August 30, 2006
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Greatest Live Band
Spin Magazine just released what they call the “25 Greatest Live Bands Now.”
Here is the top ten on the list:
10. The Dirtbombs
9. Prince
8. The Hives
7. Green Day
6. White Stripes
5. Radiohead
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers
3. Arcade Fire
2. The Stooges
1. U2
U2 was listed number one on the list.
What do you think is the best band to see live?
Comments (242)
I don’t know
Kenny chesney is really good ^^
Green Day.Without a doubt.
Aerosmith, Godsmack, and Korn
So is Jean-Jaques Goldman
David Crowder* Band!!
the peppermint creeps were really good…but on account of people not being able to keep their mouths shut…..they dont exist anymore…..sad sad sad.
DEFINITELY GREEN DAY!!!!!!
Muse
I love U2
I was thinking from the list, but overall, Pagan’s Mind.
I’ve only seen a few of those bands live, but U2 was by FAR the best. I’ll be seeing RHCP soon, but it’d be hard to top U2. Of the bands not on that list, Foo Fighters are also amazing live.
Gordon Goodwin and the Phat Band
Pearl Jam.
I pick – None of the above!
Best live show i’ve seen was Rush!
Dave Matthews Band
Live
My son in-law would say U2.
Green Day or Switchfoot. they both have a different dynamic. Green Day is all about putting on a show, while Switchfoot is more about singing their hearts out and the emotions that come with the songs.
i’d looooove to see Linkin Park live.. but Green Day was awesome in concert!!!
ive only seen a few
but i didnt have a favorite either….
U2
I’d go with Switchfoot and Greenday.
i’ve never seen ANY of them live!
Nah I’m a metalica fan!!!!
Switchfoot.
If I Had to pick out of the list then it would be U2….but I would think aerosmith!!!!
I went to an “Of Montreal” concert recently, and those guys really put on a fantastic show.
David Crowder is awesome! However, I have never seen U2 or Chili Peppers, I bet they are awesome!
SONIC YOUTH!!!!!!!!!!
The Roots should be up there.
U2 then The Allman Brothers
Good question!
Never seen any of ‘em.
Oh, wow … the best bands I saw live were probably Crossfade, Seether, Breaking Benjamin, and Staind.
-Guru on the Hill
Dave Matthews Band. No questions asked, nothing better to me.
Neil Diamond is awesome in concert!
NKOTB
just kidding
Don’t know…I’m not into bands..
Metallica!!!
U2 and Sting. Hot!!!
I’d probably be the happiest person alive right now if I got to go to a Green Day live concert. I’ve never seen them live, but I’m a huge fan of their music. Unfortunately, concerts cost money, something I’m not exactly rolling in after paying for text books for the semester!
I would agree with U2……..
The best band I have ever seen live is the Barenakled Ladies. AWESOME shows.
Heart back when……
Never actually seen any bands perform live, but I’d have to say the greatest live band of all time would probably be Led Zeppelin or Queen.
In todays world…Switchfoot, Green Day, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
THE BEATLES THE BEATLES THE BEATLES THE BEATLES.
Garth Brooks used to put on a GREAT show!
U2 is actually the only band I even respect from that list, the rest are just stupid (don’t get me wrong I hate U2′s music) I say Underoath takes all!!
I’ve heard Garth Brooks is good as well. And I would have loved to see the Beatlers perform…that woulda been awsome.
Now that I think about it some more, back in his prime, Bob Dylan would have been amazing as well…
actually the beatles should have been on that list they were the biggest band to walk the earth, but then of coarse led zepplin should be too, how the heck did green day get on there they just suck.
I saw all american rejects… I know thats not most peoples musical taste, but I had a really fun time at that concert…. But I must say, seeing my boyfriends band (Damn the Torpedoes) is the best to see live… of course, for personal reasons lol…. maybe my opinion is a little biased?? huh? lol
actually the beatles and led zepplin don’t exist anymore but they put on good shows (apparently)
Easy!! Blues Traveler
I think Nickelback would do a great job!
Flogging Molly, or Red Hot Chilie Peppers
Out of that list I’d agree with The Arcade Fire. I saw them live twice and there was so much energy and joy onstage.
I think U2 kinda rest on their laurels, IMO. I’ve never been impressed with them.
Green Day and White Stripes. My family played Green Day at my grandfather’s funeral, and my school played White Stripes at our graduation.
I usually don’t see bands live…you usually end up in a mosh pit, and things happen. Plus, I don’t prefer the screaming.
The Canadian power trio RUSH
Dizmas!!! Heh. Very few people have any idea who that is.
U2?! blah!
deffinitely mustard plugg or real big fish
Simon and Garfunkel, circa 1970′s.
Hell fucking yes The Dirtbombs. All the way, man.
Radiohead. Hands down.
In what universe do live band aesthetics not demand that Wilco is one of the best live bands currently touring? Fantastic entertainers, great musicians.
And while we’re kvetching: how about The Flaming Lips? I mean, you’ve got to respect the confetti cannons. Most high-energy show ever.
I’d say their list has no credibility whatsoever on these grounds, but then they name-drop The Arcade Fire.
a concert I’ve been to that was good was tobymac. Kenny Rogers was also good, but I’d really like to see the Bee Gees. the closest I’ve gotten is a DVD.
U2 was number one on the list!? My goodness gracious.
Please tell me Foreigner was on that list there somewhere.
Jason Mraz
Radiohead put on a REALLY good show, I remember that, but the White Stripes just bored me, I’m surprised they made it into the top 10 even. I was’t a fan of Green Day’s new album AT ALL, but I got free tickets to the American Idiot concert and went, and it was GREAT. Green Day puts on a REALLY REALLY REALLY good show, but I have no problems with U2 making the first one, as they wholeheartedly deserve it.
for sheer entertainment value if you want to be shocked, Marilyn Manson
U2 by a long shot! Not only do they have the best music ever. They are also humanitarians and there music is used in Epicopal liturgy called the U2carist! They are the greatest band of all time!
Out of those bands, I guess I’d pick U2. I’d rather see Dylan. I’ve seen neither.
Pink Floyd
i dunno u…but i agree..DAVID CROWDER BAND
however..on the list…U2′s pretty good, but so is the white stripes and green day.
What? Huey Lewis & The News didn’t make the top 10?
Either Prince, or Red Hot Chili Peppers. Mhmmm.
80′s metal bands……………… and some of modern day hard rock and metal bands, i’ve never seen any live for myself but i believe those would be the best……
Jars of Clay or Over the Rhine are my personal favorites. But then again, I haven’t seen any of those on the top 10.
is it bad that i’ve never even HEARD of two of those bands? and i haven’t been to enough concerts to pick ONE band to see live. although, to be honest, i think the unsigned bands have the best crowds because they are mostly friends who have been there from the start and really support and appreciate the music – like my friend’s band STEINWAY (<~shameless plug, lol).
prince or tool
The Dirtbombs are the only ones on that list worth a rat’s ass.
My opinion is more accurate and important than anyone else on here’s, too.
Suck it.
Pink Floyd!
I don’t know.
U2!?!? THEY F***IN’ BLOW!!!
Who in the world takes themselves seriously enough to have moronic names likes ‘bono’ (who has retarded sunglasses) and ‘the edge’ (who can’t play guitar worth a poo)?
Queen and The Who were well known for AMAZING live performances. Check ‘em out.
http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=11worst
anonymous 4
Definetly Green Day
System of a Down, and, once upon a time, Rage Against the Machine
The Newsboys
Maybe Queen was a good show – but could they ever have performed on a bare stage, with no pyrotechnic crap or other hoopla? Bands Like Queen and Pink Floyd were eaten alive by their overblown stage shows.
U2 is the best. I’ve never experienced anythng that came close to the excitement that they put out on stage.
None of the above! How about Casting Crowns!
THE ROLLING STONES.
hehe..I just went to a concert last night..IT WAS AWESOME…Staind, Three Days Grace, Soil, and Revelation Theory….Revelation Theory wasn’t that great! BUT I LOVED THREE DAYS GRACE…. But there’s so many other awesome bands out there…Hinder, Faktion, Trapt and a few others were really awesome live too!! I really wanna see Green Day live…I here that have AWESOME shows! hehe!! YAYZ!! I heartz music!
*HUGZ* ~*HEADA*~
silverstein
Dir en grey
Rammstein. Hands down.
There are plenty.
There isn’t one good band I can draw it down to.
But a few would be… Switchfoot, Relient K, or Hawk Nelson.
For me.
i loved seeing tori amos live, but primus was by far my best concert experience.
I saw radiohead live
they were amazing
Well, lets see. In general, for individual bands: Tool. Rage Agains the Machine. And many others. It all depends on the person and which band they like, hon.
However, for best live performences period. Try Ozzfest and the Warped Tour. Lots of variety and fun.
(Oh, dont forget Bare Naked Ladies, everyone. Bleeping helarious live.)
Rob Zombie, and I’ve been to a LOT of concerts. I’ve seen him five (soon to be six) times!
Story Of The Year, they do some crazy acrobatics on stage, backflips off amps, guitar throws, changing instruments (the singer plays drums apparently lol). They are awesome, i don’t condone most of their lyrics but they have awesome stage presence.
Bon Jovi!
I’ve heard that Green Day was pretty awesome. And my dad said that Nine Inch Nails was awesome, too. In March, I went to see Fall Out Boy, The All-American Rejects, Hawthorne Hights, From First to Last, and The Hush Sound. They were all pretty good. Except for Hawthorne Hights, because they just suck in all aspects and their music makes my ears bleed.
-KrIsTiN-
honestley folks it is U2
No question…PINK FLOYD
The Dillinger Escape Plan, Coheed and Cambria, and i heard The Chariot has a really good live show.
dave matthews band
Thought Rage Against the Machine ROCKED! And, for the record, thought Red Hot Chili Peppers sucked. Waited over an hour for them to come on stage after the opening band and then they played for (barely) 45 minutes.
This indie band from Chicago that played a live show on the back deck of a local bar. I loved it.
I friggin’ hate U2.
The Eleven Worst Songs of 2004
ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND!!!!
Anyone ever hear of a band called Stellar Kart? That’d be my choice…
The Dresden Dolls
RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS
Duh.
Live and Aerosmith.
if not on that list then all american rejects
Paul Cebar & the Milwaukeeans. Hands down.
I saw U2 at Camp Randall in Madison under the moon. Yes, right up there too.
The Faint. My God, that was the greatest show I’ve ever been to and ever will go to.
I’ve not seen any of those bands live.
“U2 was listed number one on the list”, oh thank you so much Dan, I couldn’t figure out if 1 meant one or something else. I’m so grateful that you pointed that out. Really, is the IQ of Xangans that low?
I’ve been to about one live concert in my life, so don’t expect anything from me.
Man, I hate U2 why does everyone want to see them?
Korn, hands down. No contest.
Flogging Molly, by far. Gogol Bordello is on the list, they are also completely amazing….their front man crowd surfed while standing on a base drum. Pretty rock n’ roll, if you ask me.
P.O.D. is my favorite band so I’ll say them.
Wow. 125 comments and not one person saw the Grateful Dead. There’s my vote.
Didn’t you do this question just a month or so ago?
Good grief what a gawd awful list.
Depends on where the venue takes place….WAAAAY back in the 80′s, When David Lee Roth was with Van Halen,,,they put on one hell of a show….. Not to many years after that I happened to see Metallica at an outdoor ampltheatre called “Legend Valley” …As the name implies…it was a deep valley way out in the middle of nowhere…. No seats were sold, you could sit, dance, stand, lay down, or pass out anywhere you wanted..you could also BYOB or whatever else you wished to bring…..People came a day early to camp out and party in the parking lot….Great show, and even greater party… Always heard Meatloaf put on a great show back in his prime…never got to see him though…Hank Jr was great the first time I saw him the second time he was so drunk he sat on the edge of the stage and mumbled every song
However being a southern girl at heart….Anything rockabilly, or kicka$$ country fried rock is a great show….even if it’s just a no name band down at the local honkytonk…..Oh, Kid Rock put on one of the better live shows I have seen in awhile….and I have been to many shows…
I personally don’t like seeing bands live. I’m weird like that.
I absolutely despise Green Day and U2. Especially U2. I don’t think I hate anything or anyone as much as U2 and Bono.
Poison!!!
Train! (You should take a listen to their ‘Live at Last’ album!)
MUTE MATH!!!!!
Everyone must see MUTE MATH!!!
ST MUTHERF*CKIN’ P
1.STONE TEMPLE PILOTS
THEN
2.U2(EXCEPT BONO’S CHATTER IN THE MIDDLE)
I love U2, the Chili Peppers and Green Day, so any of those would be cool
Prince should have been #1. The concerts are amazing and he rocks!
MuteMath is AMAZING in concert! and their cd is pretty sweet too.
any of your favorite bands are great to watch live…….
U2
Esp. the light shows.
I’ve seen RHCP and Green Day, and they both put on quite a show.
311 should be on there though. =
I don’t even like U2 that much and I’d love to see them live, just for the experience.
been to lots of shows in alotta places…
but the best…that’s tough to call…it’s a tie btween
MxPx and The Crackajack Crew
I haven’t seen enough live shows to really answer that question. and I’m so young and kind of into older music, so a lot of the bands I love and would really love to see are dead and gone. BUT I would just like to say that I’d give up a number of things to go back in time and see The Clash live.
The Eagles (Hotel California)
I got to see U2 play live in Dublin last summer and it was an amazing show! I don’t know if I would say it’s the best one ever, but they had a great mix of new and old stuff and so much energy!
U2 is the only one of those that I’ve seen live. . .But I always thought Dave Matthews Band was great live. I’ve always liked the improvisational, “jam” bands.
Green Day has a really spiffy show.
My favorite concerts have been kids in the way and skillet, and the fold anberlin and emery.
RedHotChiliPeppers.
Newsboys or tobyMac
Wilco…saw them at Summerfest and they were amazing!
Green Day was SO good life. i don’t really like their music so much anymore though.
I wouldn’t know; but I really want to see the Foo Fighters.
And who are the Dirtbombs? o_O
Bayside
U2 or The Red Hot Chili Peppers!!
red hot chili peppers!
I’ve never seen anyone live. But I’d love to see Green Day or maybe U2 live… but my mom hates Green Day and my dad hates U2 with a passion so I don’t see it happening.
Funkadelic & Patti Smith
Green Day is the fucking SHIZ!!!
As far as the list goes, Red Hot Chili Peppers whom I’m going to go and see.
But I’d say the Goo Goo Dolls are my favorite. Whom I’m going to see Sunday.
Tool
Or any jamband. (Grateful Dead, Phish, Phil Lesh and Friends, Moe., Dave Matthews Band, Gomez, G.Love & Special Sauce, etc.)
Blue Man Group. Their music is not the best, but they have excellent shows.
DEFIANCE, OHIO!
relient k, casting crowns, switchfoot, kenny chesney, and chris tomlin
the styx! luv ya and god bless
lol
Blue Man Group
Out of all of the bands I’ve seevn live, Muse had the best stage presence. You could feel that they knew what they were doing and got into the music they were playing. I wasn’t even a big fan when I saw them ((They were opening for Velvet Revolver)). But, I am now. Speaking of Velvet Revolver, they are my second favorite so far because they were awesome live as well. Scott Weiland really knows how to play off the crowd.
U2 is just FANTASTIC live. I agree.
Although I was delightfully surprised by the Muse show I went to as well. That was great.
blue man group
newsboys
They say Nickleback is really good in concert.
You tell me.
Wide Eyed Wonder
I’ve never seen any of them live, but out of the ones I have seen-hellogoodbye for sure.
Green Day was amazing
But Yellowcard gets me going crazy
Anderson
U2 would be crazy/sweet. Coldplay was amazing, too.
Cross Canadian Ragweed
KEITH URBAN
amazing entertainer
bowling for soup, green day, motley crue, and many more
Hm…well AFI…or maybe Aiden, they put on one hell of a show too. Valient Thor too. Or 10 years. A friend of mine’s mom went to a U2 concert last year and she’s seen them about 5 times. She said that that was not only their worst performance ever, but the worst performance she’d ever seen.
Greenday
Weezer!
The Two Funerals. Ahaha. No, they’re cool though. Check them out on MySpace, they’re first full-length is coming out sometime soon. And they’re kickass awesome people.
GREENDAY!!
White Stripes ARE pretty darn good. For just 2 people, they really rock the house.
ICP is pretty good too, they spray faygo on the crowd and knock them out with full 2-liters sometimes.
THE ACADEMY IS. <3
Too bad our generation of live bands are horrible. Take me back to The Who, Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, Kiss, Alice Cooper. As for now, I’ll take OzzFest. I saw Blue Man Group and they were amazing.
Oh yeah, Queen if they were still around
Or Metallica
you dont know them but its Anathallo
definitely Dave Matthews Band
coldplay was pretty darn impressive. i’ve seen live recordings of queen in concert though, and it looked like a hell of a time.
Definantly Dave Mathews Band!!!!!
green day.. omg it was so amazing.
Dave Matthews Band… WITHOUT QUESTION!
Either Stoney LaRue or Cross Canadian Ragweed.
Nickel Creek
The Shins
NONE OF THOSE!!!
I’d have to say
Arch Enemy
Black Sabbath,
or DragonForce…
maybe Rush or SOAD
kiss
Sadly, I haven’t been to many concerts. Once of my friends dragged me to an Aaron Carter concert and I went because she won tickets from a radio and it was the worst show I’ve ever seen. Though Willie Nelson was pretty good. Except a drunk man who claimed he had herpes, spilled beer all over me.
dropkick murpheys without a doubt
tool!
EW U2, THE MOST OVER-RATED BAND EVER! id like to see metallica
SONIC YOUTH
I’d say Mastodon or Meshuggah.
insane clown posse…bar none……..
The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith.
I guess it kind of depends. I was in absolute awe when I went to see Sigur Ros. I’d say musically, of “bigger” bands, that was the best show I’d ever seen. I also went to see Thee Silver Mt. Zion Memorial Orchestra and Tra-La-La band (I’m still on a ridiclious high from that, I’m not going to lie) and that was the best show I’ve personally ever seen. I bet a lot of those bands would be good, but I reallyreallyreally can’t stand U2 now. I bet of those bands, I’d put Arcade Fire at the top. Radiohead too. But, that is partly my music bias. I just really can’t stand U2, no offense to those who dig them.
RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS DUH! They played onstage wearing nothing but tube socks, Anthony Kiedis is hot enough to do it.
The best concert I ever saw was Styx and Kansas together. Talk about a ROCKIN night! Other live bands I’ve loved are Journey (with Steve Perry), the Beach Boys and Paul Revere and the Raiders (they’re better in an adult venue like a casino)
John Mayer Trio
*random person comment*
haha i’m subscribed to spin… i hated the mag though.. ehh.. random i remember reading this article too!! i LOVE the YEAH YEAH YEAHS. they’re my favorite so i’m biased. plus, i heard their live shows were amazing. haha
Go Muse
i’ve only been to one concert *does not want to release name of band out of pure embarassment* perhaps fall out boy…they’re my favorite band of the moment, and their music generally requires a lot of jumping around on stage, so entertainment is garunteed. but only if they play some of their old stuff. if i hear “dance, dance” one more time i am going to kill someone…..that has absolutely nothing to do with the question.
I would not go to a live concert but my daughter said that she’d be willing to see Radiohead…Smile
*inserts a shameless plug for his girlfriend’s sister’s band* Mason Summers is definitely the best to see in concert. MAC, the drummer, rocks.
Personally I think U2 only got first place because of all of their aid campaigns and such. Otherwise I’d rather see them come after Red Hot Chili Peppers. …How Prince got on the list at all… don’t ask me.
the name of your xanga is “thetheologianscafe” and your asking us questions like this??? come on…i know you can do better than that
buttseckz lol!
Hmmm… Id have to say the best band ever is Spice Girls.
i don’t know why coldplay isn’t on that list. whoever from spin magazine composed that list has obvously never been to a coldplay concert. coldplay is the best band to see live!!
I agree whole heartedly that U2 ranks #1!! Second…Third Day
My son is a Theology Professor. He saw U2 in Phoenix and now says,”I can die happy now!”
Has anyone said Radiohead? Poor guys.
Charlie Daniels Band!!
Going to see them for a third time in September =]
ACDC! Or Nirvana, RIP Kurt Cobain. never got a chance to see them =/
Live puts on an amazing show!
Hellogoodbye.
My Chemical Romance. their shows are fucking amazing.
ALICE COOPER!!!
anathallo is the best band to see live. i think that radiohead should have been number one on that list.
my chemical romance were amazing.
thats still around? MuteMath
Damien rice will always be number one in my heart
RunningUphill and TobyMac
Panic! At The Disco
they are so theatrical with their performaces and it makes the song come alive.
pearl jam. without a doubt.
or the spice girls
I think itd be awesome to see green day live. i went to a relient k concert and that was ok. I bet OK go is fun. I cant wait for Tournado to start (The All-American Rejects, Motion City Soundtrack, The Format, Gym Class Heroes, and The Starting Line). THAT should be awesome
Number Thirteen!!! MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE!!! Otherly known as the Black Parade…
I would like to go to a GREEN DAY concert!
greenday or ok go
RHCP
Spirit of New Jersey of Course!