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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to ask who is the worst performer/group you've seen live?

841 replies

Weston14 · 12/08/2019 01:17

Following on from a (very late-to-the-party) discussion about this year's Glasto with some friends over dinner tonight, where we all decided Lauryn Hill was an absolute let down, who is the worst performer or group you've ever seen live? Especially thinking of people you really liked who let you down here, not just "was dragged to see Take That with DSis and they were shite" Grin

If you're not much of a music fan I suppose this stretches to comedians, actors, poets...anyone who gets up on stage and does a turn.

OP posts:
GabsAlot · 12/08/2019 20:00

@darklydreamingdexter i went to that tour wher ehe said his old music was being held t ransom so he wouldnt perform them

I liked the songs about a year after but had no idea what they were at the time

DanielRicciardosSmile · 12/08/2019 20:03

Ian Brown. He was playing support back in 2002 or 2003 and he was bloody awful. Stumbling around the stage alternately slurring and mumbling, and eventually hurling abuse at the audience who were booing. I remember him jeering that we'd paid money to see him and several people pointing out that we'd paid to see the main act and no one would care if he left. Very sad.

lastqueenofscotland · 12/08/2019 20:03

Went to a misfits gig once where their entire set list was an as yet unreleased album.

Saw James once who were dreadful, so self indulgent and played none of the hits.

Friend took me to see a band called DMAs and it was just the worst that anodyne indie has to offer

JemimaTab · 12/08/2019 20:05

Ihavebrillohair I saw Tony Slattery at Edinburgh last year and wish I hadn’t (hope he is better this time round!). It was some group improv thing, about 6 of them including Mike McShane and they were pretty good, but TS seemed kind of angry and intent on sabotaging everyone else’s bits. It actually seemed like he didn’t like it when others in the improv team were getting laughs. It really ruined it and was embarrassing to watch. I know he’s had his issues and has been pretty open about it but I really hope this year’s thing goes better.

WeCameToDance · 12/08/2019 20:09

Sorry I'm coming back to add some positives!
The Gaslight Anthem/ Brian Fallon always put on a good show. Brian Fallon talks a lot but it's never that staged type of talking. Always different and the most random topics imaginable.
Frank Turner is always great and puts his heart into it but does do that staged type of talking. He sounds the same live as he does recorded.
Dave Hause/Chuck Ragan/Jared Hart et al same as above. All really talented and I always enjoy seeing them live.
The Decemberists are brilliant. They are a perfect mix of dry commedy and music. They are really honed in their craft and put on an incredible show. I would love to see them again.
Iron Maiden and Motley Crue had the best stage designs I have ever seen. Iron Maiden with the giant mechanical Eddie and Motley Crue with a fucking working rollercoaster on stage!

I promise I won't post again. I just get too excited on music threads Blush

pictish · 12/08/2019 20:10

A lot of people mentioning Ian Brown.
I’m of that age. I was a youngster when The Stone Roses were setting the scene. Ian Brown was always a talentless twat. I’m not surprised he keeps popping up here.

MetalMidget · 12/08/2019 20:12

Lostprophets in Cardiff student union about 10 years ago. Obvious evil aside, what an arrogant prick. The crowd were not into it and instead of trying to fix it he decided to abuse the crowd for being rubbish Welsh people. It was awful. Horrible, horrible man.

Ha, I remember seeing them supporting Kill II This (who were ace). TLP were bobbins, by my ex really liked them. We went to see them at the Foundry in Brum, but the fucking divas refused to play because they'd been booked for the upstairs room with the smaller stage instead of the main room.

JammyGem · 12/08/2019 20:12

Nine Inch Nails at Sonisphere 2009.

I was so looking forward to their set but they were truly awful. It was their last UK gig and there was no energy or stage presence or rapport with the crowd at all, and it was a really short set. And they only played their mellow songs, nothing upbeat - no Closer or Hole In The Head. Trent Reznor seemed to be struggling to sing as well. We were really disappointed.

On a positive note, that festival was also where we first saw Skindred and Airbourne, and both of their sets that year are still my 2 favourite gigs of all time.

YouTheCat · 12/08/2019 20:19

I went to see Maiden last year and they were amazing! Loved the Spitfire and flamethrowers.

JammyGem · 12/08/2019 20:20

Sorry, no Head Like A Hole, not sure where that other song came from!

Roominmyhouse · 12/08/2019 20:22

@JammyGem I was also there for that NIN show. It was awful, a really bad setlist and so dull.

huggybear · 12/08/2019 20:24

Muse.

GabsAlot · 12/08/2019 20:25

Bob dylan cant even sing on a record so i dont know why peple expect himt o be better live

And britney is known for never singing live save your money

magicsoakingmyspine · 12/08/2019 20:47

Totally agree Reginald D Hunter is truly awful stand up, delivery was so bad we could not understand a word he said. He just mumbled his way through repeating the name of the town we were in in a horrible mocking way.

Writersblock2 · 12/08/2019 21:01

@beaverbill - Skunk Anansie is truly outstanding. Easily one of my all-time favourite bands live. And I’ll be honest, when I saw them I was about 16/17, and Skin was one of the reasons I finally knew I was bi. Talk about having the audience eating out of the palm of her hand - she was on fire! 😍 🔥

DaisyChains6 · 12/08/2019 21:09

Britney spears is never good live, always mimes. It's a shame Christina Aguilera was always pitted against her back in the day and was in britney's shadow to some extent because Christina is amazing live! Saw her in Europe on tour recently and her voice is just out of this world!

BrightYellowDaffodil · 12/08/2019 21:10

Ruby Wax...she really didn’t look like she was all there

I went to see her on her book tour for Mindfulness for the Frazzled, having been a huge fan of Sane New World. Up close, I was surprised at how very brittle she seemed, like she was just hanging on in there by her fingernails.

@JemimaTab I think Tony Slattery has a lot of issues - IIRC from a Guardian interview recently, an awful combination of mental health problems, drink and drugs. I didn't even recognise him in the headline picture. It's such a terrible shame.

OpportunityKnocks · 12/08/2019 21:37

@MetalMidget
I saw the LP supporting Kill II This on the same tour. My first ever gig! Kinda jaded now though

Areyoufree · 12/08/2019 21:41

Another vote for Marilyn Manson. Saw him at Download some years ago. He was absolutely off his face, ranted about his ex-wife, threw his coat into the crowd, and then stormed off when they wouldn't give it back. It was part of his main tour, too. Absolutely terrible.

Another up-vote for Frank Turner though. One of the best live acts I have ever seen. Absolutely gives everything.

Cruddles · 12/08/2019 21:55

Yes to Ruby Wax. My company paid her £6k to do a talk about mindfulness to our staff. Her talk was ok but felt like she was going through the motions, the floor was then opened up for questions and she pretty much just took the piss out of the people asking questions and her answers that seemed to consist of buying her new book. Very disappointing

notacooldad · 12/08/2019 22:17

Another vote for Marilyn Manson. Saw him at Download some years ago. He was absolutely off his face, ranted about his ex-wife, threw his coat into the crowd, and then stormed off when they wouldn't give it back
I saw him in 2017 and he was bloody ace. I liked his stuff but told that on a gig he is either awesome or shit. He was awesome in Manchester.

notacooldad · 12/08/2019 22:21

Nine Inch Nails at Sonisphere 2009

I saw them that year with Jane's Addiction. I cant remember who was supporting who.
I thought it was a bit if a flat gig.

Areyoufree · 12/08/2019 22:27

@notacooldad To be fair, my friend is a big fan, and had seen him a couple of times before. She said that he is usually really good - guess we just got unlucky!

Meltedicicle · 12/08/2019 22:34

The worst by far, Oasis. Saw them in Manchester so expected great things but it was just so flat, no atmosphere at all.

Absolutely loved Nickelback both times I’ve seen them, really good engagement with the audience. Saw Marilyn Manson at Download in 2007 and enjoyed it although he was v tame compared to some of the stories I’d read about beforehand!

And most recently loved...The Spice Girls Blush

MooseBreath · 12/08/2019 22:38

Steve Winwood opening for Rod Stewart was unbelievably boring - genuinely like they were warming up the while time.

Nelly Furtado was.awful, though I didn't care for her music in the first place and just happened to be there.

Most gigs I've been to have been great though. Best ones were Paul Weller, Great Big Sea and Jann Arden. Aerosmith also put on a good show.