What’s the best concert
you’ve ever been to?
As I write this, I’m sitting in my office cubicle after work has ended, waiting for it to become time for me to cross the road to my city’s arena for tonight’s P!nk concert. I’ve been looking forward to it for months, since I’ve been a fan of hers all the way back to the “You Make Me Sick” days and have never previously had a chance to see her perform live. It doesn’t hurt that she has a reputation for putting on a show that rivals even the best in terms of energy and spectacle.
So there’s a very good chance that my answer to today’s question will have changed just a few hours after I’ve finished writing this, but right at this moment I’m thinking of an amazing concert held in the same venue.
The funny part is that the crowd I saw it with really didn’t seem to be into it as much as I was. Unlike today’s concert, which sold out in minutes, Edmonton appeared to not be that interested in having Prince come to town. The place was only 3/4s full and the energy in the crowd was desultory at best.
Yet, it ended up being the most amazing show I’ve seen because he was just that fucking good. I didn’t care that the audience didn’t seem to get it or cheer as loudly as he deserved–I was 100% in right from the first note to the last. Of course, I was pissed when the crowd stampeded out of their seats after the second encore, even though I had read he might have very well played for another 3 hours if we had proven worthy, but I couldn’t deny that I was lucky to have gotten what I did.
And I say this as someone who went more out of cultural obligation than genuine enthusiasm. Before that concert started I wasn’t really a fan. Sure, I knew all the songs, but growing up when I did it was literally impossible not to. But when I left I was a changed man–a paisley acolyte of his royal purpleness. I could almost describe it as a religious experience.
So, P!nk has a lot to live up to tonight, but I’m guessing that even if she doesn’t hit me as hard as Prince did, it’s still going to be hard enough for me to be singing to myself for the next full week.
There is something about being 14 years old and going out late with my BFF in the dead of winter…..we saw The Pretenders, with The Stray Cats as opening, at the Palladium in 1982….my friend was “roady-ing” and knew some backstage people, so we were able to wangle ourselves into the Palladium before the show started and hung out right by the front stage until the crowd let in….when the lights went dark, everyone lit up…(I did not inhale!)….The Stray Cats were like a teen girl’s dream come alive…. And we could see every sweaty rockabilly move up close….Chrissie Hynde… Read more »
I hate to pick just one but I really enjoyed a Guided By Voices show I went to at a tiny bar as well a Old 97’s one of their 15 year anniversary of Too Far to Care. There was also a Godspeed You! Black Emperor one in 2003 that also deserves recognition.
I have been lucky enough to see some real legends, from Joan Jett to Sonic Youth, The Pixies, Nirvana, The Breeders, Hole, The Sundays, Cowboy Junkies, Tori Amos, The Cure, Depeche Mode among them – so many that it’s hard to remember all the incredible major concerts I’ve seen, let alone the local shows. I’m going to try and remember the shows in which I lost my mind and danced and screamed like a maniac. In recent memory, Washed Out The Decemberists and Bat for Lashes, put on shows like no other. Tori Amos playing at my college will never,… Read more »
I saw Prince in concert a few years ago and was WILDLY disappointed. A shame since I was always such a fan.
Best concert for me? A tie between MC Hammer (with Vanilla Ice opening!) and Godsmack.
I’ve heard other people say that, but the general consensus seems to be that he ranks amongst the very best. You must have got him on an off night.
Best Concert: Springsteen at the last show at Philly’s Spectrum before it was torn down. He played “Born in the USA” from start to finish and encored for what seemed like an hour and a half. Also, for a guy in his 60’s he could still rock.
Most fun concert: Journey/Poison/Def Leppard. Not even ashamed.