Most disappointing band/musician seen live

[theDudesmummy]

I am starting this on the back of another thread about best live performances. How about bands/performers you loved and thought were going to be great live, only to be disappointed for one reason or another?

I will start:

Neil Young, Royal Albert Hall 2003. I love his music, absolute soundtrack of my later years at university, but this concert was unbelievable in its shitness. Half of it was some unlistenable concept album. Never felt the same about him after that.

Van Morrison, some concert at a stately home type of place, maybe fifteen years ago? (Have blocked out the details). The booze completely ran out before we got to the bar for the first time (and no, we weren't late, he hadnt even come on stage yet). I guess that wasn't Morrison's fault directly but you would think he would employ/contract people to make sure this doesn't happen. DH and I soberly listened to two songs then shared a look and left to find a pub.

Nina Simone, probably also Royal Albert Hall, some time in the 1990s. Sorry, I know she is dead now, and was a legend, but when you sit right over to one side of the stage, practically in the wings, for the whole show, completely hidden by the piano so only half the audience can see you, then you are going to pass off even your most ardent fans. I never even caught sight of her.

(Bob Dylan pissed me off at the Brixton Acedemy circa 1990 by never taking his hat off, so I never saw his face, but I forgave him because he is Bob Dylan, and at least I saw the rest of him).

Charli XCX. She headlined an event I was at and turned up drunk and just DJ’d instead of singing any of her actual songs!

Sadly Bob Dylan at a festival a few years back. I knew what he was like live these days so wasn't expecting much, but it was just awful - everything played really loud and really fast, they all sounded the same. You could tell the crowd was disappointed. Ray Davies from the Kinks was on after him, and said that Dylan was a wanker back in the 60s and was still a wanker now, which got a huge cheer!

Not been to a bad concert but I didn't like Stevie wonder preaching in between songs. Love his music though.

UB40.....Ali Campbell was clearly off his tits,had seen them many times before but this was dire.

Rihanna.... Came on an hour late with a look on her face like she would rather be anywhere else.

Bob Dylan at Wembley Arena 3-4 years ago. He butchered his own songs, and was arrogant to boot. Absolute waste of time and money. And so very disappointing.

Can't agree regarding Fall Out Boy, times I've been to see them, they've been fabulous live.

I’m another one who loved seeing The Proclaimers. I wasn’t a fan before I saw them but I became one that night!

We saw elbow at a festival last month and where very disappointed

My husband was a youth in the 70's and has seen loads of bands , he saw The Police when they were just getting famous and said they were terrible and loads walked out.

Worst experience was U2 at Milton Keynes Bowl 1985?. Basically it was just standing in ankle deep mud for 12 hours. It rained continually. There were not even footpaths from what I can remember. Practically impossible to move. And bottles of piss being lobbed about.

Very surprisingly Prince at Earls Court c1991. He and the band had a great night but didn't play any of his hits, bar Get Off which was rearranged so much no one recognised it. Also Simon and Garfunkel in Dublin 2005 ish - obvious they hated each other and just needed the money.

@Glittertwins I saw Extreme when they were supporting Bryan Adams around the time of More than Words. They were bloody awful. First time I think I realised how much a studio could improve a less than mediocre band.

Blink 182. Don't remember where. I never expected anything great, don't get me wrong, but it was so soo bad.
They fucked around and complained about being there. Only played 3 songs, badly! Then disappeared to go and get pissed for band members birthday.

Ive been underwhelmed by everything I've seen at the Echo Arena in Liverpool. It just seems to drain the atmosphere out of everything. The acoustics must be odd or something.
I've been to other venues of a similar size, but the Arena stands out as being bad.

This thread reminds me why tribute festivals are so good - you get all the great music with guaranteed enthusiasm!

Saw Electric Six about 3 years ago, and they were just awful. I was so disappointed as I loved them. Just turgid and sleazy, and not in a good way.

Edwin Starr about 20 years ago… part of a Motown night… it got to 11-30 and no sign of him, but we were told it was advertised as “A Motown night ‘with’ Edwin Starr” so not to expect much - too right!! He eventually showed up, mimed to 3 or 4 of his own records then buggered off!!😱
and it was cheap, either!!

Think he died a little while after.

Also Van Morrison. Everyone felt they had to let him off as he is known for being miserable but it was a poor show.

Ryan Adams. Looked pissed, mumbled a few songs and walked off the stage. Jerry Lee Lewis-slurred his words, couldn’t play his piano and finished in under an hour. Everyone else I’ve seen I’ve enjoyed. Recently saw Texas who were wonderful-worked the crowd, looked as though they wanted to be there and gave everything they had to give us a good time. The best bands are like that.

Oh wow-one of the most memorable things I’ve been to was the Police in 1983 playing an old amphitheatre in the south of France. I was on a high for days. It was a magical setting, though.

Red Hot Chili Peppers in Birmingham a few years ago. Absolutely phoned it in, I was so disappointed. I’d never pay to see them again.

Another one disappointed with Stevie Wonder at Wembley Arena- back in mid 1980s. His singing was fine but he had these 3 women who on every song and I mean every song, each one had her own solo warbling bit. Then when they had finished with the warbling, each member of the band did a solo. Not just a few bars but it seemed like minutes. And for each song we got the same warbling and instrumental solos. Just padding it out and bad padding too. Made all the worse as Bob Dylan was next door in the stadium and gave a good show by all accounts.

have walked out of a Eliza Carthy concert - she was singing so flat that it hurt my ears, and we had front row seats!

Joseph salvat, totally off his face on drugs.

Oh yes and Simply Red at Brixton Academy - on stage max 30 mins and expensive tickets

The Cranberries in Madrid - was boring and no engagement with the audience.
Bob Dylan - at Hope farm festival...what a mess.

Eric Iglesias at the O2 - don't like him but went with a friend that adores him. No charisma, boring, boring boring. I left halfway through the mess.