A truly great live performance needs a three main components. Or at least there are three things I look for when deciding which are the best.
Firstly, I like to see them cracking through songs without wasting too much time waffling on (unless you're someone as cool as Dave Grohl, obviously). Granted, there has to be some connection or rapport building with the crowd, but when it's between every song it just gets daft.
There also has to be something unique or standout - that bit of pizzazz. It could be a euphoric rise or drop that gives goose bumps, or the whole arena singing in unison. It could even just be something cool like an amp getting thrown off stage, or a rowdy crowd-surfer getting drenched with a pint of something.
Lastly, I like to hear a mix of songs that span the lifetime of a band, or cover their range of albums (at least the ones I like). It's easy on an album promo tour to sell out and forget some of the older ones - but that's why most of us are here! With DJs I suppose this could just mean picking the right set list to suit the time, vibe or location.
So here goes the top ten, in chronological order so I don't have to chose between them:
Firstly, I like to see them cracking through songs without wasting too much time waffling on (unless you're someone as cool as Dave Grohl, obviously). Granted, there has to be some connection or rapport building with the crowd, but when it's between every song it just gets daft.
There also has to be something unique or standout - that bit of pizzazz. It could be a euphoric rise or drop that gives goose bumps, or the whole arena singing in unison. It could even just be something cool like an amp getting thrown off stage, or a rowdy crowd-surfer getting drenched with a pint of something.
Lastly, I like to hear a mix of songs that span the lifetime of a band, or cover their range of albums (at least the ones I like). It's easy on an album promo tour to sell out and forget some of the older ones - but that's why most of us are here! With DJs I suppose this could just mean picking the right set list to suit the time, vibe or location.
So here goes the top ten, in chronological order so I don't have to chose between them:
Rise Against - Manchester Academy 1 (27 February 2009)
It was my first 'proper' rock gig and I remember being in awe as the whole of Manchester Academy turned into a circle pit during Anti Flag's support set. Then came the familiar alternative-punk sound of Rise Against - a band I was obsessed with at the time, having listened to every song hundreds of times.
The gig was boisterous and loud, and did have sort of political undertones, but I loved every minute of it. I pushed my way to the front with a guy I'd met on the night, narrowly missing catching a guitar pick and charging about to my favourites: Chamber the Cartridge and Heaven Knows.
One friend managed to lose his shoe in the melee and I was even more unfortunate losing my phone. It was worth it though, even down to being stood out in the cold afterwards drenched in sweat.
The gig was boisterous and loud, and did have sort of political undertones, but I loved every minute of it. I pushed my way to the front with a guy I'd met on the night, narrowly missing catching a guitar pick and charging about to my favourites: Chamber the Cartridge and Heaven Knows.
One friend managed to lose his shoe in the melee and I was even more unfortunate losing my phone. It was worth it though, even down to being stood out in the cold afterwards drenched in sweat.
Biffy Clyro - Manchester Apollo (7 November 2009)
On the eve of their Only Revolutions album release, the Scottish trio smashed through a huge set which perfectly catered for all types of Clyro fan.
Simon Neil interacted just enough with the packed-out Apollo without digressing from the music too much as many artists do. By this I mean repeatedly asking if 'we're having a good time' and that sort of waffle.
Instead Biffy powered through a 24 song set, probably more than I've ever seen in the same duration. The gig had everything in the right proportion - catchy, new songs, raw, unrefined older ones and plenty of 'Mon the Biff' chants from the crowd thrown in for good measure.
Simon Neil interacted just enough with the packed-out Apollo without digressing from the music too much as many artists do. By this I mean repeatedly asking if 'we're having a good time' and that sort of waffle.
Instead Biffy powered through a 24 song set, probably more than I've ever seen in the same duration. The gig had everything in the right proportion - catchy, new songs, raw, unrefined older ones and plenty of 'Mon the Biff' chants from the crowd thrown in for good measure.
Blink-182 - Leeds Festival (28 August 2010)
Blink are pretty much the epitome of high energy, toilet humour mixed with cool. As my most anticipated band of Leeds Festival that year, they had a lot to live up to but did not disappoint.
Even being dropped on my head crowd surfing while watching Paramore (don't ask) beforehand and getting separated from the main group couldn't take away from the experience.
Any agony and potential paralysis was masked by pure adrenaline as I manoeuvred my way to the front to watch many classics from throughout my teenage years, along with the spectacle that was an upside-down Travis Barker drum solo. Wow.
Even being dropped on my head crowd surfing while watching Paramore (don't ask) beforehand and getting separated from the main group couldn't take away from the experience.
Any agony and potential paralysis was masked by pure adrenaline as I manoeuvred my way to the front to watch many classics from throughout my teenage years, along with the spectacle that was an upside-down Travis Barker drum solo. Wow.
The Courteeners - Manchester Evening News Arena (10 December 2010)
Initially just giving my friend a lift to the gig, I took a snap decision to tout a ticket from outside. Admittedly I had an undecided opinion on the band when first arrived, but that soon changed.
From the aptly named The Opener through fifteen songs to Fallowfield Hillbilly, I got a new appreciation for the city I call home. I guess the live delivery of the songs helped me to realise how relatable they were to current times and places.
Then when Not Nineteen Forever, one of the weekend anthems of our age, rang out throughout the packed arena - the whole place went ballistic. The ground shock with the sheer enthusiasm as everyone jumped and it's tough to recall a moment like it.
One final encore song later and we were walking off into the night, balling the tune of What Took You So Long? for some time.
From the aptly named The Opener through fifteen songs to Fallowfield Hillbilly, I got a new appreciation for the city I call home. I guess the live delivery of the songs helped me to realise how relatable they were to current times and places.
Then when Not Nineteen Forever, one of the weekend anthems of our age, rang out throughout the packed arena - the whole place went ballistic. The ground shock with the sheer enthusiasm as everyone jumped and it's tough to recall a moment like it.
One final encore song later and we were walking off into the night, balling the tune of What Took You So Long? for some time.
Pearl Jam - Manchester Evening News Arena (20 June 2012)
After growing up listening to the grunge icons in the car with my Dad, it was only right that I went to see them with him. After a few jars in Sinclair's Oyster Bar with a father and daughter duo we met beforehand we headed into the arena feeling merry.
From the spine-tingling opener of Release, through to a Rockin' in the Free World Neil Young cover; every song was delivered with poise. The nostalgia was flowing as we both sang and jumped about along with Eddie Vedder to every song through Ten, Yield and Vitalogy.
At the end, feeling slightly drunk, we stumbled for a Chinese; still singing Pearl Jam songs all the while.
From the spine-tingling opener of Release, through to a Rockin' in the Free World Neil Young cover; every song was delivered with poise. The nostalgia was flowing as we both sang and jumped about along with Eddie Vedder to every song through Ten, Yield and Vitalogy.
At the end, feeling slightly drunk, we stumbled for a Chinese; still singing Pearl Jam songs all the while.
Stone Roses - Heaton Park (30 June 2012)
Even after a long, chaotic shift working on the bar during the support acts, the Stone Roses reunion didn't fail to disappoint. Those of us allowed to finish in time for the gig grabbed a handful of cans and headed into the sea of bucket hats to enjoy the Madchester pioneers long awaited return home.
It was as if they'd never left though, with three or four generations of fans from across the country singing and dancing together. You certainly couldn't tell Ian Brown was pushing 50 as classic after classic was delivered with aplomb.
The finale was spectacular. As John Squire took off on the melodic instrumental outro in I Am the Resurrection, fireworks erupted into the sky - to the awe of 70,000 attendees.
It was as if they'd never left though, with three or four generations of fans from across the country singing and dancing together. You certainly couldn't tell Ian Brown was pushing 50 as classic after classic was delivered with aplomb.
The finale was spectacular. As John Squire took off on the melodic instrumental outro in I Am the Resurrection, fireworks erupted into the sky - to the awe of 70,000 attendees.
Chemical Brothers - Creamfields (29 August 2012)
An incredibly wet and almost ruined weekend was superbly salvaged by a Saturday night set from the big beat duo from Manchester. The booming bass reverberated around the packed tent, bringing a wave of goose bumps with it and removing the misery of being cold and damp.
The visuals and laser graphics were unlike anything I'd ever seen, illuminating the stage as I watched on with a friend who shares a mutual love for the Brothers.
It wasn't just the temperature that caused shivers to reach every inch of my body, with the drop and ambience of songs such as Swoon and Don't Think taking the whole place up to a new level of euphoria.
The visuals and laser graphics were unlike anything I'd ever seen, illuminating the stage as I watched on with a friend who shares a mutual love for the Brothers.
It wasn't just the temperature that caused shivers to reach every inch of my body, with the drop and ambience of songs such as Swoon and Don't Think taking the whole place up to a new level of euphoria.
Solomun - Sankeys Manchester (29 December 2012)
The Bosnian's sold out double-header at Sankeys seems to be critically acclaimed by anyone and everyone I've spoken to about it who attended.
With a fusion of funk and hip-hop into the house tunes, it was the perfect blend to stay grooving through to the small hours and a set I never wanted to end.
Remixes of Roses, Master Blaster and A Fifth of Beethoven had everyone jiving and singing along together, while Connected and Kackvogel had the whole club squatting down to the ground before launching to the ceiling in unison.
With a fusion of funk and hip-hop into the house tunes, it was the perfect blend to stay grooving through to the small hours and a set I never wanted to end.
Remixes of Roses, Master Blaster and A Fifth of Beethoven had everyone jiving and singing along together, while Connected and Kackvogel had the whole club squatting down to the ground before launching to the ceiling in unison.
Maceo Plex - Parklife (8 June 2013)
The highlight of an incredibly sunny and shenanigan-fuelled festival weekend was definitely tech-house maestro Maceo Plex.
His closing set on the first night brought the right mix of funk beats to stick in the eardrums for the two hour walk ahead - with Can't Leave You and I Walk Alone as the most memorable mixes.
I watched the majority just with one friend, away from our main group of mates, yet everyone in our vicinity was sharing drinks, mad dance-struts or just general acknowledgement that this was the place to be.
His closing set on the first night brought the right mix of funk beats to stick in the eardrums for the two hour walk ahead - with Can't Leave You and I Walk Alone as the most memorable mixes.
I watched the majority just with one friend, away from our main group of mates, yet everyone in our vicinity was sharing drinks, mad dance-struts or just general acknowledgement that this was the place to be.
The Growlers - Old Granada Studios (26 May 2017)
Taking a gamble on a last minute invite to Dot to Dot Festival turned out to be a fantastic idea, as I was introduced to one of my current favourite bands. Having never even heard of them, nor chanced any research beforehand, I was sceptical of my friend's recommendation.
But from the introductory minutes silence, an ode to those lost in the Manchester Arena attack, I knew I would be witnessing something awesome. The psychedelic surf-garage rock mixed with Brook Nielsen's cool stage presence and relatable lyrics immediately struck a chord.
The set list told a story which felt familiar, although I'd never heard a song before - pretty soon I was singing along to the bits I'd picked up. The quality of the delivery got me hooked and I haven't stopped listening since.
It was pretty hard to choose ten, so here's a few other notable mentions:
My next gig I would expect (and hope) to challenge for a place in the list is Gorillaz in December. But only if Damon Albarn and the gang pack the three main components.
But from the introductory minutes silence, an ode to those lost in the Manchester Arena attack, I knew I would be witnessing something awesome. The psychedelic surf-garage rock mixed with Brook Nielsen's cool stage presence and relatable lyrics immediately struck a chord.
The set list told a story which felt familiar, although I'd never heard a song before - pretty soon I was singing along to the bits I'd picked up. The quality of the delivery got me hooked and I haven't stopped listening since.
It was pretty hard to choose ten, so here's a few other notable mentions:
- The Offspring - Manchester Academy 1 (26 August 2009)
- Pendulum - Manchester Central (8 December 2010)
- Queens of the Stone Age - Leeds Festival (29 August 2010)
- Todd Terje - Parklife (8 June 2013)
- Hot Since 82 - Warehouse Project (26 December 2015)
My next gig I would expect (and hope) to challenge for a place in the list is Gorillaz in December. But only if Damon Albarn and the gang pack the three main components.