Best live act ...

[Axver]

Hey folks,

I'm curious as to who you think would be the best live act in the world.

Putting all of my personal bias aside, I would still have to say U2. Compared to everything else I've heard, they're incomparable. I'm drowning in live stuff by them, and all of it - from a 13 December 1981 concert (best version of I Will Follow ever) to Slane Castle 2001 (best version of Walk On ever) - is incredible. The way they put on a live show is incredible, and I once read a quote by a pastor describing it as a "spiritual experience" and the way church should be. U2 just seems to connect with the audience and really get them going, from simply playing the opening notes of I Will Follow and Where The Streets Have No Name, to dancing with crowd members and the imposing presence of Bono's ZooTV tour onstage alterego, Mr MacPhisto.

(By the way, the reason this is not in poll form is that I imagine there'd be so much differing opinion that it would be hard to make just a few options)

So, who do you think is the best live act?

- Andre

 

[Johnny Kendall]

Radiohead, hands down. They sound better live than in the studio.

 

[indigo tree]

U2. I never seen them live in concert, but from the live songs that I've listened to and the recent Slane Castle concert that was on TV, they blew me away.

 

[sunshine]

I've never seen U2 live...but they'd be first on my list to see.

the best live concert I've seen is Barenaked Ladies, they're hilarious and put on a great show

 

[draper]

U2'd be great live but I think back in the day Pink Floyd would have been amazing live.

 

[geekbuster]

i'd think it would be the red hot chili peppers, from what i've heard they have great sound live, and they always put on an awesome show, but they would have to have clothes on, i just think its disgusting when flea plays naked

 

[Megoogles]

Thursday. Best live show I've ever seen. Skate and Surf Fest 2003 in New Jersey.

 

[MikeMcK]

Buffett.

 

[KZs]

Queen was also a great live band. And Freddie Mercury was one of the most talented rock singers of all time IMO.

 

[zao77]

i would have to say radiohead by far...... you won't find a band that is more passionate, intracate, and entertaining than radiohead..... they sound awesome live and their sound and lighting engineers are top notch. worth your money if you were to ever go see them live.

 

[jamie_lynn]

radiohead, definitely. saw them a few weeks ago and they blew me out of the water. a close second would have to be the chemical brothers. they're actually up there running around and creating electronic music. pretty incredible!

 

[Iron Maiden]

Linkin Park, they put on an awesome show and sound great too. System of a Down was pretty good too.

 

[draper]

Our Lady Peace and The Tragically Hip have been the best I've seen.

 

[Axver]

Ooo, I would like to see Linkin Park. That would be great. Jimmy Eat World and Linkin Park are my two favourite bands behind - well, well behind - U2.

Now, seeing U2 will probably be touring next year, I need to start saving money so I can follow them round on tour ...

 

[ej]

Radiohead are good. I saw them in 1995, just before the release of their second album. Mighty fine band.



U2 - saw them on the Pop tour (1997?) they were okay, not as amazing as I'd expected.



Kep an eye out for the Darkness - a newish British band, doing well here - amazing on stage (supporting act at Knebworth this year) great presence.

 

[ej]

Aah! I forgot Moby!

Fantastic on stage - their soul singer is totally amazing - what a voice to fill a stadium!

 

[Axver]

What Popmart show did you go to? Popmart Mexico was quite incredible, going by the video, although apparently Popmart was U2's weakest tour ...

 

[ej]

I saw them at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. They were good live, but the atmosphere was kind of bland. I'd expected more excitement!

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Ohh the Tragically Hip are cool.
Hmm...Iron Maiden freaking explodes on stage. I've seen them 6 times and those guys can play better than most people can walk.
Iv'e seen Rush many times also and they do not disappoint.
Another band who is amazing live is Queensryche. I couldn't believe Maiden let them open. That's a hard band to follow after.

The most amazing live experience I've ever seen was actually 4 ladies who sing acapella. They're called Anonymous4. The first time I saw them I was transfixed from the first note. I've never heard or seen anything like them anywhere.

 

[Lotar]

U2 is very good, I saw them at the Staples Center on the last leg of the Elevation tour. I think it's the one they showed on VH1.
Coldplay is pretty good, really layed back though. I saw them at the Hollywood bowl a few months back.
I saw Deep Dish a couple of months ago, Sharam is very good but I thought Dubfire sucked.
The Supertones are really good live as well, I haven't seen them in a few years though.
I'm hoping to go see Goldfrapp next week.