Concert Highs and Lows

[Tel]

Following on from OB1's Elton John thread what gigs have you been to which surpassed expectations?

Conversely which ones did you look forward to which were total flops?


Both of mine were at the Hammersmith Odeon.

In the early 80's my brother rang and said he had a spare ticket to see Meatloaf. I said I wasn't interested, didn't like him much had none of his records etc etc. I ended up going!

Wow!! What an entertainer, 100% effort from him, total respect for his fans, brilliant gig

Conversely I had really been looking forward to seeing the Pretenders (had a bit of a crush on Chrissy Hind but that was allowed), They were total crap, not interested, seemed bored by the whole thing, they were on stage for just over an hour and I felt cheated and angry all the way home (which took longer than the gig).

[Tiggi]

I saw Dire Straits in 1985 at Wembley Arena, and thoroughly enjoyed them.

The next, & last, time I saw them was at Earls Court in 1992, toward the end of a stupidly long world tour. Man, did it show...

The band were going through the motions, and looked like they'd rather have been anywhere but where they were.

Oddly, the crowd were going beserk as if they'd just witnessed the Second Coming.

Conclusion: Dire Straits fans are not very discerning...

[Samantha]

My first gig was Donington 1988 with Iron Maiden the headline act. I wasn't a fan of theirs and owned no Maiden records, I was there for Kiss and other bands on the bill.
But Maiden were amazing, I rushed out after and bought Seventh son.

Not long after, I bought tickets to see Maiden play at the NEC. It was a 'farewell' tour as Dickinson was leaving the band. He came on stage wearing jogging pants and just went through the motions, heart clearly not in it and no doubt thinking of his solo career. Was disappointing.

[rcook]

The two best concerts I have ever been to, both in 1993 were :

The Kinks at The Royal Albert Hall. I have seen them a few times. Always fantastic, but this was far and away the best

Squeeze at Colston Hall, Bristol. They had Nick Heyward (who is vastly underrated IMHO) supporting them. The show was as ever brilliant. At the second encore, Chris Difford says "We've had various keyboard players in our time. Paul Carrack tonight, Jools Holland and a few others. Now we've got a special guest. Please welcome Mr Elton John'. The place went bananas.

[Hornucopia]

Beatles Liverpool 62
Hendrix, Liverpool 68
Bob Marley's first tour (pre 'No woman no cry")Manchester
Capt Beefheart and Magic Band (72?)
Tina T, pre-fame; Bristol 83(?)
Milton Nascimento in Barcelona 85
David Sanborn, also Barca 86.
John Hiatt. London (89?)

Mariza in Bristol 85 (Fantastic!)

[Tel]

Hornucopia wrote:

Beatles Liverpool 62
Hendrix, Liverpool 68
Bob Marley's first tour (pre 'No woman no cry")Manchester
Capt Beefheart and Magic Band (72?)
Tina T, pre-fame; Bristol 83(?)
Milton Nascimento in Barcelona 85
David Sanborn, also Barca 86.
John Hiatt. London (89?)

Mariza in Bristol 85 (Fantastic!)

Highs or lows?

Did they surpass expectation or were they hyped up flops?

[Hornucopia]

Tel wrote:

Hornucopia wrote:

Beatles Liverpool 62
Hendrix, Liverpool 68
Bob Marley's first tour (pre 'No woman no cry")Manchester
Capt Beefheart and Magic Band (72?)
Tina T, pre-fame; Bristol 83(?)
Milton Nascimento in Barcelona 85
David Sanborn, also Barca 86.
John Hiatt. London (89?)

Mariza in Bristol 85 (Fantastic!)

Highs or lows?


Did they surpass expectation or were they hyped up flops?

Sorry! These are all highs (in fact one of the Beefheart was tripping, but I won't say that......)
Lows?
John Martyn mumbling and cursing his amp.
Van Morrison being bored (though have seen him good too!)

Tina was excellent; how can you dance that much AND sing! (Before the days of lip-synch!)

Mariza is great, so dramatic and a great singer.

[Professor Chaos]

Don't ask me for specific years, because that ain't happening.

Better than expected: Billy Idol backed by The Cult. The large part of the crowd that left after the opening act missed a very good show by the headliner.

Worse than expected: I'm not really a Joe Cocker fan, but friends talked me intogoing along. I at least expected a competent show by a veteran, but was presented with a lackluster effort and theworst live sound I've everheard. Pathetic.

Most enjoyable ever was The Grateful Dead, and it had fuck all to do with the music