Very subjective this. I guess it depends on the size of the crowd and stadium, if it had TV coverage, or if it was recorded as an LP etc. The 2 best recorded live concerts may have been the Who live at Leeds and Humble Pie live at the Filmore - but they didn't have the advantage of TV coverage like Queen at Wembley. The best live concert may have been in a pub for 100 people for all I know. My favourite live performer was Rory Gallagher (ok. Irish) because he really engaged with the audience at the same time as being musically faultless - never liked performers who distance themselves like strutting dictators. If you really wanted a band which could get a crowd going Lindisfarne were hard to beat.
Was phil collins in Genesis ? like to see him if he comes up, seen status quo and republica and the best was Andre riue by a mile metro arena 2016.
Bloody hell Dance Class. Was the singer a ginger haired lad. Sure I seen them at Grindon club a couple of times.
Remember seeing these at the City Hall in 1968 10/6d a ticket The Who The Crazy World of Arthur Brown Small Faces Yes Joe Cocker and the Grease Band
I’ve seen nearly all of my favourite bands. The Who twice, Daryl Hall and John Oates about eight times, The Christians, Wishbone Ash, George Benson, Robert Cray, Joe Cocker, I’ve also had to see my wife’s favourites like Rod Stewart several times, Paul Carrack, Bryan Adams. I’ve seen Tears For Fears three times and they were the best three gigs I’ve seen. Awesome.
Favourite live bands for me in late 60's/early 70's: Ten Years After, Chicken Shack, Savoy Brown, Deep Purple, Spooky Tooth & Free. Most overrated: Led Zeppelin. Saw Kid Creole & the Coconuts at the City Hall in the early 80's (I think) featuring a guest performance by Cab Calloway. Well into his 70's but what a voice - Hi-de-hi-de-hi-de-ho was electric!
I know I said earlier that Kiss were the best band I’ve seen live but if we can count Stiff Little Fingers as British and I think we can, they have to be the best home grown band I’ve seen live.
I couldn't pick my favourite stadium gig to be honest. Regarding Live Aid I would say Queen undoubtedly stole the show. I watch loads of local bands and do have a number of favourites, but I'll not go into them right now.
First time Free played in Sunderland, it was at the Bay Hotel on a quiet night, Monday I think it was, about 50 people in, if that many, and they blew the place apart, one of my all time favourite live bands, stood a couple of feet away from PK and came away thinking he was blind, found out later he was watching me all the time and having a laugh, late sister was influential in those days and went down to the Argus Butterfly with JD and saw Spooky Tooth Blossom Toes and the original Jethro Tull line up, short lived but as good as they get in that period. Family were also great live, but never caught on recordings, did you ever see Writing on the Wall. Bit jealous of the August Darnell experience, but have to disagree about the Zep.
Unfortunately never saw Writing on the Wall but did see another scottish band of the time, Clouds. Don't think I was particularly impressed! Agree with you on Family - absolutely great live, but I remember on one occasion Rick Grech's violin being so loud people moved to the back of the hall. Saw Jethro Tull both pre- and post- Martin Barr, and the first performance of Blodwyn Pig, formed by Mick Abrahams, Martin's predecessor. They too were absolutely brilliant live! Saw Stan Webb (from Chicken Shack) last year at the Cluny - mid 70's now but can still make that guitar sing
Saw Brass Alley at Roker Victoria Club accompanied by lots of bottles of Double Maxim first time I had seen them , really good group .
In 1969, when I was a baby air mechanic at RNAS Brawdy, in Pembrokeshire, we had Amen Corner as the guest of honour for air day. They did a great set, but it was spoilt by Andy Fairweather Low acting as an arrogant tit. He didn't dare leave the stage in case someone inserted an aircraft chock up his stern tube.
Double Maxim is one of my favourite tipples. I wouldn't touch Skunk Brown if they paid me to drink it..
Brass alley Fantastic group Like I say lucus Tyson was my tipple Personal choice Seen them all over in sunderland and surrounding areas