Freddie's dead. That's what I said.
What's the best gig you've ever been to, where was it, and what is your opinion on the quality of the seats that you got?
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:01, 88 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Your mates tom and ed at the Hacienda
There were no seats
( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:03, Reply)

A close second Orbital at Ally Pally
Again no seats
( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:03, Reply)

I only really like 'Chime'.
But I don't know them so don't feel too bad about saying so.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:05, Reply)

I can't see you being bothered but they are worth a revisit. James Lavelle did a set there too if memory serves me best.

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:09, Reply)

I only really like 'Song to the Siren' and 'Chemical Beats'.
I haven't told them this.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:05, Reply)

S'troo their stuff after the first few ep's and first album is a bit meh. I think they were still called the Dust Brothers at this stage

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:07, Reply)

That's when they were good.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:08, Reply)

I'll go with
The Specials.

Only the addition of Jerry Dammers, completing the original line-up would have made it any better.
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:03, Reply)

Woo! me too.
In Coventry at a small gig a while after they were famous. I snogged my girlfriend on the stairs : )

I was wild in them days.
( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:09, Reply)

Hey little rich girl!
*Waves*
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:11, Reply)

*waves*

( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:13, Reply)

Glastonbury this year.
YES IT FUCKING COUNTS
(PsychoChomp, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:05, Reply)

Ozzfest 2001
There were no seats
( Maximinimus you stick around I'll make it worth your while, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:05, Reply)

Three years ago
Meatloaf, Ashton Gate. Seats were excellent.

Apart from being in Ashton Gate, obviously...
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:06, Reply)

Jealousy!
I have always wanted to see Meat. I blame my parents.
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:06, Reply)

Fnarr

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:09, Reply)

No, actually, I blame *your* parents.

( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:10, Reply)

The one I really regret
is that I could have seen Chuck Berry in Glasgow in 93. I didn't go because I had no money. It was later pointed out to me that my dad would have bought my ticket if he'd known.

grrrr.
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:12, Reply)

Given his reputation for turning up , getting some local musicians to form his backing band and running through a perfunctory set with minmum rehearsal.
It might equally have been one of those soul destroying "hero with feet of clay" occasions.

I don't know if this helps at all.
(Cave Duck, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:02, Reply)

It's a close call for me.
Either:

Foo Fighters, Wembley Stadium, 2008. Especially for the encore with Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones. No seats - but I was stood in front of the wonderful Juliette Lewis.

OR:

Counting Crows, MEN, 2003. Again, no seats, but they were exceptionally good.
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:06, Reply)

She's got a weird face
But I would do filthy things to her.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:07, Reply)

Wookiee and I decided she's Mong Hot

( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:09, Reply)

I can accept this

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:09, Reply)

Viz have a term for this, "Borderline Boiler"
my current favourite borderline boiler is Julia Bradbury, funny looking in a "you would" kind of way
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:11, Reply)

Modesty is not her bag
She's self proclaimed herself "ONE of the best presenters on British television"
( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:15, Reply)

Jeez! she'd go down a treat in America then.
They like all that bigging oneself up over there.
( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:16, Reply)

I didn't read it correctly, it's a quote from some twat at the guardian
She's still whoring it on her website, the strumpet
( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:18, Reply)

She does a very good job of walking up hills, and then talking about the hill she just walked up.
Tricky stuff all that walking and talking
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:17, Reply)

But get this yeah, she's wasted doing that when really she should be doing porno's

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:19, Reply)

Her and Dr. Alice Roberts off Coast and Time Team
but not the aussie woman off Time Team, she just plain munts.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:21, Reply)

Charming girl next door turns into SEX SLUT

( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:23, Reply)

Best gig ever is a difficult one, as I've been to multiple fucking superb ones
NWOAHM 2004 - Chimaira, Killswitch Engage, God Forbid & Shadows Fall
Damnation Festival 2008 - Carcass, The Berzerker, Mountains Became Machines, Napalm Death, etc
Foo Fighters 2005
SOAD 2005
Metallica, supported by Machine Head 2010
Unholy Alliance 2004 - Slayer, Slipknot, Mastodon and Hatebreed

There are others too, I've loved nearly every gig I've been to.

And I've only ever been to 3 seated gigs, the seating meant we had zero atmosphere, even at Rammstein. (I didn't buy the tickets)
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:06, Reply)

Why don't presidents fight the wars though, AA?
That's what I'm asking.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:07, Reply)

There are far stupider lyrics out there
I don't listen to SOAD to fight the power, man. Hippies should all be rounded up and shot, I don't ever listen to music to be political, I listen because I like it. The same applies to RATM.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:08, Reply)

Yeah, why *do* they always send the poor?

( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:09, Reply)

They do pay them though
I mean, going to war is their job 'n' all. Stupid SOAD.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:12, Reply)

Mine might actually be Dick Dale last year.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:06, Reply)

Close call
Nine Inch Nails last UK show at the O2 in London. Two hours of amazing tunes including Gary Numan popping on for a couple of songs, and rounded off with a positively moving rendition of Hurt.

Second place goes to Tool in Nottingham, mesmerising light show accompanied by expertly played prog metal awesomeness.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:08, Reply)

Bit of controversy here
But I prefer every single cover version I've heard of NIN songs.
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:10, Reply)

List them
If you include Linkin Park's live cover of Wish, you're dead to me.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:12, Reply)

I can only think of 2 off the top of my head
I know there's been more I've heard though
Head Like A Hole - AFI
Hurt - Johnny Cash
( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:39, Reply)

Johnny Cash's cover is very good indeed, but I still prefer the original
Not heard the AFI version.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:41, Reply)

It's pretty good, off the December Underground album

( Agnostic Antichrist Baltimora, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:44, Reply)

Conversely
NIN's cover of Joy Division's Dead Souls from the Crow soundtrack is pretty good too.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:49, Reply)

Oooh, my go, my go
Joy Division's version of The Velvet Underground's Sister Ray is alright.
(Cave Duck, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:57, Reply)

Ooh, I've wanted to see Tool for *ages*.
Fnarr, etc.
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:10, Reply)

Hoping they tour soon
There's rumours of a new album out next year.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:13, Reply)

The Stranglers supported by Skids - Bridlington Spa 1978
A bit of a landmark as it was the first time that I (being a naturally reserved sort) felt compelled to leave my seat (fixed, upholstered, lightly padded) on the balcony and throw myself about amongst the milling throng(mosh pits hadn't been invented back then). JJ Burnel took off his bass and dived into the crowd to "take issue" with someone who had been indulging in the act of gobbing on the band, as was in vogue at that time.
(Cave Duck, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:11, Reply)

Sonic Youth in Dublin were pretty good.
Nirvana were the supporting band and we missed them.
( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:12, Reply)

Nevermind...

( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:13, Reply)

Haha!

( girlinthehole, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:14, Reply)

I'll tell you who didn't miss.
Courtney Love.
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:14, Reply)

It was my first
Here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_London_Rock_and_Roll_Show.

1972, my brother, a ted, took me after I nagged him to death. There were no seats, we sat on the hallowed Wembley turf.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:13, Reply)

No fucking way!
I have that on DVD. If you look closely you can see Wilko Johnson playing guitar in Heinz’s band. You can also see Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren selling t shirts.

Man I would have LOVED to go to that – Bo Diddley, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry in one day? Immense.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:44, Reply)

I'm afraid I have to say WAY.
My brother made the centre spread of the Daily Mirror. I've only just seen there is a DVD, so I may get it and search for me.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:56, Reply)

although i didn't want to go because i don't like them much
i was really shocked by how much i enjoyed coldplay at the 02. esp as my friend had a massive panic attack at our high seats, and the stewards moved us to the front row of the first tier, i could almost have touched chris martin. not that i would have wanted to.

the live earth gig was great because we had my dad's club wembley tickets and got to see the foos, madonna, snow patrol, the red hot chilis, pussy cat dolls, terra naomi, david gray, damien rice, genesis etc etc etc all at once.

p!nk was bloody amazing at hard rock this year. saw the killers as well, and my friend's bloke is the editor of NME, so he got us backstage which was pretty cool. i love gigs, me.
( rachelswipe with a fork, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:16, Reply)

My best mate says Pink was one of the best gigs she'd ever been to
and she doesn't specifically like her music that much.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:32, Reply)

Radiohead, Glastonbury '97.
Seats were cold, wet and muddy. She was warm.

Individual gig - U2 Glasgow 2000. Didn't sit down.
( The Teviot Moose major 5th., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:19, Reply)

OMG YOU SAW U2 U WANKER AND DIDNT THROW SHIT AT BONO THE CUNT
I really don't mind U2 and still listen to the Joshua Tree and Rattle and Hum. The end.
( Light In Chains maker of the ikea sofa, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:27, Reply)

Achtung Baby transports me back to my late teens.
All their recent stuff and Bono's holier-than-thou attitude can fuck right off though.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:32, Reply)

‘Achtung! Spitfeuer!’ does the same for me.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:57, Reply)

I tend not to go to seated gigs.
But if I did, they would definitely be the best seats in the house. Especially if Squeeze were playing. At the Phil.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:35, Reply)

Well you see, they were aisle seats
with a very good view, and a nice wall behind us so that we could get up and dance and not worry about the people behind.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:37, Reply)

I think I know someone who had seats like that

( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:48, Reply)

NO WAI!

( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:49, Reply)

You can go off some people ;)
Mornin!
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:50, Reply)

lolz
mornin sis
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:52, Reply)

How's our Biscuit?
(and Mr B3th of course...)
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:58, Reply)

Biscuit has gone back to being three-legged, for some reason
and mr b3th (now down two stones and counting!) is off at work.

I am freezing my arse off at home, trying to psych myself up to do some work.
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:01, Reply)

Is Mister on that plan too?
And is it the same leg that Biscuit's just had fixed?

Do some work, woman!
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:02, Reply)

yes, and yes.
Biscuit started hopping again just before the snow hit, and doesn't want to put any weight on his bad leg. We're not sure why.

mr b3th has been doing my program for three weeks, and is doing surprisingly well. He says he is finding it hard, but he appreciates being able to climb stairs again without falling over.
( b3th Not shit. Not mod., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:07, Reply)

I think I'd pile it on after something like that
I'm bad enough on Slimming World and you can eat like a horse on that.
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:16, Reply)

Modest Mouse at the fleece in Bristol had a great spot and spoke to the band after

( SteveFrench Cardio is for homo's. do you even lift bro?, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:38, Reply)

The best line up of bands I liked at the time all in one day
was at Leeds in 1981

Altered Images, The Thompson Twins, Wall of Voodoo, Bauhaus, The Cramps and Echo & The Bunnymen.
Though I'm sure I've forgotten someone. Way of the West were supposed to open but didn't show up - and look what happened to their career.
(Cave Duck, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:41, Reply)

The gig I would have most liked to have been at
Was Depeche Mode supported by Curve and the Sisters of Mercy at Crystal Palace in the early nineties. Curse my ex wife for booking a bloody holiday.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:50, Reply)

A gig I would really liked to have seen was Depeche Mode at The Tower in Hull circa 1981
Not because I was a massive fan, but because my mate Dave who had gone to get the tickets arrived shortly after they had sold out, panicked, and got tickets for the next available gig there instead. - Haircut 100.
(Cave Duck, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:07, Reply)

Shit.

( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:34, Reply)

Probably the Sex Pistols at Brixton a couple years back.

(Barry from Eastenders is, despite the words written above, not a woman, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 11:51, Reply)

I went to one of them: fucking great wasn't it?

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:27, Reply)

I have been to see Brian Wilson three times now.
(My father, worshipping the man, generously took the family along)

The first one I saw was probably one of the most stunning gigs I've been to. He played a superb first half of classic Beach Boys numbers before playing the entirety of Pet Sounds in the second half. I defy anyone else to get the entirety of the Royal Festival Hall to its feet and dancing to surf music. A peerless experience despite being right in the back row and passing binoculars back and forth between my parents and sister to get a better view of Mr Wilson and his band.

Close contenders: Hooverphonic, despite being a fairly low-key act, put on a beautiful performance and Arnaert's vocals on the pared-back version of Inhaler they closed with almost made me shed a tear; Emily Loizeau's gig in Shepherd's Bush was eccentrically brilliant, better still she did the encore in the crowd, just next to our table - she was within grabbing distance, so I can't fault that for good seating; the first time I saw Ian Siegal at Ain't Nothin' But - no seating, no room to move but three stunning Russian sisters who we failed pitifully to chat up and an amazing set from the great man; also Mercury Rev pleasantly surprised me, it's just a pity the crowd were such a bunch of wankers.
EDIT: Also, Peter Green and John Mayall on the same bill at the Albert Hall. That was a fucking good show.
EDIT EDIT: John Crampton at my old local. Fuck me, that man can play.
(LongJohnBaldry, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:00, Reply)

I have been to see Brian Wilson three times now.
(My father, worshipping the man, generously took the family along)

The first one I saw was probably one of the most stunning gigs I've been to. He played a superb first half of classic Beach Boys numbers before playing the entirety of Pet Sounds in the second half. I defy anyone else to get the entirety of the Royal Festival Hall to its feet and dancing to surf music. A peerless experience despite being right in the back row and passing binoculars back and forth between my parents and sister to get a better view of Mr Wilson and his band.

Close contenders: Hooverphonic, despite being a fairly low-key act, put on a beautiful performance and Arnaert's vocals on the pared-back version of Inhaler almost made me shed a tear; Emily Loizeau's gig in Shepherd's Bush was eccentrically brilliant, better still she did the encore in the crowd, just next to our table - she was within grabbing distance, so I can't fault that for good seating; the first time I saw Ian Siegal at Ain't Nothin' But - no seating, no room to move but three stunning Russian sisters who we failed pitifully to chat up and an amazing set from the great man; also Mercury Rev pleasantly surprised me, it's just a pity the crowd were such a bunch of wankers. Can somebody get some splints for my wrists, please? It's cold and the constant massive flapping is creating a draught of the like not seen since Jordan 'accidentally' opened her legs at a press conference to promote her latest book.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:06, Reply)

That is, of course, exactly what I meant to say.
*clicks for the Jordan metaphor*
(LongJohnBaldry, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:07, Reply)

Your mention of low-key acts has reminded me...
The Blue Nile at Liverpool. I can't actually remember the venue, so I'm going to pretend it was The Phil and that the seats were pretty good.
They're as un rock n' roll as you can get but they've made some achingly lovely songs with subtle multi-layered arrangements and they performed them magnificently.
(Cave Duck, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:17, Reply)

I shall have to plead ignorance here
Never heard of The Blue Nile - who are/were they and what are the chances of me liking their recorded output?
(LongJohnBaldry, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:18, Reply)

They're a Scottish band formed in the early 80s.
"Adult orientated", understated" or "a bit dull" tend to be phrases used about them. They always take about five years to come up with an album. There are few obvious hooks but I find the music thoughtful and the singer (Paul Buchanan)has an understated (told you) but plaintive voice. He's also worked with Peter Gabriel.

Tinsel Town In The Rain, their nearly hit, is a good starting point if you want to take a look on youtube. If you like what you hear I'd be happy to send you some stuff.
(Cave Duck, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:51, Reply)

Spiritualized
Playing Ladies and Gentlemen we are Floating in Space. At the RFH last year.
(dozers, do fuck off ur a nob m8, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 13:14, Reply)

It has to be
The Levellers at Stockwood Park in Luton in September - not just because of the band but the venue was fantastic, I had great company and easy travel - £12 return for the 3 of us (although we did wonder whether we would make it back to Leighton Buzzard alive due to the maniacal bus driver......)

No seats.
(Purpledoris I've got afeckin' job, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 13:35, Reply)

Robert Plant and the Strange Sensation at some small place in Bristol
it was cheap, there were no seats. I was near the front. It was fucking breathtakingly good.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 18:20, Reply)