Watercooler Wednesday: What's the best concert you ever saw?

For my edition of Randy Elrod's fabulous Watercooler Wednesday, I'm going to talk about something near and dear to my heart.  In addition to performing somewhere in the neighborhood of 1200 shows with Third Day, I've also been to hundreds of shows myself.  I've been to shows at stadiums, rock clubs, arenas, amphitheaters, churches, bars, schools, parking lots, and empty fields in the middle of nowhere.  I've seen rap shows, rock shows, and rap rock shows.  I've seen it all.  But the big question, and the question I'm also going to ask you, is "What's the best concert you ever saw?"

Many great concerts come to mind*.  As much as I want to come up with some hip and obscure show, I've gotta go with U2.  I've seen them 5 times dating back to Zoo TV.  But the absolute best time was when I loaded up with the rest of the band guys and friends drove to Chicago to see U2 on the Elevation tour.  It was just a few weeks after 9/11, so it was a really emotional night for everyone there.  I remember Bono striking one of his signature poses by hugging an American flag.  And of course the production was absolutely unbelievable.  The song arrangements were killer.  I'll never forget the intro to "Where the Streets Have No Name".  And the show opening with the house lights on and they ease into "Elevation" and turn the lights off on the "mole diggin' in a hole" line.  And "Beautiful Day"!  It was just a magical evening that I'll never forget!

What about you?

* Gun, Cinderella, Pearl Jam, The Scorpions (great story), The Rolling Stones (Steel Wheels! I still have the shirt), Jeff Healey (another great story), Eric Johnson, Extreme, Coldplay (in a club BEFORE they were huge), Wilco (killer!), Gary Louris and Mark Olson, Bon Jovi, Jacob's Trouble, The Choir, Bride, Drivin n Cryin, Joe Satriani, Steve Morse, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sheryl Crow, Clint Black, Motley Crue, Travis Tritt, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Jars of Clay, The Dixie Chicks, Van Halen, The Wallflowers (that was seriously one of the best club shows ever!), The Black Crowes (best festival set ever), Yngwie Malmsteen, Mr. Big, Winger, Kiss, dc talk, Ryan Adams, Loretta Lynn, Gov't Mule, The Police, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, you get the picture...

Comments

[Wendy]

Can I add to this great list....

Okay I'm VERY jealous of the Scorpions concert you went to (they are STILL in my cd case in my car...but alas I've never seen them live)

One of the very best shows I've ever seen was Prince. I begged my dad to let me go to this show. It was the Purple Rain tour and I still remember it to this day. Amazing just amazing.

DC Talk at Walnut Creek in Raleigh. Maybe because it was the last time I saw them together(of course I didn't know it at the time) but that day was just fun.

Third Day DVD taping of Wire in Louisville Kentucky. Good, fun show and even with the techincal issues (I know Mac didn't want to sing the same songs over again!) you guys were great.

George Strait - he came out as "Dusty" from his movie with all the glitz and glamour. Played the part and then became good old George. I loved it!

Toby Mac, David Crowder Band, Hootie and the Blowfish, Pink Floyd, Cinderella, RATT, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Daughtry, Styx

(I play to add MBT with Switchfoot...been a fan of theirs for years and have never seen them live...yeah I'm ready for it!)

[Jeff]

Many 80's/early 90's afficiaindos remember a band called Oingo Boingo singing the theme to "Wierd Science". A few trivia buffs enjoyed their "Dead Man's Party" But basically nobody outside of L.A. knows that the band was this amazing ska/synth-heavy/hard rock/punk influenced phenemonon. Seeing there annual Halloween shows probably kept me out a whole lot trouble while my contemporaries were out doing bad stuff on that day.
But the shows were amazing. I saw them about 5 years, including the farewell gig. Amazing stuff. Boingo's front man, Danny Elfman, has made a name for himself doing film scores (mostly from Tim Burton flicks) but in my heart he'll always be this red-headed ball of wierdness defining what a concert should be.

[tshafer]

Best concert I've ever been to was definitely Radiohead. Everything was perfect... just absolutely perfect. Great weather (outdoors at an amphitheater), great FOH mix, amazing performance, amazing light show, amazing seats (managed to get seats just about dead center halfway up to the FOH console), and an amazing set (24 songs including 3 b-sides!) Completely blew anything I'd seen before out of the water. Now I just have to try to find tickets for the next leg out in CA, haha.

[Elwood]

I would say best performance at a concert: Haven’t been to enough concerts to really have been awestruck by the entire show:

Hyper Static Union at SWC in 2005. What they did that day was spectacular. While a bass was down due to a power issue (9volts of it), and Shawn (lead guitar/ lead singer) seems to have gotten a horrible batch of strings and was breaking them continually, the band just rocked-on. When the complications dissipated, and everyone got back on the same page, it was the best performance I’ve seen. They simple gave up and let it fly and what came out that day was serious authentic rock music. I feel lucky to have been there for that.

[Chris]

I missed one earlier that Paula's comment reminded me of: Ben Folds with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House. We were sitting on the side, above the orchestra, facing Ben Folds at the piano. That was awesome.

[Thom]

AC/DC in 1996, Kemper Arena (Kansas City, MO). 'Twas my graduation present from my dad. Cool dad, eh?

[Paula]

I've only seen a few concerts since moving to sydney (i used to live in the country). I've been loving the 'Australia Day concerts' - so far there's been Jars of Clay, Audio Adrenaline and Third Day (x2). Saw Switchfoot before 'Nothing is Sound' came out (a present from my pastor when I left staff), saw U2 - Vertigo, but I think my favourite (apart from the Australia Day shows), was Harry Connick Jr with his big band, easter monday this year at the Sydney Opera House. FANTASTIC!

[ali]

Best concert I've ever been to is BY FAR Apr 27, 2008, NYC with Traci Ward to see Paul Simon. Of course the musical talent displayed in that concert was off the charts, with artists such as Josh Groban, The Roches, David Rawlings, and the other ones Traci already mentioned. PLUS Steve Gadd played drums, which is the second reason this concert tops the rest. The first being the fact that it was a Paul Simon concert. A dream come true, absolutely.

[Brian]

Great stuff here...

For me?

Gloria Estafan and the Miami Sound Machine (1993)Phila. That was a production and far outweighed all others in talant, dance theatrics and enthusiasm for a live show.

I feel like a geek for saying this. :^(

[MrsJason]

Kat: I couldn't agree more about Kendell Payne. I saw her for the first time as an opener for 3D. As soon as her set was over, my husband reached for his wallet. "Here.I know you want her CD." I've been a devout follower ever since.

[Kevin]

my top 5 Christian are:
1)Jars of Clay (250 seat theater 2007)-favorite of 4 times I've seen my favorite band.
2)Newsboys (Creation 1999), 2nd time I saw them on Step Up To The Microphone tour, also was recorded as "One Night In Pennsylvania".
3)Third Day, with Newsboys and The Waiting (New Jersey, 1998) 1st time I saw Third Day and I loved "My Hope Is You" and "Love Song".
4)Downhere (2001)-at my church, I became a huge Downhere fan.
5)DC Talk (Jesus Freak 1996)-my first ever Christian concert, before I became a Christian in 1999.

honorable mention: Shaun Groves (2006 & 2007)-at my church, Derek Webb and Caedmon's Call (2008), Casting Crowns, with Leeland & John Waller (2007).

[tshafer]

I'll get back to you... I'm seeing Radiohead in Chalotte tomorrow evening : )

[Kevin]

my top 5 mainstream are:
1)U2 (Joshua Tree in 1987)
2)Toad The Wet Sprocket, with Rusted Root (1995)-best of 7 times I've seen them.
3)Del Amitri (1998)-unbelievable band from Scotland, very underrated
4)Beck (1997)-headliner of festival including Matthew Sweet, Reel Big Fish, Cheap Trick, Toad The Wet Sprocket, The Caulfields. Made me a fan of Beck.
5)Depeche Mode (1993)-everyone needs to see them once, 20,000 fans waving their arms to "Never Let Me Down Again" is an amazing experience.

honorable mention: Rush (1982)-my 1st concert ever, INXS (1988), Hooters (1993)

[Daniel Ross]

Most Memorable to me: Bon Jovi "These Days" tour 1995 in Nashville at the old Starwood Ampitheatre

Others:
-- dc talk "Jesus Freak" tour 1996 at Municipal Auditorium in Nashville.
-- Metallica "Load" tour 1997 in Nashville at the Nashville Arena
-- Third Day: 328 Performance Hall 1996 (maybe early 97).
-- Garth Brooks 1993 at the Pyramid in Memphis
-- Marty Stuart, 1994 at the Acuff Theatre on the grounds of Opryland in Nashville. (Met him after the show too)
-- U2 Elevation tour: Rupp Arena Lexington, KY., May 2001 (horrible sound move this down the list, otherwise it would've been tops)
-- Kenny Wayne Shepherd @ 328 Performance Hall in Nashville Dec. 1997.
-- Pearl Jam. Nashville. 2000. Starwood.
-- Black Crowes. 1999, Starwood. great show but morons behind me kept telling me to sit down (HATE that).

Biggest Disappointment: Collective Soul at 328 in 1997. Great songwriters, but show was kinda boring, really.

[The Secret Life of Kat]

I used to work at KSBJ radio in Houston in the Special Events department, so it was actually my job to go to concerts....and I went to A LOT of concerts.

My favorite one, though, was (and I'm not just saying this because this is your blog) a Third Day concert with Kendall Payne as the opener. She completely blew me away and the whole show was a wonderful combination of worshipful AND excellent. (Meaning a lot of times, something can be worshipful but not actually very well done. This concert was really well done AND worshipful...)

Oh, and thanks for the Twitter follow.

[Dale Best]

I've been to quite a lot in my day as well. And for the top spot...it would be a tie.

Four friends and I packed in a mini-van and drove to Philly from Richmond to see U2 on the Vertigo tour in May of 2005. Words can't describe.

And the other...my wife and I drove from Tulsa to Columbus, OH, to see a reunited Genesis at Nationwide Arena. I'd been waiting over 10 years to see them live. And it lived up to all my expectations. As a side note to this road trip, we stopped in St. Louis to see Edwin McCain at the Pageant. He always puts on a great show...

The best club show I've ever seen is front row center Robert Randolph at Cain's Ballroom right here in Tulsa.

[Tim]

Best show I've been to ever was David Crowder, Downhere, and Jeremy Camp @ 2006 Atlanta Fest. They appeared in that order.

Sorry, Mark. Even though ya'll are my favorite band, I've never actually been to a Third Day show.

[rhonda]

U2 Thanksgiving day, 1987 Baton Rouge, LA. May have been 1988. Not sure, but it was back in my college days. I paid $75 to a scalper for front row center. Boy, those days are gone. That won't get you nosebleed at U2 these days. The show was incredible. I especially remember 40 as they were leaving the stage. The crowd just stayed there singing acapella for what seemed like forever.

Best Third Day show was definitely the Music Builds Pre-Show, even with Mac a little under the weather, you guys sounded great. I loved the Jars set, and I was absolutely blown away by Switchfoot. They are incredible live. I am really looking forward to the fall!

[Angela]

So many good concerts to choose from out of my mere 22 years of life. . .

so, I' m going to do a top 5 I think. (in no specific order)

1) Todd Agnew, 2004 Quincy, Il. I don't necessarily remember the show so much, but what God did at that show makes it one of the most amazing ever.

2) Third Day, 2002 St. Charles, Mo. meeting friends, a road trip with my best friend and our younger siblings. heck freaking yes!

3) Third Day 2004 Houston, Tx. Ok, the Sea of Orange, being there with good friends and good music, oh yeah. . .

4) Johnny Lang 2004 Columbia, Mo. That dude can RIP! man, what a show.

5) Kainos 2006 (i think) Moberly, Mo. Small Venue, Rock show, then an acoustic show. great set, intimate and powerful.

[stephanie lee]

this will be quite difficult for me as i don't want to upset the readers or my dear husband, so i will break it down. 2 categories- best Third Day shows & best concerts period. Only catch- to read this you have to visit my blog b/c I decided it would be a fun couple of posts.

[Chuck Harris]

i must say like another person commented, i too am jealous of your U2 streak. i've seen DC Talk 7 times, always great. My favorite concerts would have to be from 5-1

5. DC Talk-Supernatural Tour
4. Derek Webb-Mockingbird Club Tour
3. Switchfoot-Beautiful Letdown Club Tour
2. David Crowder *Band-Remedy Club Tour
1. James Taylor-October Road Tour

[Mark Lee]

Patrick: I saw Pearl Jam at Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta. I think it was around '99 or '00. "Wishlist" was the big song at the time. Great show - probably would've been my favorite until I saw the aforementioned U2 show.

Mark Murthen: I'm with you on that 3D London show. Probably one of the most memorable shows of our career!

Seth: To give you an idea of how many shows I've been to, I've seen Bob Dylan before, and failed to mention it in that long obnoxious list I made! It was at a big music festival in Atlanta. It was a really good show, but I was so far from the stage that I didn't have the best experience...

[Joel Stapleton]

first of all, my jealousy of your 5 U2's to my zero is huge...they are on top of the must see list (along with coldplay and mr. mayer). but, here are some that really stick out to me:

-hillsong united @ gma sunday night worship...the best worship band in the world today...period.
-third day along with tobymac at the fox on the day of the wired release...was it yalls killer set, the first time for me in the fox or going to the varsity afterwards (two naked steaks and strings please) and getting my wired cd signed...it was all of it, awesome night...my favorite td show.
-music builds tour preview...i think you know when this was...this was my first time seeing switchfoot ever (stellar) and jars of clay as well (even though i didn't realize it until the ride home) and was very impressed with the "lone guitar" work of one mark lee. this topped off a good, productive gma for us.
-george strait...this may sound silly but the "dude" just stood there flat footed, held his guitar and rattled off about 45 hits over a span of two hours...my wife would leave me today for him no questions asked.

good day to you, sir.

[Chris]

I also saw U2 in late 2001, in Dallas, after seeing them in April '01 as well. Only seven months apart, but very different shows.

The White Stripes are unbelievable live. Go see them and you will be exhausted, even if you don't get out of your seat--what a rush.

I've seen Wilco twice at a cozy little theatre here in Sydney that has great atmosphere for them. Saw the Shins at the same venue, also great.

My wife saw the Cure in Atlanta in 2004, but I didn't go because we had been to a bad Dave Matthews show a couple days earlier. That Cure show--supported by Interpol--is one of her all-time favorites.

Saw Toad the Wet Sprocket back in my heyday and spent the entire show saying "This is my favorite song!...No, this is my favorite song!...No, this is my favorite song!..."

[patrickwitherow]

When did you see Pearl Jam? Was it in ATL? Have a great day!