What was your worst concert ever?

By Kathy Hanrahan

Posted: April 3, 2012

A few weeks ago, I tweeted about an upcoming Nickelback and Bush concert at Walnut Creek scheduled on July 30. The reactions were classic.

People hate Nickelback with a passion I have never seen before.

But someone has to be buying those albums to keep them around? Right? Hmm...

Being a concert photographer for about 13 years, I have seen some great shows. And some terrible ones!

The whole Nickelback thing got me thinking about the worst concerts I've been to.

I'll go first:

Buckcherry

My worst concert was Buckcherry in the early 2000s - Not sure who they were opening for, but the lead singer sounded like a dying cat. It was awful. The band didn't even sound good. I was shooting the show (and I didn't photograph them because the music was just too awful), but I remember thinking about the poor people who paid to see this. Maybe they are much better now...I hope.

Lady Gaga

On the flip side: The best concert I've seen is a toss-up between Lady Gaga and the Barenaked Ladies.

Your turn: Tell me the worst and best concerts you've been to.

78 Comments

WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

This blog post is closed for comments.

page 1 \| 2 \| 3
<prev	next>

sort order: oldest first | newest first

Best concert- Styx Paradise Tour/ Motely Crue Dr. feelgood tour Worst concert- Patty Smyth/ John Waite - teeny bopper

madntad
April 6, 2012 1:07 p.m.

Report abuse

ALso worth a mention in the "don't bother" category:John Mellencamp

BUT definitely STILL worth it: John Fogarty

maggieknowlya
April 4, 2012 2:02 p.m.

Report abuse

Worst: Creed and Everclear, Greensboro Coliseum Best: Pink Floyd, Carter Finlay First and great: The Righteous Brothers at their peak, Reynolds

maggieknowlya
April 4, 2012 2:00 p.m.

Report abuse

Worst concert = Britney Spears at the RBC Center. I expected the lipsyncing but I expected her to atleast have energy in her dance moves. I felt like I could have done the show she performed. It was pretty bad.

amazinggrace04
April 4, 2012 1:59 p.m.

Report abuse

The worst concert I went to was a heavy metal show at the downtown Raleigh outdoor amphitheatre. I don't remember the name of the band. But we left early. The second worst was a band I saw in upstate New York that claimed to be "The Guess Who". I left guessing who they were, it wasn't what I paid for.

rdmdur2770
April 4, 2012 1:54 p.m.

Report abuse

The WORST: Counting Crows in the mid- to late-90s at Walnut Creek. No energy and the lead singer was depressed over the loss of a friend. Should have just cancelled it.

The BEST: The Police Reunion Tour in Charlotte (2007) Guster at the Carolina Theater (2011). Nickel Creek in Greensboro around 2005. Billy Joel in Chapel Hill (1986?) and Def Leppard in Chapel Hill (late 80s).

therealsillyauntdi
April 4, 2012 1:31 p.m.

Report abuse

"U2 at Carter Finley"

Oops ^ that is definitely one I should have mentioned and going in I was a novice U2 fan.... Great looking stage and all around show.... sounded awesome....

harrisjl
April 4, 2012 12:26 p.m.

Report abuse

Best: Roger Water w/Eric Clapton...Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking Tour 1984 Hartford Conn. Santanna w/Phish: Stowe Mountanin Vermont Summer of 1991. Pat Methany Group: Still Life Tour 1987. Worst: Further, downtown Raleigh summer 2011.

hppyhourhero
April 4, 2012 12:07 p.m.

Report abuse

Best - either Joe Jackson at Reynolds in 1983 and Carolina Chocolate Drops at Lincoln Theater in 2010. Incredible energy and passion for both shows. Worst - haven't really seen a dud yet...or maybe I've just blocked it out of my mind!

dbass
April 4, 2012 12:04 p.m.

Report abuse

The worst concert for me was Alanis Morrisette in '96 at the Civic Center. Some of the best concerts for me: Pink Floyd and U2 at Carter Finley, The Cure, and most recently- Biffy Clyro (at RnR Hotel in DC). They are HUGE in the UK- selling out Wembley Arena, but b/c they aren't well known here, they have to perform in super small venues in the US.

ego7601
April 4, 2012 12:01 p.m.

Report abuse