[Music] First gig, Worst Gig and Can't be topped gig?

[Weststander]

Most Iconic: The original Human League, also at The Nashville, with Brian Eno sitting alone by the door, and a brief visit from one David Bowie (plus 2 minders) who stood next to me, and exchanged a few words

I can't top my ex wife's most iconic - the Stones at Altamont.

That's amazing, I'd loved to have seen the original Human League .... Travelogue and all that. Ahead of its time, goosebumps.

Altamont, in rock/hippy/Hells Angels history, for all the wrong reasons!!

 

[ozzygull]

First - Phil Collins 1990 Paris (Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy)

Worst - Meat Loaf Wembley Arena (can't remember when, tried to forget it)

Best - Genesis Knebworth 1992 (would have been bettered by Wembly 1987 but was too young)

 

[Weststander]

I went to the Stiff Little Fingers gig - I didn't think they were awful but agree that it was a very bizarre venue - should have been at the Top Rank or Concorde. New Order were superb at Portsmouth Guild Hall - seem to remember it was a Sunday evening.

That's right, it was. It pops up in their autobios .... on their journey back to London they came across an upside down car off the motorway in a field, with New Order fans walking around dazed. Punters had crashed, without seat belts and all survived.

 

[Garry Nelson's teacher]

Lindisfarne Dome 72?, Dylan and Van Morrison NEC both the size of my thumbnail and that was way too close, Led Zep Knebworth 79

I saw Lindisfarne in around 1975 at my uni. We hardly got any decent bands and I really wanted to see them. Started drinking in anticipation early and though I was there I remember not a thing.

 

[Bob!]

To be honest, it wasn’t until years later I worked out it was Joy Division.
I use concert archives now and log all the gigs I went to and keep all ticket Stubbs.
Using Setlist and concert archives I was able to work out it was them.
The only thing I remember at the time was it was so loud I was on the verge of puking! I was only 14 and never heard anything like it.

Do you have a link for that site please?

 

[LlcoolJ]

Having mentioned the Adam and the Ants gig that it seems half of NSC went to as kids, that wasn't actually the first one I went to.

I can't remember which it was but either UB40 (with my mum) or Shawaddywaddy (with my stepmum). Both when I was about 5 or 6.

Remember being engrossed by seeing actual people playing music like they were on the TV but that's about it.

Adam Ant was the first time I'd actually chosen to go and see a gig myself. Loved it as he was my total hero at the time and the set and showmanship were mind blowing to me.

The worst? Think I've been quite lucky as I can't remember too many shockers, even at festivals when you're waiting for another band to come on. But then I remembered a little festival in Sheffield at Graves Park.

There were lots of local bands on and we were just sitting in the sun, drinking and enjoying the music when the stage was suddenly rushed by loads of screaming teenage girls.

A helicopter landed in the park and Peter Andre took to the stage. He did Mysterious Girl, some other tune that nobody has ever heard of, got back in his helicopter and ****ed off.

He was shit.

I'm going to have to think about the best because there are just far, far too many and for so many different reasons.

By the way @HWT. I had the opposite experience with a Bryan Adams gig. Got tickets for the Mrs' birthday a few years back, Sheffield Arena. An artist I don't mind but would never bother seeing at a venue I usually can't stand. Joy, I thought.

He was brilliant and the atmosphere was superb!

 

[Guinness Boy]

Worst:
Black Grape, Brighton Centre, 04/04/1996

IIRC that was the Thursday night of Easter weekend? If so I was there. The next night I was at an all nighter at The Zap club and believe me I needed the Saturday, Sunday and Monday to recover from those two nights out.

Black Grape were absolutely shit, At the end of a short set Shaun Ryder said "we're all off backstage for some heroin" and it was clear when they played an undeserved encore that they had been.

 

[DIFFBROOK]

Not the worst by any stretch - it was actually very good and memorable. But, I saw Killing Joke in Leeds 1994. I told the Mrs to pick me up (living 15 miles away) at about 11ish. The Joke were stoned out of their minds - they didnt come on stage untill pastt 11pm and finished at 1am. It was great - my Mrs didnt think so.

 

[Return of the Rev]

To be honest, it wasn’t until years later I worked out it was Joy Division.
I use concert archives now and log all the gigs I went to and keep all ticket Stubbs.
Using Setlist and concert archives I was able to work out it was them.
The only thing I remember at the time was it was so loud I was on the verge of puking! I was only 14 and never heard anything like it.

Same here with joy division as a future favourite band and then working out I had seen them as Warsaw supporting the buzzcocks. Same with the specials supporting the clash at Crawley tbh

 

[Rugrat]

First - (not sure these count) but either Johnny Johnson and Bandwagon at the Pilgrim HH or Mud at Clouds EG
Worst - Michael Jackson (Mrs dragged me) Wembley around 1996 - mimed throughout and could even have been a look-a-like
Best - AC/DC - Liverpool Empire around 1980 girlfriend started crying after 1st song, left after about the third and never saw her again. Blame my tinnitus on them

Special mention - Squeeze - Reading 1980ish

 

[LlcoolJ]

IIRC that was the Thursday night of Easter weekend? If so I was there. The next night I was at an all nighter at The Zap club and believe me I needed the Saturday, Sunday and Monday to recover from those two nights out.

Black Grape were absolutely shit, At the end of a short set Shaun Ryder said "we're all off backstage for some heroin" and it was clear when they played an undeserved encore that they had been.

Ha ha! Never saw Black Grape but I can imagine.... Some great tunes though.

Saw the Mondays at a gig in Manchester in about 2005/6 with The Farm, Stereo MCs and Clint Boone DJing. A load of us got a minibus over from Sheffield. Brilliant night.

Just found it, was 31/10/05.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ter-news/happy-mondays-triumphant-gig-1089417

 

[Mr Bridger]

I decided to go late to see Caravan play on Tottenham Court Road about 15 years ago and missed the support - Kevin Ayers!

Also, abut 20 years ago I went to see Assemblage 23 play in Camden, and gave the support, Diary of Dreams a miss, only to discover them some years later.

I have also bought tickets to lots of gigs and not gone, due to my slightly off-kilter personality, and simply not fancying it on the day.

Harry I wish I could feel gutted for you but I have absolutely no idea who they are !

I like the last sentence thou!

 

[Driver8]

First - Atomic Rooster at Capital Theatre Horsham around 1979. It was pretty shit.

Worst - Bob Dylan at MEN Arena about 10 years ago. All the songs sounded the same and he didn’t play guitar at all.

Best R.E.M. - Hammersmith Odeon 1987.

 

[loz]

Someone mentioned Gary glitter earlier and it reminded me that I saw him with the Rizzols and protex as support. Although not the correct thing to say GG was very good a proper showman. If only I knew as I still feel guilty for shouting leader leader for 5 minutes as he paraded around the stage

 

[JJ McClure]

Worst.
1997. In a year that brought us the likes of Bitter Sweet Symphony and Song 2, I found myself watching Louise at the Brighton Centre.
For younger readers, that's Louise Redknapp. On stage. By herself and not part of a girl group. And headlining.
It lived up to its billing as being every bit as appalling as what you'd expect, but I've still got the Argus poster of her in an Albion shirt somewhere.

Ha-ha that was my First. a very early girlfriend got us tickets as she knew I had a thing for Louise. The lust filled teenager I was back then would never let me vote Louise as the worst.

Worst. Hozier at the Brighton Centre. Played their one famous song and other than that were terrible, the support act was better. An honourable mention should go to Live8, despite some amazing acts there was also a lot of dross, massive waits between sets and a really flat crowd who seemed almost uninterested in the music.

Best Linkin Park and Jay Z at MK Bowl. Awesome day out, with circle pits, bottle wars and Linkin Park absolutely smashing it (RIP Chester)...oh and Jay Z too.

Biggest Surprise Nickelback at Wembley arena, I turned up only knowing their soft ass chart sing along songs, opening number was like being smashed in the face with an electric guitar and it went on from there with full on rock pyrotechnics and the works. Great gig.

 

[Mr Bridger]

Do you have a link for that site please?

I use these sites, every now again I’ll remember a gig I’ve been to and then go and search the dates on Setlist then add to Concert Archives.

https://www.concertarchives.org

https://www.setlist.fm

 

[JamesAndTheGiantHead]

First - A Perfect Circle at Hammersmith Apollo in 2004
Worst - The White Stripes at Ally Pally in 2005 (I had Pneumonia)
Best - Pixies at Benicassim in 2006

 

[Mr Bridger]

Someone mentioned Gary glitter earlier and it reminded me that I saw him with the Rizzols and protex as support. Although not the correct thing to say GG was very good a proper showman. If only I knew as I still feel guilty for shouting leader leader for 5 minutes as he paraded around the stage

Yes saw Gary Glitter with Suzi Quatro at the NEC in the 80’s before all the noncey stuff came to a head, and agree he put on a show, might be because I was bladdered at the time thou.

 

[Fignon's Ponytail]

One other gig I will always remember fondly was the Fun Lovin' Criminals down at the Event when they were very new to the scene....about 1996? They were supported by Republica, and were VERY good live.
Been to a couple of their shows now, and they even played "We have all the time in the world" for me and the missus after our honeymoon

 

[redoubtable seagull]

Someone mentioned Gary glitter earlier and it reminded me that I saw him with the Rizzols and protex as support. Although not the correct thing to say GG was very good a proper showman. If only I knew as I still feel guilty for shouting leader leader for 5 minutes as he paraded around the stage

There was a period in early and mid 80’s when he would tour at Christmas time with punk and psychobilly bands as support usually at the Top Rank and were great fun. Then the Christmas office party crowd got interested, the venues were bigger and the gigs were shit.