Top 10 Concerts of All Time - YouTube Style

I may be getting older but I still love a great rock concert. Recently I went to a show and was so blown away that I realized that it was one of the best concerts I have ever seen.

So what makes a great rock concert? There are many criteria that someone might use to rate a show but it all comes down to one thing for me - energy. Am I moved? Do I get goosebumps? Do I scream my lungs out to the point of losing my voice? Am I utterly exhausted at the end? Is that moment cemented in my mind forever?

I started thinking about all my favorites and then decided to do a little research. To my amazement, I found a handful of videos online from great shows I had been to. So I give you the Top 10 Concerts I have been to. These aren't necessarily my favorites bands but ones that left an incredible impression on me.

1) New Order @ The Reading Festival, Reading, England - August 1993

The setting was everything here. In 1993, my brother and I went to the Reading Festival aways outside of London. The last show of the night was close to midnight. I'm standing in an English pasture. Full moon overhead. Someone asked me today if it had anything to do with anyone I was with. I don't think I even noticed a person around me I was so entranced.

This video was taken at the exact show I was at.

2) The Posies @ The Earl in Atlanta, GA - September 2005

It is strange that my favorite show by my favorite band came so recently, just three years ago. I actually went to this show by myself. The frenzied energy of this show came to a head when Ken Stringfellow jumped off the stage, stood next to me and wailed on "Flavor of the Month" while singing TO ME. It's as if he knew I was his biggest fan that night.

Here is what Ken said on his blog the next day: "The show at the Earl was one of the best of the tour....amazing crowd...we were feeling the flames of the volcano god...stormin’."

While not in Atlanta, this video is very indicative of the show I was at.

3) Arcade Fire @ Atlanta Civic Center on May 1st, 2007

The energy at this show was almost overwhelming. I went with my friends Nick Purdy of Paste Magazine, Reid Davis, formerly of Paste now Tastemaker Communications, and Dave Blanchard of The Brickstore Pub (all hail The Brickstore!). At some point Reid said "If they asked us to march on City Hall to burn it down, we all would !"

This video was taken at the exact show I was at.

4) The Swell Season @ Cobb Energy Center on May 13th, 2008

Not quite a rock show, but as powerful and moving as any show I have ever been to. The opening song was absolutely unbelievable as evidenced by this first video clip. Glen Hansard must have been told that the acoustics in the new Cobb Energy Center were world class, because he came out and belted out this song without any amplification. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

Both videos were taken at the show in Atlanta.

5) Pedro The Lion @ Echo Lounge on June 14th, 2004

Before this show in East Atlanta, I got to hang out with Dave Bazan along with my friends Josh Jackson and Nick Purdy of Paste Magazine. Having talked with Dave about his new album and the songs made the show that much more meaningful. Bazan was absolutely smoking this night.

6) Mighty Mighty Bosstones @ The Masquerade on February 25th, 1995

My friend Randall and I went to this show at the venerable Masquerade. This easily was the most violent and insane show I have ever been to. People hanging from girders 15'-20' up and dropping like flies into the crowd, a mosh pit like you have never seen, and the wooden floor was flexing so much I thought we were going to crash through to the first floor below. I don't think I remember ever having so many bruises after a show. A few times Randall and I gave each other a "We-are-really-going-to-get-hurt-but-this-is-fun-as-hell" look. What a great way to spend my birthday!

This video is much more indicative of mid-'90s Bosstones than much of what you can find on YouTube.

7) Suede @ The Masquerade on February 24th, 1995

I still remember the wall of sound when they played this song "Animal Nitrate". This is an example of a band that I liked before the show that I loved after the show.

8) Umajets @ The Cotton Club on January 26th, 1996.

Back in the late '90s, my friend Rob Aldridge got together with former Jellyfish bassist Tim Smith as Umajets. I'm still not sure that I have every heard more beautiful music live. Rob and Tim's vocals are legendary.

Unfortunately I can't find any videos on YouTube (though I likely have some Hi-8 stuff in the attic) so a song will have to suffice.

9) King's X @ The Roxy on May 8th, 1994

My friend Chris and I went to this show with high expectations. Our expectations were blown away. To this day, I have never seen a tighter band live than King's X. You know it's a great show when you look at your friend and are absolutely speechless.

10) L.S.U. @ Gwinnett Fairgrounds in 1993

Back in the day, I listened to "Christian rock". Yes, most of it sucked. But there were some real gems like L.S.U. These guys put on one of the craziest shows I have ever seen, including lead singer Mike Knott coming on stage in drag and pouring an industrial can of corn on his head and smearing it over his body. Yes, it did happen.

This strikes me as a great time to start a meme. So feel free to chime in with a post with your own favorites and link back to me. Have fun finding the YouTube clips.

Technorati Tags: Music New Order The Posies The Swell Season Arcade Fire Umajets Mighty Mighty Bosstones Suede Pedro the Lion LSU