Worst Concert/Performing Artist

[VeloClone]

I suspect foul play. Sound engineers will often go out of their way to make sure the opener sounds like crap. Nothing the band can do about it other than try not to **** off the sound guy.

True. Also sometimes it is something related but not quite as nefarious. Sometimes the opener can use the headliner's sound system but they won't give them all of it so the headliner has that extra punch and wow factor when they take the stage. When it first opened Target Center had some acoustical issues that have since been dealt with. If there was an inadequate audio set up being used the acoustical problems could have resulted in poor intelligibility while the headliner using the full system might have been able to overpower them.

 

[mb7299]

Filter was one of the worst bands Ive ever seen live. Every single song they sing sounds similar and the guy is an awful vocalist. I dont leave shows early very often but that gets me every time. Plus any artist that tries to give you long stories about how to live life or their political views sucks to see live as well (to many to list).

 

[oldman]

For me it was Bob Dylan in the mid 80's. The only thing that saved the day was that he split sets with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.

I second Bob Dylan. Saw him at the Iowa State Fair maybe 8-10 years ago. He just seemed totally disinterested.

EDIT: Looks like I really fifth Bob Dylan.

 

[BlackHawk]

Woodstock '99

Locked in a feces-ridden hell hole with no food or water for 3 days. And everything was on fire.

I would've killed to have seen NIN there. That show was frickin' epic and I still youtube it frequently. If any NIN fans haven't seen their Woodstock performance of Reptile I suggest you check it out.

 

[VeloClone]

Filter was one of the worst bands Ive ever seen live. Every single song they sing sounds similar and the guy is an awful vocalist. I dont leave shows early very often but that gets me every time. Plus any artist that tries to give you long stories about how to live life or their political views sucks to see live as well (to many to list).

I have always let my political views and life choices be influenced by people based on how well they can sing, play an instrument, act or play a ball game.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

But you know who kicked *** at that show? 2 Skinnee J's. The Atomic Fireballs also did a really energetic set.

2 Skinnee J's were really good. I still listen to the stuff they played that day on a fairly regular basis.

 

[candg4ever]

Saw "Blues Traveler" at CY Stevens, and was really excited, as their type of music should have been perfect for that type of venue. Sound man must have been deaf or didn't have a clue. The whole show was 4-5 times louder than it needed to be for a place that size with such great acoustics. Ruined what could have been a really good sounding show.

 

[oldman]

I saw Taz Band and Buckwheat Zydeco as warm-ups for JL Hooker at the DM Civic Center. Taz can play a guitar. Buckwheat SUCKED.

 

[CapnCy]

In a half hours time, they sang their one hit, "You Get What You Give," at least three times, including once as an acoustic solo. I think they only did one or at most two other songs during their show.

YES! I remember that....totally milking their only bit of recognition. If I remember right, their last time they were basically booed off. Goo Goo Dolls were solid though.

 

[CapnCy]

Originally Posted by Cyclonestate78
This. The New Radicals were awful and yes they did open for the Goo Goo Dolls that night.

I was at the old DotFest in Ankeny when Smashmouth played. The lead singer was absolutely hammered when they took the stage and was barely able to stand up there. His singing sounded like complete gibberish and I'm pretty sure he forgot the words to the parts of the first couple of songs. The crowd was booing them without mercy and without fail the guy had a few choice words for the crowd before throwing some unopened beers at people and then walking off stage. That was one of the worst performances I have ever witnessed.

But you know who kicked *** at that show? 2 Skinnee J's. The Atomic Fireballs also did a really energetic set.

For sure! I went to that DOTFEST and the year before....those were a tremendous value! I remember standing next to Slipnot in the crowd.

Agree with the original post....SmashMouth was riding the "All Star" fame and was taunting the crowd, hitting on women, etc. But agree, 2 Skinnee Js and the Fireballs were great..in fact, the next day I went to that CD store that is where stomping grounds is in Ames and bought both albums as they were so good. 2 Skinnee Js expecially. Was that the Year Run DMC played or the year before? I remember the year before seeing Everclear and they were great.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

YES! I remember that....totally milking their only bit of recognition. If I remember right, their last time they were basically booed off. Goo Goo Dolls were solid though.

I thought the Goo Goo Dolls put on a good show but I wasn't sure if it was because they performed well or because the New Radicals sucked so badly. I'm pretty sure a guy drumming on a bucket while humming some tunes would have got a standing ovation that night.

 

[oldman]

I did not have the displeasure of going to the concert, but I can't believe no one has talked about Stevie Nicks at Hilton. I heard she was smashed and couldn't even remember words to the songs, or even what city she was in.

 

[Cyclonestate78]

Originally Posted by Cyclonestate78
This. The New Radicals were awful and yes they did open for the Goo Goo Dolls that night.

I was at the old DotFest in Ankeny when Smashmouth played. The lead singer was absolutely hammered when they took the stage and was barely able to stand up there. His singing sounded like complete gibberish and I'm pretty sure he forgot the words to the parts of the first couple of songs. The crowd was booing them without mercy and without fail the guy had a few choice words for the crowd before throwing some unopened beers at people and then walking off stage. That was one of the worst performances I have ever witnessed.



For sure! I went to that DOTFEST and the year before....those were a tremendous value! I remember standing next to Slipnot in the crowd.

Agree with the original post....SmashMouth was riding the "All Star" fame and was taunting the crowd, hitting on women, etc. But agree, 2 Skinnee Js and the Fireballs were great..in fact, the next day I went to that CD store that is where stomping grounds is in Ames and bought both albums as they were so good. 2 Skinnee Js expecially. Was that the Year Run DMC played or the year before? I remember the year before seeing Everclear and they were great.

The Urge always put on a good show and Reel Big Fish love them or hate them put on a great show.

 

[cyrocksmypants]

I thought the Goo Goo Dolls put on a good show but I wasn't sure if it was because they performed well or because the New Radicals sucked so badly. I'm pretty sure a guy drumming on a bucket while humming some tunes would have got a standing ovation that night.

I saw Goo Goo Dolls last year when they toured with Matchbox 20. Love GGD, but hate Matchbox 20. I was pumped because I'd heard GGD were really good live, but the were pretty bad. No enthusiasm whatsoever. And Rzeznik couldn't remember half the lyrics.

Matchbox 20 surprisingly put on a really good show though.

 

[Cydar]

I did not have the displeasure of going to the concert, but I can't believe no one has talked about Stevie Nicks at Hilton. I heard she was smashed and couldn't even remember words to the songs, or even what city she was in.

I can't remember if she said Des Moines or Iowa City.

 

[CyCy]

Here is how I would rank the artists I have seen in the past couple years (best to worst)

Paul McCartney
Frankie Valli
Rod Stewart
Eagles
Beach Boys
Chicago
Bob Dylan
Peter Yarrow
ELO
Moody Blues
Kansas
Stevie Nicks (The worst by far)

 

[huntt26]

I love Chevelle's music but wow they suck and sound terrible live. That gets my vote.

 

[AuH2O]

I'm not sure I'd even call it a show - but Flaming Lips at VEISHEA back in the late 90s was the worst attempt at entertainment I've ever seen.

 

[isukendall]

I walk out on very few shows. But when I lived in Chicago took my girlfriend (now wife) to the House of Blues to see Liz Phair. For two songs she had a guitar slung around her shoulder, stroked her hand up and down the frets, but didn't sing a note. I was furious, walked out. Didn't pay $30 to see Liz Phair give a guitar a hand job.

 

[HitItHard58]

Whatever band opened for Tool in CR back about 5 years ago. Some Japanese woman screaming unintelligibly to music that was a combination of thrash metal and hip hop. Everyone hated it, and it went on forever. Tragically bad.

Thanks for stirring up something I had fortunately managed to repress. Definitely having nightmares tonight. Goes without saying Tool more than made up for that **** show!