As an ode to live music, I’m sharing a round-up post of all my favourite music artists to see live.
I love live music. I mean, I really, really love live music. From the excited crowd to nursing a beer until it turns lukewarm because you can’t work out the optimal time to go to the bathroom – I love it all. I think my favourite moment is the pre-performance buzz. The electricity and excitement in the air as the lights go down moments before the artist comes on stage. You absolutely cannot beat that feeling.
I’ve been to so many gigs in my lifetime. When it came to seeing my favourite bands multiple times, I was scared it would get to the point where shows just didn’t have that excitement anymore. But I’m happy to say that feeling before the band arrives on stage never changes or grows old.
It got me thinking about some of my favourite artists I love to see live. Although the number is a lot higher than five, these are just some I wanted to talk about.
Bowling For Soup
Bowling For Soup will always have a special place in my heart. They were the first band I ever saw live (apart from Busted, but that was sitting and not really a rock gig). I will never forget how excited I was to see them – or how blown away I was by the entire experience. Beforehand, I never realised the scene of going to gigs existed. I never knew the feeling of a thousand different people in a room – of all ages and from all backgrounds – coming together in unison to enjoy one artist, one song – or briefly feel exactly the same thing. It was – and still is – breathtaking and amazing. In recent years, I’ve found seeing this band live has always been a great experience. They’re so funny, they never quite change. You always know what you’re going to get with this band and that’s what I love about them. I’ve seen them live probably way over fifteen times now and will continue to do so. But, going back to that first night – that first gig – I found my home that night. I have Bowling For Soup to thank for that.
Twenty One Pilots
If Bowling For Soup are funny, laid back and simple – twenty one pilots are the complete opposite. From Tyler Joseph coming into the crowd and rapping on top of a lighting rig to Josh Dun having a drum-off against himself – they never fail to impress with awe-inspiring graphics and the like. I mean, Tyler Joseph even did some sort of high-end magic trick when I saw them recently (he was on the stage then suddenly in the crowd at the side, like how??). I’ve never been disappointed seeing these boys live – but it’s never forced. Even without all the show, even if it were just the two of them on stage singing to the crowd, they’d still captivate (and I know, from seeing them at Reading Festival a few years back). They hold the crowd in such a way that each song feels like it was written for you specifically – and yes, I do get emotional seeing them. My favourite part of each show is at the end when everyone lets loose and goes crazy with the confetti falling down around us – it really is a surreal moment.
Die Antwoord
I’ve only seen Die Antwoord twice and both times I was super far from the stage. The second time I was so drunk that I barely knew what was going on – but both times I knew they put on an excellent show. It’s weird and it’s wonderful. So far I’ve only been able to enjoy them performing an amazing set, but I’m itching to see them at a headline show where they can really get creative. Also, their music is so different, which means each performance in itself is different to what I’m used to.
Please note, I am aware of the accusations that have been made against the band. This post is entirely related to their performances live on stage and is not in relation to the band as people.
The Maine
Oh, how can I not include my boys in The Maine? The Maine put on one hell of a show. Much like Bowling For Soup, they’re very stripped back and basic: apart from frontman John O’Callaghan encouraging a member of the crowd to get on stage and sing one of their top hits with them, they essentially just perform – and talk to the crowd. But how captivating they are. They’re so laid back and down to earth – each time I see them, I feel like I’m joining my extended family. The crowd is – and their fans overall – a family – the 8123 family. I think The Maine will always have a special place in my heart for the many memories I’ve had thanks to them. I’ve travelled around the UK to see them. Thanks to them, I’ve made new friends. I’ve had a bonfire on the beach with them and danced with John in dingy basement jazz bars in Brighton (yeah, I’ll never forget that. Definitely one to tell the grandkids). Whenever I see The Maine, it’s more than just a gig for me. And though I haven’t seen them in recent years, they’ll always remind me of a time in my life where I was young and adventurous.
Bring Me The Horizon
Probably the heaviest band/gig on this list, Bring Me The Horizon are a band I’ve only seen once (so far!) and have become a recent fan of. I absolutely love their latest stuff and yes, I know, it’s definitely not heavy metal. But a boy I was seeing took me to see them around Christmas time – long before their new stuff emerged – and though I knew only one or two songs and the entire show was heavier than anything I was ever used to – it was amazing! It was a totally new experience for me – very raw and crazy – and I actually really loved not knowing what to expect or not being able to sing along. Being able to just bite the bullet and throw myself into one of the heaviest mosh pits I’ve ever seen was scary but exhilarating. I remember going to the loo halfway through and, at Alexandra Palace, they have kind of portaloos at the back. I remember peeing and just feeling the entire room shake around me – it was amazing. Even though I love their new stuff, I can’t wait to see them again in their usual environment – playing their heavier and more recognised songs.
I really can’t believe I’ve managed to get this list down to just five artists. There are so many more bands I love just for their live music performances. For example, I loved how raw and stripped back The Towers of London’s shows were back in the day (if anyone remembers them) or just so happy and content and loved I felt seeing Enter Shikari at Boomtown Fair.
But these artists will probably always be my favourite and seeing them live will never get old. Do you have any bands you’ve seen so many times but still love the show or experience something new each time? Let me know!
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