Audio

My Top Five Live Bands

Through my life I've seen a whole load of live bands, from festivals to concert halls. Although I count myself fairly lucky, there are so many I haven't yet seen and heard in the flesh - but for now, here's my five favourite live performances, over the past ten or so years.

NINE INCH NAILS - Leeds festival, 2007

I went expecting them to be good, and they still blew me away. Alongside an incredible light show (Muse paled in comparison) they played all of their best tracks, including loads from their new album, Year Zero. It was a warm Summer evening, and it was beautiful.

Among the tracks they played were Hurt, March of the Pigs, Only, The Hand That Feeds - despite my devotion to the band, I had yet to hear their new album at the time, so I have little idea which of the tracks they played from it - suffice to say, for the most part they blew me away.

21ST CENTURY SCHIZOID BAND - Customs House, South Shields, 2003

I'm a massive King Crimson fan, and I have been for almost ten years now. So when I got the chance to see Schizoid Band (which, by the way, isn't a cover band, with the exception of Fripp they were mostly the real thing) I was overjoyed.

Aside from a few wrong words - and it has been a long time to remember - it was perfect. An incredibly small venue, all of my favourite Crimson tracks, and even some new ones. If you ever get a chance to see them - which is unlikely - don't miss it for the world.

INTERPOL - Radio 1 Weekend, Sunderland, 2004

Interpol are an acquired taste. Indie Rock has always been hit and miss, for me; and although I'll admit their latest album is incredibly easy to listen to, the earlier two took some getting used to. And I love 'em even more for it.

I saw Interpol later, at Leeds, and while it was still amazing, the set at Radio 1's 2004 weekend was perfect. Having just released Antics, they didn't have such a huge following, and I could see the whites of their eyes as I tried to decide whether I liked their music or not. I walked away a devoted fan.

STEELY DAN - Liverpool, July 2007

I had never hoped - or dreamed - of ever seeing Becker and Fagen play as Steely Dan. I payed more than I should have for the tickets, even went all the way down to Liverpool from Newcastle to see them. But damn, was it worth it. They played most of Aja, along with nearly all of the classics, including Bodhisattva, My Old School, Pretzel Logic…

My Dad always likes to tell me about how he liked Steely Dan when he was young - I can tell my children I actually saw them.

FIELDS - Carling Academy, Newcastle, 2005

I hadn't even heard of The Fields before this. I was actually there to see an Editors concert (not to give the wrong impression, this was incredible too). I haven't heard much of them since - but if this performance was anything to go by, I'd wager they're doing well.

The Ones I Missed

The most significant of the bands I missed seeing live was the Queens of the Stone Age. I literally missed the tickets selling out by about a day. I have no doubt that they would have been top of this list otherwise. The second is Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, whom discovered were playing when I was due to set off on holiday. And lastly: Interpol (yes, Interpol again) - simply because none of my friends or relatives wanted to go. Including the co-author of this site, Rich, who seemed to think an interview for Med-School was more important. Can't have 'em all, I guess.

Popularity: 4%

Essential Firefox addons

Running Street Fighter III on your PC

Python Tips and Tricks

© 2007 BlueSunCorp.