Live Concerts

Mint Sauce

Best gig. Probably Ash at the London Astoria way back in 1998. 2000 people moshing to 'trailer' and '1997' was just awesome.

Worst. Oasis Lansdowne Rd in 2000.

Da Shins Kelly

Arcade Fire are excellent live.

Found Bob Dylan pretty disappointing.

RikkFlair

Neil Young at Malahide Castle in 2008, intro song goes on for about 15 minutes and he hasn't reached the solo yet :pac: That man knows how to jam.

Froggy123

Scissor sisters are probably my favourite band live Newton faulkner was also good when i went to see him!!

Jinbakrdi

The Prodigy in the O2 a few years back. Brilliant!!

blacklilly

Saw muse live at the very first witness, was only 13 and had never heard them before, I fell in love with them then and there

lounakin

Michael Jackson in the early 90s in Parc des Princes in Paris, I was only 11 and I'll never forget it. Unbelievable. Tom waits in Paris a few years ago was one of the best concerts I've been to. Surprisingly Texas (also Paris) was really good back in 97 or 98.
I saw Bob Dylan twice, it was awful, plain awful.

rannerap

Either Queens of the stone age or Pixies, both were amazing

Andy-Pandy

Wilco in Vicar Street was the best i've ever seen a band play live. Both night where amazing.

frozenfrozen

Fool's gold in the o2 opening for RHCP last year. Seemed like I was the only one enjoying them in the room as everyone around me was shouting abuse at them, but I much preferred them to RHCP that night.

entropi

Muse put on the best gig I've ever been to, simply amazing! Rammstein have quite the live show too, it has to be said. They had an unreal gig there in February last year, was lucky enough to see it.

For quieter, more intimate gigs, James Vincent McMorrow playing in The Sugar Club would be the best one I've been to. Easily.

unknowngirl!!

Bat for Lashes were amazing at Electric Picnic this year. I also enjoyed Joanna Newson in Marlay Park and Fleet Foxes in Vicar street... Would definitely recommend all three!

Augmerson

Foo Fighters at Slane, back in 2002 or 2003. Also Queens of the Stone Age at the same gig. Kerbdog most recently at the Academy during December. Tragically Hip at the Pod in 2010.

Uriel.

I am a life long Meat Loaf fan and have seen him live 6+ times. Recent years haven't been great, but I won't stop going to him, however, earlier years, particularly his greatest hits tour in around 1998 was unbelievable. Amazing performer.

Bon Jovi 3+ times has never failed to impress me.

Also seen some great REM and Green day gigs.

But without a shadow of a doubt, the best performance I have ever seen live was Phil Collins about 6/7 years ago in the Point. Unbelievable

Cosmicfox

Florence and the machine at Belsonic. I always liked their (her?) music and had seen a few live performances online but I wasn't expecting them to be as good as they were. It really was amazing and I'm incredibly disappointed I couldn't make their recent Dublin gig which looked even better.

I'm not a fan of his music at all and only went because I was dragged there by someone else but Ed Sheeran was surprisingly good. He connected really well with the audience and even though I only really knew one song, which I don't even like, I enjoyed it. Still wouldn't buy an album though but I'd see him again.

keith16

Foo Fighters - Madison Square Garden, New York - Nov '11

A Perfect Circle - Beacon Theatre, New York - July '11

Nine Inch Nails - Manchester - Feb '07

Tool - Point Theatre, Dublin Nov '06 & SFX 2002ish

Pearl Jam - Hyde Park, London - June '10

Manic Street Preachers & Metallica (not at the same time), point theatre, June 1999 :eek:

Good times, the blurst of times.

pragmatic1

Wu tang clan at oxegen years ago. ****in amazing.

holystungun9

pragmatic1 wrote: »

Wu tang clan at oxegen years ago. ****in amazing.

How many of the original crew were actually there? I remember in the 90s when they came over to Europe a few times and there was always b1tchin' about it being ODB and Mef and some other random homies just stompin' around on stage. Remember reading about that kind of thing countless times in HHC magazine back in the day.

Rothko

Herb Powell wrote: »

And So I Watch You From Afar. Holy mother of fucck, that was a gig.

I've seen them too and it's probably the best gig I've ever been to.

DUBACC

I'd say rammstein, velvet revolver and acdc. Madness was good fun too!

Oh and rage against the machine at the point, if only for the rocking atmosphere

shamwari

The late Rory Gallagher takes some beating. Saw him electrify the Olympia in '88, and play Temple Bar (Dame St) in '92 and Cork RTC in '93. I found my old ticket stub for the Olympia, it cost the princely sum of a tenner! I'd gladly pay a hundred times that to relive that amazing night all over again. But at least I have my copy of Jinx autographed by him

Raging too I never got to see Gary Moore play before he passed away too. I would have loved to see him and Rory perform together.

Also seen Simple Minds play quite a few times in the last number of years (Dublin X3 / Cork / Kilarney / Glasgow). Absolutely ace live!

The Barefoot Pizza Thief

Been to hundreds and hundreds of gigs in my life but quite simply, no concert I have ever seen will match RATM at the O2.

It was outstanding. Was like a flash mob and the balcony shook as so many people where jumping up and down, I was petrified, what with that being the first real architectural test it has most likely ever had

Atmosphere was electric and the band were on top of their game. If you ever get another chance to see them, do, as nothing compares.

No video could ever capture what it was like but this comes close:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H__syV-tp4

Xavi6

Muse before they started releasing rubbish, so any of the gigs I saw between 2002 and 2007.

The National, Bon Iver, Metallica, Brand New, Arcade Fire and Death Cab For Cutie all do a super show, the Manics in a venue of about 1000 people was brilliant, and being at the front of the pit for Rage Against The Machine is something you don't forget in a hurry.

Expecting The Gaslight Anthem in May to trump all of them though :cool:

languagenerd

The concert I enjoyed the most: Green Day in the O2 in 2009 - they played for almost 3 hours and I'd been waiting years to see them (having been a massive fan for most of my teens but out of the country when they played in 2005). It was also the night before my 18th Whatever you think about their music (the new trilogy is awful), they are an amazing live band, show was so much fun!

Best big gig I've been at: Foo Fighters at Oxegen in 2011 - they played so long I nearly forgot it was a festival :P. Another excellent live band, really give it everything.

Best small gig: Rise Against and Tom Morello in Birmingham in 2011. Both acts were brilliant, well worth sleeping in the airport for. Met two of R.A. as well.

They're just the ones that spring to mind, I've seen a lot of great bands (and a few not so great bands too!).

LoonyLovegood

Green Day in the O2 were fantastic. First time I saw them, unbelievable live show. Even the mother enjoyed them!

Honourable mentions have to go to All Time Low in Manchester last week - best show I've seen from them, they've gotten very, very good live in the last while - and New Found Glory in the Academy last year. NFG in particular, put on a fantastic show and are lovely lads to boot.

I prefer the smaller local gigs though, to be fair. I'd rather spend €7 and see a load of teenagers who are passionate than pay €30 - 80 and see someone lip synching.

nimrod86

Best gigs I've been to would have to be:

Bloc Party - Oxegen - July '09
The Specials- Oxegen - July '09
Green Day - The O2 - October '09
Green Day - Marlay Park - June '10
The Saw Doctors - Leopardstown Racecourse - August '12
The Killers - Electric Picnic - September '12

akaspike

Herb Powell wrote: »

And So I Watch You From Afar. Holy mother of fucck, that was a gig.
.

They played in Whelans about 3 years ago upstairs and it was magic.

Sigur Ros - Manchester Apollo around 2006
Bloc Party - The Big Top, Phoenix Park 2007 (so much fun)
Chemical brothers - Glastonbury 2007 (Holy ****!)
Godspeed You Black Emperor -Dublin 2010 (never thought i'd get a chance to see them and it was truly worth the wait)

DazMarz

Iron Maiden always put on one helluva show. I've seen them live 6 or 7 times, and not once was I disappointed. Consummate professionals who put on some show.

Def Leppard are also an amazing live band. It's just such good-time, hands-in-the-air, party anthem rock and they play to the crowd like nobody else.

Not a big fan of theirs at all, but Metallica usually never fail to impress. They could do with switching the songs around a bit. The set list is pretty static the couple of times I've seen them and it could do with some switching. But they are just so good at pleasing their fans and putting on the absolute beast of a show to keep the faithful happy.

But my favourite gig ever was Richard Marx's first ever Irish gig 2 years ago in the National Concert Hall. Just him, his acoustic guitar and the occasional accompanying piano. He played all his hits in acoustic form and told some wonderful stories and was so good with the crowd. I was breathtaken by how good he was with so little of the traditional trappings of a live performance. It was pure and with no nonsense at all. Pure class

Ostrom

Been to five deep purple shows, still at the top of their game well into their 60's

Ruudi_Mentari

DazMarz wrote: »

But my favourite gig ever was Richard Marx's first ever Irish gig 2 years ago in the National Concert Hall. Just him, his acoustic guitar and the occasional accompanying piano. He played all his hits in acoustic form and told some wonderful stories and was so good with the crowd. I was breathtaken by how good he was with so little of the traditional trappings of a live performance. It was pure and with no nonsense at all. Pure class

I think I would have bought a ticket just to hear Hazard alone.

meaning I would have left immediately after.. having only arrived in time-for? I have heard the acoustic version and it sounds less soft porn with the emphasis away from the the keyboards, and more on guitar

brummytom

Bit of a weird one in comparison to most here, but I saw the Mike McGoldrick Band at a festival in Glasgow a few weeks ago, Celtic Connections.

We were in an absolutely huge concert hall called the Old Fruitmarket, sold out (capacity of 1200). The atmosphere was incredible, it was trad music but with drums, a sax, bass, all sorts. We ended up backstage and it was obvious a good few of the players weren't completely with it. Glasgow is snowy though... That only made it better. This is the only video I can find but it doesn't do it justice at all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RCjXlofDvA

Obviously not to a lot of peoples' taste but I love it.


You really can't beat live music at all though. Music and comedy are two things you really have to see to properly enjoy.

greenflash

Pearl Jam four times in London 1992/3. Would have been five but a Brixton Academy gig was cancelled. Never really bothered with them after Vs. Don't know why really.

666irishguy

Metallica in the O2 a few years back and James Brown at Oxygen a while farther back. Best gig you will not be able to take your eyes of on Youtube is Zeppelin at Live aid in 85. What a car crash.

Irish Guitarist

I went to a festival in Kilkenny in 2006 because Bob Dylan was playing. I ended up enjoying The Flaming Lips and The Violent Femmes more. I especially liked when the Violent Femmes bassist played a one string bass that looked a bit like a snooker cue.

That's the only concert I've ever been to in my life. I usually don't see the point in standing behind crowds of people in the vain hope of catching a slight glimpse of whoever is on stage. I decided to make an exception for Bob Dylan though and ended up getting a place right in front of the stage.

krudler

Tool, Muse and Explosions In The Sky in vicar st two years ago were all my favourite gigs Ive been to. I'm not a festival person at all so indoor gigs ftw.

Beruthiel

By far the best gig I've ever been to was Rammstein a couple of years back.
Went to see them in Birmingham and was so blown away, came home and got tickets to see them in Budapest a month later.

Metallica in the early 90's were also outstanding and imo at the peak of their career performance.

Pearl Jam, also early 90's and unbelievable live.

Other notable mentions, Jeff Buckley and Type O Negative.

Hoop66

bullets wrote: »

Bauhaus around since the 70's were also awesome to see live.

Saw them with The Birthday Party at the Lyceum in London, one of the most intense gigs I've ever been to. I was only 15 and I was fckn terrified.

The Clash - Lyceum london 1982
Pogues - Glastonbury 86 or 87
The Cure - Glastonbury 87
Elvis Costello/Attractions - Glastonbury 87 He did 90 mins on his own then said "I want to introduce some special guests" - curtain goes up behind him and its the Attractions - did another 2 hours.
Orbital - Glastonbury 94
The Hold Steady - Dolan's in Limerick 2007
The Hold Steady - Koko in London 2008

I could go on for ever...

frank reynolds

best for me was "The Knife" in belgium. OR "Hole" in amsterdam - both very different types of shows. both class.

kensutz

blacklilly wrote: »

Saw muse live at the very first witness, was only 13 and had never heard them before, I fell in love with them then and there

Nope, Witnness was 2000 and Muse didn't play until 2004.

sbsquarepants

Daveaherne wrote: »

I have seen bruce springsteen and the e street band 4 times. All great shows all over 3 hours value for money. Cant wait to see them again this summer.

I've seen bruce springsteen more often than anyone else ive seen and i've yet to be disapointed, he's nothing short of amazing.
I've seen counting crows a couple of times and they were brilliant too - i hear talk of them touring again, so hopefully i'll catch that.
I seen the scissor sisters when the were starting out and they were outstanding.
More recently Jay z and kanye together (watch the throne) was excellent.

Probably the most surprising live act i've seen was James Blunt about 3 or 4 years ago - i wasn't looking forward to it at all, but he was amazing - i've been a fan ever since, i'd definitely go see him again.

kylith

I went to see Cake a few years back and they were fantastic. The quality of the sound was amazing. A great band.

happyoutscan

The Barefoot Pizza Thief wrote: »

Been to hundreds and hundreds of gigs in my life but quite simply, no concert I have ever seen will match RATM at the O2.

It was outstanding. Was like a flash mob and the balcony shook as so many people where jumping up and down, I was petrified, what with that being the first real architectural test it has most likely ever had

Atmosphere was electric and the band were on top of their game. If you ever get another chance to see them, do, as nothing compares.

No video could ever capture what it was like but this comes close:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6H__syV-tp4

Same as, have never seen a crowd so pumped.

For me: RATM at 02, Rammstein at 02, Metallica in Ohio '89, Carcass In Brisbane a few years back.

Others include REM at Slane, Jamiroquoi in Frankfurt '98 or '99. Radiohead in Castlegar Galway was epic. Any Neil Young gig.

Sofaspud

Beruthiel wrote: »

By far the best gig I've ever been to was Rammstein a couple of years back.

This, I wasn't even a fan of them at the time but I went to see them last year in the O2 with the GF, I knew a couple of songs but with the pyrotechnics and theatrics they put on an amazing show.

jester77

Flaming Lips put on a great show.

Best gig music wise was Modest Mouse, closely followed by Arcade Fire & Sigur Ros.

muppetkiller

Pearl Jam (Are getting old now but still know how to put on a show) and Biffy Clyro Live are simply amazing !!!

McTigs

Arcade Fire - Electric Picnic '05
Leftfield - Point Depot '96
Radiohead - OK Computer Tour, Perth, 98
The Stone Roses - Phoenix Park '12
Death in Vegas - Witnness '00
U2 - Popmart Tour, Sydney '98
Primal Scream - Electric Picnic '07
Daft Punk - Marley Park '07

Actually so many great electric picnic gigs down through the years.... Flaming Lips, Kraftwerk, Mercury Rev, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Spiritualized, Super Furry Animals, Chemical Brothers, Grace Jones, Pet Shop Boys, Broken Social Scene, New Order, Jesus & Mary Chain, Echo & the Bunnymen, ......

kennyboy9563

AC/DC in The Olympic Ballroom in 1979
The Ramones in the old cinema in Cabra ( The Grand ?) in 1980

Mars Bar

Toss up between Elton John in Thomond Park or The Marquee and both Springsteen shows I saw in the RDS.

whatsername42

It would have to be Muse in Marley Park - fantastic live band!!

Also Green Day in Marley park - best frontman ever!! The entertainment is constant!!

BizzyC

Saw Sound City Players in London on Tuesday, amazing gig.

other memorable ones:

U2, Slane 2001
Foo Fighters, The Point 2005
Rush, The O2 2011