Bodies pushing up against each other. Throat raw from screaming lyrics at top volume. Tendrils of sweat running down the face. Neck hurting from bopping it bac and forth. Ears ringing afterward. Body aching for days. But soul satisfied.
That description sums up concerts for me. I love the feel of live music and listening and watching the band perform their own songs. My love affair with live shows started in February 1987 when my cousin Joe and I went to see Iron Maiden In Corpus Christi, Texas. My vision was at its worst then so I saw little of the show but I heard it and I was there.
On Sept. 12 of this year I attended my most recent concert, Social Distortion in Kalamazoo. It was a high-energy performance. Singer Mike Ness threw punches at a guy in the audience who tossed water (or beer) at him. Some guy got on stage and took a stage dive. To top it off, I showed up on a YouTube video filmed by a fellow Social D. fan.
I’ve attended my fair share of concerts, ranging from Tejano to speed metal. I enjoy each one and each style of music for different reasons. Below are my top five favorite concerts.
- Iron Maiden (2012)—I’ve seen Maiden four times but this show at DTE Energy Theater tops them all. The band played songs from their heyday in the 1980s and their live show was spectacular with their mascot Eddie making two appearances on stage. The crowd was wild and I left there wanting more.
- U2 (2001)—My wife Dawn and I saw the Irish band play at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas two months after the events of Sept. 11. U2’s show was super-charged with emotion. During one of their songs the band displayed over the stage backdrop a scrolling list of persons killed during the attacks on the World Trade Center. Great tribute.
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (2005)—Dawn and I went down to Noblesville, Ind. To check out Tom Petty at the Verizon Wireless Music Center. He played hit after hit and the crowd was into the entire setlist. The man puts on a tremendous live show. The bonus was getting drenched by a downpour several songs from the end of the show. Petty ended the show early due to this. No complaints. A wild ride.
- Van Halen (2007)—My pal Mark and I went to the Palace of Auburn Hills to check out VH. David Lee Roth had recently reunited with the band. So we had the privilege of hearing VH songs from their first album up to 1984. Roth is quite the showman. But I remember telling myself, “That’s Eddie Van Halen down there jamming out.” Classic stuff.
- Slayer/Megadeth/Anthrax (2010)—A triple bill my friend Mark and I saw at the Deltaplex. It was a rush. My ears rang for days afterward and my neck hurt from headbanging. I even got caught in a mosh pit for a bit. Slayer rocked it and I once again was in awe as I saw Scott Ian of Anthrax playing his guitar. He’s a metal icon.
Honorable Mentions:
Iron Maiden (1987) –My first concert and a bonus. Maiden is my favorite band.
John Mellencamp (2006)—The man puts on a rockin’ show. Crowd gets into it. Bonus for the Van Andel show was Donavan opening up for him.
Dwight Yoakam—I love my rockabilly music. Yoakam, who I’ve seen twice sets a vibe that keeps you tapping through the entire show.
- Roel -
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