Concerts (Music)

[hoponlilmama]

@NotASlayer has inspired the creation of this thread: I love going to concerts, and I'd like to hear about whether you're a fan?
Which bands/artists have you seen? Any upcoming shows you've got plans to see? Best concert(s) you've attended? Any gigs you missed out on that you're still kicking yourself over for missing?

Let's hear it!

What I also like: The concert countdown; once you've got tickets, you're counting the days until the show.
What I dislike: The ticket purchasing experience. Want to elevate your blood pressure? Wait until tickets go on sale for a concert and good luck!

 

[BuffyElevated]

I used to LOVE going to concerts and tried to go to one every couple of years. However, the price was always a factor since I've almost always lived in a single income household... Some of the artists I've seen over the years are:
Matchbox Twenty
Sugar Ray
American Hi-Fi
Fountains of Wayne
The Dixie Chicks
Backstreet Boys
Mandy Moore
Aaron Tippin
Brooks and Dunn
Cole Swindell
Thomas Rhett
Gabby Barrett
Kenny Chesney
Dan + Shay
Carly Pearce
Old Dominion
Luke Combs
Ashley McBryde

 

[NotASlayer]

Well... none. I have been to places and events where there was live music, but nowhere specifically for the live music.

 

[HowiMetdaSlayer]

Been to quite a few thru the years. Next month I'm seeing Band Maid in London and Paris!

 

[November]

I used to go to a few festivals but rarely anywhere just to see one band or singer. The festivals I used to go to dont run anymore. I think they relied largely on alcohol sales lol.

It used to be a fun band scene in the city, local bands I saw regularly, like Jebediah, Gyroscope, Little Birdie, Birds of Tokyo, John Butler Trio, the Waifs, even Grinspoon, Spiderbait, Frenzal Rhomb, Powderfinger and Silverchair I have seen a fair few times. The big American bands like Blink 182, Offspring, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kings of Leon plus whatever else was in the mix, were all at festivals.

 

[hoponlilmama]

Well... none. I have been to places and events where there was live music, but nowhere specifically for the live music.

Maybe you're just not a concert person?

 

[nightshade]

I used to go to concerts, haven't for years, I think ticket buying is such a hassle now and expensive.

I don't think I'd want to do a festival these days, camping is not for me!

 

[NotASlayer]

Maybe you're just not a concert person?

I think part of it is because on the whole I like songs, not bands - Clocks is the only Coldplay song I like for instance; it's not that I dislike the rest, I'm just indifferent and I'll listen to them if on the radio, rather than turning it off, but don't care if they aren't on - so it would have to be of an artist/group I liked in general, rather than them just having 1-2 songs I like. I'm also unlikely to go by myself, because I'd be horribly uncomfortable in that sort of crowd on my own, so I'd need someone to go with, and my tastes don't really overlap those of my friends. And then there's the expense! I think the last tickets I "bought" were over £100 each, plus travel and accommodation.

I used to go to concerts, haven't for years, I think ticket buying is such a hassle now and expensive.

Friends delegated that hassle to me last year! I think it was actually for Coldplay tickets when they were playing... somewhere. Manchester? London? I may have been buying the tickets but I wasn't that interested otherwise!

I don't think I'd want to do a festival these days, camping is not for me!

If you can turn up in a million pound camper van, that's okay camping.

 

[hoponlilmama]

I think part of it is because on the whole I like songs, not bands - Clocks is the only Coldplay song I like for instance; it's not that I dislike the rest, I'm just indifferent and I'll listen to them if on the radio, rather than turning it off, but don't care if they aren't on - so it would have to be of an artist/group I liked in general, rather than them just having 1-2 songs I like.

It sounds like (and please correct me if I'm wrong!) that you're not a big music fan? As in, you obviously enjoy songs, but it's not enough to go to concerts. And only being familiar with a song or two from a band isn't motivation enough to see someone live!

I've got friends who just aren't concert people - it's not their cup of tea.

I'm also unlikely to go by myself, because I'd be horribly uncomfortable in that sort of crowd on my own, so I'd need someone to go with, and my tastes don't really overlap those of my friends. And then there's the expense! I think the last tickets I "bought" were over £100 each, plus travel and accommodation.

Understandable. If I desperately want to see a band/artist, I'll go by myself. Like you, I'd rather have company with me, but I have to push my anxiety aside and go.

I did pass on a few concerts and then kicked myself for not going alone later. And then there's times ticket prices dictated whether I'd skip seeing someone live. I have my limits!

 

[NotASlayer]

It sounds like (and please correct me if I'm wrong!) that you're not a big music fan? As in, you obviously enjoy songs, but it's not enough to go to concerts. And only being familiar with a song or two from a band isn't motivation enough to see someone live!

Yes; I like dancing, listening to it in the car or having it on when doing housework (and other times when it's background basically for something repetitive, like when I was working in a kitchen as a teen). But aside from that, I don't tend to have it on. I always found it odd that friends at school could have music on when doing homework; I had utter quiet.

I'm not sure on the concerts thing, having never been to one. The places I've been to with live music, it was just cover bands and small local bands for the most, so it was just background stuff for me. But going to concert would require a group that had enough music I liked that I wanted to listen to it for some time, and be able to do so easily and not too expensively, and more than likely someone to go with.

 

[hoponlilmama]

Yes; I like dancing, listening to it in the car or having it on when doing housework (and other times when it's background basically for something repetitive, like when I was working in a kitchen as a teen). But aside from that, I don't tend to have it on. I always found it odd that friends at school could have music on when doing homework; I had utter quiet.

I'm not sure on the concerts thing, having never been to one. The places I've been to with live music, it was just cover bands and small local bands for the most, so it was just background stuff for me. But going to concert would require a group that had enough music I liked that I wanted to listen to it for some time, and be able to do so easily and not too expensively, and more than likely someone to go with.

Music on a whole is more background noise to you - and that's perfectly fine! Perhaps you're more into film as opposed to music.

Hopefully you're following Anya's way when it comes to dancing: 'wave your hands in the air like you don't care'. 😉

 

[BuffyElevated]

I don't think I'd want to do a festival these days, camping is not for me!

I could never do a festival. I like camping, but I can't handle the heat anymore PLUS it's just so nasty. People are puking and pissing and shitting everywhere, and it's just disgusting.

 

[Taake]

I used to go to a lot of concerts and festivals and did enjoy that… then. I definitely wouldn’t go to a festival now unless I had heckin nice accomodations to retreat to. (I’m too old for muddy fields, tents, and people setting porta-potties on fire)

Best concert I’ve been to: hands down Tool, but also Gogol Bordello. Both great live bands for different reasons.

Most interesting concerts: probably Watain, cause back then they’d throw old pigs blood at the audience (not sure that is a done thing anymore)

Also really enjoyed shows by Satyricon and Taake. Volbeat is also a good live band. So is Sabaton. Actually the more shows I think of the more bands I’m like - great live bands!

That said, I don’t go to concerts anymore really, if I go it is for work and then it is generally classical music or jazz, so a bit different from my old habits 😅

 

[Nix]

I also am too old in my body for camping out at festivals... if they had hotels thats a different ballgame. I've been to Donnington Monsters of Rock & Leeds/Reading Festivals in the 90's.

Bands at their own concerts;
Nine Inch Nails
Sisters of Mercy
Placebo
Metallica
Marylin Manson

Bands at festivals that I've made the effort to see;
Metallica
Marylin Manson
Korn
Sepultura
Ozzy
Kiss
Fear Factory
Type O Negative
Korn
Dog Eat Dog
Terrorvision

I've obviously seen other bands but no more left a mark that I could say "oh yeah I saw them!"

I'd love to see;
Bon Jovi
Def Leppard
Whitesnake
Thunder
YungBlud

 

[Mr. Pointy]

I don't go to many gigs these days but back in the day (when most of your grandparents were kids 🤣)I saw loads of artists and bands live. A few of my favourites were -
Queen on their Night at the Opera tour, just as they were becoming huge, at Birmingham Odeon in 1975
The Who, The Stranglers, AC/DC and Nils Lofgren at the old Wembley Stadium the day after my birthday in 1979
David Bowie on his Serious Moonlight tour in 1983 at the NEC Birmingham and Milton Keynes Bowl
Iggy Pop at Barbarellas club in Birmingham on his New Values tour in 1979
I saw Duran Duran doing a soundcheck one lunchtime at Aston University before they broke big...I didn't actually go to the evening gig but I was studying at Birmingham Poly next door and the Uni canteen served better food, hence being serenaded while we ate by the soon-to-be New Romantic demi-gods 😉

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Which bands/artists have you seen? Any upcoming shows you've got plans to see? Best concert(s) you've attended? Any gigs you missed out on that you're still kicking yourself over for missing?

I love this thread idea! I also love live music, and make a point to see it regularly. I'm going to see a band tonight, actually! I'm lucky to live in a city where there is a lot of live music, so I'm a bit spoiled.

I've seen a lot of concerts, but I'd say one of the best was Jack White. He is a great guitar player! Runner up goes to, surprisingly, Machine Gun Kelly (now changed his name to Multi Genre King or "mgk"). He gets a lot of hate, but he's awesome, has great energy, and puts on a great show.

I didn't see Poison on their last reunion tour and I'm still kicking myself for that. I did, however, years later, run into Bret Micheals in an elevator at a casino I worked at and almost passed out, lol.

Post automatically merged: May 21, 2026

I also am too old in my body for camping out at festivals... if they had hotels thats a different ballgame. I've been to Donnington Monsters of Rock & Leeds/Reading Festivals in the 90's.

How were Sisters of Mercy, and when was this? Was it the whole original band? They're one of my all time fav bands (I think we've already talked about this actually, lol) but I skipped on their last tour because I was told they're bad live.

I've also seen Marilyn Manson and it was one of the best shows I've been to.

Ooh, I adore YungBlud. I would love to see him. If you like him, you may like Huddy. I saw him open for Mod Sun on his last tour and was impressed with his energy and catchy songs. He's cute too!

 

[hoponlilmama]

I should probably share some of the bands I've seen and some favourites:

Prince
Bruce Springsteen
The Cure
Elton John
Metallica
AC/DC
Pink
Billy Idol
Alice Cooper
The Eagles
The Darkness
Alicia Keys
and more...

Favourites: Pink, Prince, Bruce, The Darkness

Kicking myself for missing Lady Gaga. I saw her many years ago, but she was an opening act at that point and it was just before she exploded into the big time, so I'd love to see her as a headlining act.

 

[Mr. Pointy]

[B]hoponlilmama[/B] You are the envy of this thread! Who else have you seen?

Too many to remember them all. My first gig was Mick Ronson at Birmingham Town Hall just after Bowie disbanded The Spiders and the last one was Alice Cooper in 2017 (unless you count the Creedence tribute band I saw a couple of months ago). In between I've seen quite a variety of acts - Rod Stewart, The Rolling Stones, The Undertones, 10cc, Stiff Little Fingers, The Specials, The Beat, The Selecter, Dexy's Midnight Runners, Billy Bragg, Robert Plant, The Pretenders, The House Martins, Marillion, Jethro Tull, The Ramones, ZZ Top, Fairport Convention, Adam and the Ants, Roxy Music, The Pogues...and many more. Those are just off the top of my head. Acts I wish I'd seen but probably won't now include Led Zeppelin, The Clash, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, XTC, Bruce Springsteen, Blondie, Aerosmith, Bob Marley, Buzzcocks, Crowded House, The Damned, Elbow, The Faces etc. etc.

 

[The Bronze]

Yeah I love live music. I've been a regular gig goer since 2005. I've just been to Slam Dunk festival today and had a great time. Been every year since 2013. Should be heading to Punk Rock Holiday in the summer for a week.

I'm lucky to be near London and have a great ska/punk scene full of mates releasing music.

Seen a few big names from the world of pop: Taylor Swift, Elton John, Kylie, Spice Girls, Beyonce & Robbie Williams.

Then pretty much everyone from the 90s onwards punk/ska/pop scene: Sum 41, Linkin Park, Green Day, Blink 182, Good Charlotte, NOFX, Pennywise, Less Than Jane etc.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

Then pretty much everyone from the 90s onwards punk/ska/pop scene: Sum 41, Linkin Park, Green Day, Blink 182, Good Charlotte, NOFX, Pennywise, Less Than Jane etc.

I love punk too! I go to shows whenever I can.
Also, I saw Pennywise and Ten Foot Pole at a show in an abandoned bowling alley in Chicago in 2003, my last year of high school. What a fun time.