The Concert Thread

My concerts this year

Maiden in Budapest x2, Bratislava, Trondheim, Stavanger and Helsinki

Avantasia, Oslo
Helloween, Oslo first night

Maiden best, Stavanger probably best or Helsinki. Avantasia and Helloween also great. Avantasia probably slightly better than Helloween

Also plenty of local bands that probably aren't of any interest here

Show coming up - Sabaton in Oslo
 
Last edited:
My concerts this year were pretty light:

- Dream Theater in March (Chicago)
- Oasis in August (Chicago)
- Symphony X in September (Joliet)
- Bruce Dickinson in September (Chicago)
- Dream Theater in October (Indiana)

and coming up in a few weeks: John Bush in December (St. Charles)

Highlights were definitely Bruce and Oasis. The October DT show was pretty good, too.
 
I went to the same shows @MrKnickerbocker went to, minus Oasis (not my thing, although I’m sure the fights were breathtaking). Quite excited for John Bush singing Anthrax, since I love his voice and never cared for the band’s original singer.

The one-two punch of Symphony X and Bruce was the highlight (they were back-to-back nights). Chemical Wedding is one of my favorite metal albums of all time, so to see Bruce play almost half the record was such a treat. He also snuck an extra song - Starchildren - into the set.

Got Opeth and probably Sabaton coming up in Q1 of 2026. Pumped!
 
I’ve rarely do many gigs, but I’ve seen four this year - Maiden in London and Bruce, Volbeat and Halestorm all in Manchester. Enjoyed them all. Bloodywood were a bit of an eye opener supporting Halestorm last week. Really not my thing to listen to normally, but the crowd were ultra-enthusiastic for a support band and they were seriously loud.
 
I'm tempted by Opeth next year. I've never seen them so that's a big draw, but they're also supported by Paradise Lost, who are generally a strong act live.

Also seeing Paradise Lost in about a week's time at a novel celebration of Bradford's alternative scene. They're on a bill with Terrorivision, and New Model Army, who my partner is a big fan of. It's a strange running order with PL on quite early in the evening, and NMA last. Also several other bands from West Yorkshire, a poet and an art exhibition.

Off to see Aephanemer in Manchester tonight, at a tiny venue. This band has grown on me a lot. They've gone from melodic death metal to something more like symphonic (but with growls). Their new album has seriously developed that sound and they've got more adventurous with guitar leads and solos too.
 
Saw Melody Club live at Musikhjälpen.

Only two songs played, but amazing band.

Musikhjälpen, "Music Aid", is a Swedish national 7-day event every December where they lock up hosts and guests inside a glass box studio on a city square from which there is a 24/7 broadcast on national TV and radio (apart from the live audience filling up the square) including live performances - a charity event which usually raises around €6 million.
 
I think this is the year that I have been to the least amount of gigs and also played the least amount of gigs since I started in bands when I was 12.

I have only played three gigs this year and I have only been to 2 gigs this year. I went to see Iron Maiden at London Stadium in June and Wishbone Ash at Stamford Corn Exchange in October.

I think two of the reasons behind this are burnout and cost. I have been gigging and going to gigs for the good part of 24 years, and I just think I need a bit of a break. Also, the cost is just getting ridiculous.
 
Ascendingthethrone said:
I think this is the year that I have been to the least amount of gigs and also played the least amount of gigs since I started in bands when I was 12.

I have only played three gigs this year and I have only been to 2 gigs this year. I went to see Iron Maiden at London Stadium in June and Wishbone Ash at Stamford Corn Exchange in October.

I think two of the reasons behind this are burnout and cost. I have been gigging and going to gigs for the good part of 24 years, and I just think I need a bit of a break. Also, the cost is just getting ridiculous.
Click to expand...

Did those gigs make it to your top 3 of the year? :lol:

How good were Wishbone Ash? I saw them live in 2022 playing Argus in full and they were great (https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wish...at-dorking-halls-dorking-england-bb14d26.html). Funnily enough, a month earlier I also saw Martin Turner ex-Wishbone Ash playing all songs off Argus (and also Wishbone Four)!
 
Ascendingthethrone said:
I think this is the year that I have been to the least amount of gigs and also played the least amount of gigs since I started in bands when I was 12.

I have only played three gigs this year and I have only been to 2 gigs this year. I went to see Iron Maiden at London Stadium in June and Wishbone Ash at Stamford Corn Exchange in October.

I think two of the reasons behind this are burnout and cost. I have been gigging and going to gigs for the good part of 24 years, and I just think I need a bit of a break. Also, the cost is just getting ridiculous.
Click to expand...

You are not alone!

Some food for thought:

www.theguardian.com

The best gig I ever saw cost £4. Spiralling concert prices are a cultural disaster | John Harris

Tickets for big tours have vastly outstripped inflation, while smaller artists and venues struggle. The magic is in danger of being snuffed out entirely, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

www.theguardian.com

‘I flew to Luxembourg to see the gig there instead!’: music fans on how they cope with high UK ticket prices

As increasing prices and fees make gig-going difficult, readers voice their frustration – and suggest alternatives
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com
 
GhostofCain said:
Did those gigs make it to your top 3 of the year? :lol:

How good were Wishbone Ash? I saw them live in 2022 playing Argus in full and they were great (https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wish...at-dorking-halls-dorking-england-bb14d26.html). Funnily enough, a month earlier I also saw Martin Turner ex-Wishbone Ash playing all songs off Argus (and also Wishbone Four)!
Click to expand...
I enjoyed the gig. I have seen them a few times. Their biggest problem is how patchy their catalogue is post-Argus. IMO they need to play more songs on their setlist and cut out the songs that are full of guitar-wankery. I don’t need to hear an 87-minute version of the Phoenix with 78 solos using the pentatonic scale.
 
Brigantium said:
Just looked at the venue for Opeth and it's even more tempting now

Click to expand...
Might be tempted myself for that one.

It`s a really cool historic venue and one which i never thought likely to hold concerts years ago. It is now thriving as a venue but like any outdoor in the UK a bit less fun in the rain, see the videos of Blondie there in 2024. They did have VIP tickets upstairs on the covered walk way which would have been a good buy on that day.
 
Fozzie said:
Might be tempted myself for that one.

It`s a really cool historic venue and one which i never thought likely to hold concerts years ago. It is now thriving as a venue but like any outdoor in the UK a bit less fun in the rain, see the videos of Blondie there in 2024. They did have VIP tickets upstairs on the covered walk way which would have been a good buy on that day.
Click to expand...

It has the advantage of not being a muddy field though!

Out of the different great outdoor places I have been to gigs over the years, the most special ones have probably been Cardiff Castle (Suede and Manic Street Preachers; it started raining heavily when the Manics were playing Tsunami and at the end of the show, after If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next, a drenched James Dean Bradfield played a snippet of Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head :lol: ), Alexandra Palace Gardens (Manic Street Preachers and Suede; it was sunny and very hot!), and the main square in Salamanca, Spain (The Waterboys).


1765308943178.jpeg

CF6I3546-AP-SUEDEMANICS-180724-LloydWinters-scaled.jpg


1765308692754.jpeg

I’d love to see a gig at the Piece Hall in Halifax, the Roman Theatre in Merida, Spain or at the Arènes de Nîmes, France.

5472.jpg


1765309323382.jpeg

1765309400173.jpeg

I am still regretting not seeing Maiden at Villa Manin in Italy in 2010.
 
Great surprise when we arrived to see Death Angel tonight and found out Toxic Holocaust was removed from the tour and replaced with Vio-Lence!!
Finally got to see them live AND me and my buddy met the singer Sean!

Both bands sounded great!
I saw the original Act III tour but didn't remember until seeing it live again tonight that:
1. Rob sings co lead vocal on Stagnant (already remembered he did on Room With a View)
2. Gus plays the 1st solo on Organization and Ex-Tc (they need to print lead guitar credits)!

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top