Memorable Live Performances

Memorable Live Performances: Nine Inch Nails at The Wiltern 2009
Nine Inch Nails @ the Wiltern in LA (9/10/09) | San Francisco Bay Area Concerts

Back in 2009, Nine Inch Nails announced a series of shows to sort of say goodbye for the time being. It was a very bittersweet thing to hear but, as a fan for many many many years, it made sense. Before the shows were announced, Nine Inch Nails spent the summer on the road with Jane’s Addiction (with all the original members). That was origianlly supposed to be the end but, seeing as Nine Inch Nails would be playing at different times and under the backdrop of a sunset many a times, it just didn’t feel quite right for that to be the end. Instead, a series of shows were announced in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to attend 3 of the 4 Los Angeles shows. The final one was at The Wiltern and what a show it was. Over 3 hours (yes, THREE HOURS) of nonstop Nine Inch Nails at it’s absolute finest. The setlist was utterly perfect and beyond emotional. Thankfully too, there were a group of fans in the audience that night filming it all and they put together one of the best live shows I’ve ever been to. Without giving anything away, I highly recommend you taking the time to watch/listen to this show!


Nine Inch Nails- Live At The Wiltern:

Memorable Live Performances: Alice In Chains at Kemper Arena, Kansas City July 3, 1996

Today is April 5, 2021. 19 years ago today, Layne Staley died. Though, it wouldn’t be for another 2 weeks until his body was found in his home. It’s still a very sad thought in my mind. I even remember being a senior in high school when I heard about it, and I was devastated. Thankfully though, we still have all the great music Layne created and was a part of. In remembrance of what a talent Layne was, let’s celebrate him by doing something a tad bittersweet. What you have here is the very last concert (I’m not counting the unplugged show) Alice In Chains played with Layne in 1996. This show in particular was when Alice was asked to open up for KISS. Also, this is a fun note, the picture at the top is me in front of Layne’s house (his was the very top floor). Enjoy this show!!


Alice In Chains: Live at Kemper Arena, Kansas City July 3, 1996:


Memorable Live Performances: The Mars Volta in 2003
In Tribute to The Mars Volta: 5 Must-See Live Videos | Antiquiet

The Mars Volta are one of the best live bands since the turn of the century. Especially when they released their debut album, De-Loused In The Comatorium, their live shows became legendary. If you had the chance to see them during the first couple albums, you got to witness some amazing performances. One of my favorite live videos of them is a performance from 2003 at the Electric Ballroom in London. This was during the De-Loused era and it’s simply superb. The Mars Volta seems to be coming back as well. They announced plans to release a box set of all their albums. Hopefully, this means we can get a new album and tour, when that’s possible.


The Mars Volta- Live At Electric Ballroom 2003:

Memorable Live Performances: Soundgarden At Hyde Park 2012
Soundgarden @ Hyde Park | The reformed Soundgarden opened th… | Flickr

Back in 2012, while still riding high from their return, Soundgarden played Hyde Park in the UK for the first time. This performance from the set list, crowd, the weather (it was raining), and the level of excitement you can feel from the band, makes this one quite memorable. Chris Cornell sounds superb and gets better with each song. When you watch this, you can tell there is an excitement amongst the band members. It’s really a shame that Chris is no longer with us but, at least we still have his body of work to celebrate. Hopefully too, the legal issues between his estate and the band gets settled soon so we can hear the final songs Soundgarden was working on.

Soundgarden- Live At Hyde Park 2012:

Setlist:

01 Searching With My Good Eye Closed
02 Spoonman
03 Gun
04 Jesus Christ Pose
05 Black Hole Sun
06 Outshined
07 Hunted Down
08 Drawing Flies
09 Blow Up the Outside World
10 Fell on Black Days
11 Ugly Truth
12 My Wave
13 The Day I Tried to Live
14 Beyond the Wheel
15 Let Me Drown
16 Pretty Noose
17 Superunknown
18 4th of July

Encore
19 Rusty Cage
20 Slaves & Bulldozers/(In My Time of Dying)

Memorable Live Performances: Jawbreaker at Gilman St 2019
JAWBREAKER “Want” & “Boxcar” at 924 Gilman Street January 31st, 2019 - YouTube

Over the past few years, I’ve really gone back to the 90’s and rediscovered a ton of bands that I liked but never truly listened to. One of those bands is Jawbreaker. When I first heard them I was already sort of done with the new wave of punk that came through. Little did I know what an impact a few of them would have on me as I got older. Jawbreaker has become one of my favorite bands from that time. Their albums, especially 24 Hour Revenge Therapy and Dear You have been in constant rotation for some time now with me. If you haven’t yet had the chance to watch their documentary, Don’t Break Down, I highly recommend it. One of the coolest things the band has done since their return in 2017, after many years away, happened on January 31st, 2019, Jawbreaker returned to play 924 Gilman St for the first time in 25 years! The show was a surprise, announced just one day prior. The band has a very interesting story about the venue which, if you watch the documentary, it explains it. Anyways, here’s the show in full and it’s awesome. This is definitely a show I wish I could have been at.

Jawbreaker- Live At 924 Gilman St 2019:


Memorable Live Performances: Radiohead- From The Basement 2008

Radiohead - In Rainbows From the Basement (April 2008) At Home #WithMe - YouTube

Way back in 2008, Radiohead was doing a lot of fun things to promote their album In Rainbows. One of the coolest things they did was this live performance of pretty much all of In Rainbows along with a scattering of other songs from their catalog. During this era, I was very fortunate to go see Radiohead live and that show is one that I still conjure up in my mind from time to time and relive. I have a live bootleg of the show I was at as well, and find myself listening to that a lot. Radiohead live is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their life. They are truly one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live. Actually, the more I think about it, I’d probably put that one show I was at in my top 10 all time. Anyways, here’s a really awesome live performance they did that you will enjoy!

Radiohead- From The Basement (2008):

 

Memorable Live Performances: Mad Season and Friends

Mad Season's 'Sonic Evolution' + 'Live At The Moore' remaster ...

In 2015, the surviving members of Mad Season, Mike McCready and Barrett Martin reconvened for an evening to celebrate the band and it’s album, Above. This special concert titled “Sonic Evolution. At this show they were accompanied by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. The late Chris Cornell filled in on vocals for the dearly departed Layne Staley and Duff McKagan filled in on bass for the late John Baker Saunders. This concert is quite poignant and emotional. The songs picked for this show were quite interesting and the performances by each person really stand out. It just goes to show how great these songs are and how much of a lasting effect they still have. Enjoy this show!

Mad Season & Friends- Sonic Evolution:

 

 

 

Memorable Live Performances: Metallica- Live Seattle 1989

Metallica's '...And Justice for All': 10 Things You Didn't Know ...

Back in 1993, Metallica released their live box set, Live Shit Binge & Purge. It was the bands first official live release and the contents of this set are truly something special. Besides the live audio CD’s/cassettes, there were 2 filmed shows in the box set as well. One from the LA Sports Arena in 1992 and another that has now become legendary from Seattle in 1989. The Seattle show in particular was from the bands Damaged Justice tour. This show is an absolute gem not only for the set list but for the unholy and ruthless approach the band had at the time. It’s all right there from the way the band played to their attitude. It’s truly one of those shows that if I had a time machine, I would most certainly go back and see. If you’ve never seen this, you are in for quite a treat. If you have, well, watch it again because it’s awesome!

Metallica- Live at Seattle Coliseum 1989:

 

 

Memorable Live Performances: The Smashing Pumpkins- Live At The Metro 1993

Soma - The Smashing Pumpkins [1993] - Live @ Metro HD. - YouTube

There are certain bands that when they come out, hit a mark with such a sense of vigor and prowess that each era of the band, leaves a lasting impression. Some people tend to become very attached to “that era” and it becomes their be all end all. The Smashing Pumpkins have so many different eras and shades of themselves that have created some very dominant ones for many fans. I will say that yes, there are certain favorites of mine but, a band like this, and so many other of their peers, have this ability to forever take you on a journey as they and you grow. The Smashing Pumpkins are definitely a band that will do just that. On the bands super deluxe version of the Siamese Dream anniversary edition, there is a DVD in there from a legendary show in the band’s hometown of Chicago, at the Metro. This is one hell of a show.

 

The Smashing Pumpkins- Live At The Metro 1993:

 

Memorable Live Shows: Nine Inch Nails at Woodstock 94

A Look Back at Nine Inch Nails' Career-Defining Woodstock '94 ...

Since there is a plethora of live performances all over the internet, why not start featuring some of the most memorable ones. And what better place to start than with the now legendary performance Nine Inch Nails put on at Woodstock 94. The story of this one is absolutely nuts. One that you should really look into. Their “mud soaked” set is infamous and so damn good. The setlist is truly something awesome as well. It’s one of those shows that I can watch and listen to all the time.

 

Nine Inch Nails- Woodstock 94: