[Music] Is this currently the world’s best live band?

[POSKETT AT THE VALLEY]

I was there and agree, I also saw them over 40 years back and they were brilliant then.

DARE probably the best album ever followed by LOVE AND DANCiNG

 

[AstroSloth]

Another brilliant band I saw this year, Flogging Molly.

They played Boomtown, Bloodstock and folk festival within 3 weeks, such a great band.

 

[Half Time Pies]

This thread is obviously subjective nonsense but I’ll bite….

I’ve seen 20+ acts this year alone that are better live than Coldplay. And yes, I have seen Coldplay live.

If we are talking broadly across genres, a concensus of the top 5 best live acts at the moment would prob involve some combination of Taylor Swift, Nick Cave, Fontaines DC, Kendrick Lemar and Gojira.

This stuff fluctuates depending on album cycles, momentum, age, etc. For example, this time last year Fontaines DC would not have been on that list above and would instead have been replaced by Young Fathers.

Another example of this are IDLES; I love the band and have seen them live many, many times but their live peak was 2018-19 just based on the incredible community momentum they gathered at the time. It was the intangible ‘extra’ they had that their shows now can’t (understandably) replicate.

I know what you mean with IDLES, I first saw them as third support at a gig in 2017, there was only a couple of hundred people watching them and they were brilliant. I then went to a couple more gigs of theirs in 2018 one of which was a resident records outstore at the Komedia and they were incredible in a small venue.

I didn't go to watch them again until the back end of 2019 when they headlined the Alexandra Palace and they weren't the same, still good but like you say something missing from those earlier gigs.

 

[Half Time Pies]

One of the best live bands I have seen was Muse and I'm not even a fan. Just wandered upon their set at a festival and they blew me away.

 

[AstroSloth]

I know what you mean with IDLES, I first saw them as third support at a gig in 2017, there was only a couple of hundred people watching them and they were brilliant. I then went to a couple more gigs of theirs in 2018 one of which was a resident records outstore at the Komedia and they were incredible in a small venue.

I didn't go to watch them again until the back end of 2019 when they headlined the Alexandra Palace and they weren't the same, still good but like you say something missing from those earlier gigs.

Agreed. Punk and hardcore fit so much better in small, intimate venues.

On the other side of things there are bands that fit incredibly well into arenas although few and far between.

Bilmuri for example are a band that are a small venue size band but their show and music just fit arena's and it really showed on the Sleep Token tour where they were support.

 

[Fred Oliver - Legend]

The answer, is Shed Seven.

 

[Flounce]

My dear old mum loves Coldplay so when she visited Abu Dhabi we got tickets to see them on New Years Eve. Now they were never anywhere near the top of the list of bands I wanted to see. They put on a superb show, loads of energy, slick set and familiar tunes. I can genuinely understand why they are so popular and I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Have I listened deliberately listened to a Coldplay song since? Nah! Not a big fan but they have my respect.

I only have two Coldplay albums and on record they bore me after a couple of songs but that does not detract from the fact that I think they are brilliant live and if I come across a live concert on youtube or the TV I bloody love watching

 

[Hamilton]

They're ok I suppose, but they're no Confidence Man

Janet Planet should come with a health warning. I’m still getting over her flashing cone bra from their gig a few years back in Brighton!

Haven’t seen Coldplay and am not going to jump on the hating bandwagon, but there are 1000s of amazing ‘live’ bands out there.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

My daughter, who has very good taste, went to see Nick Cave a couple of weeks ago and said it was possibly the best gig she’s ever been to. She is 42 and her companion used to own and run a record label.

He is a great performer and someone who clearly understands the dynamics of performance. I’ve seen him live numerous times from small function rooms to theatres to arenas and he commands them all.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Ahh FFS

Don’t like heavy metal so I have no appreciation of Musicmanship. It gets worse, I don’t like Electronic music either.

If you don’t like heavy metal, it probably means you DO have some appreciation of musicianship!

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Agreed. Punk and hardcore fit so much better in small, intimate venues.

On the other side of things there are bands that fit incredibly well into arenas although few and far between.

Bilmuri for example are a band that are a small venue size band but their show and music just fit arena's and it really showed on the Sleep Token tour where they were support.

A good discusssion which I had after a recent Justice gig. Justice are great in an arena. Pre sex-pest Arcade Fire are another who I think are better in an arena as are a lot of heavy metal bands.

 

[Pretty Plnk Fairy]

You snowflakeys our not down with the KID’S unlike ME

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Not my usual fayre but one of the best live bands I’ve ever seen was Flaming Lips at the BC, circa 2006.

Giant Sand were also fantastic at T.O.M

The best band I have ever seen live was Rollins Band on the Get Some Go Again tour when he was playing with Mother Superior.
Jesus! That band could f***ing play!!

Other notables I’ve seen are

Soundgarden
Jane’s Addiction
Hooray For The Riff Raff
Sonic Youth
Beastie Boys
Faith No More

Endless really, and depends on the night. I’ve seen bands who are alleged to put on a great show which were “meh” at best.
Chili Peppers were dogshit both times I saw them and I walked out of a U2 concert I was so bored.
But I’m certain they have had amazing shows.



I guess looking at my list, my dislike of Coldplay is fairly obvious

No Waxed Apple?