The Epic List of Lifetime Concerts
So I was just updating my Life Concert List with the shows of the past eight days, and I thought that it might be fun to post here. The list itself is pretty incredibly long, although if you consider the fact that it covers over 20 years of concert-going I guess it's not THAT outlandish. Entries are roughly chronological, but it's hardly a rigid order since much of it is fudged from memory many years later. I always leave Sinead at the end, though, because I'll forever think of her as The One That Got Away. Full Disclosure: I'm jumping the gun by a couple of days by including The Shins and The White Stripes on the list, but I'm going to see them with a group in just three days, so I think it's pretty safe to count it as a done deal. If traffic or the gods intervene, I'll modify the entry accordingly.
Any questions about any items on this list are welcome. Simple answers will be included in the comments, more complicated or lengthy responses may require entries of their own.
R.E.M. (2)
The dBs
The Grateful Dead (2 consecutive nights)
Paul Simon, Graceland Tour, incl.
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Miriam Makeba
- Hugh Masakela
Paul Simon [2000 a.d.]
10,000 Maniacs (2)
Suzanne Vega (3)
Fishbone (4)
GWAR (6?)
NOFX
Ween
Murphy’s Law
The Mentors
Lime Spiders
Soundgarden
Voivod
Faith No More
The Dickies
Tackhead (2)
The Ramones
Mojo Nixon (and Skid Roper)
The Modern Jazz Quartet (Milt Jackson)
The Alarm
Spring Heeled Jack (USA) (2)
The Toasters (3-4)
The Skatalites
Michelle Shocked (2)
Bim Skala Bim (3)
Screaming Trees
The Flaming Lips
Fugazi (2)
The Queers (or saw them set up at least)
Thomas Mapfumo
Mzwakhe Mbuli
Poi Dog Pondering
Third World
Solas (2)
Ride
Lush
Toni!Tony!Toné!
Mighty Mighty Bosstones (2, including a New Year’s Eve show in Boston)
Two Skinnee J’s
Living Colour
NY Citizens (2)
Pixies (2)
De La Soul (2)
Third Bass
Jane’s Addiction
Love & Rockets
Dave Brubeck (2)
Dr. John
Rebirth Brass Band
Echo and the Bunnymen
New Order
Gene Loves Jezebel
Pete Seeger & Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Guthrie
Leon Redbone
Taj Mahal
The Bobs
Virginia Rodrigues
Defunkt
Redd Kross
Femi Kuti (5)
Clandestine
Karan Casey (2)
Whirligig
Crawford Piano Trio
Indigo Girls
Toshi Reagon
Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
The Kingston Trio
Billy Bragg (re: Woody Guthrie)
Biz Markie (DJ Set)
Common (2)
Talib Kweli & DJ Hi Tek
Talib Kweli (2)
Complex
Les Nubians
Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca (2)
Baha Men
Rumbafrica
Stacey Earle
Steve Earle
Crooked County
Billy Taylor Trio
Danu
Basement Jaxx
Ugly Duckling
Stanton Moore
Tarika
Roy Ayers
Tony Kofi & the Afro-funk Family
Wynton Marsalis & the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Mr. Lif
Thievery Corporation
Edwin Ortiz y su Orquesta Romana
Shooglenifty
Earl Scruggs
Sarah Azzara
Tito Puente (just a sound check, but he played "Oye Como Va")
Arrow
Odetta
Corey Harris
Koko Taylor
Shemekia Copeland
Dolly Parton
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Dismemberment Plan (final show)
The Decemberists (3)
The Joggers
The Cassettes
Phaser
British Sea Power
Neko Case / Kelly Hogan / Carolyn Mark
The New Pornographers
Rilo Kiley
M. Ward (2)
Hem (2)
Vic Chesnutt
The Life and Times
The Lonesome Organist
The Organ
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra (2)
Atmosphere
Brother Ali (2)
Djinji Brown
The Micronots
Murs
The French Kicks
The 22-20s
Jet
Kings of Leon
Built to Spill
The Solace Brothers
The Delusions
Thorns (Pete Drogue/Shawn Mullins/Matthew Sweet)
The Jayhawks
The Album Leaf
Sigur Ros
Inti-Illimani
Susana Baca
Hoven Droven
The Sights (2)
The Dirtbombs
Grandaddy
Hot Hot Heat
Super Furry Animals
Gang Starr
Floetry (2)
Clearlake
Tom Heinl
Broken Social Scene
Stars (2)
The Dears
Black Eyes
Sons & Daughters
Electrelane
Snow Patrol
DJ Shadow
Latyrx
Blackalicious
Orchestra Baobab
Mission of Burma
The Fiery Furnaces
The Hiss
Fertile Ground (4)
Jazzyfatnastees
Scissor Sisters
The Thrills
Ambulance Ltd.
Beulah
Dios
Angelique Kidjo
The Streets
Dizzee Rascal
Phantom Planet
Washington Social Club (3)
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists (2)
Radio 4
Eric Roberson
Amp Fiddler
Martin Luther
Cody ChesnuTT
Bebel Gilberto
Gomez
Alison Moorer
Drive-By Truckers
Chuck Prophet
the Old 97’s
Beastie Boys
The Volunteers
Two if By Sea
Si’Se
Los Amigos Invisibles (2)
Dawn Landes
Sufjan Stevens & the Michigan Militia
Sufjan Stevens & the Illinoisemakers
The Wrens
Dogs Die in Hot Cars
Ulrich Schnauss
M83
Final Fantasy
The Arcade Fire
Ivy
Spoon
The Charms
The Bellrays
Bloc Party
The Rosebuds
Teenage Fanclub
Chopteeth
Amadou & Maryam
Lila Downs
Laura Veirs
Lura
Waldemar Bastos
Supersystem
Q and not U (final show)
The Shins
The White Stripes
John Dee Graham
Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra
Brazilian Girls
Sinead O’Connor (almost)
The most recent addition to the list was last night's last show ever for local DC heroes Q and not U, Dischord records second biggest stars, currently. The opening band, Supersystem, used to be known by the much cooler name of El Guapo but they put on a pretty engaging, uptempo, pounding set to get things started. This was my first time seeing Q and not U, and I wasn't really familiar with much of their music, but I thought they put on a heck of a performance. Admittedly, there was a solid core of avid supporters filling the main area in front of the stage, singing and clapping along. More dancing than you'd see at any five to seven normal DC indie shows, too. I have a habit of seeing the last shows of big DC bands ... the only time I saw The Dismemberment Plan was also their last ever appearance, and I'm pretty sure I was present the most recent time that Fugazi played together. They're not officially broken up, mind you, but that was at least two years ago.
In other upcoming concert news, I have my tickets ordered for the New Pornographers show on October 15th, and last night I bought a pair of tickets to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah on October 18th. I decided not to catch Minus the Bear tonight, but I'm still considering the Little Brother show tomorrow. I might see if my friend E. wants to go as a birthday gift, he needs exposure to more underground hip hop.
Anyone else out there have the full lifetime list put together that they want to post? I'll bet there are a couple of people who read this journal who could beat my total . . .
Any questions about any items on this list are welcome. Simple answers will be included in the comments, more complicated or lengthy responses may require entries of their own.
R.E.M. (2)
The dBs
The Grateful Dead (2 consecutive nights)
Paul Simon, Graceland Tour, incl.
- Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Miriam Makeba
- Hugh Masakela
Paul Simon [2000 a.d.]
10,000 Maniacs (2)
Suzanne Vega (3)
Fishbone (4)
GWAR (6?)
NOFX
Ween
Murphy’s Law
The Mentors
Lime Spiders
Soundgarden
Voivod
Faith No More
The Dickies
Tackhead (2)
The Ramones
Mojo Nixon (and Skid Roper)
The Modern Jazz Quartet (Milt Jackson)
The Alarm
Spring Heeled Jack (USA) (2)
The Toasters (3-4)
The Skatalites
Michelle Shocked (2)
Bim Skala Bim (3)
Screaming Trees
The Flaming Lips
Fugazi (2)
The Queers (or saw them set up at least)
Thomas Mapfumo
Mzwakhe Mbuli
Poi Dog Pondering
Third World
Solas (2)
Ride
Lush
Toni!Tony!Toné!
Mighty Mighty Bosstones (2, including a New Year’s Eve show in Boston)
Two Skinnee J’s
Living Colour
NY Citizens (2)
Pixies (2)
De La Soul (2)
Third Bass
Jane’s Addiction
Love & Rockets
Dave Brubeck (2)
Dr. John
Rebirth Brass Band
Echo and the Bunnymen
New Order
Gene Loves Jezebel
Pete Seeger & Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Guthrie
Leon Redbone
Taj Mahal
The Bobs
Virginia Rodrigues
Defunkt
Redd Kross
Femi Kuti (5)
Clandestine
Karan Casey (2)
Whirligig
Crawford Piano Trio
Indigo Girls
Toshi Reagon
Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
The Kingston Trio
Billy Bragg (re: Woody Guthrie)
Biz Markie (DJ Set)
Common (2)
Talib Kweli & DJ Hi Tek
Talib Kweli (2)
Complex
Les Nubians
Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca (2)
Baha Men
Rumbafrica
Stacey Earle
Steve Earle
Crooked County
Billy Taylor Trio
Danu
Basement Jaxx
Ugly Duckling
Stanton Moore
Tarika
Roy Ayers
Tony Kofi & the Afro-funk Family
Wynton Marsalis & the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra
Mr. Lif
Thievery Corporation
Edwin Ortiz y su Orquesta Romana
Shooglenifty
Earl Scruggs
Sarah Azzara
Tito Puente (just a sound check, but he played "Oye Como Va")
Arrow
Odetta
Corey Harris
Koko Taylor
Shemekia Copeland
Dolly Parton
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Dismemberment Plan (final show)
The Decemberists (3)
The Joggers
The Cassettes
Phaser
British Sea Power
Neko Case / Kelly Hogan / Carolyn Mark
The New Pornographers
Rilo Kiley
M. Ward (2)
Hem (2)
Vic Chesnutt
The Life and Times
The Lonesome Organist
The Organ
Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra (2)
Atmosphere
Brother Ali (2)
Djinji Brown
The Micronots
Murs
The French Kicks
The 22-20s
Jet
Kings of Leon
Built to Spill
The Solace Brothers
The Delusions
Thorns (Pete Drogue/Shawn Mullins/Matthew Sweet)
The Jayhawks
The Album Leaf
Sigur Ros
Inti-Illimani
Susana Baca
Hoven Droven
The Sights (2)
The Dirtbombs
Grandaddy
Hot Hot Heat
Super Furry Animals
Gang Starr
Floetry (2)
Clearlake
Tom Heinl
Broken Social Scene
Stars (2)
The Dears
Black Eyes
Sons & Daughters
Electrelane
Snow Patrol
DJ Shadow
Latyrx
Blackalicious
Orchestra Baobab
Mission of Burma
The Fiery Furnaces
The Hiss
Fertile Ground (4)
Jazzyfatnastees
Scissor Sisters
The Thrills
Ambulance Ltd.
Beulah
Dios
Angelique Kidjo
The Streets
Dizzee Rascal
Phantom Planet
Washington Social Club (3)
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists (2)
Radio 4
Eric Roberson
Amp Fiddler
Martin Luther
Cody ChesnuTT
Bebel Gilberto
Gomez
Alison Moorer
Drive-By Truckers
Chuck Prophet
the Old 97’s
Beastie Boys
The Volunteers
Two if By Sea
Si’Se
Los Amigos Invisibles (2)
Dawn Landes
Sufjan Stevens & the Michigan Militia
Sufjan Stevens & the Illinoisemakers
The Wrens
Dogs Die in Hot Cars
Ulrich Schnauss
M83
Final Fantasy
The Arcade Fire
Ivy
Spoon
The Charms
The Bellrays
Bloc Party
The Rosebuds
Teenage Fanclub
Chopteeth
Amadou & Maryam
Lila Downs
Laura Veirs
Lura
Waldemar Bastos
Supersystem
Q and not U (final show)
The Shins
The White Stripes
John Dee Graham
Alejandro Escovedo Orchestra
Brazilian Girls
Sinead O’Connor (almost)
The most recent addition to the list was last night's last show ever for local DC heroes Q and not U, Dischord records second biggest stars, currently. The opening band, Supersystem, used to be known by the much cooler name of El Guapo but they put on a pretty engaging, uptempo, pounding set to get things started. This was my first time seeing Q and not U, and I wasn't really familiar with much of their music, but I thought they put on a heck of a performance. Admittedly, there was a solid core of avid supporters filling the main area in front of the stage, singing and clapping along. More dancing than you'd see at any five to seven normal DC indie shows, too. I have a habit of seeing the last shows of big DC bands ... the only time I saw The Dismemberment Plan was also their last ever appearance, and I'm pretty sure I was present the most recent time that Fugazi played together. They're not officially broken up, mind you, but that was at least two years ago.
In other upcoming concert news, I have my tickets ordered for the New Pornographers show on October 15th, and last night I bought a pair of tickets to see Clap Your Hands Say Yeah on October 18th. I decided not to catch Minus the Bear tonight, but I'm still considering the Little Brother show tomorrow. I might see if my friend E. wants to go as a birthday gift, he needs exposure to more underground hip hop.
Anyone else out there have the full lifetime list put together that they want to post? I'll bet there are a couple of people who read this journal who could beat my total . . .