3w ago

All right music fans, what's your favorite band/musician and how many times have you seen them live?

110 comments

Daft Punk. Sadly never have and never will. :(
- I feel your pain. They were among the greats, like holy shit.
- Saw them for the Alive 2007 tour. Big gigantic pyramid and the DJ booth was at the top. They were grooving to their remixes of their songs, 2 robots alternating moves with the beats. It was awesome!
- If you have a chance see Justice.

Nine Inch Nails.
23 times.
- This is seriously impressive
  If you can pick, which was your favourite?
  
  That’s tough to pick, but I would probably say the first With Teeth tour because it was their first after a hiatus and they played small clubs. So the show wasn’t fancy but to see them in what was basically a bar was kind of insane.
- That's quite the record. I hope you have lots of keepsakes from them.
  
  Yup. Even got them to sign a birthday card for my wife lol

Hard to pick just one so I'll list a few:
Thank You Scientist - 2x
Haken - 3x
Porcupine Tree - 1x
King Crimson - BEAT lineup 2x, 3 drummer lineup 1x
Tesseract - 1x
Meshuggah - 1x
- Seen Porcupine Tree a few times, Steven Wilson once, awesome stuff
- Oh man, I'm familiar with thank you scientist, porcupine tree, and meshuggah and all of them are awesome. I bet those were some great shows!
- I had never heard of Thank You Scientist before, but they were opening for one of the bands that I really like to go see live (Rivers of Nihil, seen them 5 times so far). HOLY SHIT they are so good. I have no idea how they ended up as the opener for that show, they're so different from the other bands on the setlist, but I am very glad I got to see them.
  I saw Tesseract recently when I went to see Devin Townsend, that was an amazing show.

I didn't discover Nirvana until after Cobain had died so... None. 😔
Same with Chris Cornell and every band he was in.
- You should probably stop discovering artists, for their sake!
  /s
  
  I've tried to stop myself after I got into Linkin Park. 😔
  Man I thought I just liked grunge, but I think what I really like is depressing songs from people who have unalived themselves.
- Soundgarden was absolutely legendary
- I had tickets to see Nirvana that summer, but obviously that didn't happen :-(

Big time tool fan in the 90's, 125 shows total throughout the years. Havent really been interested in their music and only seen them 2 or 3 times in the past decade.
But, the past 12 or so years I've been super in to Cattle Decapitation. Seen them 15 times so far including a trip last year from the west coast of America to Ireland to catch them with some friends over there right around st pats.
Phenomenal live band and genuinely good humans.
- Are you me? 😳
  
  If you are incredibly attractive and have fantastic taste in music, I am at least half way there! 😁
  Maybe we shared the teleporter? I mean, isn't this basically just a terrasite?

Weird Al.
Only like 4-5 times so far, but I have tickets for this summer's tour stop near me
- Going to shows is a hobby of mine, I go to a lot of shows. But there is only one artist who I will never miss when he comes to town and it's Weird Al.
  I cannot express strongly enough to anyone reading this who has never seen Al: do it! It's an elaborate comedy show, you don't have to know a single song to enjoy it. It's always drop-dead hilarious and worth twice whatever you pay for it.
  Perhaps with the notable exception of his "Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tours" (there have been two so far, iirc) which are definitely more for the hardcore fans, though still funny as hell.
  
  Yes. Definitely a top performer. Even the costume changes alone are impressive.
- We’ve seen him a few times now and the breadth of his work absolutely amazes me. We’ve seen his well known show where he reprises his music videos twice. A few years ago we saw him when he toured with a full orchestra, and most recently we saw him do an “unplugged” concert which was just him and his band playing acoustically and only doing his original songs, no parodies. I’d honestly forgotten how many original songs he’s written.
  
  Yeah, he really has had an amazing career. And puts on a heck of a performance at the shows I've seen too.

My favorite band that I've actually seen live:
Duran Duran. Was a closet fan of theirs back in the late 80's and got to see them when my girlfriend at the time got tickets.
Actual favorite band and unfortunately have never seen live:
RUSH
And it's not because I think that Neil Peart is the greatest drummer of all time (that would be Buddy Rich). It's because their music actually talks to my neurodivergent brain. It is also due to that the 3 of them were a confluence of exceptional talent that just happened to come together to make something special.
- I would have loved to have seen Rush in concert. My wife and I did see a Rush tribute/cover band last year called Lotus Land that was pretty darned good.

Porter Robinson!! I've seen him uhhh at least 5 times live now? I love how every album of his is totally different, and his performances are always such a good vibe.
- I got to see him live for the first time last year, absolutely incredible show.
- Only managed to see him with Madeon on the Shelter tour, not usually my thing but that track was so good and yeah the vibes were immaculate!
  
  That was the first time I saw him too! I'm hoping they do something for the shelter 10th anniversary in a few years

Frank Zappa, Broadway the Hard Way Tour in the Ahoy Rotterdam 1988.
Seen him once.

Streetlight Manifesto- 3 times

Boards of Canada. Never live. But I dislike that kind of thing, crowds, driving etc, so no biggie.

Where are the phish fans?
"...723 times"
- There's a decent size jam band community on mastodon on the shakedown.social instance. Lemmy not so much (yet)

Most seen is probably Bloc Party at about 10 times (though most of those were over a decade ago) or more recently Everything Everything who I've seen about the same number of times now.
Chemical Brothers is probably my favourite live show, seen them live 6 times now. NIN also put on a great show, going to my 3rd and 4th times next week
Oh I've seen Sigur Ros 4 times and that's always a great show too
- I’m going to see Bloc Party for the first time TONIGHT.

Tossup between Streetlight Manifesto and Propagandhi.
Streetlight I've probably seen 9 or 10 times. Every single one is one of the best shows I've ever been to. Their live shows are the perfect mix of energy and technicality. They are just as precise as their studio albums, but adding the intensity of live music and a venue completely packed with people who are super into it.
Propagandhi I've only seen once, but it was fucking intense. Every song was balls-to-the-wall power. I got kicked in the teeth so fucking hard I thought I lost one, but didn't care. I was supposed to see them again last year, but the frontman got Covid the night before the show. I was supposed to see them in a couple weeks, but they canceled their American tour on account of all the Nazi shit happening here. Now I'm seriously thinking about paying an exorbitant amount of money to go see them in Canada.
- Yeah with Propagandhi it's always a toss-up whether they'll make it into the U.S., they were set to play Fest this year too until they canceled. Kind of wonder if they'll even bother trying to tour the U.S. for the next 4 years at least, ugh.
  PS - Streetlight is playing Asbury Park later this month if you want to add another show to your count :P (you probably already know about that one)
  
  Unfortunately I'm on the other side of the country. I've got tickets to see them in my city, but it's at a shit venue.
- Thank you for introducing me to Propaghandi, this band ROCKS.

Incubus! Seen them 3 times and each show was phenomenal.
- I only really know Incubus from Drive, any favorite songs you'd recommend?
  
  Oh, buckle up!
  All of the newer stuff sucks (post 2009, specially the Morning View album remake), but the whole of the original Morning View album is phenomenal.
  Incubus is a band that has changed their sound distinctively throughout the years. If you want to experience that, here’s what I recommend:
  Album: S.C.I.E.N.C.E. Motif: A fusion of metal, rock, and funk. Raw sound that focuses more on zany immature lyrics and excellent vocal talent. Just a lot of fun to play on full blast in the car. Recommended songs:
  Deep Inside
  A Certain Shade of Green
  Vitamin
  Summer Romance (Anti-gravity Love Song)
  Album: Make Yourself Motif: A movement away from focusing on drug use and sex and more about self discovery and the joy of independent thought. The band really matures into alt rock at this stage. They still have some signs of funk, but the band begins to show the first signs of their more relaxed vibe that would permeate Morning View. Recommended Songs:
  Drive
  Make Yourself
  Pardon Me
  Nowhere Fast
  Stellar
  Album: Morning View Motif: Keeping their alt rock roots, the band shifts into a more relaxed sound in the latter songs of the album. The band has stated that this was their favorite album to record and it shows. This is the album that defined a lot of my life outlook as a teenager. Recommended Songs:
  Nice To Know You
  Circles
  Warning
  Are You In?
  Aqueous Transmission
  Album: A Crow Left Of The Murder Motif: Guitarist Mike Einziger’s most refined sound. The band ditches most of the chill vibes for a more angsty tone. There’s a lot of cultural commentary in this album. That said, it’s here that the band starts to fade from glory a bit. Recommended Songs:
  Sick Sad Little World
  Talk Shows on Mute
  Megalomaniac
  Made For TV Movie
  A Crow Left of the Murder
  If you’ve made it this far, I recommend checking out Light Grenades, but that album really starts to lose the original raw spark that Make Yourself had.
  Enjoy Incubus!

Radiohead. Three times: the Hail to the Thief tour, the In Rainbows tour, and lastly during the A Moon Shaped Pool tour.

Breaking Benjamin, twice.

Elvis Costello but I've only seen him twice. I like CAKE a lot too and have seen them 4 or 5 times.
- I bet Cake puts on a good show. Such class
  
  Good show but I have seen the same show 4 or 5 times.

I've seen a few bands, but only tagging along with friends, never seen anyone I actually like. Tbh I'm not a big fan of live music anyway. There's something about it not being 100% the same as I'm used to that just makes me not like it as much.

Napalm Death, about ten times.

Dead Kennedys.
I've seen them live zero times because they broke up in 1986 and never ever got back together.

probably Tool, and zero times regrettably. I really hope I get a chance to see them at least once.
- Great shows. I've seen them 3 times and they killed every time. I hope you get your chance.

Flogging Molly. Was dating my wife when we first got to see them play, along with Gogol Bordello. Our first show together, she loved it. Decided I should keep her at that point. :) We've seen them 7 more times over the years.

Billy Idol! I'm not sure how many times I've seen him, at least 8 but probably more like 10-11. Two of those times I got meet-and-greet tickets so I've got two pics of me and my husband with Billy and Steve Stevens :)

While I haven't seen him the most times, I am unequivocally a massive Dev-head. I've seen Devin Townsend 3 times (4 if you count the virtual concert during lockdown in 2020), but one of them was to travel from the USA to the Netherlands this March to see the one-time live performance of The Moth (I was right in the second row, I get a lot of peripheral screen-time in the live-stream). It was such an amazing experience, I'm going to count that as 10 or 20 normal concerts. I probably also haven't cried that many happy tears in at least a decade or two. It was also my first time ever leaving the USA, and I really REALLY didn't want to go home. I'd have happily lived the rest of my life on the Dutch train network.

Between the Buried and Me - 3 times
Maybe not my absolute favorite but one of the top 5 at least. Other groups I have seen more than once:
Dream Theater 2x
Less Than Jake 2x
Furthur 2x
Phish 3x
Primus 2x
Death Cab For Cutie 2x
moe 2 or maybe 3x
Umphrey's McGee 2x
I have seen Tony Levin live twice, but in different acts. Dude is super cool.
- Punk jam band fusion here
  A fellow listener of culture I see!

I've seen The Cat Empire thrice, back when they were my favourite band.
- Oh Cat Empire has some super fun tunes! I bet they put on a good show.
  
  Fantastic! Long improvisational breaks you don't get on the albums. There's plenty of full shows on YouTube.

Stephin Merritt / The Magnetic Fields, and never.
They've come through town several times, it's just never worked out.
- Aw, that's brutal! Hopefully you'll get a chance soonish that works out :)

Delain is probably my fave band, but I've only gotten the chance to see them once (I did get a picture with them though!) It was a hell of a show, with Xandria and Edge of Paradise. Great performances, and it was at a smaller venue so I got to be right up by the stage. It was so much fun.
A bit weirdly, my second favorite Nightwish I've seen like four times. I've liked them since I was around fourteen though, so I guess maybe not that weird.

Nekrogoblikon - seen them 5 times but I skipped them last time they were in town, the new singer just isn't the same. Former/founding singer did the clean and growl vocals, now they split it with a new singer doing the growls and the goblin mascot doing the clean vocals.

Neko Case, who is also a member of the New Pornographers. I have seen both her solo act and TNP probably about 10-15 times.

Hiatus Kaiyote, by far and away, it isn't even close.
I don't go to concerts lots so zero.

British Prog Metal legends Haken!! I've seen them only twice now, but they're simply incredible.

Death Cab for Cutie is my favorite by far. I’ve seen them live 4 times.
I’ve also seen their frontman perform solo twice, and once more with his other project the Postal Service.

Аркона! 7 times (almost every time they’ve been to the US)
- I've been meaning to get to one of their shows, but just never had the chance, or always learned about it right after it happened.
  I really wish Грай (Grai) would tour somewhere in North America...

It's hard to pick one favorite because I have so many. If I had to pick one it'd be Collide but I haven't seen them live. However, I've seen Garbage four or five times so far and that's not enough.
I have a bunch of stuff from Collide though. My name is on 2-3 of their albums, and I have their hand written lyrics and notes to the song they wrote for Underworld 4

My fave artist, Borusiade, is quite niche and arguably their style of music had it's peak in the electronic scene around 2017-21 so it'll be a long shot to see them now sadly.

I would say femtanyl. It's also the only one I have seen live. I'm really hoping there will be another Europe tour because I doubt I will be able to go to North America anytime soon.

Tough question but I'd say ODESZA is my favourite band. Never seen them live though!
I think the band I have seen most live is The Aggrolites, maybe 4 times.

World/Inferno Friendship Society by far, must have seen them 10-15 times in the NYC/NJ area. Averaged 1-2 times a year up until the lead singer passed away 4 years ago (RIP CLOTH). Their live show was kind of a intense mix of dancing, moshing, singing along and just kind of letting loose. The fans sort of created an entire community around the band and we'd recognize each other from all the other shows we've been to together. Their annual halloween show (Hallowmas) was always the highlight, the band would go all out with live show spectacles both on and off the stage.
I still go to plenty of other live shows, at the moment have leaned into folk punk bands. Apes Of State and Escape From the Zoo are some of my current favorites maybe seen them 4-5 times now.

Carbon Based Lifeforms. I haven't, I doubt I ever will since crowds ruin music for me.
- I saw CBL in London about a year ago, it was a pretty chill crowd FWIW

Cursive I've seen them 5 times. Two of them one day after the other. Broken chords have never sounded so beautiful.

Ado, first time seeing her live next week.

I would have to say Rammstein, I've seen them twice (or once depending on how you count it, it was two days in a row the same show)

Say Anything, that band basically kept me alive through my teens and 20s, I got to see them live and Max Bemis the lead singer grabbed my hand and got me to sing a part of the song, best fucking moment of my life.
That was the moment I knew I wasn't 100% straight, he could have had me that night.

Starve from Melbourne. Been to almost every show

Most of them are 90s and 2000s hip hop, rock, jazz, pop, and electronic artists (I can't pick a favorite).
I've been to three concerts in my entire life. Two of them because I was bartendering at the venue. The other one my parents took me to when I was 12 (Blue Man Group in Vegas, early 2000s).
I'd love to one day be able to attend a concert on my own dime... Too busy going to work and paying bills.

Cory Wong is my all time favorite, seen him 3 times so far, all amazing shows. Will see him again next month at North Sea Jazz.
Snarky puppy is a good contender, seen themb3 times as well.

I have been a Cure fan for over 30 years now. I have seen them live twice, both times in their 'Bloodflowers' tour. Normally, when they perform near us, they perform on big festivals. I hate festivals.

R.E.M. - saw them live 3 times (Edinburgh 1994, Stirling 1999 and Glasgow 2005). Always great!

Haendel’s Messiah. I have seen it live a dozen times, never fails to impress.

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