# What band put on the best concerts? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 15, 2002, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022 "2002-07-15T07:58:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![HalberMensch242](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecb155/32.png) [@HalberMensch242](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HalberMensch242)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/41 "2002-07-18T03:05:20Z")
**Tool** - they always put on a good show, the instruments are tight, maynard’s voice never looses its power and the sets are nice and long… **Nine Inch Nails** -a great mix of sheer beauty contrasted with brute anger and energy… **Rammstein** -this is more than a concert, when rammstein plays they put on a show, in all aspects. Pyro, sodomy, and more pyro…you can’t go wrong… **Thursday** -probably the best band that i’ve seen live who doesn’t use any gimmiks or special effects. These shows are fueled with emotion and you can’t help but sing along to every song thanks to their fantastic lead singer…the only part i could do without is the crowd doing this schtic hardcore dancing… ---
**Author:** ![Joe\_Cool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecb155/32.png) [@Joe\_Cool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Cool)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/42 "2002-07-18T03:26:47Z")
Chief: I heard Guns ‘N’ Roses was one of the worst shows ever. Not so? The best I’ve seen: **Iron Maiden** and **Anthrax** both kicked butt. I went to a Def Leppard show in high school, but the show was stolen by the opening band - **Tesla**. For sheer great music and repore with the audience, you can’t beat **ZZ Top** , **Stevie Ray Vaughan** or **George Thorogood**. And the overall most fun concerts I’ve ever been to were **KMFDM** and **Suicidal Tendencies**. ---
**Author:** ![chief](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@chief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chief)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2002, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/43 "2002-07-18T04:43:35Z")
No, When i saw them, Axl was ON and the whole band just kicked ass… they put on one of the best shows i’ve ever seen!!! when he is having a bad night it will be bad though … but it was really great when i saw them in Vegas! > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Joe\_Cool \* > \*\*Chief: I heard Guns ‘N’ Roses was one of the worst shows ever. Not so? > > The best I’ve seen: > **Iron Maiden** and **Anthrax** both kicked butt. > I went to a Def Leppard show in high school, but the show was stolen by the opening band - **Tesla**. > For sheer great music and repore with the audience, you can’t beat **ZZ Top** , **Stevie Ray Vaughan** or **George Thorogood**. > > And the overall most fun concerts I’ve ever been to were **KMFDM** and **Suicidal Tendencies**. \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/44 "2002-07-24T01:10:03Z")
Sting and his band is awesome. When Michael Hutchens was alive, INXS was one of the best shows ever. I saw Steve Winwood and The Robert Cray Band - great. No Doubt was good. ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/45 "2002-07-24T01:37:38Z")
**Frank Zappa and the Mothers** put on incredible shows - more experience than concert. I’ve seen some great shows by less-known bands in little clubs in the past few years, and I’m now spoiled for huge stadium/auditorium shows, though. I saw a band called **Flash to Bang Time** last year that just blew me away - two cellos, a viola, string bass - they’re actually lacking in some technical proficiency and I think they have some growing to do as a band, but it was just like nothing else out there. I saw **They Might Be Giants** do a free concert in a little outdoor amphitheater in California back in the 80s, right before they got on MTV, and that was a whole lot of fun. ---
**Author:** ![dinahmoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8797f3/32.png) [@dinahmoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dinahmoe)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/46 "2002-07-24T01:58:26Z")
Beck is an amazing live perfomer. Phish is great, sometimes bordering on trancendent. The Bosstones in a small venue can rip the face off your skull. In a good way:) Ditto NRBQ. ---
**Author:** ![Lorenzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4da419/32.png) [@Lorenzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorenzo)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/47 "2002-07-24T02:32:27Z")
Beck is very funny. The year the tv writers were on strike, Paul Shaffer and the World’s Most Dangerous Band toured and they were very entertaining. Neil Young was very, very bad. Dave Matthews had the most energetic crowd I have ever seen. Mr. Matthews was very good, too. John Fogerty was right on the money. I’ve seen Kansas about 20 times and I think they’re great, but it must be personal because almost no one will go with me to a Kansas concert. I’ve only seen RUSH seven times, but they put on a pretty fair show. If you like their music, you will not be disappointed. No one has seen RUSH live in more than five years and much as I’d like to see them again up close and personal, Ms. Lorenzo is not on board for “investing” $1,200 of our credit limit on a pair of third row seats. I’ve heard Led Zepplin put on quite a show, but their peak was a little before my concert-going years. I’ve heard the Beatles post '62 weren’t that great live. Can anyone confirm or deny? ---
**Author:** ![Lorenzo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4da419/32.png) [@Lorenzo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lorenzo)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/48 "2002-07-24T02:35:12Z")
Santana: The one time I saw them they played four songs in three hours. I thought it was great but others were not amused. ---
**Author:** ![Pink\_Pussycat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Pink\_Pussycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pink_Pussycat)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/49 "2002-07-24T04:09:04Z")
Lots of great aforementioned bands aside, **Prince** - the Purple Rain Tour - marvelous. **GWAR** - blood and guts and lights and punk-rock-whatever at it’s freaking best. **Lep Zep Reunion** (otherwise known as the Page-Plant tour) - rocked the house DOWN. **Elvis Costello** - Pump it up, baby! –pinky ---
**Author:** ![Pink\_Pussycat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Pink\_Pussycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pink_Pussycat)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/50 "2002-07-24T04:17:02Z")
Oh, also, not the best concert I ever saw but special kudos to **The Who** because Pete Townsend played MOST fervently with a broken hand. Way to go, Pete! -pinky ---
**Author:** ![rsvp9146](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rsvp9146](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsvp9146)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/51 "2002-07-24T04:50:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RZA \* > \*\*What bands do you think put on the best live shows? I think back in the day, when they still had Keith Moon and John Entwistle (R.I.P), The Who could blow any other band off the stage. > > Rammstein puts on an awesome show, with the pyrotechnics and all. > > I’ve seen At The Drive-In live before they broke up, and they rocked the house. Best band I’ve ever seen in concert. \*\* Rammstein fucking rocks live! Best shows, IMHO Van Halen with DLR Nine Inch Nails Steely Dan Yes AC/DC KISS Bad Religion NOFX I recently saw The Strokes live BEST SHOW IVE SEEN IN YEARS! ---
**Author:** ![DarkWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee59a6/32.png) [@DarkWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarkWriter)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/52 "2002-07-24T05:00:19Z")
**Paul McCartney** , hands down. I’ve seen him twice (just recently at MCI Center in DC), and want to see him again. Other concerts that kicked ass: Rush Styx Journey The Cars AC/DC Neil Diamond Springsteen Robert Palmer Stray Cats The Who U2 was OK; I wouldn’t go see them again. Ditto for Madonna. I’d still like to see the Rolling Stones before they’re put out to pasture. 😉 Sheri ---
**Author:** ![rsvp9146](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rsvp9146](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsvp9146)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/53 "2002-07-24T05:02:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DarkWriter \* > \*\ ***Paul McCartney** , hands down. I’ve seen him twice (just recently at MCI Center in DC), and want to see him again. > > Other concerts that kicked ass: > > Rush > Styx > Journey > The Cars > AC/DC > Neil Diamond > Springsteen > Robert Palmer > Stray Cats > The Who > > U2 was OK; I wouldn’t go see them again. Ditto for Madonna. I’d still like to see the Rolling Stones before they’re put out to pasture. 😉 > > Sheri \*\* How could i forget Rush? another good one, Boston. ---
**Author:** ![Labdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/439d5e/32.png) [@Labdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labdad)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022/54 "2002-07-24T13:24:55Z")
For sheer entertainment value, **James Brown and the Famous Flames** , circa 1967, couldn’t be beat. He truly was “the hardest working man in show business.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-band-put-on-the-best-concerts/119022.md?page=2)