What was the most memorable concert you've ever been to? (Win Troubadour Festival tickets here!)

I love live music. Given the opportunity (and the funds), I'd go see live music every night of the week if I could. Whether it's the neighborhood dive bar, the town honky-tonk, or the arena or stadium in the big city, I love it all.

I guess if I'm a festival promoter for a living that should come as no surprise. But I can talk about live music with someone until I'm blue in the face. Throw in a few cold beers and that conversation could go all night.

Over the past three years of working on Troubadour Festival at Aggie Park, I've come to learn and witness a lot about live music in Bryan-College Station. Whether it's been about Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, legendary shows at Harry's, or (of course) Chilifest, the area has a lot to talk about when it comes to live music.

I experienced my first Chilifest a few weeks ago. I went on Friday to see Hudson Westbrook, who is playing Troubadour Festival on May 17 (buy tickets here!), Treaty Oak Revival, Ole 60, and others. I was left almost speechless. I'll tell y'all one thing y'all know how to do it big down here in BCS.

This also made me want to ask: What's the most memorable concert you've ever been to? It doesn't have to be the biggest. It doesn't have to be country. It doesn't matter if no one else has heard of the artist except for you.

Leave a comment on this thread with your most memorable concert not only would I like to read them all, but I'm going to pick one winner to receive four Music tickets to the third Troubadour Festival on May 17 at Aggie Park with Shane Smith & The Saints, Randy Rogers & Wade Bowen on their Hold My Beer & Watch This Tour, 49 Winchester, Josh Meloy, and Hudson Westbrook. You'll get to see 'em all on the Wood Stage sponsored by Optimum.

Oh, want to hear mine? Maybe not, but I'm going to give it anyway. Actually, I'll give three because I can't narrow it down:

1. Pearl Jam, Wrigley Field, 2018
2. Jason Isbell, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 2019
3. Uncle Lucius, Stanley's Famous Pit BBQ (Tyler, TX), 2012 (this was the show that inspired me to start a barbecue and country music festival)

Ready, set, go!

Jimmy Buffett at the Paramount Theater in Austin in 2006. He played a solo show as a fundraiser for Kinky Friedman's ill-fated campaign to be Governor of Texas. Jimmy with the Coral Reefers was always a slick production, but by himself, he was downright amazing.

Like you, it would be difficult for me to narrow it down to the most memorable. They are all memorable for different reasons. But I would have to say these would be near the top:

Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Journey, Earth, Wind & Fire -The Classic West Concert, Los Angeles, July 15-16, 2017

Steve Winwood, Santana and Eric Clapton - BST Hyde Park, London, July 8, 2018

Rolling Stones - BST Hyde Park, London, June 25, 2022

BUT THE ONE THAT WAS MOST MEMORABLE was Don Henley at the Cherokee Creek Music Festival, Cherokee, Texas, May 16, 2015. It was outdoors under a covered patio that held only about 200 seats, and I was right in front of him at the stage. The Eagles were in the middle of their History of the Eagles tour and had a night off. They were back behind the stage watching. It was a wonderful evening.

I've been fortunate to attend a number of great shows over the years.

Rush, 17 times, including headlining the Texxas Jamm in the Astrodome

Van Halen, twice with Roth ('82 and '84) and twice with Hagar, including the Monsters of Rock at Rice Stadium. 5th row on the floor at that '82 show

Some epic Eric Johnson shows, including meeting after the show and chatting for 30 minutes

Iron Maiden in The Summit followed by Metallica in Cardi's immediately afterwards in 1985

Texxas Jamm where Hagar brought out Ted Nugent and Rik Emmett for his encore and they played Whole Lotta Love

I've had a good run

But most memorable? It's gotta be Pink Floyd at Rice Stadium in '94. 15th row on the floor. Halfway thru the concert a driving thunderstorm with amazing lightning complementing the laser show, and they kept playing until the equipment didn't work anymore

It's kinda famous.
https://www.reddit.com/r/pinkfloyd/comments/22arl2/today_is_the_20_year_anniversary_of_the_rain_like/

By most memorable, you don't automatically imply best. That being said here are my most memorable. Like OP and others said, it's hard to pick one so here are 5.

1. Bruno Mars- HLSR. I wasn't familiar with Bruno before the show as it was before he played the Super Bowl and become a mega-star, but it was the best, most energetic rodeo concert I've ever been to. Bruno was all out from opening note to curtain close.

2. Chayanne- Latin American singer. My gf is from Venezuela, so we attend a fair number of Latin shows. Like Bruno Mars, I wasn't familiar with Chayanne before the show. But the guy was high energy and played to the crowd the entire show. I understood about 20% of what was said all night, but it was still an outstanding show.

3. Zac Brown Band- Woodlands. Zac is a true performer and plays music from every genre, not just his own. A very entertaining show.

4. Van Halen w/ DLR at the Woodlands. Worst show I've ever been to. DLR was horrible, and spent more time talking than attempting to sing. Van Halen is my all-time favorite band, but I walked out of that show about an hour in because I couldn't stand it anymore.

5. Randy Rogers, Ken Faux- White Oak- RR was terrible. Low energy and acted like he didn't want to be there. Ken Faux was an incredible opening act. Played all kinds of music and interacted well with the crowd. They had the crowd pumped only to have RR come out and resemble a wet fart. So Faux was great, RR was terrible.

Dave Matthews Band at the Woodlands 5/12/2001. We were a group of 10 mostly Aggies who'd graduated a few years earlier Early in the concert, it started pouring rain with very little notice and we only had a few seconds to decide to run for cover or stay and get soaked. We stayed and got soaked and had one of the best times of our lives while the band played on.

The Eagles at The Sphere back in March

Like El Gallo we got into some edibles prior to the show. Sitting there taking in the incredible visuals at the same time watching Joe Walsh rip on the guitar with the harmonies was awesome. Those old dudes still rock it and sound great.

Bucket list deal for sure

Ag_07 said:

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The Eagles at The Sphere back in March

Like El Gallo we got into some edibles prior to the show. Sitting there taking in the incredible visuals at the same time watching Joe Walsh rip on the guitar with the harmonies was awesome. Those old dudes still rock it and sound great.

Bucket list deal for sure

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We saw them at ACL 2010 and I went in with low expectations (expecting them to sound old and washed up) and they ended up being our fav performance of the weekend.

I went for my 40th and I was hesitant to fork up the money for the tickets but eventually said 'F it' then after seeing them I walked away saying that it was worth every penny and then some.

I have been to too many shows to count, but most memorable was probably Stevie Wonder at the Frank Erwin Center many years ago. It was kind of surreal watching him sing and play music live. Our group had a great time.

DDub74 said:

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Beastie Boys in 1992 at some old grocery store turned into a music venue in east Downtown Houston.

Lollapalooza in Richmond, TX 1992 (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Ice Cube, etc)

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Was the old grocery store The Axiom? I can't remember all the names of abandoned stores turned live music venues.

I did see King's X in 1990 or 1991 at 59 and Tidwell in The Unicorn Ballroom. It might have been an old K-Mart.

Front row center pit for Rush in 2002, courtesy of KLOL.

DDub74 said:

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Beastie Boys in 1992 at some old grocery store turned into a music venue in east Downtown Houston.

Lollapalooza in Richmond, TX 1992 (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Ice Cube, etc)

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I think it was the Unicorn (old Kroger?)

In 92 We saw Red Hots with a then up and coming Pearl Jam and relatively unknown Smashing Pumpkins

Flew to Colorado to see Turnpike and Robert Earl Keen at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on Friday. Both absolutely killed it and in my opinion the venue can't be beat. Also helped that I had a front row seat. The opener was a teenager named Waylon Wyatt. I think he's going to be a big time someday. He graduates from high school this week.