick decision to run back to camp and allow me to change. We had
about 30 minutes, but somehow we made it there and back and made our way to the
Japandroids. To say they were good would be an understatement. My partner for
the fest had seen them before and insisted it would be awesome. The crowd
energy was also extremely high. Due to this, we went from being outside the
tent when they began to getting within about 50 feet of the stage by the fourth
song of the set. For two guys, they murder a crowd. The music is a little more
frantic than on albums, but it works perfectly.
34 BECK
SEPTEMBER 15, 2016, SAENGER THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
For years and years, I had tried to see Beck Hansen to no avail. One show sold
out instantly, and the next chance at Jazz Fest was rained out to do a hardcore
storm. Finally though, the time came to see Beck deliver his eclectic brand of
alternative rock. To say it was great show would be an understatement. The
gentle nature Hansen brings to his art shone bright, and hit after hit had the
capacity crowd dancing and singing along.
33 QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
APRIL 27, 2018, SAENGER THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
Shows featuring my favorite bands are always a hard thing to judge, but when a
band is this good, it's hard to deny its enjoyment. Playing NOLA about eight
days before their Shaky Knees show, Homme, Jon Theodore, Dean, Troy, and Mikey
prove why they continue to be one of the best rock bands on Earth. Sticking
around on stage for two and a half hours also ensured that the sold-out crowd
was left with nothing left to beg for. Taking tracks from all of their eight
studio albums, the band poured through a magnetic set that you couldn't turn
away from. I've seen them several times now, but this was by far the best, deep
cut heavy set I've ever seen the band play. When you get delivered rare tracks
like "Lost Art of Keeping a Secret" and the raucous newer track "Head like a
Haunted House," it's hard to walk away unsatisfied.
32 TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS
BONNAROO 2013, JUNE 16, MANCHESTER
It was the final night of maybe my favorite festival, and we were seeing Petty
and his Heartbreakers absolutely kill it for over two hours. Everything you'd
want to hear was played, with Petty regaling the dwindling but still big
closing set crowd. It was my first time getting to see the band and its creator
live, and sadly it would be the last. Either way, legends fade, but being a
crowd that size surrounded by voices is something most things don't compare to.
I mean, can you really beat 60,000 attendees singing "Free Fallin'" or "Last
Dance with Mary Jane?"
31 THE CURE
VOODOO 2013, NOVEMBER 2, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
Meant to be the first show of the tour until a date the previous day was added,
the Cure killed the audience for well over three hours. The way they can manage
to play for ages and not lose a step is both admirable and intimidating, even
to fans like me. Sure, I love the Cure, but damn, three hours is a long ass
time to watch a band. That being said, the song selection, vastly different
from the previous night's show, is a testament to not only how much this band
loves to play shows, but also just how many songs they have in their moody,
dark environment.
30 BEASTIE BOYS
BONNAROO 2009, JUNE 14, MANCHESTER
Shit, what can you possibly say about the final Beastie Boys show ever that
will work in this amount of time? It was only my second time seeing them, but
again the gravity of the situation changes drastically when you know what after
surrounding this show. MCA passed away, but the show itself was flawless, with
an enormous crowd singing along to virtually every majorly known song.
"Intergalactic" was insane, "So What'Cha Want'' was filled with the type of
snotty taunting the band is perfect at. But then you get moments like the
closer "Sabotage" bringing it all to a head. It's incredible that I was even
able to be there, but again, what a way to go out, even with no one
knowing.
29 QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE
VOODOO MUSIC EXPERIENCE 2003, NOVEMBER 2, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
This was the first time I had really lost myself at a festival, but with Queens
of the Stone Age providing the atmosphere, it was quite the ride. Supporting
"Songs for the Deaf," the set was highlighted by thick guitar rock, blazing as
the sun went down during the Halloween season in New Orleans. They played for
an hour, mostly supporting the recent record, but it was exactly what I hoped
it would be. Surrounded by a ton of friends and anything we wanted, it ended up
being one of the better days I ever had at that festival.
28 FLAMING LIPS
BONNAROO 2007, JUNE 16, MANCHESTER
It had been a looooong, chemically charged day, but by the time Wayne Coymne
and his cohorts took the stage at 12:30 a.m., none of that seemed to matter.
With over two hours to play, the trio found their groove and rode the wave from
early on. The crowd loved it. Coyne talked about the history of this flute he
had for what seemed like a long time. They opened with a soundcheck of "War
Pigs'' before Coyne reentered the stage via the bubble we've all now grown
accustomed to. Then, of course, "Do You Realize" elevated the dense crowd at
the Which Stage before sending everyone off to something else. Our night had
just begun.
27 TAME IMPALA
BONNAROO 2016, JUNE 10, MANCHESTER
Much like the times before when I'd seen them, Kevin Parker and company rocked
the late night set in true fashion. Sure they didn't play their entire
scheduled time, but no one in attendance seemed to mind during moments when Tame
clearly had control of the massive crowd at the Which Stage. Hearing songs like
"Elephant" and "Feels Like We're Going Backwards" made the crowd rock and swoon
in ways few psychedelic rock bands can manage. It was late during the Currents
tour, and the band had refined it so well that it was basically seamless. Even
at 90 minutes, Parker and company more than entertained.
26 & 25 NINE INCH NAILS
NOVEMBER 23 & 25 SAENGER THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
Only two out of three shows were able to be seen, but with Reznor and his
cohorts, the shows are almost never dull or uninspired. Because both shows were
so different and great though, I've combined them into one jumble. Both shows
delivered plenty of tracks that aren't in the normal rotation, but standouts
like night one's "All the Love in the World," "And All That Could Have Been," and
the in your face "Last" from day three all helped to showcase that these middle
age men can still blow away the younger bands in terms of sheer intensity. It's
not every day you get to see Reznor, Ross, Fink, Cortini, and Rubin mix it up
in an intimate venue, which makes it even more awesome and memorable.
24 GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR
AUGUST 13, 2013, TIPITINAS, NEW ORLEANS
This was the second time my friend had passed out and fainted at a show because
of dehydration, but boy it was still a very immersive, thought provoking show,
leaving my mind racing for weeks while I was knee deep in stress. Any who, the
show was packed and the band, nearly unseen during the set, got to work. Most
newer songs like "Asunder, Sweet" and "Lambs Breathe" featured well with
radiant opener "Hope Drone" along with classics like "Moya." Truly an
inspirational show that met nearly all expectations.
23 SIGUR ROS
BONNAROO 2008, JUNE 14, MANCHESTER
I've been lucky enough to see this band four times, and while all of the sets
were enchanting and wonderful, this one still takes the cake. When I saw them
at Bonnaroo 2008, it was easily the best set of the weekend. It was day three
of the festival, at 1:30 a.m., and the slow burn of "Svefn-g-englar" was
how they welcomed us into their little world for the next two hours. The songs
wind and roll with ease off each other. Trees on both sides covered the crowd,
and everyone was paused in a moment of serene beauty. It was really magical to
get to share in that moment with that unique festival crowd, and I'm glad I got
to.
22 LAMB OF GOD
NEW ENGLAND METAL & HARECORE FEST, APRIL 2003, THE PALLADIUM, WORCESTER
This was the first time I had ever heard of the "Wall of Death." The whole 30-minute
early evening set was frantic and brutal, with about seven songs being rattled
off in that time. At the end, frontman Randy Blythe had the crowd split in two
and instructed us to rush each other at the so called "break down of the track."
The drums of Adler on "Black Label" were elevating the crowd to a frenzy, and
with it, all madness and hell broke loose. It definitely made an impression on
the crowd, as the band overshadowed other acts like Meshuggah and Superjoint
Ritual.
21 DAN DEACON
OCTOBER 7, 2009, THE BIG TOP, NEW ORLEANS
I've seen this electric genius at least seven or eight times now. All of those
have varied in content, crowd centric play alongs, and various other fun games,
but what makes this one so memorable is the human tunnel. This bar was
essentially an art gallery, one enormous room that could fit about 300 with
difficulty. Anyway, who knows the amount who were actually there, but during
the "Wham City" portion of the show, all 300 created a tunnel, binding hands as
we all ran through, making it larger and longer, until we all managed to get
back in to celebrate our accomplishments. Also, for the record, Deacon is an
amazing man and entertainer, and he went through the tunnel with the rest of
us!
20 JEFF MANGUM
JANUARY 21, 2013, ONE EYED JACKS, NEW ORLEANS
One of the unicorns on this list, I went with my good friend Chad, who I've
likely mentioned during this. The place was packed, it's not huge to begin
with, but with silent approval, Mangum, formerly of Neutral Milk Hotel, gently
brought the crowd to its knees with an all-acoustic set of mostly NMH tracks.
Really just a very introspective show with plenty of sing alongs among the
crowd, who eagerly had awaited this show for years, thinking it would never
happen.
19 PHOENIX
SHAKY KNEES 2017, MAY 14, CENTENNIAL OLYMPIC PARK, ATLANTA
During the final night of this amazing festival, something happened that has
never happened during my two years of attending: a band was late. The sad part
was that it was Phoenix, who were scheduled to close out the three-day
festival. While this was lame and an unhappy conclusion to a well-organized
festival, once the foursome from Paris presented themselves on stage, all of
that frustration was quickly forgotten. They delivered exactly what you'd
expect on all fronts. A huge mirror positioned behind the band was able to make
lights seem as though they had multiplied, and songs like "1901," the eye-opening
transition of "Love like a Sunset," and the powerful in your face energy of
"Entertainment" all crushed the tired yet excited crowd in the middle of
downtown Atlanta. It was the best show of the entire three-day weekend, and for
that, it shows up at number three on the year end best shows list.
18
RADIOHEAD
KING OF LIMBS TOUR, MARCH 3, 2012, TOYOTA CENTER, HOUSTON
The venue didn't really have a Radiohead art rock vibe, but once the lights
went down, no one seemed to mind. The album supporting the tour, King of
Limbs, wasn't their best reviewed album, but with an over two-hour set and
more than a few albums before it, Yorke, the Greenwoods brothers, and the
others delivered a show as consistently good as any other live act. Each night
is different, with songs being removed and added and changed around each date. Each
show felt like a unique moment, because it's the only time that setlist will
ever be heard, which is more you can say for many other bands.
17 NEUTRAL MILK HOTEL
FEBRUARY 21, 2014, CIVIC THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
I remember Charlie Day and his lady and friends walking past us to the balcony for
the set, and I remember the set starting with Mangum coming out solo and
mesmerizing us, again. That opening "Two Headed Boy" was met eventually with
the other members of the band, but the tour happened and the big venues
happened because Mangum agreed, nothing else. Even so, you don't get to see too
many like these anymore, and like that, it stays in your memory of loving music
and sharing music with friends.
16 INCUBUS
JULY 1, 2002, UNO LAKEFRONT ARENA, NEW ORLEANS
This show was sold out for weeks and like three hours before more tickets got
released, and I got in and headed to the show. It was an arena show that
eclipsed nearly all expectations, with the band finding their way easily
through a solid hit packed two-and-a-half-hour set. "Vitamin" was introduced as
"someone on the street asked if we would play anything off S.C.I.E.N.C.E."
and rocked the house down. But for the many younger fans there, tracks like
"Wish You Were Here" and "Pardon Me" were the biggest moments. Still, closing
with a gorgeous, sensual "Aqueous Transmission" couldn't have ended the night
on a better, more peaceful note.
15 RADIOHEAD
APRIL 3, 2017, SMOOTHIE KING CENTER, NEW ORLEANS
A Radiohead show is always an insanely special thing, but on this night, seeing
the band for the fourth time was made even more excited by the woman and other
people I shared it with. Every note hit perfectly and precisely, just like it
does on every album the band has constructed in their history. From the
emotional release of "Fake Plastic Trees" to the upbeat, more dancey rendition
of "Burn the Witch," it was clear that Thom, Ed, Johnny, Colin, and Phil hadn't
lost any of their proficiency when it comes to staging concerts that will
inspire you to look deep in your own body and soul and to be just close enough
to five geniuses that even if it's only for two hours, all is right and
everything's in its rightful place.
14 ST.
VINCENT
FEBRUARY 19, 2018, CIVIC THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
Her placement on this list is a testament to how great this show was, seeing as
it happened in only the second month of 2018 and is still filling my brain with
excitement. She captivated the crowd with older tracks like "Actor out of
Work," "Cheerleader," and the mammoth "Digital Witness" for the first half of
the show, then set forth to spellbound the crowd with a full performance of Masseduction,
which actually topped my year end albums list in 2017. So many songs were
incredible, it's hard to pick one, but surrounded by friends dancing the night
away proves to be a memory that is still filling my brain. High concept for
sure, but her conquering of the alternative music scene is nearly complete.
It's also rare to see a 90-minute, one woman show captivate and deliver as well
as this did, but she's incredible, so it's to be expected.
13 TOOL
VOODOO 2001, OCT 27, CITY PARK, NEW ORLEANS
I went with three ladies I barely knew in hindsight, but it was an early
example of how a show can motivate and shape you. The album was Lateralus,
the crowd was massive (it was reported 80,000 were in attendance for the
performance), and the opening of "The Grudge" shook 19-year-old me to the core.
It was the coolest thing I ever saw, or at least I thought it was. They played
for two hours, Kennan didn't say a word, and the mythical Osseus Labyrint duo hung upside
down on stage, shaking rhythmically to songs like "Disposition," "Reflection,"
and "Triad." That was early in my Tool seeing days, but the energy that night
was as unforgettable as "Stinkfist" and "Pushit.
12 DEFTONES
CHAMPIONS SQUARE 2015, AUGUST 16, 2015, CHAMPIONS SQUARE, NEW ORLEANS
Having not seen them in over five years, there was plenty of reason to be
excited, and if you've seen them before, you know they don't disappoint live.
The show, which saw the band play before Incubus (which was a huge misstep in
my opinion), knocked it out of the park in terms of raw emotion and crowd
interaction, with the band spitting out nearly 20 tracks in their time on
stage. The highlight of the show, and the entire year, though was when
"Passenger" arrived at the same time as the rain did. Seeing that song live
while dancing in the downpour wasn't only the best moment of any of the
concerts I've seen, but also one of the best moments of my entire life.
11 BJORK
BONNAROO 2013, JUNE 15, MANCHESTER
To say this was a selling point would be a severe understatement. Bjork Is
known for being odd, sure, but she's always had a wide range of vocal skills,
as well as great collaborators to build structures of sound with. Her
performance on the third day, just before sundown stands as a testament to her
adaptability. Entering the stage with female dancers, one synth player, and
wearing a glass sickle helmet of sorts that covered her whole head (it's hard
to explain; just look it up), she powered through a solid 90-minute set, which
is basically a normal headline set for her. Tracks like "Pagan Poetry'' made
the audience alive, while big surprises like "Bachelorette" made this fan's
life as she hadn't played the track in years. She wasn't the closing act that
day on the main What Stage, but there was nothing better that day to see.
10 JAY-Z & KANYE WEST
DECEMBER 3 2011, NEW ORLEANS ARENA, NEW ORLEANS
What happens when the two biggest hip hop stars of the last 20 years get
together to make an album? Well, not surprisingly, they end up producing not
only a massive album but also massively popular tour supporting it. It's been nearly
a decade and people still hope they come back, but we'll see. The record is a
tutorial on how to do mainstream hip hop correctly, with the beats by West
doing as much damage as the rapping over the notes. "Otis" was showcased as a
party jam come to life, while the irresistible and decadent "N***as in Paris"
blew everything else away. Seeing them on this tour play "Paris" something like
12 times in a row never got old, even if it should've. It also helps when all
the rest of the selected tracks are also bigger hits capable of making
everybody dance and sing along.
9 DAFT PUNK
JULY 31, 2007, RED ROCKS, MORRISON
I've since moved to Colorado and have hiked there, but upon seeing the red
rocks of the natural amphitheater, you realize how unique and special the
amphitheater is. Better yet, add about 20,000 fans to a show that had been
hailed widely as the best stage show ever at maybe the most beautiful venue
ever. I went with my sister, mother, and then girlfriend, drank all day and
danced all night, and we all left having felt much closer and as if we'd really
gotten to see something radical and different.
8 TOOL
BONNAROO 2007, JUNE 15, MANCHESTER
Towards the end of their Friday night headlining set, while the band is
hammering through in my opinion their best song "Lateralus," a guest emerges
onto stage. The guest? None other than Rage guitarist Tom Morello. His
contribution in the form of a nearly 5-minute battle with Adam Jones and Danny
Carey was epic to say the least, and has since become one the single coolest
moments in the band's history. About an hour and a half earlier, the band had
kicked off with massive screens of fire to the tune of "Jambi" and delivered
plenty of other theatrical effects and lasers galore during an illuminating
night time set.
7 NINE INCH NAILS
MAY 20, 2000, NEW ORLEANS ARENA, NEW ORLEANS
This is probably what I would consider my first really big show. I got off of
school early, went to New Orleans, and got to start my weekend early seeing my
favorite band for the very first time. I got five feet from stage and didn't
move or pee for two hours before, all while my dad likely hung back and had
some beers. Also, I got kicked in the face as soon as "Terrible Lie" started. That
rush was real and I had been to shows before. Man, that production and the
manner in which the show was presented was phenomenal.
6 RADIOHEAD
LOLLAPALOOZA 2008, AUGUST 1, GRANT PARK, CHICAGO
Myself, a close friend, and two others ventured 18 hours on the road, went
straight to the fest, and waited for about eight hours for the band known as
Radiohead to embark on their two-hour set. In short, the Chicago skyline over
the 100k plus crowd, mixed with the band absolutely killing, couldn't have been
better. In a not so short way, many sections of the set were brilliant, but
maybe the best was "Fake Plastic Trees." During the slower part of the song,
unbeknownst to the crowd, fireworks start going off. We later find out that
it's from the Cubs game nearby. Either way, as the song builds up to the final
explosion, the sky is enlightened and the entire crowd is singing along to one
of their best songs.
5 NINE INCH NAILS
BONNAROO 2009, JUNE 13, MANCHESTER
Essentially billed as the last show of the band, I purchased a Bonnaroo ticket
with only Reznor and company on my mind. As you've likely seen, plenty of other
amazing sets made this list form that fest, but the billing and the thought of
the end was what made my purchase happen. While it didn't end up being the last
show, it was the best show I've ever seen them deliver. Their longest set up to
that point, about 160 minutes, pushed the limits of what a great night set
could be. Punishing, beautifully lit and played, the band fit in better than
many had thought, and I walked away seeing 15 songs for the first time, even
though it was probably my 14th or 15th show.
4 KRAFTWERK 3D
SEPTEMBER 9, 2016, ORPHEUM THEATER, NEW ORLEANS
Wow, what a show. Not only in the sense that this was the German electronic
foursome's first ever New Orleans show, but it was in 3D as well! The show was
mind-altering in many ways, and firmly cemented their status as a band who can
deliver in the live format in spades. Some pictures are included in this piece,
and, while cool, it's not really done justice compared to the atmosphere at the
show. The Oo's and Ah's were ever present in the crowd, as the trippy visuals
accompanied every song. And while the band barely said a word to the crowd,
they really didn't have to. The music was more than enough and dropped on the
countdown at number four. I don't know how many more years this band will be
active, but do yourself a favor and check it out if you get the chance. Truly
breath-taking and a show unlike anything I've ever seen.
3 ROGER WATERS
JULY 3, 2017, AMERICAN AIRLINES CENTER, DALLAS
For years I'd been trying to see Waters. After all, his work with the other
members of seminal prog rock experimental band Pink Floyd still stands as some
of the best overall music of well, forever. Finally on a hot ass night in
Dallas in July, I got my chance, and what the sold-out crowd was exposed to
easily (in my opinion at least) stands as what is likely the best show I've
ever seen in my life, even surpassing McCartney and Daft Punk. While many of
the songs you'd expect to hear were presented, and enjoyed, for me it honestly
didn't matter. This was a unicorn that I was finally able to set my eyes on for
well over two hours. Each note poured perfection out into the arena, and the
massive stage show (complete with a set of screens that divided the audience in
two for a brief portion of the show) only added to the theatricality of the
evening. No opening act, minimal chatter with the crowd, and a very clear
anti-Trump section of the show only reinforced the idea that art of any kind
can be an act of resistance, and that Waters still has a lot to say about how
he views the world at large. A once in a lifetime experience, and one that I'll
be remembering for as long as I'll remember his rendition of "Time," "Wish You
Were Here," and countless other perfect songs that Waters helped to
create.
2 PAUL MCCARTNEY
BONNAROO 2013, JUNE 14, MANCHESTER
Seeing Sir Paul is maybe the best thing you will ever witness. For nearly three
hours, this 71-year-old pummeled the crowd with hit after hit. I mean nearly 30
songs that everyone knew all the words to. Way too many to name here, but have
a gander at the setlist for this if you wanna be floored. Each sounded better
than they should, and no one was unhappy while he was on stage. Near the end of
the show, things are cranked up to 11, and the eventual finale starts with this
killer song known as "Live and Let Die" devastating a field of over 90,000
people, all the while more fireworks than I've ever seen cover every inch of
the sky above.
1 DAFT PUNK
COACHELLA 2006, APRIL 30, EMPIRE POLO FIELD, INDIO
I don't even know, after all these years, exactly why the show had the impact
it did. Sure, it was technologically impressive and something no one had ever
seen, but after all it was post disco dance music. Somehow though, it's the
musical moment that still most stands out as a "we were among gods'' moment. But
at its core, it's just two guys building something new and changing the world
of musical architecture as we knew it. The set was created solely for the one
night, with the band famously only agreeing to play if Coachella paid for the
pyramid design build. In the tent, it was immersive, with probably 30,000 fans
dancing, never stopping as the roughly 75 minutes of high intensity electronic
music captivated an audience like I had never seen. This was 2006, so I had
already seen a ton of bands, but never had I walked away from a set, at a
festival no less, with so many different voices screaming, "Holy Shit," or
"What the hell was that," or "That was the best thing I've seen in my f**king
life." To say it was memorable is to make it less than what it was. In that
moment, we could've danced forever. Like the Perks of the Wallflowers says, "In
that moment, I swear, we were infinity."
This article also appears on Landon Murray's blog, The Death of the Mix Tape.
