LearnHub

Personally, I like going to shows because there’s this sort of irreplaceable energy that exchanged between the ones on stage and you in the audience. I’ve bought a couple Live DVDs, but it’s not the same. I enjoy listening to bands’ CDs at home that they’ve poured time and effort into to make it sound incredible, and then the shows enhance that work through interaction and the energy I just mentioned.

I’m actually a big fan of going to shows of bands I haven’t really heard. It says a lot if they perform well live, sort of like a test run before I go out and purchase their work.

I have to agree about energy of live shows… but if we’re talking about the big bands, the prices are impossible. So a DVD is a good compromise.

However, I actually disagree about checking out new bands live. I find that the best times are going to shows of my favourite bands where I know all the words of all the song and can sing along and everything… that’s energy. Also, there’s a big difference sometimes between studio work and live work for many bands, so a “test run” like you suggested may not be as helpful.

My big DVD recommendations:

U2’s Popmart Live from Mexico, a really entertaining show from Popmart, one of the best tours by any band ever. All big songs are in there, plus Bono forgets the words, and the big lemon disco ball! A real must see.

Another U2, this time Rattle and Hum. One of the simplest musical journeys ever recorded on film, it’s easy to see how the band dealt with the fame and the aftermath of releasing something as big as the Joshua Tree, which is fairly interesting.

Red Hot Chili Peppers Live from Slane Castle, a must own for any RHCP fans, all of their hits from Blood Sugar, Californication and By the Way are in there, plus Flea’s skeleton costume.

David Bowie, Queen- any of their DVDs are great. I personally own Bowie’s recent Reality Tour DVD and Queen on Fire. They’re all good though.

Fleetwood Mac’s The Dance, featuring the reunion cast with all the greatest hits. And special guests!

These are just a few, I may be back for more eventually. Enjoy!

I totally agree with the experience refresher concept! After I watched the Eagles live on their Long Road Out of Eden tour a few weeks ago, I bought the live DVD of their earlier Farewell 1 Tour. Most of the songs were the same (actually their comments in between songs were the same too, which sort of ruined a part of it, this sort of stuff shouldn’t be rehearsed), and the DVD does serve as a great refresher. It’s a long one too, with like 30 songs on it, so it’s awesome.