Gigs/Bands you wish you'd seen

obviously all the elbow ones - i've never seen

but i'm meaning more kind of gigs that could be classed as iconic, maybe not til years later.
you know, were probably just of 'the time' but turned out to be noteable or stemmed a great live album.

I'm just listening to Echo And The Bunnymen at the Albert Hall from about 1984.
maybe just nostalgic but that would have been immense

U2 at Red Rocks would be another.

Stone Roses @ Spike Island

Just to experience the day, yeah the sound and band weren't up to much but due to barely a clip on You Tube, it's deffo took on an iconic status in my eyes.

The Smiths @ Derby Assembly Rooms

Love the footage from this gig, not sure if it was shown on The Old Grey Whistle Test, might be wrong - SOOOO would have liked to have been there.

Suede @ Royal Albert Hall/Manchester Ritz 2010 & Brixton Academy this Spring (3 nights - 3 seperate albums)

One of my first proper gigs was seeing Suede in Manchester - a quite brilliant and quintessentially English band - still not seen any of their reformed gigs - Brett's voice is like a fine malt, improving over time.....

Brilliant Topic.

There are loads of gigs I would have loved to have been at, but I'll stick to the ones I could actually have gone to if I'd known/been solvent/got my arse in gear for.

Spike Island is definately one - a significant cultural event as opposed to just a gig.

The Smiths too, a great shout.

Also Oasis at Maine Road in '96. Just because of where it was, and the fact that it was probably the last time they were any good.

Pulp at Glasto in '95.

The Clash - Electric Ballroom 1980. A mate's older brother said he could get us in. He was probably lying. Anyway I was only a kid and quite rightly Mum wouldn't let me go!

Floyd's The Wall shows, just for the sheer crazy spectacle.

The Manic's final date of The Holy Bible tour, and the last gig played by Richey. By all accounts it was incredibly intense. At the end they smashed up everything as if to say "that's it, it's all over."

There must be hundreds of others.

To choose one "go back in time" gig, it would be Bowie - retiring Ziggy at the Hammy Odeon in '73.

And one I'm so pleased I did go to - The Stones, Wembley June 25th 1982. Me and 2 mates bunked off school to go. Mick and Keef were still under 40, and they still had the magic, the vitality and the danger. They didn't do another tour for 7 years and by then the years started to tell. We missed the last train home and slept on Liverpool Street station's steps. I was in so much shit when I got home.

some crackers there guys.
I saw Oasis at Loch Lomond in 96' - that was an amazing day out !

another one form the past would be The Who - can never profess to being a die hard fan or anything
but one of my mates used to play one of their live gigs all the time when we were younger. Can't remember exactly which one....

Mr_K wrote:

Floyd's The Wall shows, just for the sheer crazy spectacle.

I was 16. It was amazing.

Mr_K wrote:

Brilliant Topic.

There are loads of gigs I would have loved to have been at, but I'll stick to the ones I could actually have gone to if I'd known/been solvent/got my arse in gear for.

Spike Island is definately one - a significant cultural event as opposed to just a gig.

The Smiths too, a great shout.

Also Oasis at Maine Road in '96. Just because of where it was, and the fact that it was probably the last time they were any good.

Pulp at Glasto in '95.

The Clash - Electric Ballroom 1980. A mate's older brother said he could get us in. He was probably lying. Anyway I was only a kid and quite rightly Mum wouldn't let me go!

Floyd's The Wall shows, just for the sheer crazy spectacle.

The Manic's final date of The Holy Bible tour, and the last gig played by Richey. By all accounts it was incredibly intense. At the end they smashed up everything as if to say "that's it, it's all over."

There must be hundreds of others.

To choose one "go back in time" gig, it would be Bowie - retiring Ziggy at the Hammy Odeon in '73.

And one I'm so pleased I did go to - The Stones, Wembley June 25th 1982. Me and 2 mates bunked off school to go. Mick and Keef were still under 40, and they still had the magic, the vitality and the danger. They didn't do another tour for 7 years and by then the years started to tell. We missed the last train home and slept on Liverpool Street station's steps. I was in so much shit when I got home.

Mr K - Was at Maine Road to see Oasis on the Sunday, and it was magical, a celebration of their music to that point, drinking from a carton of gin and orange to Acquiesce, aaah those were the days.....the night before I was at the Fifth Man under The Hacienda to see the Manics first live gig (and mine ever of the band) without Richey, it was their warm up gig for Maine Road with Oasis....'Roses In The Hospital' esp staying in my memory.

ChrissyBoy - I was at Loch Lomond aswell - another great Oasis gig with OCS and Black Grape supporting, among others.

My Bury Vest wrote:

ChrissyBoy - I was at Loch Lomond aswell - another great Oasis gig with OCS and Black Grape supporting, among others.

You must have been on the Sunday - think there was a slightly bigger line up for some reason - On the Sat we didn't get OCS -
Cast played instead with Black Grape and can't remember the other. Was an amazing setting though - magic fireworks at the end too !

Mr_K wrote:

Brilliant Topic.


And one I'm so pleased I did go to - The Stones, Wembley June 25th 1982. Me and 2 mates bunked off school to go. Mick and Keef were still under 40, and they still had the magic, the vitality and the danger. They didn't do another tour for 7 years and by then the years started to tell. We missed the last train home and slept on Liverpool Street station's steps. I was in so much shit when I got home.

I went to that one too! I even got a very grainy photo to prove it! Sorry about the quality - my Kodak Instamatic wasn't really up to thrashing around to the strains of Mick and Keef!

Nice one Ticky. I know that these massive gigs are much maligned (by me as well) but there is something special being part of a huge crowd watching brilliant performers do their stuff. The collective euphoria is just something else.

It also displays the difference between brilliant musicians and uber-charismatic performers. The Stones were one of those bands. Likewise U2, who are far from my favourite band, were bloody awesome at Wembley in '93 (as was Bjork, supporting). Love him or LOATHE him, Bono on stage has charisma by the bucket load, and U2 were perhaps the ultimate arena band of the 90s.

On a similar theme, another gig I wish I'd gone to was Queen at Wembley in 86. Not a band I listen to much, but we all know the songs, and as live performers they were up there with the very best. It was recorded for a live album too.

And finally, one I missed last month - Paul McCartney at the Hammy Odeon (or whatever it is called now). He may be knocking on, but he is a legend. Just look at the setlist - OMG! Gutted!

Nice list Mr K and top post CB!!
The first that springs to mind is Jeff Buckley, don't care when, don't care where, just wanted to see and most probably cry!
The Smiths with support from James 1984
Joy Division's first Factory gig on June 9th 1978.

Frank Sinatra/The Rat Pack!
Definitly!

The Beatles - my dad bought a ticket for me when I was 4 years old to see them in Cardiff, but my mother wouldn't let him take me. I have never forgiven her...!