Inspired by the Self Esteem thread and discussion, I realised that myself and a friend both regard the show she put on at the Forum as in both of our top ten gigs of all time. And yet, neither of us really love that record overly or choose to listen to her music. We both bought it post gig and hugely appreciated it, but it almost felt like the gig was so perfect… so made for a live theatrical event… that putting the record on just doesn’t do it justice.
I’ve had this before too. I saw Arcade Fire touring Funeral at the Astoria and just knew, that would be as good as seeing that band live ever got. And I’ve barely listened to them since.
I reviewed Bright Eyes tour ‘I’m wide awake…’ also at the Astoria and came away dumbfounded. He was incredible. Not into the record much, mind.
Noisy bands fall into this category too. Seeing Symposium wreck Southend Esplanade or Lightning Bolt tear up ATP were life changing, but I never had any desire to listen to their records.
So what about you?
Got any bands who you adored live but don’t rate on record? Or anyone who was so life changing, you just tapped out there and then?
Took my partner to see Big Thief because she really likes them and they were great. Tried the record again the next day and still found them dead boring.
Saw Sons and Daughters a few times and they were always amazing live, but none of their records really landed as well as their shows.
Tapped out of Sigur Ros after they ‘closed’ the Sunday night in 2003. Technically followed by Doves, or Moby was on the Pyramid stage, so I just lay down and basked, happy not to see another set and never needed to listen to them again after that, was perfect. Still haven’t heard 2005’s Takk or anything after.
Now looking back I see I could have seen Squarepusher, the Streets, Tricky or Omara Portuondo close out Sunday and would happily go to any of those today, but 2003 me was a different person.
I saw the Flaming Lips twice promoting ‘The Soft Bulletin’ ostensibly because of the support acts (Bob Mould and Sonic Boom’s Spectrum). Both were fantastic and memorable gigs so I bought the album but it just didn’t connect - I ended up charity shopping it.
Bo Ningen. First time seeing them was supporting Drum Eyes in 2009, really enjoyed them then but it was the second time seeing them at 1234 Fest that completely floored me. I’d see them again the following month, and then on the regular after that, each time they were just better and better. But the records didn’t capture the live energy at all for me. I guess it’s a testament to the power of Bo Ningen live, but I don’t think I’d ever listen to one of their albums again.
NoMeansNo (which I have in mind because of the other thread). They were amazing live but they don’t do much for me on record. It was also the only time I ever went to Birmingham Edwards No 8, because I don’t live there.
Amazing live. Caveat as I probably didn’t give them enough chance or whatever but on record they sit in a space between ambient and incidental music that has little to no appeal. Too soundtracky or something. Nowhere near as good as, say, something on Constellation or full on ambient/drone artists. Also Warren Ellis is irritating.
noisier bands definitely lead this category for me
Bo Ningen were an excellent support for either The Horrors or Warpaint years ago, but was never inspired to try the albums. Just psych generally, need to get lost in the noise and rhythms for it to hit fully
Melt-Banana were my fav gig of last year probably, full of joy and enthusiasm and dancing - but only gonna do them in small doses on record. Just find it A Lot for my ears, in a way that didnt happen in the whirl of the live show
Osees have this a bit, or at least the live show is clearly where they’re in their element
Basically this but Acid Mothers Temple. Seeing them again next month for what must be the 7th or eighth time. Always great live. Have bought a couple of records (usually riding the psychedelic wave of a great gig) and they’re just kind of disappointingly there.
I saw a band called Hovercraft supporting Add N to (X) in 1999. They were incredible, and I haven’t listened to a single note of their recorded music and don’t even know how many albums they made, if any.
