Answer me this question of three January 28
Months ago, before this blog existed (at least outside of our minds), MBG, CV and I were discussing what the lineups would be for our dream concerts. Rules being:
- Bands must still exist (No original Clash)
- Bands must actually still tour (No Led Zepplin, at least at the time of this original discussion)
- Lineup must be feasible in terms of each spot (Your opener must be an obvious opener and your headliner must be an obvious headliner; e.g. you can’t have the Arcade Fire opening for Radiohead opening for U2).
(There also was an additional caveat that ideally the bands would make sense in a lineup thematically/genre-ly, though I don’t believe that was an actual requirement.)
So, after having CV reject my original opening act since they don’t officially tour/play anymore, I’ve finally come up with my final lineup:
Georgie James
Bishop Allen
The Polyphonic Spree
That certainly fits the first two rules, and I think it does a pretty good job of meeting both the final criterion and the ideal, yet unrequired one, as well.
Now I’m curious as to what the rest of our handful of readers would choose.
Caseus Velox Jan 29
Since I came up with this question in the first place, I feel like I should answer it. I say Superchunk, The New Pornographers with Dan & Neko, and Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band.
And Arcade Fire could open for one of Radiohead or U2, but not both, as Arcade Fire has opened for U2 or David Bowie before. My example was Cure, Rage against the Machine, and Radiohead.
Other than that, go ahead.
The Maestro Jan 29
I couldn’t remember the specific lineup that you had mentioned, so I just went with three headlining-level acts. I figured AF might open for one of them, but I didn’t figure either of the other two (especially U2) would give up top billing.
Bobby McObvious Jan 29
Radiohead > Arcade Fire > Okkervil River
I think. I reserve the right to change this at any given moment.
Tweaks Jan 29
Well I’d rather comment on one of the Best Line ups I ever saw:
The Living Things (had never heard of them before), British Sea Power (touring the first album), The Libertines (sans Pete who was in rehab- actually either they sucked or I was too drunk to tell if they were any good)
Matthew Barney Gumble Jan 29
Well ok I can’t actually top Bobby’s list. Radiohead + Arcade Fire and it honestly doesn’t matter the third (though I think I’d have a different choice - nothing against Okkervil River, but I’d take Spoon or Wolf Parade or something.)
But in the interest of discussion I’ll draft:
Elvis Costello > Carl Newman > Islands
I think I like Carl solo better than the New Pornos. There, I said it.
Ian Jan 29
The first list I came up with was too dissonant, so I made two lists. I’m not going to say which I’d prefer, but they’re both shows I’d seriously consider punching a puppy to go see:
1:
Dandy Warhols, then Alabama 3, then Jarvis Cocker (solo is fine, though obviously I’d prefer Pulp if they’re not disqualified)
2:
Joanna Newsom, then Hold Steady, then The Decemberists
The Maestro Jan 29
A question for Ian’s response (but aimed at the entire readership): Would the Hold Steady actually open for the Decemberists? I realize that when you have two big acts like that sometimes you really just have two headliners (like Modest Mouse opening for REM) with one playing before the other. But this one seems off to me for some reason. Maybe it’s the musical styles that aren’t doing it for me.
I do love everyone’s lists so far. I’m not sure I could change mine (maybe Wolf Parade instead of Georgie James, though I was trying to keep to more or less the same genre), but I’m impressed by everyone else’s choices.
DaDavidLenchMob Jan 29
This discussion makes me wish I was into genres of music that had entertaining live shows or whose performers weren’t well past their prime, if not retired or dead. I might have to change this if I find out someone plays the occasional laid back night out in his hometown like my number two but for now I think I’ll go with
Shadow and Cut Chemist soul 45 set
then Darondo
then Blowfly- preferably doing sets both as Blowfly and Clarence Reid
Before I get any beef about my opener clearly selling more tickets than the two acts that come after them, I’m sure they would be the first to defer to these two gentlemen.
Terri Jan 29
Dr. Dog
The Bees
Os Mutantes
OR
The Spinto Band
Interpol
The Cure
OR
Lil Mama
Lil Wayne
R. Kelly
Seth D Jan 29
Hm. I’ve seen Flaming Lips open for Beck, Wilco play a double bill with Mission of Burma, and Spoon open for the Shins, so I’ve been to a lot of pretty amazing multi-bills.
I’m thinking
Dr. Dog
Spoon
Yo La Tengo
giessel Jan 29
this is extremely difficult. i’m going to have to do a couple…
serious:
boxcutter, geiom and burial (impossible since burial is an anti-hype machine) this would be an ungodly dubstep show. i would probably fly to the UK for such an event. seriously.
deru, lusine, tipper (on that electro/hiphop tip)
laura veirs and sufjan stevens
cinematic orchestra and portishead w/a full symphony
and a less serious one:
3 blind mice (old dnb), mice parade, mouse on mars, (ok this is a little incongruous, but COME ON, i mean… all the hip cats would be there (SORRY))
i could probably think of more but then couldn’t we all… lets, shall we?
oh and hello gentlemen!
giessel Jan 29
EDIT: ideally the laura viers/sufjan show would be in a school auditorium with a full set of children in a play, acting out alagorical americana tales while the two sang
thats it for now
Bobby McObvious Jan 29
I think The Hold Steady would open for The Decemberists. Not sure how well Joanna Newsome would flow into that, though…
Good call on Elvis Costello, that was a headliner I hadn’t thought of.
I’ll throw out a secondary lineup:
Pixies > The Hold Steady > The pAper chAse
Bobby McObvious Jan 29
Who’s third on Veirs-Sufjan bill, Giessel? Viers’ guitarist, Karl Blau, has a pretty good band … or I’ve seen Viers open for Mirah out here…
Seth D Jan 29
A little more rocky alternative:
Heartless Bastards
The Thermals
The Hold Steady
Ian Jan 29
The idea behind my Newsom, Hold Steady, Decemberists combo is that Newsom will stick around and rock out with the subsequent bands. Imagine Hold Steady + a harp for a second. Que bueno. As far as who headlines… honestly I would say it depends on how much I’ve had to drink. A lot = Hold Steady. Else = Decemberists. To reveal a bit more of my motivation: I’ve seen both several times, and they’re the best live shows I’ve seen. I just want to combine their brilliance.
RE: McObvious
Isn’t choosing the Pixies in violation of the rules? Does a reunion tour count as “still touring,” or am I just horribly misinformed?
If I’m allowed to cheat, I’d really like to see:
Sex Pistols, then Public Image Limited, then John Lydon’s solo stuff (perhaps in conjunction with Leftfield if need be) in a single show.
Bobby McObvious Jan 29
I think a reunion tour counts so long as you’d accept the current state of the band. Which is why, for instance, I would not take Wilco, and why no one ought to touch the Beach Boys. Bleh.
Jessica Jan 29
My list would be -
Oh, hey, sorry, my mistake, I just died OF ALL THIS INDIE.
Isley Jan 29
Ok, since I have no idea who they hell any of those bands are (though I think I’ve heard of this Bruce Springsteen fellow); I’ll feign ignorance on completely understanding the rules here too. So here it is, best show you’ll ever see:
Opener - BURZUM
Yes, Count Grishnackh (aka Varg Vikernes, the sole member of the band) is still serving his prison sentence for murder, church arson and terrorism. But, after his escape in 2003 I think we can all agree that he is still on tour. Just look at what they caught him with:
“Vikernes was found riding in a stolen Volvo car, which contained an unloaded AG3 automatic rifle, a handgun, numerous large knives, a gas mask, camouflage clothing, a laptop, a compass, a Global Positioning System, various maps and a fake passport.”
If that isn’t standard Black metal tour gear, I don’t know what is.
For this concert, he will escape prison again and use his laptop to do a 2 hour version of the normally 20 minute, three note minimalist ambient masterpiece Tomhet, and then escape in a cloud of burning church smoke (gas mask on) as the authorities arrive.
Second Act - MORBID ANGEL
Not only was this the best show I’ve ever seen, I have it on good authority (metalhead Tim…and metalhead Travis) that this is, in fact, the best show I’ll ever see.
Not only is the best lineup back, but they are actually still touring. I’m assuming, Pete “commando” “man with eight arms” Sandoval will have like a 60 minute drum solo that will make everyone’s head asplode before they finish their set with the immortal Abominations.
While the audience is still chanting “Robbing the spirit, raping god’s law / Send up our hate to burn heavens gate”, and Trey Azagthoth is totally wailing on the solo, the pure evil energy not only singes archangel Michael’s nose hairs, but causes the Grand-daddy of all that is epic to come on out to lay down god’s law in the headlining act.
Headliner - J. S. BACH
Yes, he is dead, but the golden record of Bach music on the Voyager space probe technically counts as him still touring in my book. The pure unfiltered negative waves of a Burzum/Morbid Angel combo will undoubtedly cause ol Johann to turn over in his grave, and beam his shit from the satellite back to earth to show those young pups who can really put the diabolus in musica (but in a god fearing way of course).
Only the most epic and minor songs are played, and when the concert ends with the soul crushing opening chorus of Saint John’s Passion rumbling out of a thousand Marshall full stacks cranked to 11 everyone in attendance will pop like a million boners and then totally flip out.
When the riots subside 3 months later, all will agree. Best…concert…ever.
Don’t agree with me? I got Jesus on my side fuckers: http://www.datejesus.com/endorsements/cds.html
DaDavidLenchMob Jan 30
I can relate to Isley and his confusion at the clap-trap you damn kids are listening to these days. I have a couple of wild record nerd fantasy concerts. First Vibes From the Tribe era Phil Ranelin to Lanquidity era Sun Ra to Love Supreme era Coltrane for the ultimate spiritual-jazz, barely controlled freak-out. For more of a party, as well as going a lot easier on the old space-time continuum, I’d go The Meters to Funkedelic to James Brown in ‘71.
Matthew Barney Gumble Jan 30
Oh man, 20 comments! New record! Twenty nerdy, excellent comments.
1) Isley - you win. Most analysis *and* most giggling.
2) DDLM - your Meters/PFunk/James Brown lineup… good god sir. Good god.
3) Jessica - this is for my incessant HRC flaming, isn’t it?
4) Newsom would ruin the Hold Steady, Ian. Maybe not the Decemberists, BUT: she is already opening for Bjork. What if we sandwich Sigur Ros inbetween? Or better yet! Bjork>Sigur Ros>Mum for the Icelandic trifecta. In a hot spring or on a glacier, I am there. Sorry for stealing your steez, Meat and (looks up old alias…) uh, Pastry Chops.
5) Li’l Mama, Li’l Wayne, and the R would be amazing.
6) Also excellent: The Bees.
Again, congrats to everyone for outnerding me.
Tweaks Jan 30
I am subbing out the Libertines for Mission of Burma and calling it a favie line up
Jessie Jan 30
option 1, as of 11:25 am:
Celebration
The Magnetic Fields
The Red House Painters
Jessie Jan 30
it actually just occurred to me that i don’t think red house painters tour anymore - it’s either sun kil moon or maybe just mark kozelek solo. also, MBG takes issue with magnetic fields opening for them, which i sort of understand. i mostly just picked these three because they were the first ones i could think of that i never ever get sick of listening to -
with a little more thought, i’ve come up with some more cohesive options, one dancey, one dreamy -
yelle
justice
mia
OR
beach house
the microphones
beirut
porntipsguzzardo Jan 30
Wanda Jackson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVs3iwkAP0k)
for
Neko Case (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3ShWvRLYsM)
for
Tom Waits (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvboZrCu6t8)
JVP Jan 30
Estrogenic: CocoRosie>Sneaker Pimps>Rasputina
Testosteronic: Slipknot>Rammstein>Tool
I Ated Too Much: Happy Hardcore Foundation>Dropkick Murphys>Atari Teenage Riot
We Will Never Die: Depeche Mode>Nine Inch Nails>Leonard Cohen (it DOES fit rule three, I swear)
Helio Possum Jan 31
Really, has nobody mentioned Circle of Sevens yet? Come on, assholes.
Helio Possum Jan 31
Also, in case any of you are wondering for rules’ sake, Captain and Tennille ARE still together. Their most recent album, The Secret of Christmas, was officially released in Nov. 2006. And FYI, Toni Tennille keeps a wonderful blog that can be found at http://www.captainandtennille.net/tonis-take_blog_01.htm
Agatha Mar 10
The “Where are they now?” line up:
Remaining members of Journey > Toto (still big in Europe and Asia) > The Outfield
Matthew Barney Gumble Apr 16
Even though this thread is effectively dead, having watched SRV live thanks to BFlux, I’d like to add:
Buckethead>Stevie Ray Vaughn>Hendrix
I think I win. I couldn’t think of a better opener than Buckethead, but really it’s the last two (obvs) that would cinch it for me.
Caseus Velox Apr 16
Foul! SRV and Hendrix are dead. They are not pining for any fjords. They’ve kicked the bucket, shuffled off their mortal coils, and joined the bleeding guitar band invisible. They are ex-guitarists.
Matthew Barney Gumble Apr 16
I forgot the rules.