To date, what is the most memorable concert or live performance you have attended?

Question

Why?

What a difficult decision to choose a best answer!

Julie L - your Dixie Chicks concert sounds amazing, and I'm happy you had an "energizing" & memorable experience

Shawnski - KISS must have put on a thrilling concert, one you'll remember for years to come I'm sure

Piano Baby - Yes, there have been concerts where the music & the performance made the audience beg for me. What a fantastic memory the performance of "Wicked" has left you with

Hempy - (you don't mind if I call you Hempy, do you?) why oh why aren't any family functions I've attended nearly as fun as yours? And yes, I agree with you - Bronwen's memorable concert was an emotionally stirring one for all of us to "live" it with her here on YA.

Thank you to everyone - only ONE can be Best Answer, but all of your answers are "Best" with me. I am touched by the thoughtful sharing of all your memorable concerts.

What a difficult decision to choose a best answer!

Julie L - your Dixie Chicks concert sounds amazing, and I'm happy you had an "energizing" & memorable experience

Shawnski - KISS must have put on a thrilling concert, one you'll remember for years to come I'm sure

Piano Baby - Yes, there have been concerts where the music & the performance made the audience beg for more. What a fantastic memory the performance of "Wicked" has left you with

Hempy - (you don't mind if I call you Hempy, do you?) why oh why aren't any family functions I've attended nearly as fun as yours? And yes, I agree with you - Bronwen's memorable concert was an emotionally stirring one for all of us to "live" it with her here on YA.

Thank you to everyone - only ONE can be Best Answer, but all of your answers are "Best" with me. I am touched by the thoughtful sharing of all your memorable concerts.

Answer 1

I have seen some truly amazing rock concerts and live performances, but you asked specifically for memorable, so that is what I will share.

My grandfather died on 18 February 1987. It was a Wednesday. My boyfriend had bought tickets for the symphony for my 19th birthday, which was earlier in the month. The tickets were for Friday night, and he bought them because a famous pianist was to play Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, one of my favorite pieces of music ever. The tickets were an extravagance for us, and especially for him. I have absolutely no memory of who the pianist was, other than that it was a man, and that the tickets sold out in a matter of hours--my boyfriend skipped morning classes so he could be at the ticket window when the tickets went on sale back in January. (I, naturally, had no idea why he skipped classes--he didn't let me in on the surprise until he gave me the tickets for my birthday.)

We had family flying in from all over the place, and everyone was trying to get ready for the viewing, which was scheduled for Friday evening, so that the funeral could be on Saturday morning. (The plans were all in place, except for the actual date--it was no surprise that my grandfather was leaving, and that he was leaving soon.) I immediately announced, after getting over my initial shock, that I would cancel my plans for Friday night so I could be at the viewing and visitation. My mother's response was an immediate and emphatic NO!

The family was scandalized that I went to the symphony. My mother, who was already sort of the matriarch of the family despite having one older sibling, was unapologetic, and she did not allow anyone to say anything negative to me. She simply said the truth: Grandpa would want me to go to the symphony rather than passing it up to go hang out at a mortuary and cry.

She made only one request of me. It is my habit to wear all black to special occasions. She asked me to wear a brightly colored dress of hers that night, so that I would not appear to be in mourning. She believes very firmly in that, and I have already been informed that when she dies, I am to wear red or purple or sapphire blue--anything but black.

I had cried on Wednesday afternoon, but I had cried for gladness. My grandfather had missed my grandmother so much that I was glad that they were together again, for that is what I believe. That Friday night, sitting in the dark with my boyfriend, I cried out my grief for him and for myself at losing him while letting that music wash over me. I cried so hard that people around me were actually alarmed.

I know that the pianist played other things that night, but I have no memory of anything but the Rachmaninoff. That and crying, sobbing, really. When we emerged later into the freezing February air, I felt like I had been somehow cleansed.

I will always be grateful to my mother for understanding that for me, the best place to mourn would be in that symphony hall. Had I gone to the viewing, I would have been strong for others. I would not have cried. I would not have mourned. I would not have felt my loss for quite some time. My mom knows me well enough to know that that is right where I should have been that night.

And my family? They've all forgotten. Like most family scandals, it has disappeared from everyone's memory. I am the only one who remembers that extraordinary night.

Answer 2

There have been some memorable performances: rock, folk, country..from Woodstock on.

But the most memorable live performance is an annual family reunion. We pass out the song books which, include everything from old gospels to pop. Everyone sings professionally , in a choir, or part of a barbershop quartet.

Fearing a sporadic "bad note" or a missed chord, I like to sit back and listen, but that conflicts with family tradition which dictates that everyone must sing with complete abandonment, off key or otherwise. To give it justice, I need a word beyond memorable.

It probably doesn't qualify, but I was listening to a concert on the radio while reading Brenwon's concert experience and mourning. I don't remember what I was listening to, but I found her experience very memorable and touching.

Answer 3

This summer I went and saw the National Broadway Touring Cast perform Wicked in Denver, CO. It was so awesome because it was flawless, and despite a couple of people not being up to expectations, it just made me think: Wow. These people do this for a living. They love this stuff. It was amazing. The performance was elaborate, sophisticated, and it really did take me into Oz and understand the untold story of the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West. The music was amazing, and I didn't want it to end. Everything was wonderful, and it's something I'll never forget.

Answer 4

honestly, dixie chicks in 2000...they sang for 3 HOURS....they did an acoustic version of Sheryl Crow, Strong Enough and when they sang Cold Day in July, snow came down from the top of the arena....lots of energy and talent

Answer 5

KISS tour with original members in full makeup. Best show hand's down.