[Gabriel]

Going to concerts, rock, pop, classical etc. is great - there's nothing quite like seeing and hearing music played live. What's the most amazing concert you've ever seen? Or if you can't chose one, list your top five.

Even those of you who don't post too often must have some fantastic memories of a concert or concerts you've been to - please share them with everyone

[James Bradley]

My Favourite concderts have been James Blunt, and of course Ludovico... I havent been to any others!!!
=/
=[

[Cathy]

James Bradley, on Sep 21 2006, 10:21 PM, said:

My Favourite concderts have been James Blunt, and of course Ludovico... I havent been to any others!!!
=/
=[

Oh James!!! Please tell us about them... what were they like? How did you feel? What made them so special? More, more, and more more!!!

[Gabriel]

I've seen many fantastic concerts over the years, some of the very best have been (in no particular order): -

Genesis (Six of the Best 1982 Milton Keynes Bowl) Peter Gabriel re-joined Genesis for a one-off concert in the cold and rain (it was October) Earlier that year, Gabriel had organised the first WOMAD festival. It had been a financial disaster, and his former band had agreed to play this concert to bale out WOMAD (and Peter himself, who had invested most of his own money in the project). There were 60,000 fans in the bowl. For those of us who were too young to see Gabriel when he was with Genesis it was a fantastic experience. Ever the showman, he was carried on in a coffin and emerged to sing 'Back in New York City'. Musically it wasn't great, but they obviously hadn't rehearsed enough, and Peter forgot quite a few of the lyrics!, but none of that mattered. He wore the costumes and masks he used to wear in the old concerts. When Steve Hackett (who had also left Genesis a few years earlier) stepped on stage for the encores, the whole place erupted. We had arrived in the early morning, stood all day in a muddy field in the pouring rain (Genesis didn't come on until 9.00pm) but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

Elgar Symphony No 1 (Leicester 2006) Powerful, majestic, awe-inspiring - just incredible.

Ludovico Einaudi (Barbican 2006) Difficult to choose a favourite amongst Ludovico's concerts - they have all been so different. But this was the first time I'd seen him play, and after listening to his music for months beforehand, it was a tremendous thrill when he walked out on stage and sat at the piano. Seeing Ludovico play the music he has composed is breathtaking, and incredibly moving. He's not a flamboyant player, but is visually magnetic and you can't take your eyes off him. The emotion of the occasion is flooding back as I type this.

Mike Oldfield (Tubular Bells 3 at Horse Guards Parade 1998) Another concert in the rain, but Mike Oldfield's Ibiza album brightened us up and and his electric guitar playing was brilliant. And what a great setting for a concert!

Tangerine Dream with Laserium (Manchester 1978) I've seen Tangerine Dream a number of times, this was the first and best. The laser show was astounding. At one point they shot a number of different coloured lasers onto 2 big glitter balls and it looked like the theatre was full of multi-coloured snow! (although how safe it was - zapping lasers around like that - I'm not sure )

There are plenty of others that I could add, but I'm sure others of you have similar tales you would like to share. I'll perhaps add a few more at a later date

[crazymoosej]

Wow! you went to see mike oldfield?!

that must've been excellent

[Gabriel]

crazymoosej, on Sep 25 2006, 03:25 PM, said:

Wow! you went to see mike oldfield?!

that must've been excellent

It certainly was, Jess. I didn't realise he was such a whizz on the guitar. Not sure if you've heard the TBIII album, but it has an incredible finale ('far above the clouds') with tubular bells, thumping drums and screaming electric guitar. It was wonderful to hear it live (he actually played it twice - as an encore as well)

I presume you are a fan of his music?

[crazymoosej]

Well i like his tubular bells albums (i have only heard the first two albums though).... and my mum likes some of his other stuff, but i wouldnt know it by name

[twgie]

Ludovico Einaudi - Usher Hall - Edinburgh
Ludovico Einaudi - Queens Hall - Edinburgh

(NB. These concerts were in Edinburgh - Not Glasgow!)


Top Five (after two above)

Queen - Crazy Tour - Glasgow Apollo 1979 - Met Brian May and Roger Taylor.

Queen - Magic tour - St James Park 1986 - Nearest concert to Scotland.
They never came back.

Ry Cooder - Glasgow SECC - 1988 Tickets in VIP section
sat beside Harry Dean Stanton (American Actor, Paris Texas etc.) A must see
for any serious guitarist.

Genesis - Glasgow Apollo 1981

The Magic flute - Mozart - Theatre Royal Glasgow
All opera versions from 1990 to present.

I have been to other concerts, but some are too embarrassing to mention.

Best concert I haven't been to yet - Ludovico Einaudi - Glasgow 2007.

TWG

[QuestaNotte]

twgie, on Sep 27 2006, 10:49 PM, said:

Best concert I haven't been to yet - Ludovico Einaudi - Glasgow 2007.

TWG

Hey, are you just joking? Cause I was going to post that too! I really hope he does come to Glasgow next year. That would be amazing.

Best concert I've ever been to? Katie Melua, Glasgow SECC February 2006.

Next best is (hopefully) going to be Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Glasgow Armadillo, December 2006. I must get tickets...

And I really enjoyed 'songs for lovers of swing' by the Glasgow Kings of Swing big band at the Royal Concert Hall.

[Trainofthought]

1. Metallica at Seahawk Stadium in Seattle, WA
2. Mannheim Steamroller at the Palace in Detroit, MI
3. Dream Theater at Paramount in Seattle, WA
4. Rush at the something (can't remember the name of the place) in Vancouver
5. Opeth at the Graceland in Seattle, WA

[Gabriel]

Trainofthought, on Oct 4 2006, 03:47 AM, said:

1. Metallica at Seahawk Stadium in Seattle, WA
2. Mannheim Steamroller at the Palace in Detroit, MI
3. Dream Theater at Paramount in Seattle, WA
4. Rush at the something (can't remember the name of the place) in Vancouver
5. Opeth at the Graceland in Seattle, WA

That's an impressive list Trainofthought. I'd particularly like to see Dream Theatre and Opeth. I've got the Opeth DVD which includes concert footage, and they look/sound great

[Trainofthought]

Gabriel, on Oct 4 2006, 12:39 PM, said:

That's an impressive list Trainofthought. I'd particularly like to see Dream Theatre and Opeth. I've got the Opeth DVD which includes concert footage, and they look/sound great

They have the best sound live. I've seen them three times actually, but a small club called the Graceland was the best I ever saw them because it was so up close and personal. I do hope you get a chance to see them though. They are amazing!

[rosiekydd]

The top 3 concerts i ever went to were ....

Muse - exeter - my first 'proper' gig on their absolution tour. Might not be everyone's cup of tea but Bellamy's piano solos are certianly something to behold!

The British Sea Power - Highlight of Glastonbury 2005, most energetic and entertaining performers i've ever witnessed.....and theyr also rather FANTASTIC!

Kate Rusby - She's incredible. FACT

So there you go, nothing classical! i really do feel a bit out of place!


aye well.
xx

[Stephen]

Mannheim Steamroller- I have some of their music!

[Gabriel]

I saw Thin Lizzy in 1979 or 80 at the Manchester Appollo Theatre - they were awsome! Gary Moore was with them and played 'Parisian Walkways' - wonderful Although it was a seated auditorium, everyone ran to the front and jumped around when they came on stage (In those days I was young enough to jump around too!) It was ridic***usly loud though, I remember being deaf for days afterwards.

[Milli]

I think my best concert will be Saturday the 9th of December, when I'll see Ludovico Eunaudi live in concert in Munich! And I'm gonna sit in the 1st row! I'm waiting for that day for over 6 months now!
I'm so exc ited!

[Cathy]

Excellent Milli! I'm sure you won't be disappointed - and welcome here in the forum.

[Milli]

Thanks

[Gabriel]

Hi Milli

I saw Kasabian at the De-Montfort Hall in Leicester last evening. It wasn't necessarily 'the best concert I've seen...', but it was pretty exciting and......LOUD! I've not been to many rock concerts this year, and I really enjoyed this one. Kasabian are Leicester born and bred, and this was a real homecoming gig - the crowd were very excited! They played some great pounding rock music and I thought the keyboards/effects were very good. Best bit was at the climax of one particularly heavy and mesmeric song, where a trumpet player joined in, making an incredible noise that lifted the whole thing to new heights - definitely one of those 'this is why I love rock music' moments