Blur at Glastonbury in 2009 should probably be amongst mine. And Eat Static at megadog in 93/4ish. First time combining techno with interesting things for the first time, after trying each separately and not being particularly impressed (well, not at that price). Suddenly, it all made sense.
Jane's Addiction at The Institute in Birmingham, 1990, supported by Tragic Roundabout Violent Femmes, can't remember where, about the same time Senser, Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton, 1994 If we're doing Festivals too, there are loads but I remember fucking loving Senser at Endorse-it in 2006 and Sicknote a few years ago at Boomtown
I've been ticked off about my earlier response to this thread. I apparently should have said Canned Heat was good but not as good as when my husband's band played at Ronnie Scott's.
Either Bob Dylan in Manchester in 2002, or one of a few storming Oysterband gigs I've been to, most recently them and June Tabor in Exeter Cathedral. It was ridiculously good.
ws that the Acid Daze gig? Probably the best I've seen them too, if so. Tho Pink Fairies, on the same day, ar probably the worst band I've ever seen. An utterly shambolic messy performance, combined with a really fucked up PA made it super shit.
Patti Smith at the Hackney Ocean - maybe 5 years ago - a mate had a mate in the backing band - so we went to the aftershow party - briefly spoke to Patti Smith - she was lovely
I can't choose between Tool at the Academy around 2000 and Mogwai at The Shephers Bush Empire about 99.
The Cure at the Crystal Palace Bowl 1991. Euphoric all the way through. Great gig but also, I was 17. I'd been to gigs but nothing that big or a band I loved so much. Funnily enough I now live about 300yards away. Scissor Sisters always give good "live" experience, but a secret gig at the forum was fairly special. Pulp are peerless live. Every single one of the several times I've seen them has been a sheer joy (even the last one at the radio city music hall in NYC, where I heads myself leave before Common People because I was horribly, uncontrollably drunk - the bits before the point of no return were magestic, though.).
So do I but 99% of the crowd were there to see Portishead and were getting impatient with Dando, the more they chucked stuff at him and booed, the shitter he was ( on purpose I am sure of it)
I was gonna mention that too Nirvana Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds Mudhoney Teenage Fanclub L7 (tampon incident) Beastie Boys
Probably a Yo La Tengo gig at The Great American Music Hall, San Francisco in 2000. One of Ira Kaplan's 20 minute guitar freak-outs made me weep with joy.
Ministry Rock City not sure when, but it must have been before the smoking ban as Al Jurgenson flicked a fag into the crowd which hit me in the face
Blur 1992 at Glastonbury was petty mental - knew nothing about them but Albarn was a force of nature, climbing right to the top of the lighting rig looking like he was going to fall at any moment, then jumping on the PA, knocking it over and breaking his ankle.
I would have been at that one too, but cant remever anything about it. Unless it was the one where my acid just stopped halfway through, and what had been a stunningly brilliant light show turned out to be one crappy lazer and some smoke.
I think a little more focus is needed in my choices. So: Most eagerly anticipated, seeing em in the flesh, blowing me away gigs. Pixies, Manchester GMEX 1991. Dinosaur Jr., Milan 2010. Sonic Youth, Mexico City 2007. Fugazi, Manchester Academy 1999. NoFx, Manchester Academy 1998. Wow! Didn't see that coming, surprise acts. Jejune, Manchester Star & Garter 1999ish The Rockingbirds, Buckley Tivoli, 1991 The Levellers, Cardiff Uni, 1992 Silverfish, Cardiff Uni 1993ish The Men They Couldn't Hang, Bridgend Festival 1995ish. Atmosphere and showmanship etc. James Brown The Hives, Mexico City 2007 The Cure, Mexico City 2004 Lee Scratch Perry Voodoo Glow Skulls, Manchester Academy, 1998. The Wurzels Steve Earle
Have to mention Drugstore for brilliant fairy lights and red wine presence. And, Joe Jackson just for the most professional live acts ever. Now I am going to start a new thread.
I'm not a Blur fan but I did go to see them with my sister and I surprised myself by enjoying it quite a lot. Not going to put it in my list of best gigs though.