hmm, prolly one of the Hardcore bands. I watch tons of footage from Reagan era hardcore and all those performances were just mesmerizing. It could be Black Flag, Bad Brains, DOA, MDC, shit, all those bands torched live.

Hendrix was an incendiary performer.

The Art Ensemble of Chicago had a fun and elaborate stage set up while still making some of the most incredible music ever.

for me it's the YOOOOOOf by far.

For me it's Sonic Youth, but then again, I've only been to two concerts.

ever? Who knows? It'd be something like Boredoms or Acid Mothers Temple I'm sure.

The best band I ever saw live was probably Melt Banana.

My favorite live band is definitely Acid Mothers Temple. I've lost track of how many times I've seen them. Never once been disappointed.

My best ever live act would probably be some sort of chart fodder, to be honest. I took my girlfriend to see Shania Twain, and her show was pretty excellent, and I took my niece to see S Club 7 and that was great fun and highly entertaining. Of the shows that I've taken myself to see, Prince and Iron Maiden stand out as being particularly good.

Ah, come on. No Yoof there?

What do you do after you have finally found out who best live act is, then? Do you get a pat on the shoulder and a benign smile from people who think that you're a twat?

although I'm not much of a fan of their music, the answer and end-all to this thread is:

GWAR

if you like fucking cartoon bands.

which we all do, right guys?

damn Ive missed them in bremen a few weeks ago, I wasnt sure If hey are that good live...

i've seen Gwar, Boredoms (twice), and Acid Mothers (thrice)...the simple beauty of Jack Rose's playing speaks more to me (though the above shows were excellent, of course).

the single best ROCK AND ROLL show I ahve ever seen, insane from start to finish, mad rockin, each song played like it was the last song ever, was URGE OVERKILL right after saturation came out. small club in Houston. so fucking awesome. They knew how to RAWK. and they were stylish and debonair a decade before all these fop fucks of the past 10 years decided it would be hip to dress up in fly suits and have pretty haircuts.

I would say that next to GWAR, the greatest live act was the one where floatingslowly punched the guy in Consolidated in the face (giving him a bloody nose).

that floatingslowly's a real SHOW STOPPER.

I agree with GWAR. Its just too much fun.

Also, for me, Tool in 2001 during their lateralus tour. Not now though, ohhhhh lord.

Best of the active bands I've seen in the last couple years...
Hank IV, Oh Sees, Mayyors, Tyvek, Coconut Coolouts, Wounded Lion, Box Elders, Eat Skull, Mika Miko, Realicide, Shearing Pinx

Best of the last decade, now r.i.p.
Coughs, The Hunches, Sleetmute Nightmute, Dead Moon, Business Lady

Best I saw in the 90s...
Karate Party, Nar, The Makers, The Registrators, Lord High Fixers, Dead Moon, first few Melt Banana tours, Smash Your Face, Slight Slappers, Suppression, Caroliner, Thinking Fellers Union Local 282, High Rise

Best I saw in the 80s...
Savage Republic, Pussy Galore, Isocracy

Best noise acts I've ever seen...
Men Who Can't Love, Tralphaz, Pod Blotz, Hans Grusel's Krankenkabinet

Best reunions...
Flipper, Bad Posture

ha yeah

Would have killed to see Ike & Tina Turner back in the 60's.

the best show I ever saw personally was Bunny Wailer at the Hollywood Bowl 2006, legendary, 18000 of in chorus to "Get Up Stand Up" and "Cool Runnings", miraculous for los angeles I tell you..