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Worst Concerts You Have Attended ??

I just left a remark about a favorite band of mine back in the day - April Wine - that I saw in concert and was disappointed. Could have been that it was an off night for them, or maybe they were never good in concert. Maybe the lead guitarist had too much to drink? April Wine was not the worst, however. I remember Neil Young in the 1990's who was on his one-man acoustic show type of tour that many artists were taking advantage of (perhaps for financial reasons) during that time. While a friend of I had near front row seats at Desert Sky Pavilion (now Ak-Chin) in Pheonix, the crowd was just roused up into a frenzy by the warm-up band (James) and here comes Neil and his guitar/harmonica. Wow, what a sonic letdown. I remember getting up and leaving and feeling Neil's glaring eyes on us as we ushered out. I think, to this day, he probably still remembers me. We all can remember the great live concerts we attended, but what were the worst and why?
goodlistening64
surfmuz
376 posts
 
Pink Martini at Wolf Trap about six years ago... the sound was terrible.. and the way they choose to play different country’s national hits was so funny.. it was so obvious how it divide the crowd on groups who were interested and not.
However the one I really liked was ’13 Depeche Mode at Jiffy Lube Center VA... superior sound and energetic, fantastic atmosphere. 
skyscraper
825 posts
 
Deadhead the one time I saw Van was in 1970 at my college. He was drunk off his butt, but still managed to put on a pretty decent show. His material was pretty new to him at the time, so he apparently hadn’t gotten jaded yet. He was living nearby in Woodstock, NY then, and likely stopped off at his local tavern before the show for a few, or maybe quite a few, beers.
singintheblues
96 posts
 
Saw Van Morrison once.  Pure torture.  He came across as a proper pompous, tedious little twat.

As a teen I saw (I believe) Deep Purple's last ever gig in Liverpool.  Spinal Tap really nailed that era.   Tedious solos.   Tommy Bolin could hardly stand up.  I think he died a week later.


pehare's avatar
pehare
831 posts
 
Grateful Dead, Baltimore Civic Center, late 70's.  Completely flat lackluster performance just plodding thru the songs.  When they were on the right dose they were ON but this was clearly not one of those nights. 
richopp
760 posts
 
My almost favorite band--The Eagles--Miami Stadium.  I walked out after the 4th song, which was really the 2nd song.  They started and stopped the first two songs twice.  My guess is that they were so high they could not perform. It was completely embarrassing and terrible for professional musicians.

BEST show (after the Beatles, of course) was ALSO the Eagles--July 4th, (1976, I think), Tampa Stadium.  Loggins and Messina (last show together), Fleetwood Mac (Rumors) and Eagles (Hotel California).  Totally amazing show.

As for SOUND issues, almost every show lately is horrible regardless of the band.  I don't think the artist cares at all as they just do the show and leave with no thought to the audience.

Surprise show--saw Rod Stewart recently and he was terrific!  Also, saw the David Byrne show in NYC last year and it was amazingly good.

Cheers!
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