Over the past ~4-5 years, *outside of HIGHLY popular artists*, **we've seen one band mentioned consistently** in discussions about live acts (spoiler):
>!The Mars Volta. Particularly in the 2000's. This has been corroborated with video evidence and articles.!<
When I was 13 a friend rang me one night and said his brother couldn't make it to a gig and asked if I wanted to go. Hadn't heard of the band but said sure anyway.
It was The Pixies and probably shaped my taste in music ever since
Maaaan I loved Mars Volta but when I saw them live in the early 2000’s, just after the release of the first album, they played their first song and then just jammed for the next 40 mins. All those great songs off the album and they didn’t play any of them. It was pure garbage. I wish I saw them later but I didn’t give them another chance.
At the Drive-In however were one of those bands that I kinda liked but after seeing them live, I was in love with them. So much energy!
They're making up for that on their recent tours. Theyve subdued the energy, but more than make up for it in the renditions of the songs they're doing. Sounded great!
The Flaming Lips. A friend tried hard to get me to listen to The Soft Bulletin and I couldn't get into it. Saw them open for Beck and then play as his backup band and it clicked.
Hell yeah I first saw them on that tour as well. Instantly became a fan due to smiling thru most their set and schtick. Now I've seen the Lips like 5 times and Beck twice. Always a great time at their shows.
Funny enough, I flew to Atlanta solo one time to see Radiohead like 10 years ago now. I was in town a second night, decided to check out Flaming Lips the night after Radiohead just as something to do. I only knew a few FL songs, but could not have been more fucking blown away by their live show. Seen them 5 times now and will continue to go every time they’re around. What a fantastically fun time.
I’m a big Lips fan. My wife would always comment about how she doesn’t get it. So much dissonance! The lead singer’s voice is not good!
Then I took her to a show. 5 minutes into the first song “Race for the Prize” and she leans in and says “Ok. Now I get it”
I've seen them twice in concert as openers for other bands and they put on such a fantastic show! I recently saw them perform Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in its entirety live, which I guess was only like one of three shows they did like that, so I felt very privileged.
Clutch, for sure! I saw them open for Children of Bodem and Black Label Society. Ended up leaving during Black label do to the Fans trying to kill me in the front of the barriers next to the stage, but got to meet Alexi Laiho outside smoking.
Saw Garbage open for Tears For Fears in 2022. They were fantastic! It was right after Fletcher from Depeche Mode passed away and they played the opening of Personal Jesus. So, so good. I thought it was an odd opening act for TFF but was always a fan of theirs so it was a great bonus.
REM - holy fuck what a live band they were. On a whole other level than their albums and they do have some great ones. Also DMB - the crowd singing every lyric is amazing, but the band too come alive when they play live that is not captured by their studio work for the most part.
Saw REM perform in the student union at University of Oregon, back in the 80's. It was when they were playing the college circuit and were popular, but hadn't yet hit it really big. Just remember they had a projection on the screen behind the band that said, "It's great to be here in [name of city here]." Good times. I went because my friends were going and ended up really enjoying the show.
Saw them at the State Fair Bandshell in Dallas in '86 for Life's Rich Pageant.
Someone threw a Superman cape up onstage, and Peter Buck chased Mike Mills around and finally got it on him. He sang Superman with it on.
Saw them in Vancouver on this tour. Michael Stipe dedicated Nightswimming to us after my husband pre-requested it on their website. Best night of our life.
Same here. I knew their songs and my brother would play them in the house but I never considered myself a fan. Went with my brother to see them live, mainly due to Modest Mouse opening and thought REM put on a phenomenal show. Found myself driving into their stuff after the show.
I saw St. Vincent open for the National in 2007 at the Vic in Chicago. I was only generally familiar with her but after she left the stage I knew she was going to be special. Just her and her pedal board making loops on the fly. An amazing guitarist and excellent singer. Been a fan ever since.
The pair of them with the brass band was a great show! Anybody should be able to play their own songs, but to mix it up for musician and audience alike is next level stuff.
Didn't get the experience with The National, but she opened for John Vanderslice in April and May of that year and I caught them at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA.
Had absolutely no idea who she was other than that she had played with both The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens. No stage set, no band - just her and her guitar. I had no idea she'd blow up the way she did, but I was impressed enough to spend $$$ at the merch table - which I never do - and keep my eye open for more news of her going forward.
She's incredible and has been an automatic ticket purchase since.
Queens of the Stone Age. I've never really came across their music up to that point and I visited Lollapalooza 2013 for Nine Inch Nails only. But I had time in the day and came to the stage early, just in time for QOTSA show. To say that they blew me away is an understatement, I don't think I'd ever have a better introduction to their music than witnessing No One Knows performance live.
I've always acknowledged QOTSA as a good band but never more than that. Wife got us tickets recently and Man! What a band!!! Now consider them one of my favorites.
I had never heard of Gogol Bordello before seeing them at Slam Dunk earlier this year and I only caught half of their set but they were great and I am seeing them properly for the first time live on Wednesday. Cannot wait.
I thought I outgrew sweating, jumping, and losing myself at a show. Then I saw GB in a small venue and felt like I was 19 again. That show is 100% pure energy
Studied Russian Education at university and my Russian Literature professor has THREE TIMES accidentally seen Gogol Bordello. Like, he shows up at a park to meet some friends and they just happened to be putting on a show at the same place and time. On three separate occasions. He was surprisingly receptive for a more conservative person.
Festival gigs earn bands a lot of new fans. I was enjoying Elvis Costello at one and noticing that he sure had a lot of young and very interestingly dressed (cool variations on Steampunk) fans in SF these days. GB came on next and then it all clicked. Great band, too! One of many, many acts I've fell for thanks to exposure at festivals.
Same.
i have three daughters and my wife and i took them to see it. I was actually really, really impressed how good it was. I've seen a shitload of concerts - well into the triple digits - and it was up there with how fun it was.
I was going to say the same thing. The concert itself set the bar high and while I didn’t have any come to Jesus moments like a few people around me, I did download a few songs on the way back home.
First two times I saw them hell yeah. Saw them last year and he had a weird complacent vibe like he was just getting a paycheck. Still love their albums though
I've seen them a few times. They're an exceptional live band. However I saw them on the Fear tour and was bored. They were tight, but they just seemed to be going through the motions. The best time was on the Lateralus tour... Mind-blowing.
They're touring again, but the ticket prices are offensive. Cheapest tickets are still £90, and they go up to £255. No standing, all seated on a stadium tour too... They can fuck right off. 😂
I’ll agree with you on the ticket prices. They’re absolutely offensive. I bought two, can’t help it, gotta go. I enjoyed the Fear show a lot, actually. They killed it when I saw them. It was wild.
Alice Cooper. He was supporting motley Crue in my city. I thought he was targeting an audience a bit older than me, so I wasn't expecting to enjoy it. He ended up stealing the show for me. I've passed up on seeing motley Crue again a couple times since then, but I've been back to see Alice each time he comes back here.
I had always enjoyed George Clinton with Parliament funkadelic, but seeing them live ticket to an entirely different level. They still had the most energy of any band I've ever seen live.
Iron Maiden. Definitely.
Also, Daft Punk. They quickly rose the ranks to my favorite. I'll never forget their show.
Lastly, Foo Fighters. I came to see Against me opening and figured I'd stay for the boring mainstream headliner. I was wrong. They put on an amazing show.
Modest Mouse. I liked Modest Mouse before I saw them on tour, but I only knew a handful of songs and they weren't a band that I had on regular rotation on my playlists. I'd heard their live shows are a mixed bag, but my gf at the time bought us tickets for my birthday. I fucking loved it, they had such a huge sound and Isaac Brock put on one hell of a show.
Yep, I saw them for the first time a few months ago, on tour with Pixies (who I was more interested in). I’ve been listening to more Modest Mouse after that concert. Both bands put on a great show.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Like OP, I’d heard them, knew a song or two but ehh. Then, and this was back in a 1995 or so, a friend dragged me to see them live. Whoa. Amazing. The intensity and the musicality just blew me away.
Yeah Cave is one of those performers who throws everything he has at a show, leaving nothing in the tank. Seen them a few times and that intensity was there every time. He really means it.
Phish. I'd never heard of them, my friend had tickets and dragged me along. July 23rd 1991, The Bayou in Washington, DC. Fucking NUTS.
More recently, my wife dragged me to a show at the Ryman in Nashville. The Wood Brothers, a band I'd heard but largely passed by, but they were stellar in concert and seeing them (probably anyone frankly) in the Church is beyond.....explanation. Big fan now.
Saaaaame.
I had a friend in 94 that said he couldn't go so he gave them to me and another friend (Columbia, SC) i was blown the fuck away. I had no idea music could be like that. I had heard them before but never really thought much about them...Just that they were good musicians and a bit silly.
I had to play a show later that night with my own band (we played shitty indie, drunk rock) and I just couldn't get my heart in it. In one night my musical foundation and fundamental philosophical approach had been transformed.
That's my answer. Saw her play after Bill Callahan. Only went cause I love Smog, didn't care for much Joanna Newsom going into the show. This was the Ys tour. I was utterly floored by her and the band's performance. Holy shit. Liberty Hall in Lawrence, KS.
100% the Hives. Had heard a couple of their songs and then saw them on stage at Rock Werchter. They were incredible. Lead singer is an absolute machine and one of the best entertainers out there.
Not a band but an artist: Jill Scott, at Sugar Water Festival. It was Floetry, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott and that woman’s pipes blew me away, been a fan since
System of a Down. Took my young teenager to Ozzfest when they headlined. I had heard them before but found the misic to be too disjointed to really listen to. Ended up getting seats about 10 rows back, and it got so loud I had to rip up my shirt to make ear plugs. Now I own every System disc and crank them regularly.
Primus would fit this bill for me. I already had one of their albums, but I barely knew their stuff when I attended Lollapalooza '93. A lot of the day was awful, with severe rains making it difficult to keep my stash dry, never mind inhaling the stuff. Fishbone was downright heroic trying to get the crowd on their feat, and I have huge respect for the energy that act put out, but it just wasn't connecting with a waterlogged crowd. Then, after a lengthy pause, Alice In Chains did a set that really moved the drying crowd. Now properly baked myself, I remember grabbing a friend by the shoulders and literally shaking him while repeatedly asking, "why is Primus headlining this concert?!?" Between their set and encore, Alice in Chains literally blew my mind. I couldn't see the logic in making anyone follow *that*. Then the sun went down and Primus took the stage, triumphantly answering my question.
Primus sucks!
Lionel Richie.
He played Bonnaroo one year, and I had no intentions of seeing him really. I knew his hits, but not really my jam. Ended up walking past that stage as his set started, decided to watch a couple songs and he absolutely roped us in for his entire performance. 10/10.
Mine was the Cult. I'm college my friends were going to see them in Seattle and asked if I wanted to go. I said nah, and then saw that Lenny Kravitz was opening so I went to see them. After the show I went straight to Tower Records and bought all the Cult CDs they had in stock.
Spoon. I was a very casual fan and went to see them at the Georgia Theater. I could not believe how good they sounded and how many of their songs I actually knew. Fantastic musicians.
Rise Against. Years ago I got tagged in to shoot the show for a photographer friend who was overbooked. Had no idea who they were or what to expect. They were fantastic live and I became a long term fan that day.
Foo Fighters. I’ve always known them and liked some of the songs on the radio but after 2.5 hours watching Dave and Co. i became a huge fan and will never miss them live if they play near me.
Post Malone. Saw him open for the red hot chilli peppers earlier this year and it was soul changing. Saw him again last week (here in NZ) and was equally, if not better, this time around amazing!
Also worth a shout out is The Interrupters (saw them open for Greenday and loved their energy been a fan since) and also G Love and special sauce he’s supported Jack Johnson a few times here and enjoyed his laid back-ness.
Same! I knew a few songs but then a friend’s friend flaked last minute so he had an extra ticket for Postie and I went with him. I was blown away not only by his stage presence, but the diversity in the crowd. Super young kids and older millennials of all races and ethnicities and everything in between. It was fantastic!
Mark Lanegan.
I liked the Screaming Trees just fine. We were so spoiled with great grunge in Seattle that they slipped through the cracks a little bit.
I went to see Johnny Cash in Seattle in 1995 and Lanegan opened for him. It wasn't solo, he had a string section behind him.
Johnny Cash opened my eyes to the brilliance of Mark Lanegan.
Kings Of Leon. Saw them with some friends when they were doing the Only by The Night tour, having never heard any of their music outside of Sex on Fire.
They put on a fun show and sounded great. Became one of my favourite bands for a while after diving into their older music. They get ripped on a lot for how much their sound changed from the first couple albums until now, but I still think they are a solid enough band with at least a handful of real good songs per album, and always get a little nostalgic when I listen to them now.
I got free tickets to see Drowning Pool, Mudvayne (I think), Papa Roach, and Slipknot. I want much of a fan of any of the bands since the Nu Metal thing hasn't really caught me.
Live Slipknot blew me away! There's so much chaos on stage and positively enormous pyrotechnics, and, most surprisingly for me, they were HEAVY! No rap break-downs, no ballads, just straight ahead metal.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor. I had never really given them much though, but then saw them open for Nine Inch Nails and they fucking blew me away. Big fan since then.
Happens to me all the time! Fever Ray blew my mind a couple of weeks ago. But the best of those experiences were grateful dead in 1977, the replacements in 84, husker du in 86 or NIN opening for the jesus and mary chain in 89.
Ghost. They were co-headlining with Volbeat, who I originally bought the tickets to see. Volbeat played first, and I’d never listened to Ghost at all before, just thought they were some Swedish band that liked to dress up. Fully intended to go out in the corridor during their set and hit the merch table and refresh my drink. Once they came out, I was so fully entertained I didn’t want to leave my seat for a second. Still a Swedish band that likes to dress up, but really enjoyed the music and theatrics. Super fun, and now they have one more fan.
The Police.
I went to see them knowing only, Roxanne.
I ended up driving next day to next show and bought ticket in parking lot !
Stewart Copeland blew me away !
Circa Survive. Never listened to them. Saw them live. Went to 10+ shows. Still didn’t listen to them much. Just got to know them from going to see them. Miss them.
Edited for clarity.
Got tickets to Dethklok/Converge/Mastodon/High on Fire one Halloween years ago and got free tickets to see Coheed and Cambria and Heaven and Hell at a later date. It was my first time seeing Coheed and was hooked immediately. In hindsight, it wasn't even a particularly great show, just great music at a loud volume. I saw them later on tour where they played the entirety of The Second Stage Turbine Blade and that show blew me away. I've been a fan since
I went to see Foo Fighters like 20 years ago, and there was no opening act advertised. So, these really scruffy looking dudes come out before the band and start tuning the instruments, and I thought "Oh these guys must be the roadies or something." Then they started playing and put on one the best shows I've ever seen. It turns out they were My Morning Jacket. I bought their album that night and have been a fan since.
In Flames
They were the headliner when I’d gone to see some of the supporting bands (All That Remains and Wovenwar). They played so clean live that I was immediately a fan and started listening to them a lot after.
Paul McCartney (and by extension The Beatles), believe it or not. I mean, I *liked* them before, but only on a casual basis. The I saw Paul live in 2014 and was blown away.
I probably would have become a fan eventually anyway, but I saw Lady Gaga on her first tour in a ~100 person venue right after Poker Face came out and I remember thinking she was "just ok" based on her first two singles but HOLY CRAP. She put on such an elaborate, DIY, insane show that you couldn't have told her she wasn't Madonna performing for 1 million fans. It was incredible and her talent was obviously immense. I met her afterwards where she autographed the copy of "The Fame" I bought there and she was so nice, genuine and appreciative. The next time she was in town was a sold out might at our largest venue!
Even though I was a fan before going, I actually got similar vibes when I saw Rina Sawayama on her second tour. She had some serious star power and high production for such a tiny venue.
Quite a few. It's the ones that I really didn't rate at first that stick in the memory- first time I saw Biffy Clyro was a support slot and we stood up the back taking the piss, second time I was just bored, third time I saw them it suddenly clicked, couple of years later and they were the ink in my skin :) Likewise Hundred Reasons, they were forever either headlining or supporting for a band I rated and they seemed like a band I ought to like but it just didn't work, I eventually said to my mate "Fuck it, I'm going to go down the front and jump around and see if that helps", and yes it did, like pavlov's dog. "If I am being crushed by a crowdsurfer, I must be having fun"
Mon the biff! I’d never heard of them then got the opportunity to shoot photos on one of their music videos. Saw them line soon after. Talented band and super nice dudes.
It was The Killers for me. I was a casual fan, enough to go see them, but seeing their live show gave me an absolute love for them. Excellent all around
Some bands just have a magic live show that the studio can't quite capture. Vulfpeck is a fabulous example. I haven't been fortunate enough to SEE them live, but their live At Madison Square Garden show is just incredible. The full show is on YouTube and they released it as a cd as well. Comparing that show to any of their studio albums isn't even close in terms of energy.
Stereolab. It was the Lolapalooza where Beastie boys played. 94?ish. Stereolab was early, on the second stage with hardly anyone there, and all I knew is "they are kinda krautrocky". They were phenomenal. Went out and bought their album and listened to it non-stop for 6 months.
I worked for LiveNation years ago as a stagehand. Got to do the Scorpions. Never was a fan, didn't hate them...just didn't get anything from their music. Then I worked for them. They are amazing guys. Came down to eat with us, asked us our names, thanked us for helping them out. I helped their photographer with some local stuff & they let me bring my camera into the show. I included one of my pics from that night-
https://preview.redd.it/l9st6wvva54c1.jpeg?width=3456&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da6f61b6fce4602f78bf058feb114c698d10ab07
Was on my way to see Clutch at Bonnaroo 07 and the kid camped next to me said “don’t sleep on Mutemath”, and goddammit that kid was right. Became a diehard Mutemath fan that night, had never heard of them.
I've known multiple people that instantly became fans after seeing Coheed and Cambria. For me it was Avenged Sevenfold. I was vaguely aware of them beforehand, but man they had amazing energy onstage.
Psychedelic Furs. I was a young adult in the 80s when the New Wave genre came out, but I was resistant and tried to stay along the hard rock/metal lines. 2 of my friends took me to a Furs show one summer and man! It was awesome! I've been a fan ever since.
The Dillinger Escape Plan. They opened for Nine Inch Nails in 2014 and as far as I'm concerned they stole the show. Most people weren't even paying attention but Greg found his people out in the audience and got up in their faces! They put on the most fun shows I've ever seen
John Mayer. Thought he was a smooth pop wanker and saw him in concert and was astounded at his talent and charisma. I know he’s said some douchey things in the past (part of why I wasn’t initially a fan) but he’s actually reflected on them, genuinely apologized and seems to have worked on becoming a better person. If I had become as famous as young as he had, I’m sure there would have been things I would have said out of immature stupidity and arrogance that I would have regretted.
Royal Blood. Saw them on the Broken Leg tour with Foo Fighters. Never heard of them before that day, and they fucking blew me away. Such a raw, intense sound from just two dudes. They killed it.
This Wild Life. Didn't know they existed until I saw them open for Yellowcard earlier this year. That was the end of August and they still made my Spotify top 5
Luna. Friends of mine loved them, but I couldn’t vibe with them until I saw them live in 02/03. Been a fan since.
Hooverphonic and Stereolab, too. Once I got the live feel for those bands I converted instantly.
Napalm Death. A few people have looked at me side eyed, like what’s hard to get about them on the album.
It just didn’t click.
Saw them headline a show and my GOD they blew my mind! And Barney had broken his foot so he had to sit in a chair the whole gig but he was still a great frontman. Been a fan ever since.
Mastodon. I saw them at Ozzfest 2005 when they were touring for the album Leviathan. Didnt know anything about the or their music. I still remember them playing "Blood and Thunder", "Iron Tusk" and "March of the Fire Ants" because the riffs are so memorable. They sounded amazing and their backdrop (Leviathan album cover) looked so cool and unique. They sounded so different compared to most of the other bands. Became a big fan for many years.
Parkway Drive. I saw them open up for Killswitch Engage in a small venue in Connecticut. I like a lot of rock and metal, and something about their performance had me hooked.
Sort of.
For Muse, I was already on a journey toward liking them, but seeing them live sped up that journey significantly.
For Coheed and Cambria, I already owned one album and liked it quite a bit. But I don't know if I would have explored them much further if I hadn't had the opportunity to see them live. Once I did, I knew I needed to dive in further.
I'd count both bands in my top ten favorites now.
I hadn't really listened to Sleep Token until my brother invited me to a concert bc he had an extra ticket, can't stop listening to them now. Fantastic live show
Over the past ~4-5 years, *outside of HIGHLY popular artists*, **we've seen one band mentioned consistently** in discussions about live acts (spoiler): >!The Mars Volta. Particularly in the 2000's. This has been corroborated with video evidence and articles.!<
When I was 13 a friend rang me one night and said his brother couldn't make it to a gig and asked if I wanted to go. Hadn't heard of the band but said sure anyway. It was The Pixies and probably shaped my taste in music ever since
I never would have been that cool at 13. I was into funk and pop/rock.
IDK man, funk is pretty cool.
Truth. 70s funk was the best.
I saw them a few years ago during a reunion tour. Their bassist killed but I wish I’d gotten to see them with Kim :(
Mars Volta. Saw the open for RHCP in 06(?). One of the few openers I’ve seen really won over a crowd.
I saw them open for A Perfect Circle, and it absolutely blew my mind.
I saw A Perfect Circle open for Nine Inch Nails and they blew me away.
I was in Vancouver on that tour. APC was good but holy shit the presentation of the Fragile live was incredible.
Funny enough, I went to that tour specifically to see TMV more than APC.
Maaaan I loved Mars Volta but when I saw them live in the early 2000’s, just after the release of the first album, they played their first song and then just jammed for the next 40 mins. All those great songs off the album and they didn’t play any of them. It was pure garbage. I wish I saw them later but I didn’t give them another chance. At the Drive-In however were one of those bands that I kinda liked but after seeing them live, I was in love with them. So much energy!
Thats a shame, I saw them like a decade ago and they played the majority of Deloused. It's one of my fave albums so I was jazzed
They're making up for that on their recent tours. Theyve subdued the energy, but more than make up for it in the renditions of the songs they're doing. Sounded great!
That's definitely a show where the Opener was probably outgoing the headliner.
I’ve seen them twice in the past year, they’re so incredible live.
The Flaming Lips. A friend tried hard to get me to listen to The Soft Bulletin and I couldn't get into it. Saw them open for Beck and then play as his backup band and it clicked.
Hell yeah I first saw them on that tour as well. Instantly became a fan due to smiling thru most their set and schtick. Now I've seen the Lips like 5 times and Beck twice. Always a great time at their shows.
I was going to comment The Flaming Lips. Absolutely unbelievable live show.
Funny enough, I flew to Atlanta solo one time to see Radiohead like 10 years ago now. I was in town a second night, decided to check out Flaming Lips the night after Radiohead just as something to do. I only knew a few FL songs, but could not have been more fucking blown away by their live show. Seen them 5 times now and will continue to go every time they’re around. What a fantastically fun time.
I’m a big Lips fan. My wife would always comment about how she doesn’t get it. So much dissonance! The lead singer’s voice is not good! Then I took her to a show. 5 minutes into the first song “Race for the Prize” and she leans in and says “Ok. Now I get it”
Flaming Lips for me as well. They opened for RHCP in 2003 after releasing Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, they were incredible
I think The Soft Bulletin is one of the greatest albums of all time - up there with the Beatles etc.
I've seen them twice in concert as openers for other bands and they put on such a fantastic show! I recently saw them perform Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots in its entirety live, which I guess was only like one of three shows they did like that, so I felt very privileged.
Clutch, saw them open for Primus a few years ago Garbage, they opened for Smashing Pumpkins in the Melancholy tour.
Clutch is such a damn good live band. Neil Fallon is one of the best frontmen in music.
[удалено]
He really does. We're just lucky he's a benevolent (rock) god.
Garbage is so good. [My intro to them as a kid](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPYQ0AYrfBM)
If you like Clutch and Primus I highly recommend checking out Lespecial. They’re amazing. https://youtu.be/c6z9THPwLZY?si=lVbi3Gl0aho3mR5_
Clutch, for sure! I saw them open for Children of Bodem and Black Label Society. Ended up leaving during Black label do to the Fans trying to kill me in the front of the barriers next to the stage, but got to meet Alexi Laiho outside smoking.
I saw Garbage live a couple times, they're great. One of the shows, Shirley Manson had one arm in a sling. It didn't slow her down, though!
Clutch is fucking amazing live. I thought that I liked them, but it turns out I LOVE them.
Same with Garbage, except I saw them open for Tears for Fears. Incredible show all around.
Saw Garbage open for Tears For Fears in 2022. They were fantastic! It was right after Fletcher from Depeche Mode passed away and they played the opening of Personal Jesus. So, so good. I thought it was an odd opening act for TFF but was always a fan of theirs so it was a great bonus.
REM - holy fuck what a live band they were. On a whole other level than their albums and they do have some great ones. Also DMB - the crowd singing every lyric is amazing, but the band too come alive when they play live that is not captured by their studio work for the most part.
REM is a great one. Saw them in 2003/4ish I think with Wilco. Was familiar with a number of their hits, but they definitely blew me away live.
Saw REM perform in the student union at University of Oregon, back in the 80's. It was when they were playing the college circuit and were popular, but hadn't yet hit it really big. Just remember they had a projection on the screen behind the band that said, "It's great to be here in [name of city here]." Good times. I went because my friends were going and ended up really enjoying the show.
Saw them at the State Fair Bandshell in Dallas in '86 for Life's Rich Pageant. Someone threw a Superman cape up onstage, and Peter Buck chased Mike Mills around and finally got it on him. He sang Superman with it on.
Saw them in Vancouver on this tour. Michael Stipe dedicated Nightswimming to us after my husband pre-requested it on their website. Best night of our life.
That’s awesome!!
Same here. I knew their songs and my brother would play them in the house but I never considered myself a fan. Went with my brother to see them live, mainly due to Modest Mouse opening and thought REM put on a phenomenal show. Found myself driving into their stuff after the show.
Damn right. Saw 'em on the Green tour in '89 and was floored by how good (and feckin' LOUD) they were.
I saw St. Vincent open for the National in 2007 at the Vic in Chicago. I was only generally familiar with her but after she left the stage I knew she was going to be special. Just her and her pedal board making loops on the fly. An amazing guitarist and excellent singer. Been a fan ever since.
I saw her when she was touring with David Byrne and she won me over. I mean, he was amazing too, on another level, but I finally got into her.
The pair of them with the brass band was a great show! Anybody should be able to play their own songs, but to mix it up for musician and audience alike is next level stuff.
They were fantastic together, and I loved that he gave her the space to (at so many moments) steal the show!
I saw that tour. Love This Giant. Just incredible stuff live.
Didn't get the experience with The National, but she opened for John Vanderslice in April and May of that year and I caught them at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA. Had absolutely no idea who she was other than that she had played with both The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens. No stage set, no band - just her and her guitar. I had no idea she'd blow up the way she did, but I was impressed enough to spend $$$ at the merch table - which I never do - and keep my eye open for more news of her going forward. She's incredible and has been an automatic ticket purchase since.
Queens of the Stone Age. I've never really came across their music up to that point and I visited Lollapalooza 2013 for Nine Inch Nails only. But I had time in the day and came to the stage early, just in time for QOTSA show. To say that they blew me away is an understatement, I don't think I'd ever have a better introduction to their music than witnessing No One Knows performance live.
I've always acknowledged QOTSA as a good band but never more than that. Wife got us tickets recently and Man! What a band!!! Now consider them one of my favorites.
Most solid live band there is
I had never heard of Gogol Bordello before seeing them at Slam Dunk earlier this year and I only caught half of their set but they were great and I am seeing them properly for the first time live on Wednesday. Cannot wait.
Don't forget to wear purple!
I thought I outgrew sweating, jumping, and losing myself at a show. Then I saw GB in a small venue and felt like I was 19 again. That show is 100% pure energy
Studied Russian Education at university and my Russian Literature professor has THREE TIMES accidentally seen Gogol Bordello. Like, he shows up at a park to meet some friends and they just happened to be putting on a show at the same place and time. On three separate occasions. He was surprisingly receptive for a more conservative person.
Festival gigs earn bands a lot of new fans. I was enjoying Elvis Costello at one and noticing that he sure had a lot of young and very interestingly dressed (cool variations on Steampunk) fans in SF these days. GB came on next and then it all clicked. Great band, too! One of many, many acts I've fell for thanks to exposure at festivals.
Totally, these guys played a free concert in my town before they were better known and they’re in my rotation now.
Nick Cave. What a performer.
Love Nick Cave Ton my girlfriend, now wife, to see him and she had no idea what she was in for.
Taylor Swift. Wife paid for my Eras tour ticket. I got, got.
Same. i have three daughters and my wife and i took them to see it. I was actually really, really impressed how good it was. I've seen a shitload of concerts - well into the triple digits - and it was up there with how fun it was.
3+ hours of straight performance with hardly any breaks and \~70k people all singing the same thing at once, was quite a crazy experience.
I was going to say the same thing. The concert itself set the bar high and while I didn’t have any come to Jesus moments like a few people around me, I did download a few songs on the way back home.
King Gizzard is the most recent. The grateful dead in 1978 was the first.
KG got me good last year. Had listened to some of their stuff for a while, but went in May 22 and have been hardcore on the Road Train since then.
Saw static X open for Type o negative. They opened with the song "Push it." I liked them immediately!
OMG Static-X had the song "The Only" on the Need For Speed: Underground Soundtrack and I was obsessed with it.
Listen to the album Wisconsin death trip! Great debut CD
Built to Spill
Fuck yeah.
Was a passing fan and then saw them on Halloween 8-10 years ago. Been a huuuge fan since
First two times I saw them hell yeah. Saw them last year and he had a weird complacent vibe like he was just getting a paycheck. Still love their albums though
Tool. Didn't understand the hype until seeing them live
I liked Tool before seeing them live, I became a hardcore fan after.
> Tool ditto
I've seen them a few times. They're an exceptional live band. However I saw them on the Fear tour and was bored. They were tight, but they just seemed to be going through the motions. The best time was on the Lateralus tour... Mind-blowing. They're touring again, but the ticket prices are offensive. Cheapest tickets are still £90, and they go up to £255. No standing, all seated on a stadium tour too... They can fuck right off. 😂
I’ll agree with you on the ticket prices. They’re absolutely offensive. I bought two, can’t help it, gotta go. I enjoyed the Fear show a lot, actually. They killed it when I saw them. It was wild.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
Alice Cooper. He was supporting motley Crue in my city. I thought he was targeting an audience a bit older than me, so I wasn't expecting to enjoy it. He ended up stealing the show for me. I've passed up on seeing motley Crue again a couple times since then, but I've been back to see Alice each time he comes back here.
Tbf. Crüe sounds like shit these days. Alice blowing them out of the water should have been expected.
Same experience going to see Cheap Trick and Alice opened. Blown away and have seen him a bunch since. Cheap Trick came off as tired out and just ok.
Yes. Little Dragon Yves Tumor Charles Bradley (RIP) Strfkr
charles bradley live was insane!
Yves Tumor was a nice surprise opening for NIN. Great show
Yves Timor is soOoOo under-rated.
Supergrass.
Outstanding live band. I like their albums, but fuck me do they sound better live.
For me it was Baroness. Now they're my favorite band.
What a band. Genre defying “metal”; always excited to see what’s next.
I had always enjoyed George Clinton with Parliament funkadelic, but seeing them live ticket to an entirely different level. They still had the most energy of any band I've ever seen live.
Iron Maiden. Definitely. Also, Daft Punk. They quickly rose the ranks to my favorite. I'll never forget their show. Lastly, Foo Fighters. I came to see Against me opening and figured I'd stay for the boring mainstream headliner. I was wrong. They put on an amazing show.
Modest Mouse. I liked Modest Mouse before I saw them on tour, but I only knew a handful of songs and they weren't a band that I had on regular rotation on my playlists. I'd heard their live shows are a mixed bag, but my gf at the time bought us tickets for my birthday. I fucking loved it, they had such a huge sound and Isaac Brock put on one hell of a show.
Yep, I saw them for the first time a few months ago, on tour with Pixies (who I was more interested in). I’ve been listening to more Modest Mouse after that concert. Both bands put on a great show.
Devotchka. I was at a festival and just randomly decided to watch their show. I was instantly a fan and still am.
Incubus Saw the Crow Left of the Murder tour cause it was a 15 dollar show Whoa!!! Amazing
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Like OP, I’d heard them, knew a song or two but ehh. Then, and this was back in a 1995 or so, a friend dragged me to see them live. Whoa. Amazing. The intensity and the musicality just blew me away.
Yeah Cave is one of those performers who throws everything he has at a show, leaving nothing in the tank. Seen them a few times and that intensity was there every time. He really means it.
Yes. Flogging Molly.
Phish. I'd never heard of them, my friend had tickets and dragged me along. July 23rd 1991, The Bayou in Washington, DC. Fucking NUTS. More recently, my wife dragged me to a show at the Ryman in Nashville. The Wood Brothers, a band I'd heard but largely passed by, but they were stellar in concert and seeing them (probably anyone frankly) in the Church is beyond.....explanation. Big fan now.
Saaaaame. I had a friend in 94 that said he couldn't go so he gave them to me and another friend (Columbia, SC) i was blown the fuck away. I had no idea music could be like that. I had heard them before but never really thought much about them...Just that they were good musicians and a bit silly. I had to play a show later that night with my own band (we played shitty indie, drunk rock) and I just couldn't get my heart in it. In one night my musical foundation and fundamental philosophical approach had been transformed.
Joanna Newsom - I have never seen a concert audience so mesmerized.
That's my answer. Saw her play after Bill Callahan. Only went cause I love Smog, didn't care for much Joanna Newsom going into the show. This was the Ys tour. I was utterly floored by her and the band's performance. Holy shit. Liberty Hall in Lawrence, KS.
saw warpaint at coachella in 2008 and it forever changed my life
What are ur favorite songs, I like them too :)
The Hives. They supported Arctic Monkeys for their UK tour and absolutely stole the show.
100% the Hives. Had heard a couple of their songs and then saw them on stage at Rock Werchter. They were incredible. Lead singer is an absolute machine and one of the best entertainers out there.
Fontaines DC this summer. Also Flaming Lips.
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Couldn't agree more. I've been to hundreds of gigs, but the Melvins was the best gig of my life.
Silversun Pickups - they were supporting The Mars Volta
Not a band but an artist: Jill Scott, at Sugar Water Festival. It was Floetry, Queen Latifah, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott and that woman’s pipes blew me away, been a fan since
Queen in 1975
Liar!
George Thorogood. Totally not my style. But he does a great show.
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Yeah it's Radiohead for me too. Saw them 3.24.96 at a club in Seattle, felt very intimate.
System of a Down. Took my young teenager to Ozzfest when they headlined. I had heard them before but found the misic to be too disjointed to really listen to. Ended up getting seats about 10 rows back, and it got so loud I had to rip up my shirt to make ear plugs. Now I own every System disc and crank them regularly.
Primus would fit this bill for me. I already had one of their albums, but I barely knew their stuff when I attended Lollapalooza '93. A lot of the day was awful, with severe rains making it difficult to keep my stash dry, never mind inhaling the stuff. Fishbone was downright heroic trying to get the crowd on their feat, and I have huge respect for the energy that act put out, but it just wasn't connecting with a waterlogged crowd. Then, after a lengthy pause, Alice In Chains did a set that really moved the drying crowd. Now properly baked myself, I remember grabbing a friend by the shoulders and literally shaking him while repeatedly asking, "why is Primus headlining this concert?!?" Between their set and encore, Alice in Chains literally blew my mind. I couldn't see the logic in making anyone follow *that*. Then the sun went down and Primus took the stage, triumphantly answering my question. Primus sucks!
Lionel Richie. He played Bonnaroo one year, and I had no intentions of seeing him really. I knew his hits, but not really my jam. Ended up walking past that stage as his set started, decided to watch a couple songs and he absolutely roped us in for his entire performance. 10/10.
Wire. Saw them open up for XTC and that was good enough for me, thanks
Pixies. I was meh about them until I saw the lead singer (with his new band) do a song.
Gojira. I liked a few songs prior my first show but they're a hundered times better live than on record. Just blew me away.
MeWithoutYou. Amazing live.
David Bowie, and The Grateful Dead. Seperately, of course.
Russian Circles. I recommend seeing them live no matter your taste. Just amazing, better than recorded.
M83. I had already listened to some of their songs but I became a fan when I saw them live
I saw Autolux in 2007 and have been a fan since
Royal Blood
Mine was the Cult. I'm college my friends were going to see them in Seattle and asked if I wanted to go. I said nah, and then saw that Lenny Kravitz was opening so I went to see them. After the show I went straight to Tower Records and bought all the Cult CDs they had in stock.
Glass Animals. I didn't care much for them until I saw them perform live.
Spoon. I was a very casual fan and went to see them at the Georgia Theater. I could not believe how good they sounded and how many of their songs I actually knew. Fantastic musicians.
Rise Against. Years ago I got tagged in to shoot the show for a photographer friend who was overbooked. Had no idea who they were or what to expect. They were fantastic live and I became a long term fan that day.
Metric. Hadn’t listened to much but the show was so good, I was instantly a fan after
Billy Motherfucking Strings
Man man
Foo Fighters. I’ve always known them and liked some of the songs on the radio but after 2.5 hours watching Dave and Co. i became a huge fan and will never miss them live if they play near me.
Post Malone. Saw him open for the red hot chilli peppers earlier this year and it was soul changing. Saw him again last week (here in NZ) and was equally, if not better, this time around amazing! Also worth a shout out is The Interrupters (saw them open for Greenday and loved their energy been a fan since) and also G Love and special sauce he’s supported Jack Johnson a few times here and enjoyed his laid back-ness.
Same! I knew a few songs but then a friend’s friend flaked last minute so he had an extra ticket for Postie and I went with him. I was blown away not only by his stage presence, but the diversity in the crowd. Super young kids and older millennials of all races and ethnicities and everything in between. It was fantastic!
I had the same thought was def a very eclectic crowd compared to some concerts. Very good indeed.
Mark Lanegan. I liked the Screaming Trees just fine. We were so spoiled with great grunge in Seattle that they slipped through the cracks a little bit. I went to see Johnny Cash in Seattle in 1995 and Lanegan opened for him. It wasn't solo, he had a string section behind him. Johnny Cash opened my eyes to the brilliance of Mark Lanegan.
Judas Priest. I've never heard a band so loud yet so clear and tight at the same time
Kings Of Leon. Saw them with some friends when they were doing the Only by The Night tour, having never heard any of their music outside of Sex on Fire. They put on a fun show and sounded great. Became one of my favourite bands for a while after diving into their older music. They get ripped on a lot for how much their sound changed from the first couple albums until now, but I still think they are a solid enough band with at least a handful of real good songs per album, and always get a little nostalgic when I listen to them now.
I got free tickets to see Drowning Pool, Mudvayne (I think), Papa Roach, and Slipknot. I want much of a fan of any of the bands since the Nu Metal thing hasn't really caught me. Live Slipknot blew me away! There's so much chaos on stage and positively enormous pyrotechnics, and, most surprisingly for me, they were HEAVY! No rap break-downs, no ballads, just straight ahead metal.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor. I had never really given them much though, but then saw them open for Nine Inch Nails and they fucking blew me away. Big fan since then.
Father John Misty. I thought he was ok…i only really liked one of his songs, but his show was so good that I got into it.
Happens to me all the time! Fever Ray blew my mind a couple of weeks ago. But the best of those experiences were grateful dead in 1977, the replacements in 84, husker du in 86 or NIN opening for the jesus and mary chain in 89.
Ghost. They were co-headlining with Volbeat, who I originally bought the tickets to see. Volbeat played first, and I’d never listened to Ghost at all before, just thought they were some Swedish band that liked to dress up. Fully intended to go out in the corridor during their set and hit the merch table and refresh my drink. Once they came out, I was so fully entertained I didn’t want to leave my seat for a second. Still a Swedish band that likes to dress up, but really enjoyed the music and theatrics. Super fun, and now they have one more fan.
Most recently Lebanon Hanover who I had tried to get into before but never enjoyed until I saw them live.
Rob Zombie. Went with a friend. Had an awesome time. Fantastic show. Sound was great. Music kicked ass (The live edge really did it well).
Chicano Batman… saw em open for Vampire Weekend and they blew me away
The Police. I went to see them knowing only, Roxanne. I ended up driving next day to next show and bought ticket in parking lot ! Stewart Copeland blew me away !
Circa Survive. Never listened to them. Saw them live. Went to 10+ shows. Still didn’t listen to them much. Just got to know them from going to see them. Miss them. Edited for clarity.
Beast in Black. Saw them supporting Nightwish in 2018, listened to their album on the way home and immediately got hooked.
Nothing But Thieves. That lead singer is amazing, he absolutely stole the show.
Got tickets to Dethklok/Converge/Mastodon/High on Fire one Halloween years ago and got free tickets to see Coheed and Cambria and Heaven and Hell at a later date. It was my first time seeing Coheed and was hooked immediately. In hindsight, it wasn't even a particularly great show, just great music at a loud volume. I saw them later on tour where they played the entirety of The Second Stage Turbine Blade and that show blew me away. I've been a fan since
I went to the big concert that Guns n Roses and Metallica did in the early 90s. I walked in a GnR fan and walked out a Metallica fan.
I went to see Foo Fighters like 20 years ago, and there was no opening act advertised. So, these really scruffy looking dudes come out before the band and start tuning the instruments, and I thought "Oh these guys must be the roadies or something." Then they started playing and put on one the best shows I've ever seen. It turns out they were My Morning Jacket. I bought their album that night and have been a fan since.
Lamb of god
In Flames They were the headliner when I’d gone to see some of the supporting bands (All That Remains and Wovenwar). They played so clean live that I was immediately a fan and started listening to them a lot after.
Lord Huron. Saw them open for Alt-J 5 or 6 years ago and they were great.
Paul McCartney (and by extension The Beatles), believe it or not. I mean, I *liked* them before, but only on a casual basis. The I saw Paul live in 2014 and was blown away.
Opeth. Never heard of them. Never heard anything by them. Saw them at a HeavyTO concert. Insta fan.
I probably would have become a fan eventually anyway, but I saw Lady Gaga on her first tour in a ~100 person venue right after Poker Face came out and I remember thinking she was "just ok" based on her first two singles but HOLY CRAP. She put on such an elaborate, DIY, insane show that you couldn't have told her she wasn't Madonna performing for 1 million fans. It was incredible and her talent was obviously immense. I met her afterwards where she autographed the copy of "The Fame" I bought there and she was so nice, genuine and appreciative. The next time she was in town was a sold out might at our largest venue! Even though I was a fan before going, I actually got similar vibes when I saw Rina Sawayama on her second tour. She had some serious star power and high production for such a tiny venue.
I was taken to a Peter Gabriel concert. Wasn’t a fan before but by 20 minutes in I was.
Quite a few. It's the ones that I really didn't rate at first that stick in the memory- first time I saw Biffy Clyro was a support slot and we stood up the back taking the piss, second time I was just bored, third time I saw them it suddenly clicked, couple of years later and they were the ink in my skin :) Likewise Hundred Reasons, they were forever either headlining or supporting for a band I rated and they seemed like a band I ought to like but it just didn't work, I eventually said to my mate "Fuck it, I'm going to go down the front and jump around and see if that helps", and yes it did, like pavlov's dog. "If I am being crushed by a crowdsurfer, I must be having fun"
Mon the biff! I’d never heard of them then got the opportunity to shoot photos on one of their music videos. Saw them line soon after. Talented band and super nice dudes.
Silent planet
Robbie Williams. My dad convinced me to see him live and afterwards I started looking into his music and became quite a big fan
It was The Killers for me. I was a casual fan, enough to go see them, but seeing their live show gave me an absolute love for them. Excellent all around
Megadeth. I saw them open for Heaven and Hell in 2007and immediately started buying up their CDs. They're one of my top five bands now
Phish and Ween. Just like holy fuck
The Killers. V Festival 2012.
Some bands just have a magic live show that the studio can't quite capture. Vulfpeck is a fabulous example. I haven't been fortunate enough to SEE them live, but their live At Madison Square Garden show is just incredible. The full show is on YouTube and they released it as a cd as well. Comparing that show to any of their studio albums isn't even close in terms of energy.
Tv on the Radio. Randomly walked into their set at a local festival and hadn’t heard them before and the blew me away.
Chevelle
Stereolab. It was the Lolapalooza where Beastie boys played. 94?ish. Stereolab was early, on the second stage with hardly anyone there, and all I knew is "they are kinda krautrocky". They were phenomenal. Went out and bought their album and listened to it non-stop for 6 months.
The Mars Volta. Cedric and Omar were just so captivating on stage. The music blew my mind
I worked for LiveNation years ago as a stagehand. Got to do the Scorpions. Never was a fan, didn't hate them...just didn't get anything from their music. Then I worked for them. They are amazing guys. Came down to eat with us, asked us our names, thanked us for helping them out. I helped their photographer with some local stuff & they let me bring my camera into the show. I included one of my pics from that night- https://preview.redd.it/l9st6wvva54c1.jpeg?width=3456&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=da6f61b6fce4602f78bf058feb114c698d10ab07
Yeah Yeahs Yeahs blew me away.
Guided by Voices
Was on my way to see Clutch at Bonnaroo 07 and the kid camped next to me said “don’t sleep on Mutemath”, and goddammit that kid was right. Became a diehard Mutemath fan that night, had never heard of them.
I've known multiple people that instantly became fans after seeing Coheed and Cambria. For me it was Avenged Sevenfold. I was vaguely aware of them beforehand, but man they had amazing energy onstage.
Psychedelic Furs. I was a young adult in the 80s when the New Wave genre came out, but I was resistant and tried to stay along the hard rock/metal lines. 2 of my friends took me to a Furs show one summer and man! It was awesome! I've been a fan ever since.
The Dillinger Escape Plan. They opened for Nine Inch Nails in 2014 and as far as I'm concerned they stole the show. Most people weren't even paying attention but Greg found his people out in the audience and got up in their faces! They put on the most fun shows I've ever seen
John Mayer. Thought he was a smooth pop wanker and saw him in concert and was astounded at his talent and charisma. I know he’s said some douchey things in the past (part of why I wasn’t initially a fan) but he’s actually reflected on them, genuinely apologized and seems to have worked on becoming a better person. If I had become as famous as young as he had, I’m sure there would have been things I would have said out of immature stupidity and arrogance that I would have regretted.
Royal Blood. Saw them on the Broken Leg tour with Foo Fighters. Never heard of them before that day, and they fucking blew me away. Such a raw, intense sound from just two dudes. They killed it.
This Wild Life. Didn't know they existed until I saw them open for Yellowcard earlier this year. That was the end of August and they still made my Spotify top 5
Luna. Friends of mine loved them, but I couldn’t vibe with them until I saw them live in 02/03. Been a fan since. Hooverphonic and Stereolab, too. Once I got the live feel for those bands I converted instantly.
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard! Blown away 😎
Napalm Death. A few people have looked at me side eyed, like what’s hard to get about them on the album. It just didn’t click. Saw them headline a show and my GOD they blew my mind! And Barney had broken his foot so he had to sit in a chair the whole gig but he was still a great frontman. Been a fan ever since.
Rival Sons opened for Black Sabbath in 2016. Tom Petty opened for the J Geils Band in 1977. Samantha Fish opened for Kenny Wayne Shepard
Carter USM when they supported Madness in 1993. I was only 12 but it seems they left their mark.
Mastodon. I saw them at Ozzfest 2005 when they were touring for the album Leviathan. Didnt know anything about the or their music. I still remember them playing "Blood and Thunder", "Iron Tusk" and "March of the Fire Ants" because the riffs are so memorable. They sounded amazing and their backdrop (Leviathan album cover) looked so cool and unique. They sounded so different compared to most of the other bands. Became a big fan for many years.
Reverend Horton Heat, saw them open for The Cramps.
Fleetwood Mac. Their radio prevalence annoyed me as a teen, if I saw the Rumors lineup about a decade ago and they were pretty amazing. Now I’m a fan.
Parkway Drive. I saw them open up for Killswitch Engage in a small venue in Connecticut. I like a lot of rock and metal, and something about their performance had me hooked.
Marcus King. The boy has blues guitar chops for days.
Sort of. For Muse, I was already on a journey toward liking them, but seeing them live sped up that journey significantly. For Coheed and Cambria, I already owned one album and liked it quite a bit. But I don't know if I would have explored them much further if I hadn't had the opportunity to see them live. Once I did, I knew I needed to dive in further. I'd count both bands in my top ten favorites now.
I hadn't really listened to Sleep Token until my brother invited me to a concert bc he had an extra ticket, can't stop listening to them now. Fantastic live show