Memorable Live Performances: Bush at Woodstock 99

Woodstock 1999. The festival that went one to be more infamous for stupidity and all the other crap that went on during those 3 days than most of the performances. The lineup featured the biggest bands in the world at the time like Metallica, Korn, Limp Bizkit, Rage Against The Machine, and so many more. This was definitely not the Woodstock of 1969. There are many bands performances that I could feature and I likely will one day but, I’d like to focus on one that never gets the acclaim it should. Before the band I’m about to discuss would take the stage, Korn was on before and they absolutely stole the night and show! I really do recommend you watching their Woodstock 99 set. It’s that damn good. The band I’m talking about though is Bush and their performance that closed out the night. Having to go on after Korn is never an easy task. To this day, that band brings it every single time. Plus whoever made the lineup for that day must not have been thinking right. It really made no sense to have Bush on after Korn but, the end result was definitely one of those that saved the day (to an extent).

Bush at the time of Woodstock 99 was one of the biggest bands in the US. Their first album Sixteen Stone had sold millions of copies and so many of the songs on there became radio staples, even to this very day. Their second album, Razorblade Suitcase had debuted at number one and saw the band go even higher into the stratosphere. Bush was also about to release their anticipated third album, The Science Of Things (which is actually a pretty good album and I often think it gets overlooked). So the idea of them headlining did make sense on paper. And when you watch and listen to Bush’s set, you get the feeling that one they had to really step up their game after what Korn just did and two, the band understood what the original idea of the festival was all about. Gavin’s stage banter even hints at it many times. Throughout Bush’s 90 minute set they blazed through the hits as well as some really good deep cuts and a couple covers. Now, Bush is not a metal band or even one of the heaviest bands on the bill but, they delivered a set that was straight up rocking and one that they could walk off the stage and look back on proudly. Bush have always been a solid live band and to this day they still are. In fact their last two albums, The Kingdom and The Art Of Survival are some of the best complete work they’ve done since Sixteen Stone and Razorblade Suitcase. Take a moment and watch and listen to this very memorable performance and one that essentially saved night 1 of Woodstock 99.

Bush- Live at Woodstock 1999 (note: whoever was doing sound for their set, messed up bad on the first song):

Memorable Live Performances: Baroness

Back before the world went into total chaos and lockdown and then some, there was a time when things were still “normal.” In 2019, when Baroness released their absolutely wonderful album Gold & Grey, they did a small concert in this really tiny club for Kerrang Magazine. The end result was beyond memorable. I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve watched this show. The set list is amazing, the performances are out of this world and the older material with this lineup sounds better than it’s ever sounded. This performance solidifies Baroness not only as a force to be reckoned with live but also shows that they truly know how to make a show and set list flow in such a way that you not only are captivated but a bit hypnotized as well. I can’t wait for the next Baroness album! I have a feeling it’s going to be something to really be excited about.

Baroness- Live in the K Pit:

Set List:
01) Morningstar
02) Seasons
03) March To The Sea
04) Borderlines
05) Can Oscura
06) A Horse Called Golgotha
07) Shock Me

Memorable Live Performances: Portishead at Coachella 2008

Remember when Coachella was still a good festival to attend? When the lineup was something you saw and were in awe? Yeah, I remember that too. One of the ones I remember most and was at was in 2008. When the lineup was announced I was zoned in on one band in particular, Portishead. This would be their first live shows in over 10 years and I was determined to be there. When it was time for Portishead to take the stage the crowd frenzy was stirring and the excitement was astounding. For the next hour or so, Portishead ran through a set that encompassed their previous 2 albums as well as their newest album, Third (which features my second favorite Portishead song, “The Rip.”). Witnessing Portishead live is an experience all on its own and one that I highly recommend. Also, I have a bootleg of this set that is straight from the soundboard that almost rivals the Roseland Ballroom show in 1998.

Portishead- Live At Coachella 2008:

Setlist:

01) Silence
02) Mysterons
03) The Rip
04) Glory Box
05) Wandering Star
06) Machine Gun
07) Over
08) Sour Times
09) Cowboys
10) Threads
11) Roads
12) We Carry On

Memorable Live Performances: Korn at Woodstock 99

Woodstock 99 is a story all on its own. There’s a new documentary about it but, it’s such a biased and bullshit take on it, that it glosses over the positive aspects of the weekend. Yes, there were many many issues but, that is for another time. What I’d rather focus on are the performances that took place. One of those that has always stood out is Korn’s performance during night one. The sheer intensity from the stage to the crowd is astonishing. The waves of thousands of people all in unison during this set is legendary. The band was at an all time high and just about to release their fourth album, Issues. They played “Falling Away From Me” and “Beg For Me” that evening. The version of “Beg For Me” is a totally different version than what’s on the album. You can see it in the band as they rip through their set that they are all in awe of what’s happening. The energy that permeated during this hour is absolutely one of those moments that will always live on in live music history. Watching the people in the crowd singing along to every song and feel it all too, that had to be an out of body experience. Even Jonathan Davis said he had an out of body experience at the end of the night as he gave that performance his all. Soon, I’ll get into a whole thing about Woodstock 99 but, until that time, just enjoy this badass performance Korn left us all with!

Korn- Live At Woodstock 99:

Korn Setlist For Woodstock 99:

01) Blind
02) Twist
03) Chi
04) Got The Life
05) Good God
06) A.D.I.D.A.S
07) Porno Creep
08) Shoots And Ladders (with Snip of Justin)
09) Beg For Me (Alt. Lyrics)
10) Freak On A Leash
11) Falling Away From Me (Alt. Lyrics)
12) Faget
13) My Gift To You (with Snip of Seasons In The Abyss)

Memorable Live Performances: Nine Inch Nails at The Wiltern 2009

Back in 2009, Nine Inch Nails announced a series of shows to sort of say goodbye for the time being. It was a very bittersweet thing to hear but, as a fan for many many many years, it made sense. Before the shows were announced, Nine Inch Nails spent the summer on the road with Jane’s Addiction (with all the original members). That was origianlly supposed to be the end but, seeing as Nine Inch Nails would be playing at different times and under the backdrop of a sunset many a times, it just didn’t feel quite right for that to be the end. Instead, a series of shows were announced in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to attend 3 of the 4 Los Angeles shows. The final one was at The Wiltern and what a show it was. Over 3 hours (yes, THREE HOURS) of nonstop Nine Inch Nails at it’s absolute finest. The setlist was utterly perfect and beyond emotional. Thankfully too, there were a group of fans in the audience that night filming it all and they put together one of the best live shows I’ve ever been to. Without giving anything away, I highly recommend you taking the time to watch/listen to this show!

Nine Inch Nails- Live At The Wiltern:

Memorable Live Performances: Alice In Chains at Kemper Arena, Kansas City July 3, 1996

Today is April 5, 2021. 19 years ago today, Layne Staley died. Though, it wouldn’t be for another 2 weeks until his body was found in his home. It’s still a very sad thought in my mind. I even remember being a senior in high school when I heard about it, and I was devastated. Thankfully though, we still have all the great music Layne created and was a part of. In remembrance of what a talent Layne was, let’s celebrate him by doing something a tad bittersweet. What you have here is the very last concert (I’m not counting the unplugged show) Alice In Chains played with Layne in 1996. This show in particular was when Alice was asked to open up for KISS. Also, this is a fun note, the picture at the top is me in front of Layne’s house (his was the very top floor). Enjoy this show!!

Alice In Chains: Live at Kemper Arena, Kansas City July 3, 1996:

Memorable Live Performances: Soundgarden At Hyde Park 2012

Back in 2012, while still riding high from their return, Soundgarden played Hyde Park in the UK for the first time. This performance from the set list, crowd, the weather (it was raining), and the level of excitement you can feel from the band, makes this one quite memorable. Chris Cornell sounds superb and gets better with each song. When you watch this, you can tell there is an excitement amongst the band members. It’s really a shame that Chris is no longer with us but, at least we still have his body of work to celebrate. Hopefully too, the legal issues between his estate and the band gets settled soon so we can hear the final songs Soundgarden was working on.

Soundgarden- Live At Hyde Park 2012:

Setlist:

01 Searching With My Good Eye Closed
02 Spoonman
03 Gun
04 Jesus Christ Pose
05 Black Hole Sun
06 Outshined
07 Hunted Down
08 Drawing Flies
09 Blow Up the Outside World
10 Fell on Black Days
11 Ugly Truth
12 My Wave
13 The Day I Tried to Live
14 Beyond the Wheel
15 Let Me Drown
16 Pretty Noose
17 Superunknown
18 4th of July

Encore
19 Rusty Cage
20 Slaves & Bulldozers/(In My Time of Dying)

Memorable Live Performances: Jawbreaker at Gilman St 2019

Over the past few years, I’ve really gone back to the 90’s and rediscovered a ton of bands that I liked but never truly listened to. One of those bands is Jawbreaker. When I first heard them I was already sort of done with the new wave of punk that came through. Little did I know what an impact a few of them would have on me as I got older. Jawbreaker has become one of my favorite bands from that time. Their albums, especially 24 Hour Revenge Therapy and Dear You have been in constant rotation for some time now with me. If you haven’t yet had the chance to watch their documentary, Don’t Break Down, I highly recommend it. One of the coolest things the band has done since their return in 2017, after many years away, happened on January 31st, 2019, Jawbreaker returned to play 924 Gilman St for the first time in 25 years! The show was a surprise, announced just one day prior. The band has a very interesting story about the venue which, if you watch the documentary, it explains it. Anyways, here’s the show in full and it’s awesome. This is definitely a show I wish I could have been at.

Jawbreaker- Live At 924 Gilman St 2019:

Memorable Live Performances: Radiohead- From The Basement 2008

Way back in 2008, Radiohead was doing a lot of fun things to promote their album In Rainbows. One of the coolest things they did was this live performance of pretty much all of In Rainbows along with a scattering of other songs from their catalog. During this era, I was very fortunate to go see Radiohead live and that show is one that I still conjure up in my mind from time to time and relive. I have a live bootleg of the show I was at as well, and find myself listening to that a lot. Radiohead live is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their life. They are truly one of the best bands I’ve ever seen live. Actually, the more I think about it, I’d probably put that one show I was at in my top 10 all time. Anyways, here’s a really awesome live performance they did that you will enjoy!

Radiohead- From The Basement (2008):