First one that comes to mind was back in 77, Kansas w/ Styx Lakeland civic center..the whole show was way over my expectations...maybe it was one of those nights.....New Years eve 1975" also Lakeland Civic center with the allman brothers, played to about 2.00 am, Lots of great jams....

Won’t likely move the needle here, but Wu Tang.

I love rap. Don’t like rap concerts. Showed up with no expectations. About 2005 or so. They were AWESOME. Still and likely forever a top 5 concert of my life.

In 87 I think it was. Guns N Roses. Powerful show and Steve Adler was awsome.

First one that comes to mind was back in 77, Kansas w/ Styx Lakeland civic center..the whole show was way over my expectations...maybe it was one of those nights.....New Years eve 1975" also Lakeland Civic center with the allman brothers, played to about 2.00 am, Lots of great jams....

Yeah, I saw Kansas right around that same time frame, must have been '77 or '78, they opened for Blue Oyster Cult. Really, really blown away by the phenomenal musicianship........it was obvious these guys were not your average rock musicians, that they had some very serious musical training.

I think the one that blew me away the most though was The Allman Brothers Band at Shoreline Amphitheatre here in the Bay area in 1994. That show was part of The HORDE Festival and ABB was the headliner.

I had completely lost touch with the band. I saw them in LA in 1975 when I was 20 and yeah, they were very, very good. That was the Chuck Leavell/Lamar Williams era. But I completely lost touch with them after they broke up a year or so later. I actually thought that Win, Lose or Draw was not too bad a record although of course not up to their standards. But when they called it quits I completely lost interest. And I never paid ANY attention whatsoever during The Arista Years. In fact I never even bought one of those records that came out from 1979 to 1982 and never heard one of them either.

In 1994 I went in with absolutely no idea what I was going to get from ABB whatsoever. The 1989 reunion had happened completely off of my radar screen. I had no current familiarity with the band at all. I had just graduated from college with an A.S. in Respiratory Therapy and I remember it was within a week or two of graduation that the HORDE Festival came to town. My girlfriend at the time was also a big music freak and was quite curious about them as well so I picked up a couple of reserved seats and we went.

They just completely knocked me backwards. I remember telling her, "It's not ABB if Dickey Betts isn't there." Well he sure as hell was there, and I was really taken back by the guitar interplay between him and this new guy named Warren Haynes who I had never even heard of. Gregg's voice sounded great. I became a fan all over again that night and started going every time they came around, ended up seeing them 21 times.

Quite a few, where I had never heard the group before.

By far the "most surprising" was 1997 in Flagstaff Arizona, or maybe before I dont know, saw the name "Derek Trucks" on the marquee of Monsoons, a local Flagstaff dive that really excellent groups, or maybe it changed its name, at any rate, I thought huh, Trucks, like Butch Trucks? Maybe Butch's kid? Derek, sounds Domino-like, ok might as well check it out, nothin better to do, wandered in, no cover charge, grabbed a beer, maybe fifteen people there, not a one of them for the music, pulled a whole table for myself up to the stage, kicked back to hear the group. Then out comes this longaired kid Derek Trucks, and kills me.

Im thinking RaviShankarDuaneAllmanJimiHendrixOHMYFREKINGHAWD THIS KID IS THE BEST GUITAR PLAYER I EVER HEARD IN MY LIFE.

So the place was nearly empty but they tore it up for a long time, At one point the band took a long break and Derek turned it up way past 11 and played solo riff-a-thon, ragas, whatever he felt like, just really incredible.

Ran into Derek and his pals on the street next morning, said "Derek that is some excellent guitar man!" He says "Thanks!"

Great thread! I have a couple, I have seen some great ones, but as far as surprises, AC/DC 1978, they were still a bit obscure and just blew the place up, making it rough for the headliners.I saw New Earth Mud 2004 Park West Chicago had seen them in an opening roll, but as headliner at this show they were spectacular, especially since we were a little uncertain what we would get, acoustic show etc? They had added Audley on guitar and Rob B on keys, it was like a cross between Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin!? I mean it was awesome. Another time, I took my wife to a 90 seat theatre inside the Century Center in South Bend to see a musical play entitled "Always Patsy", You know Patsy Cline, well the play and story line were excellent and "Patsy" and her smoking hot swing band, did some 25 or so tunes, it was fantastic and afterwards, were able to thank cast and crew...............Peace...........joe

Alice Cooper four days ago , blew me away wow .

Two come to mind. When Jeff Beck toured with Stevie Ray, I got tickets and was really looking forward to seeing SRV. I had lost track of Beck over the years and was thinking, "Beck's pretty good, this should be fun". Jeff took the stage with the Guitar Shop trio (Bozzio on drums, Hyams on keys…no bass) and my jaw did not come up off the floor for the next 90 minutes. I left that show believing Beck to be the greatest living electric guitarist, and nothing has changed that opinion for me since…if anything, he's better now than he was then.

Another was Diana Ross about five or six years ago. My brother-in-law won tickets to see her in a radio-station contest and since he already had tickets he gave them to me and my wife. I said free tickets, sure, why not. She was absolutely amazing. Horn section, string section, grand piano and electric keys, backup singers…it was the last show on the tour and the band was reading each others' minds. Great Motown classic after classic delivered by a killer live band, and she sounded as good as she did in 1969. Great showmanship as well.

nice topic,I can think of many; one's early 70's-an unknown band bursts on the stage as 2nd warmup band for the Who(after Rush was on first) these guys take over the stage with 3 guitar players in perfect unison-& a raunchy singer. A raunchy Southern Rock sound,the entire audience is frozen..and spellbound through their entire set. WT? this isn't ABB(who are these guys) They have everyone rollicing before they end off with with their triple guitars bantering back & forth what seems like forever thru an unknown song called "Freebird". Wow,the Who shoulda just called it a night & gone home. They did not stand a chance.A new sound was born,more raunchy & in your face 'Southern Rock'.These guys were totally original. Surprise was an understatement! It took awhile for the audience to calm down.

A more recent Surprise was:

at Peachfest..strolling by the tents briefly while Bob Weir plays on (Know you Rider) in the background.This guys walking towards us with a symbol on his hat,which I comment on. He says yeh,I;m from N'orLeans,we're a band from down that way,we're playing the Midnight show up on the hill-check us out-we been playing all over North America. So after the ABB finish their set at 11;30,we're at the merch place & this young guy asks "have you checked out this band playing at the midnight show?" you gotta see them-so we all stroll up the hill to the stage. OMG!! It was like a whole other world up top of the hill-the crowd's absolutely different-totally diff Vibe (this is early days of Peach-before it got all corporate & massive VIP $1000 crowds).This crowd is chilled & milling about with glowsticks they're tossing out,all in their 20's & 30's & the vibe was incredible.Some guys were rolling down the hill on wagons & lasers are warming up onstage. Then with an explosion of lights-Galactic hits the stage-OMG! the sounds & energy were incredible & the audience is totally into it-and the horns have that N'Orleans sound & this guy we're with leans over & says this drummer was voted the best drummer of '13 or something-& he really was good.(I'm thinking-how come I've never heard these guys)There's the tall trombone player we met-he sounded great.The singers shouting "Hey Na Na-na na na" & Everyone knows the words singin in unison. It was just such a perfect experience....I tried to recreate the 'midnight shows' there after this but nothing ever came close again. Was just one of those special shows!!and they came to play!! pure magic.

[Edited on 8/29/2018 by bettyhynes]

Ben Harper on the Pier in Seattle in the mid 90s.
Cliff at the Folkstore gave me free tickets. Ben who?
I thought he was some Taj Mahal meets Bob Marley clone.
Didn't own a single album. But. OK. Free!

Could not have been more wrong, band smoked and Ben had chops
on top of chops. Stunning show, been a fan ever since.

Good Topic... Several come to mind from the early 70's at Warehouse in New Orleans..
Wishbone Ash the first time blew me away
Captain Beyond did the whole first album and I was not expecting what I got live...Sensational.

Original Alice Cooper Band after Killer album came out in Mobile Civic Center...
Sure there are more....

There is a very small bar in Winder Georgia called Chips Bar and Grill. It sat on a country road on the way into Athens Georgia. The owner must have had some connection within the blues world as he would book some pretty big acts for a small bar and grill. Every year they had an outdoor festival in the back of the bar (it was just a big field) and it always had one or 2 pretty big names on the bill. One year while waiting for the headline act (Dickey), we caught a band called the Chicago Rhythm and Blues Kings and they stole the show. It was an RB band with heavy horns and had big guy singing that could belt out a tune. I went home and found their CD and I still have in my favorite rotation today. I could never find them out on the road again.

Paul Simon, 2001, Rhythm of the Saints Tour. I did not want to go. I was 21 and full of indignation that I'd never liked him, Graceland got beat into everyone's heads to the point of madness, etc. Ended up that two of my older buddies paid for my ticket as they insisted that I go.

What an evening. Will never forget it.

That's Where I Belong
Graceland
You're the One
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover
That Was Your Mother
Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
Love
Spirit Voices
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes
You Can Call Me Al (The whole place went nuts during this one. They finished it, Simon had everyone in the audience that could fill in around the stage, and they played it again)
The Sound of Silence
I Am a Rock
The Boy in the Bubble
The Cool, Cool River
Late in the Evening
Hurricane Eye
Proof
Still Crazy After All These Years

Encore:
Mrs. Robinson
The Boxer
Loves Me Like a Rock

Encore 2:
Kodachrome

Freshman year of college (76) Billy Joel came. Turnstiles just came out, he wasn't that popular until after the Stranger, about 1 year later. I wasn't excited but I was familiar with Piano Man, Captain Jack and Angry Young Man. Bought a ticket the day of the show, what the hell, it was only $4.00. He came on about 1 hour late.
Then he proceeded to play a great show - got off the stage about 3 hours later. I never felt the desire to see him again but that show was a blast

Went to see Aretha Franklin on 5/2/10 in Bham. Mostly just to say I'd seen her. And she was fabulous!

Furthermore, went to see Van Morrison at the exact same venue the next night, mostly just to say I'd seen him. Terrible. Boring and uninspired.

Kenny Loggins about 7 years ago. Went with friend and friend of friends. Good seats/table at Chastain Park. Minus a couple cheezy 80s tunes, Loggins was great. Played tons of his '70s material and sounded like he was 25 years old (was about 63 at the time). Good stage presence. Very impressive.

Frogwings December 1997 - Figured it would be interesting with Butch, Oteil, young Derek, + Edwin McCain, but we were floored for 2 straight hours at the Cotton Club in Atlanta with about 400 people there. We still talk about that night.

Allman Brothers - July 1990, Chastain Park - my first brothers show was an experience like nothing else. I went in as a "greatest hits" fan with modest expectations and walked out a fanatic. I remember True Gravity (though I had never heard it) being one of the highlights of the night. We said "who plays a 9-10 minute brand new instrumental and keeps everyone captivated?" They blew us away.

Peter Frampton Manhattanville College 1976(?) I think. Getting ready to go out on the FCA tour played the entire set in a small gymnasium to about 200 people rocked out with an energy and enthusiasm like it was his first time up on the stage at The Garden. Awesome performance.

Alice Cooper four days ago , blew me away wow .

The man can still bring it.

Weird Al.

My 12 year old son is big fan of his and I always take him to see Weird Al who always puts on an upbeat, funny, and entertaining show. This first time we saw him it was all hits and this time it was rarities. Both shows were great.

November 1970. Unknown to America, English folk-style singer opening for Traffic at Stony Brook. Interesting voice, compelling themes and song arrangements. On tour for his just released Tea for the Tillerman album. Cat Stevens.

Tom Petty 1995 because it was my first big concert and it was the most incredible thing I had ever experienced up to that point.

Late 90's KC Spirit fest or the Blues and Jazz Fest. The Neville Brothers. I was spellbound the whole show. I knew nothing about them at the time and it was the most surprising set of the festival for me.

The two 99 Derek Trucks shows at the Grand Emporium in KC. It was a bar where you could literally get about 1-2 feet away from Derek's guitar and that's where I was parked for those shoes. I'd never heard anything like it before. Coltrane on the slide guitar!? I miss that place. Got to see Walter Trout and Eric Sardinas there too that close.

Allman Brothers 5th row Sandstone Amphitheater 8/29/00 Jimmy Herring what else do you need to say? I left that show so drenched in sweat from jumping around all night that it looked like I jumped in a lake.

Allman Brothers Chicago theater 5th row 8/8/01. By this time i'm a full blown fanatic and this was my first show with Warren back in the band and I thought "how can it be any better than last year?" It was. It was incredible. Then Pinetop Perkins comes out for a Sky is Cryin oh man what an experience.

Some March in 07 or 08 I went down to the Fillmore West to check out The Greyboy Allstars. Holy crap that is one of the best shows i've ever seen in my life. I saw the Tiny Universe before and after that Greyboy show, and it's not even close to the feeling I got when seeing the Greyboy Allstars. I wish they would tour more. they were phenomenal.

Feb 08 or 09 Bill Kreutzmann, Oteil, and Scott Murawski do a 5 show run and happen to play Eureka, CA while i'm out there in grad school at Humboldt State. I went to the show to see Oteil and had no idea what I was about to hear, which was a couple hours of full throttle warp speed crazy jams. I had no idea. It was Amazing!

Feb 08 or 09 Bill Kreutzmann, Oteil, and Scott Murawski do a 5 show run and happen to play Eureka, CA while i'm out there in grad school at Humboldt State. I went to the show to see Oteil and had no idea what I was about to hear, which was a couple hours of full throttle warp speed crazy jams. I had no idea. It was Amazing!

I saw that band twice in consecutive years at Moe's Alley in Santa Cruz, CA. I am sure that those would be the years you speak of, '08 and '09. Oh Man............WHAT a trio! As one would expect they did a LOT of Dead. It really didn't matter what they played, it was ALL good, mostly instrumental, but Oteil sang quite a bit (he's quite good as most here would know). Kreutzman called that project BKIII (Bill Kreutzman Trio). Would love to see them tour again, I'd go in a minute.

quote:
Alice Cooper four days ago , blew me away wow .

The man can still bring it.

Yes he certainly can!! And he's got to be around 70. I just saw him here in San Jose on August 14th. I wouldn't have gone having already seen him 3 times but a friend couldn't make it and gave me two tickets. Alice really blew me away...........all the GREAT songs of course, played by an absolutely BURNING hard rock band including one female who used to be in an Iron Maiden tribute band...........man, this girl can bend those strings and she's a hot looking blonde too: Nita Strauss. She also toured with Jermaine Jackson. Three smoking hot guitar players, just a WALL of sound. And of course with Alice you get a show unlike ANY other. Slick, polished..........a hard rock Vaudeville review if you will..........of course Alice was decapitated........he seems to always come through with his head intact...........a macabre looking but voluptuous nurse injected him with a sedative and then led him to the guillotine........

[Edited on 8/31/2018 by robslob]

Peter Gabriels first solo tour; Capitol; Theater in Passic
Peter was great as expected

Television opened; they were great but most of the crowd was completly uninterested.

went to see jj grey in Athens Georga in the Old Historic Georgia Theatre this year...Unknown to us was the warmup act called Tyler Childers & his band.Someone said oh they sound like hank williams.Thought oh thats nice, OMG!! what a surprise,the band was amazing & he had a haunting very different voice,Great show& musicians were top notch.Blew us away and the fullhouse crowd who were there too. Apparently most came to see his show.We ended up leaving halfway thru the jj grey set and couldn't stop talking about Childers. He sold out his European tour this past year since then. Definitely worth seeing again. The best part was it was totally sold out for a month before and some guy out front gave us 2 Free tickets when he found out we couldn't get in.

Another time was at Sunshine Fest,went to a soundcheck in the afternoon with the Wood Bros.Some people watching were like "have you seen these guys,we drove down from Tennessee,etc"-big fans! it was fun to watch & we stuck around for show & Susan Tedeschi jumped onstage to join them...what a fun show w susan horsing around for 4 songs.Surprisingly we were brought backstage to meet Derek & Susan later and spoke for 20 minutes,reminded Derek about a show he joined ABB onstage at 13.

another Sunshine Surprise in Boca was finally arriving at the door to go in & see Dickey Betts-after driving back 12 hours overnight to get back there...only to be told his show was cancelled-no explaination! Big Surprise!Whatever,but the pleasant surprise was Robbie Kreiger band who at the last minute,stepped in & they were great.

[Edited on 9/3/2018 by bettyhynes]

I will agree with the Alice Cooper votes. I went to see the triple bill of Queensryche / Alice Cooper / Heaven and Hell. I had seen Queensryche about 4 times before this, so I knew they were good. I was really going to see Heaven and Hell, as I love Sabbath and Dio. I don't own any Alice Cooper and i only know the hits. I figured, beer break, typical opening band. Well, Queensryche were good but kinda sleepy. Alice Cooper was ELECTRIC. Tight band, great stage show, killer tunes, woke us all up. Wow! Heaven and Hell were actually anticlimactic. Alice stole the night.

Another pick was from December of 1985, my first time seeing Rush. The opening band was the Steve Morse Band. I knew he was a columnist for one of the guitar mags, but didn't know his material. Well, they were the perfect opener for Rush - great chops, great melodies. I've been a fan ever since.

I've seen a few other good opening bands that were complete surprises, opening my ears to good stuff: Uncle Tupelo opening for The Replacements, the Jayhawks opening for Matthew Sweet, the Wood Brothers opening for TTB. I try to never miss the opening band as a result.

I love seeing an opening band you've never heard of and being blown away and picking up their cd at the show!

Recent one was Olivia Jean opening for Jack White.

Going back to 1990 and Little Feat was the headliner at the Starlite Bowl in San Diego. The opener was an "angry" rocker neither myself or my fiance had ever heard of at the time. The lights go down and this skinny well dressed guitar player struts out and plays a wonderfully entertaining and raucous set. This was introduction to Mr. John Hiatt and I was from that day on hooked.

I love seeing an opening band you've never heard of and being blown away and picking up their cd at the show!

Recent one was Olivia Jean opening for Jack White.

I saw Jackie Greene open for Derek Trucks. I'd never heard of him per se. Great show. Ended up buying his latest cd.

Of course Derek came on after and brought the house down. I was in the presence of greatness!

I love seeing an opening band you've never heard of and being blown away

Little Feat was the headliner at the Starlite Bowl in San Diego.

Yes, and yes. Both posts reminded me of a surprise show - 1976, Winterland, went to see Quicksilver Messenger Service, and was blown away by the opening act, I had not heard - Little Feat. Paul Barrere was something else, just locked into the hypno-drive, fantastic.