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Sean McManus's Blog
100+ bands I've seen live
01 March 2007
On a discussion list I'm on, a few people were trying to compile a list of 100 bands they've seen live. I gave it a go as well. It brought back great memories. I recommend it to anyone. If you've not seen 100 bands yet, start your list now anyway. It's a real brainache doing it decades later.
I'm lucky to have seen my favourite bands so many times: My Life Story about fifteen times, Inspirals eight times, Jesus Jones five times, Black/CV about five times, Tanita Tikaram four times, Kenickie about five times, Prince four times, Pink Floyd twice (plus Gilmour twice, and Waters), Jean-Michel Jarre three times and Depeche Mode four times.
My list of bands runs to 132 now, and since I'm working from memory and whatever CDs I've got here, I'm probably missing loads of support acts. There's one that had the happiest drummer in the world, who completely outclassed everyone else on the stage. Never knew the band name, but I can still picture his smiley face.
My first gig was Jarre in Docklands in 1989, which was 18 years ago now. That means I've seen a new band (ie, one I hadn't previously seen) on average every seven weeks for the last 18 years.
Here's the list in alphabetical order, running down the screen in columns.
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If you produce your own list, or want to know more about what any of these acts are like live, then leave a comment below.
UPDATE (20 July 2007): I've added in a recent gig by Glen Matlock, the bands I saw at Live Earth and a few bands I previously forgot about. I'll add bands to my list as I see or remember them. Check out Julie's list too and let me know in the comments if you write your own list and I'll link it here.
Labels: music
I've seen Cliff twice (uh huh) - once at Knebworth 90 on a monster bill that included Floyd, Genesis and Paul McCartney. Oh, and Tears for Fears. And the second time on his own tour when I got free tickets through the student newspaper. He's got some great songs in his set, and he made an effort with the lights and everything. There was a lot more show to it than with Sparklehorse. But then I always liked the pre-microbeat rhythms of 'Some People' and the Young Ones version of 'Living Doll'.
I hope someone asks me something about one of the more credible acts on the list now. I'm not a Cliff fanatic, really I'm not.
Inspired by you I've created a list of my own at http://juliehowelluk.blogspot.com/2007/07/100-bands-ive-seen-live.html
Thanks for picking up the idea. You've got some great names on your list, and I particularly envy you for Howard Jones and Human League.
Perhaps this is how memes start. I wonder if anyone else wants to pick up the challenge...
Prodigy? Where did you see them and how where they live??
The same for Bloc Party aswell.
A very impressive list may i add ^
Thanks for your comment. The Prodigy were supporting Oasis at Knebworth and Bloc Party were at Live Earth in Wembley last summer. Both failed to connect with the massive crowd and would have been better in more intimate venues. The Prodigy would have been great in a club, but it didn't really work on such a big scale, particularly with the Oasis crowd (middle-of-the-road rock fans, mostly). Bloc Party didn't do much for me unfortunately, but I think they could have been great in a small venue where you could watch them properly and really get into the performance.
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