U2, now you've got me talking.
Went to see U2 on the War tour, early '83. We went to Leeds uni, Friday evening, before we went into the gig we watched U2 playing live on the Tube tv program. It never registered at the time that they were playing live in Newcastle at 6pm, what could possibly go wrong. We waited an age in the uni, bands generally came on stage at the uni at about nine o'clock. They eventually turned up at 10-45, taxi booked for 11, no mobile phones in those days. We only saw 15 mins, next day I phoned Leeds uni up to complain, left my phone number etc. Within an hour I got a call back from a guy called I think Paul McGuiness, never heard of him, he said he was U2's tour manager, he asked if we could get to Newcastle on Tuesday, he said ask for him and he'd sort us out.
We got to Newcastle city hall (I think) asked for him. He took us to our own box, gave us waiter service, free drinks all evening, free program and told us to wait around after the gig.
Gig finished, he came up to us and ushered us to the front of the stage, U2 sat, legs dangling over the edge, four Normy loads and U2 sat talking gigs. After an hour PM walked us out then gave us £30 (in'83) petrol money and his address to get in touch if we ever wanted tickets. Fantastic gesture and something I've always appreciated.
Ps. Three of the band were amazing but Larry Mullen Jr was a right knob even that early in his career.

Wow. Great story.

Madonna at Roundhay was my first also, The Jam would be the one to go back for me, was too young at the time so never got to see them, also would have loved to see the Who in their pomp, a friend of mine at work loved Weller, when she went to see the Jam she had broken her leg, Bruce noticed she was struggling getting knocked all over so he got the bouncers to get her out and she sat on the edge of the stage for the entire gig.

Been fortunate enough to get tickets for the greatest band ever on 5th June at Old Trafford- THE ROLLING STONES!!!!!! First saw them at Leeds Odeon in October 1965 and they're just as good now.

Any of the punk lovers in this thread should check out Milloy. Punk band from Wakefield. They're quality. I believe the lead singer used to be the Daddy Cool mascot a couple of seasons ago. They've recently reunited after their bassist passed away. Check out their songs Blackjack and Mary Rose but both albums are quality.

Will it kill the thread to say my next concert is Kylie?

Andre Rieu and the Vienna orchestra at Leeds arena. I regret never seeing Pavarotti perform live.

The great Edwin Starr at Unity Hall in the 70s. Passed the mic down so we could sing the chorus of "Agent Double O Soul" with him. Gone but not forgotten.

The skids at Warehouse 23 the other month were brilliant as they were 30 odd years ago at the Unity Hall. Any one going to see Billy Bragg can expect to see a party political broadcast saw him recently at the Paul Heaton at Hull KR. In fairness to the organizers they did put him on 30 minute earlier than advertised so luckily a lot of people missed most of his set.
Dont think they have ever played Wakefield but would recommend Bar Steward sons of Val Doonican who never fail to impress.

Also saw them on War tour. They were a great live band in them days. Your assessment of Larry is pretty much spot on, he may have changed a lot since then though.

Biggest regret is never seeing The Clash live, I had ticket to see them in Newcastle but was scuppered by tonsillitis

Not jealous at all

My first gig was The Human League - my brother took me (under age) and I've been hooked on live music ever since; incidentally, I'm off to see them again later this year, 30odd years after the first time - which is sobering.

My favourite gigs have invariably been small rooms - especially during my metal/grunge years; I was at the infamous Nirvana gig in Bradford, which was far too small a venue given that Nevermind went ballistic a couple of months before; these days, it would never have gone ahead with the number of people who managed to squeeze in. I saw all the Grunge big hitters - with Alice in Chains at Rock City probably the pick of the bunch. Pantera at the same venue was probably the scariest, most intense experience I've ever had. I saw Henry Rollins in Leeds and had a curry with him afterwards, Danzig at Braford when the man himself tried to steal my then gf onto the tour bus from right under my nose, and I had a fag with the lead singer of L7 outside the Leadmill in Sheffield. And I was in the video for the first single released by a thrash band called Toranaga - stagediving backwards at Queens Hall in Bradford.

I've seen Radiohead several times - including on the circus tent tour in Warrington; that was like a religious experience - they're a phenomenal live band. Numerous festivals, with mixed experience - they're a good drunken party, but not always a good way to see a band at its best in my view. Leeds a couple of years ago made me realise that despite my advancing years, I'm a secret Grime fan - much to my kids amusement.

More recently, Fleet Foxes and Lucius were amazing live - I went as a last minute thing and ended up a big fan of both bands; Father John Misty (formerly of the Fleet Foxes) Jesca Hoop, and in the past couple of weeks, Django Django and Everything Everything in Leeds.

My biggest gripe with gigs now is the ticket buying process; anyone who attends a lot of gigs will be familiar with the agonising process of refreshing a website to no avail, only to see re-sellers offering tickets at multiples of face value, while you're still trying to buy them from bloody Ticketmaster or whichever rip-off agent the band have decided to use - that needs fixing - I'd prefer to go back to queuing outside a record shop or wheedling from contacts, but then I'm an old fart that way.

My first gig was Mott the Hoople at Leeds Town Hall 73 or 74 can't remember. Support band were called Queen. Whatever happened to them ?