People you've seen live that were either better than expected or were a bit of a disappointment

HAL9000 · October 2013

Peter Green - absolutely magic - especially the pitch perfect bends on an acoustic version of Albatross. You could have heard a pin drop.

Clapton earlier this year at Manchester Arena - jaw-droppingly good - I'd seen him twice before and he was ok but the Manchester gig was something very special.

Roger Waters The Wall at the O2 a year or so back - technically brilliant - could have been good but was curiously uninvolving.

viz · October 2013

Last time I saw Gary Moore it was unbelievably boring

digitalscream · October 2013

Soundgarden at the O2 in Brixton a couple of weeks back. Sound guy must've had cloth ears - there was nothing but a booming kick drum and a buzzing which was either the vocals or the guitar (couldn't quite tell which). Bass was totally absent.

I even tried standing next to the desk, leaning over so I could hear what the sound guy was hearing...it was at this point that I realised he was wearing in-ear monitors (I initially thought they were ear plugs, but they had a wire going to a radio pack on his belt). What a stupid fucking idea...he's mixing the band without any kind of idea of what they actually sound like.

On a positive note...Cast at V96 (yes, that long ago). Absolutely blew everybody else away, including both the headliners (Pulp and Supergrass). Not even my kind of music, but they opened with History which immediately got my attention.

ftumch · October 2013

Not sure if this counts but the bands that have blown me away the most are ones I'd never heard of before and caught me by surprise. Namely 'White Zombie' 'Skunk Anansie' but the one that really sticks out was 'Incubus' this was when he still had dreads and around the 'enjoy' ep time, fckn amazing. Whitesnake were disappointing and rather boring. Also I'll add that despite my high expectations every time I see 'Tool' they're better than I remember. Went to see 'The who' at Albert hall just to tick the box and they were much better than I expected, still really full of energy.

boogieman · October 2013

viz;49096" said:
Last time I saw Gary Moore it was unbelievably boring

This. He also had a face like a smacked arse through most of the set when I saw him.

Last time I saw Paul Rodgers he did a 40 minute set then walked off. :x

Bellycaster · October 2013

Keith Harris and Orville kicked ass!

Back to the subject though.

I've never been disappointed by an established act to a significant extent.

I guess my only "disappointment" was when I went to see Iron Maiden with Blaze Bayley in Circa 1998 at Sheffield City Hall. It probably wasn't that bad but it just didn't feel the same as the times before that I saw them with Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith.

It was like I made myself go and see them when I was telling myself "It's not the same anymore"

:-S

stickyfiddle · October 2013

Placebo. Wasn't that keen anyway but all my mates were going. Utter shite. I could've seen the Darkness the same night about a month before they went massive. I definitely picked the wrong gig.

Oasis, Glastonbury 2004. I'd been looking forward to seeing them for years and it was a notoriously shit gig. First time out with Zakk Starkey and he started most of the early stuff too slow. Thankfully I caught them on a good night in Milton Keynes the next summer and they were blinding.

On the good side...

Chris Cornell. Playing in the rain in Hyde Park while we all waited for Aerosmith. Absolutely unquestionably the best singer I've heard live. He was the only time I've had my expectation of "yeah, ok, not bad" turned into "Holy shitballs when can I see them again?".

mike_l · October 2013

Bellycaster said:
Back to the subject though.
I've never been disappointed by an established act to a significant extent.
I guess my only "disappointment" was when I went to see Iron Maiden with Blaze Bayley in Circa 1998 at Sheffield City Hall. It probably wasn't that bad but it just didn't feel the same as the times before that I saw them with Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith.
It was like I made myself go and see them when I was telling myself "It's not the same anymore"
:-S

Go see them now, with Adrian and Bruce back in the fold, excellent.

Also, The Almighty, I saw them at Donington 1992, and prior to seeing them thought they were a bit shit, seeing them changed my mind.

Most disappointing was probably Therapy at the Junction in Cambridge, not bad, but too many guitar changes for the first 7 or 8 songs (Ie every song).

DulcetJones · October 2013

Better than expected: The Who(1980's, first tour without Moonie), ZZ Top, Queen(1980's, Freddie in his prime), Rush, every time I've seen them

Disappointed: The Cars(1980's, keyboard player couldn't get it together) and 5440 in the 90's, they played and sang competently and actually put on a good show but the sound was lousy. All we could could hear was bass and drums pounding thoughout. The highlight of the show was during the opening act "Grapes of Wrath" when a fuse blew and the frontman and bassist grabbed a couple of acoustic guitars and did a couple of songs with no amplification.

Deijavoo · October 2013

Radiohead last year for my 30th in Manchester. I was gutted. Never going to an arena gig ever again.

Deadman · October 2013

Better than expected: Gogol Bordello, Terrorvision, Foo fighters (really), Hives, Ben Harper, Pearl Jam.

Worse than expected: RHCP, but only on the second occasion. First time they were amazing. Paul Weller but again, only on the second occasion. First time he was amazing.

The Damned, the last time I saw them (Dec 12). Having seen them 20 or so times since I was a teenager and enjoyed every gig, the last time they were shit. I was bitterly disappointed.

breakstuff · October 2013

Kinda with you there regarding arena gigs.Saw Oasis at Sheffield Arena in 97 I think it was.Didn't enjoy it as I felt to detached.(sat right near the back).Saw Lamb of God and Children of Bodom at Manchester arena stood right near the front and it was epic.Saw Bowling for Soup at Download in 2007,thought I would hate them but they were brilliant.

WYNIR0 · October 2013

Gary Moore. - Both - Playing the blues on a Strat - Brilliant. Soon as he switched to a Les Paul - Leaden boring, Yawn etc.

David Bowie, got given a ticket last minute, wasn't a fan before I went in, but after the gig I was. He had the whole arena in the palm of the hand for 2 hrs

DulcetJones · October 2013

WYNIR0 said:

David Bowie, got given a ticket last minute, wasn't a fan before I went in, but after the gig I was. He had the whole arena in the palm of the hand for 2 hrs

I was a fan going in and it was better than expected. Another one I just remembered was Los Lobos, I saw them twice in smaller venues early in their career, it was amazing!

Bellycaster · October 2013

mike_l said:

Bellycaster said:
Back to the subject though.
I've never been disappointed by an established act to a significant extent.
I guess my only "disappointment" was when I went to see Iron Maiden with Blaze Bayley in Circa 1998 at Sheffield City Hall. It probably wasn't that bad but it just didn't feel the same as the times before that I saw them with Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith.
It was like I made myself go and see them when I was telling myself "It's not the same anymore"
:-S

Go see them now, with Adrian and Bruce back in the fold, excellent.
Also, The Almighty, I saw them at Donington 1992, and prior to seeing them thought they were a bit shit, seeing them changed my mind.
Most disappointing was probably Therapy at the Junction in Cambridge, not bad, but too many guitar changes for the first 7 or 8 songs (Ie every song).

I would certainly go and see Maiden again, Mike. I think their current tour just ended, but I think they might have 1 more Album/Tour in them. ;-)

RocknRollDave · October 2013

Echo and the Bunnymen - on the back of comeback album Evergreen, which I loved at the time. McCulloch couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.

+1 to Placebo too. Dragged along by a mate despite my protestations that I'd seen them before and they were rubbish.....and yes, they were still rubbish.

On the other hand The Roots were an absolute revelation live, very impressed.

mike_l · October 2013

Motorhead, seen 'em twice, just too loud to hear any playing nuances. Same with In Flames.

Girlschool, saw 'em supporting Motorhead a few years ago, I was most impressed with their playing skills, stage prescence and songs.

RocknRollDave · October 2013

+1 on Motorhead. Seen them a few times and enjoyed it for the most part but it's hit and miss as to whether you get a night/venue where you can actually hear Phil Campbell on guitar

RocknRollDave · October 2013

Oh just thought of another:

Andy Cairns of Therapy?, solo acoustic show.

He's not the world's most accomplished guitarist nor is he the most consistent of singers so I thought the stripped back approach would leave him woefully exposed. But....it was great, he was in fine voice and chatted lots between songs - he's a very witty chap, great raconteur.

axisus · October 2013

Dissapointing: Jack Bruce. Was expecting a bass god, but the bass playing came across as meh. It was a pretty good gig otherwise though, with Ginger Baker and Gary Moore.

Surprisingly good - Cliff Richard doing all his number 1's about 20 years ago. The wife dragged me along - honest!

mike_l · October 2013

RocknRollDave said:

+1 on Motorhead. Seen them a few times and enjoyed it for the most part but it's hit and miss as to whether you get a night/venue where you can actually hear Phil Campbell on guitar

Both Cambridge and Birmingham, they were too loud.

Cambridge, I was right at the back and it was booming, much louder than the jets over the road from work. Same as Birmingham, where they were supporting Alice Cooper, again, I was quite far back, and they were deafeningly loud.

EricTheWeary · October 2013

The Damned were memorably awful, just a big dull noise for 90 minutes. UB40 were painfully dull and the drummer kept cocking stuff up.

Tom Jones was great.

Deep Purple were okay but Blackmore was rubbish. Off to see them with Morse next week. If he can remember most of the songs he will be one up on Ritchie.

ICBM · October 2013

Better than expected - Runrig at Balloch Park, 1991. Truly brilliant, regardless of what you might think of their music normally. You probably had to be there to understand why.

Worse than expected - Queens Of The Stone Age at the Glasgow Academy. A mushy mess, which doesn't work for music that relies on relentless precision.

bertie · October 2013

Slade

MOR 1981 - fantastic, completely rocked the place.

B.O.C - same gig, fucking awful

jaygtr · October 2013

Better than expected
Shawaddywaddy
Sweet
Yes
Duran Duran
Thomson twins
Dio
Super furry animals

Worse
Metallica
Rush
Tears for fears
Pulp

historyisjunk · October 2013

Probably biggest disappointment wasn't even a bad show. Neil Young at the SECC sometime mid 90's. In fact, I think he did a really good show & it lasted a fair while; Kula Shaker were pretty good suport too. Where I had to sit, & I mean sit or else, was much too far away, I hardly remember anything about it, it was so dismal. I'd been working my arse off away from home & looking forward to it enormously. The SECC also gouge you for parking, which isn't mentioned when you buy the tickets.

Also disappointing was Lou Reed- in a bad mood & rushing some of the songs.

Stunningly good, but unknown or unexpected-
Doll By Doll early 80's sometime, supporting Hawkwind who were very poor, hearts not in it, though normally great. Despite getting an absolutely shit reception Doll By Doll really did their best & I'd never heard anything like them, really intense.

The Black Diamond Heavies, then still with their guitarist, Supporting The Immortal Lee County Killers, never heard of them before- nothing to touch them for a long time after.

The reformed Green On Red, London Astoria about 2006- just wow. I was worried I'd find it embarrassing & all back slapping reunion stuff, not in the least, a proper show & they were totally on it. Was not happy to find I missed them in Glasgow a couple of years later.

ICBM · October 2013

historyisjunk said:

The SECC also gouge you for parking, which isn't mentioned when you buy the tickets.

It's much easier to park in the Minerva St area and walk across the footbridge

. Not only free but you get home while everyone else is still queuing to get out of the SECC car park...

I would definitely have been disappointed if I'd had to listen to Kula Shaker though.

johnnyurq · October 2013

bertie said:

Slade

MOR 1981 - fantastic, completely rocked the place.

B.O.C - same gig, fucking awful

@bertie

Yep I was there too Slade who were replacing a band who dropped out IIRC well, slayed.

As you say B.O.C not so much, especially getting grief from the nutter bikers at the front.

AC/DC were great and it was very near the start of the Back in Black tour.

Aidanspaghetti · October 2013

ZZtop this summer were amazing... I was expecting a "going through the motions" job but holy feck, they rocked the shop.

Wolfsbane supporting Maiden in '90. Drop dead brilliant. I could not believe three instruments and a voice (what a voice) could rock so hard. Amazing talent.

Brad Paisley playing to about 300 people in a small country town in Ireland - he was playing Wembley later that week also.... Amzing gig - they couldn't believe how few came out... They play a few numbers and then hes says "Reckon country musics not too popular round here" whilst laughin.. The band played out of their skin and had a brilliant night. You could see the fun they were having.

The Hellecasters in a nightclub in cork... I still cant believe it nearly 20 years later...

On the crap side

Went to see Satriani 2 nights in a row in the same venue. Whilst the gig was great the 1st night, same set list and banter the second night kinda bummed me out..

Great gig but embarrasing was when I brought all my non muso mates to a Vai gig back in the day.... He came out with the xmas lights all flashing on and off all over him etc.... Think I still have some bruises from that night

historyisjunk · October 2013

ICBM said:

historyisjunk said:

The SECC also gouge you for parking, which isn't mentioned when you buy the tickets.

It's much easier to park in the Minerva St area and walk across the footbridge . Not only free but you get home while everyone else is still queuing to get out of the SECC car park...

I would definitely have been disappointed if I'd had to listen to Kula Shaker though.

Ahh, thanks for the advice. You never know, I may go back- though I can't see it & most of the people I like would never fill it.
The getting home bit is the best, I remember missing the M8 turn off & accidentally driving down a street with bus & taxi only resrictions at that time (Argyle St?) fortunately it was OK, probably the best thing about the night.

Ha, I actually quite liked some of Kula Shaker, though I never bought any records.

ICBM · October 2013

historyisjunk said:
The getting home bit is the best, I remember missing the M8 turn off & accidentally driving down a street with bus & taxi only resrictions at that time (Argyle St?) fortunately it was OK, probably the best thing about the night.

Ha, yes that part of Glasgow is a total nightmare to drive in if you don't know it! And sometimes even when you do...

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People you've seen live that were either better than expected or were a bit of a disappointment

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