March 2025 Challenge Thread - Live Music (Really) Is Better!

Day 4: Play some Bluegrass / folk or something that features spoken word.

The Clientele - I Am Not There Anymore

Folk-tinged tunes, with several spoken-word interludes.

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Day 5: Social Distortion February 2001, 4th and B
Play something from a band with shifting lineups or that continued on after a founding members death.

Black Country, New Road - Live From The Queen Elizabeth Hall
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I haven’t seen this group live but I do have this album that was included along with their sophomore effort Ants From Up There. There lead singer Isaac Wood left the group shortly after the release of this album due to mental health concerns. They have decided to carry on as a group and their first album with their new lead singer is scheduled to be released later this year. Unfortunately we probably won’t see them this tour since their Seattle show falls the day after we are seeing Rilo Kiley in Portland.
 
Day 6: Rolling Stones February 2003, Staples Center – I’ve seen the Stones 2x, both for free. The first time was at the LA Coliseum when I worked security and got to stand right by the stage, and the second was this benefit for the NRDC, and was the first free show they played since Altamont. Groups like the NRDC are more important than ever, spin something by an artist that promotes or has played for charitable reasons.

Caught one of the MoveOn Vote For Change shows back in 2004. These were shows that happened simultaneously on the same night in multiple cities.

My show - Gob Roberts (a punkabilly band fronted by actor Tim Robbins), Death Cab For Cutie and Pearl Jam.

Here's the recording of Pearl Jam and Tim Robbins covering a pertinent X tune...




Pearl Jam - Live On Two Legs

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Day 1: The Jacksons Victory Tour, December 1984 at Dodger Stadium.

Brand New - Deja Entendu

I went to a lot of concerts in my teenage years. But most of the bands/artists I went and saw in those days I don’t listen to/like anymore. But Brand New was one of the very first live acts I saw and one of the few that I still spin as a 30-something year old.

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Day 3: The Samples, early 1990s at The Barn UC Riverside
Play an album from a band that has faded into obscurity.

MGMT - Congratulations

Perhaps not a band that has completely faded into obscurity, but they certainly never maintained the level of relevance and popularity they had when they released their first few singles. It’s a shame too, because they would go on to make their best work and most creative material after the debut album.

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Day 3: The Samples, early 1990s at The Barn UC Riverside
Play an album from a band that has faded into obscurity.

MGMT - Congratulations

Perhaps not a band that has completely faded into obscurity, but they certainly never maintained the level of relevance and popularity they had when they released their first few singles. It’s a shame too, because they would go on to make their best work and most creative material after the debut album.

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I remember this one landing like a wet fart for fans of the debut. But I think if you ignored what they did on the debut, and pretend that this was their first record, it's actually really decent.
 
Man, this is such a cool idea for a thread. Crazy how music memories stick with you like that. That Jacksons show must've been wild! First concert for me was Metallica in ‘09, and the energy was insane—still one of the best shows I’ve seen. Gonna have to dig through some old ticket stubs now.
Welcome to the forum! There's an introduce yourself thread too.
 
Man, this is such a cool idea for a thread. Crazy how music memories stick with you like that. That Jacksons show must've been wild! First concert for me was Metallica in ‘09, and the energy was insane—still one of the best shows I’ve seen. Gonna have to dig through some old ticket stubs now.
Welcome, and join in! Never too late to start on the monthly spin challenges.
 
Day 6: Rolling Stones February 2003, Staples Center – I’ve seen the Stones 2x, both for free. The first time was at the LA Coliseum when I worked security and got to stand right by the stage, and the second was this benefit for the NRDC, and was the first free show they played since Altamont. Groups like the NRDC are more important than ever, spin something by an artist that promotes or has played for charitable reasons.

The Beastie Boys organized the Tibetan Freedom Concerts for a number of years raising awareness of human rights abuses by China on the people of Tibet.

Prior to that, and the one time I saw the Beasties, they were on a lineup in LA at the Hollywood Palladium for a benefit for a hip operation for Mary's Danish bass player. Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mary's Danish, and Thelonious Monster were on the bill as well. This was one of the few shows they did during the Paul's Boutique era. Super fun and loose. I remember catching a LA Kings hat that Mike D threw out to the audience, but that hat has been lost to time, much like the flyer and ticket stub from it, so I had to search those out online.

Beastie Boys ~ Pauls Boutique

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Day 5: Social Distortion February 2001, 4th and B – Play something from a band with shifting lineups or that continued on after a founding members death.

Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded

Scott La Rock was tragically killed shortly after the release of Boogie Down’s first album.

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Day 5: Social Distortion February 2001, 4th and B – This was the first time I saw Social Distortion after the death of founding member Dennis Dannell from a brain aneurysm at the way too young age of 38. Play something from a band with shifting lineups or that continued on after a founding members death.

Cold Blood – Lydia
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The band still plays but the titular Lydia, Lydia Pense, is the only original member still playing.
 
Day 6: Rolling Stones February 2003, Staples Center – I’ve seen the Stones 2x, both for free. The first time was at the LA Coliseum when I worked security and got to stand right by the stage, and the second was this benefit for the NRDC, and was the first free show they played since Altamont. Groups like the NRDC are more important than ever, spin something by an artist that promotes or has played for charitable reasons.

Yoko Ono – Starpeace
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For over sixty years Yoko has been a figurehead and ambassador for social change. She continues to be a vocal supporter of women’s and gay rights, as well as an advocate for peace. As such, she gives to several handpicked charities that she feels are in line with her world view. She also has her own Yoko Ono Charity.

As for the album itself, we are not even finished side 1 yet, and twice my wife has said, "This album has no right to be this good!" But the presence of Sly & Robbie, Tony Levin and Bill Laswell tells me it does have the right to be this good!
 
Day 6: Rolling Stones February 2003, Staples Center – I’ve seen the Stones 2x, both for free. The first time was at the LA Coliseum when I worked security and got to stand right by the stage, and the second was this benefit for the NRDC, and was the first free show they played since Altamont. Groups like the NRDC are more important than ever, spin something by an artist that promotes or has played for charitable reasons.

Yoko Ono – Starpeace
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For over sixty years Yoko has been a figurehead and ambassador for social change. She continues to be a vocal supporter of women’s and gay rights, as well as an advocate for peace. As such, she gives to several handpicked charities that she feels are in line with her world view. She also has her own Yoko Ono Charity.

As for the album itself, we are not even finished side 1 yet, and twice my wife has said, "This album has no right to be this good!" But the presence of Sly & Robbie, Tony Levin and Bill Laswell tells me it does have the right to be this good!
That made me think of her "Yes, I'm A Witch" duet album, which I haven't thought about in ages. I remember it being pretty good as well. Excellent choice!
 
Day 6: Rolling Stones February 2003, Staples Center
spin something by an artist that promotes or has played for charitable reasons.

Various Artists - The Bridge: A Tribute To Neil Young
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This is a charity comp for Neil Young’s Bridge School. I have yet to see NY live but I might be changing that here shortly. This comp does contain two artists I have seen live in The Flaming Lips and Sonic Youth.
 
Day 2: Chicago, November 1986 at Universal Amphitheater. This was during the very smooth Peter Cetera era Chicago, really went at my high school girlfriends behest. Play something from an artist whose sound has changed over time or that you'd take a date to.

Wilco - Summerteeth

I think these guys have changed from that first record a few times, and I also do take a date to Wilco lately! Summerteeth maybe the record most unlike the others.

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Day 6: Rolling Stones February 2003, Staples Center – I’ve seen the Stones 2x, both for free. The first time was at the LA Coliseum when I worked security and got to stand right by the stage, and the second was this benefit for the NRDC, and was the first free show they played since Altamont. Groups like the NRDC are more important than ever, spin something by an artist that promotes or has played for charitable reasons

I kind of ignored the actual prompt so I could jam this record and show this stub.
Cheers.

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Day 4: Prairie Home Companion November 1997, Fitzgerald Theater. Bluegrass/folk

Tyler Childers - Live at Red Barn Radio I & II

Playing catch up a bit after travelling for a few days. This is a fabulous live album. Plus, my own 4th gig - definitely one of my all-time favourites, Oasis at Earls Court in 94. I think it's probably the best they ever played. (I'll spin them live a bit later on - not exactly country).


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Day 5: Social Distortion February 2001, 4th and B. Play something from a band with shifting lineups or that continued on after a founding members death.

The Rolling Stones - The Great Lost Live Album, Vol 1

Queueing this ahead of a long day of work. The Stones were the originals for carrying on after deaths. Seen them a couple of times, and they've been great. But would have loved to see them on this 72 US tour. And 5th gig ticket - Cast in my local town. Listened to a bit of their album yesterday and it was OK, nothing special - great, sweaty gig with mates from what little I remember.


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