Blackbelt's Top 20 Live
My top 20 live acts thus far, assume I've seen them once unless it says rotherwise. Albums are my favorite albums by each artist |
| 20 |  | All Pigs Must Die
God is War
I haven't really listened to this band much but they ruled live, I should start
listening to them more! Crowd was drunk and angry but the band still ruled. |
| 19 |  | Less than Jake
Hello Rockview
Good ska bands are really fun live, this band is no exception, plenty of skanking
going on. |
| 18 |  | Modest Mouse
The Lonesome Crowded West
I was a bit disappointed with this show because the crowd wasn't into it at all and
they didn't play much old stuff, but they still ruled. |
| 17 |  | We Are the U nion
Who We Are
Saw them open for the Wonder Years, so I was the only one there that listened to
them, but they were great. I left before TWY even came on (I've seen them twice
already and I'm not a huge fan). |
| 16 |  | Full of Hell
Roots Of Earth Are Consuming My Home
Very angry hardcore band. They have a lot of energy, the vocalist really goes wild. |
| 15 |  | Code Orange Kids
Cycles
Saw them with Full of Hell. One of the most pissed off bands I've ever seen; the
drummer played the last part of the last song by punching the drums since he broke
his drumsticks. |
| 14 |  | OFF!
First Four EPs
Keith Morris was a diva to the sound guy but these guys slayed, up the punx. |
| 13 |  | Big D and the Kids Table
Strictly Rude
(3) Say what you want about this band, but they were the first ska band I ever
listened to and they are really fun live, Dave is a great performer. |
| 12 |  | The Hold Steady
Boys and Girls in America
They were really great, but I saw them the day after ATDI, which was impossible to
top. Craig Finn has a weird stage prescence, always smiling and pointing and stuff,
but they were awesome. |
| 11 |  | The Men
Leave Home
They have a ton of energy. Their heavier songs sound great live, too. I even saw
Patrick Stickles almost get in a fight with someone while these guys were playing! |
| 10 |  | Larry and His Flask
EP
(2) Saw these guys open for DKM once, and were as good as them. They're insane
live, their bassist plays an upright bass but still moves around like a madman. This
band is just a blast live. |
| 9 |  | Dropkick Murphys
Going Out in Style
(2) These guys put on a fun live set, they always have. I mean, it's Celtic punk,
how could it not be fun? Seeing these guys for the first time also got me more into
punk in general. |
| 8 |  | The Menzingers
Chamberlain Waits
I saw these guys at this small bar and there were only like 15-20 people in the
crowd, but they put one a great show. They have a great stage presence, and are
a ton of fun. |
| 7 |  | Against Me!
Reinventing Axl Rose
AM! is amazing live. I don't like their music after SFAFC very much, but even their
newer songs sound great live. They were energetic, emotional, and they even
played most of my favorite songs off their older albums. |
| 6 |  | Frank Turner
Love, Ire & Song
He's great live. He has a ton of energy, even in his slower songs, and it's great to
shout along with him and the rest of the crowd. |
| 5 |  | And So I Watch You From Afar
Gangs
I had never even listened to this band before I saw them (it was at a festival) and
wow, they blew me away. One of the most energetic, cathartic sets I've ever
seen. Wow. |
| 4 |  | Titus Andronicus
The Monitor
(2) This is pretty much interchangeable with 3 and 2. Screaming to their lyrics and
jumping around like an idiot is really fun. They have a lot of emotion in their
performances. |
| 3 |  | At the Drive-In
Relationship of Command
I got to see ATDI live. It was surreal. I went to one of the reunion shows recently,
and they played pretty much all my favorite songs. Omar just stood around the
whole time, but Cedric did his normal antics. The show was extremely crowded,
everyone was pushing to get closer to the stage. I didn't get a ticket to this since
it sold out so fast but my friend happened to check out the event on his phone and
was able to get me a ticket. |
| 2 |  | Bomb the Music Industry!
Scrambles
(2) This is the most fun live act around. They never come to my town, so when
they did, everyone went nuts. They have tons of energy, and the whole show is
just a big party of shouting lyrics, skanking, moshing, and stagediving. |
| 1 |  | Streetlight Manifesto
Everything Goes Numb
SM is probably my favorite band, and they are great live. They are energetic, and
also very technically skilled. The horns sound great live, and their show was both
fun and emotional. |
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