Best. Live. Performance. Ever.

In celebration of going to see Alanis Morissette(!) tonight at Hamilton Place, I've decided to run down my top 10 live performances I've ever experienced at concerts over my many years of concert going. Check out the top 10, after the jump!



1. AC/DC, "You Shook Me All Night Long", SARStock Toronto, 2003: Of all the many (many, many) live acts that performed at this 2003 festival to promote tourism in Toronto after the SARS crisis, AC/DC was by far the best. Performing in front of a crowd of 500,000 people, their hour long set was the culmination of great expectations for spectators for baked in the hot sun for the daylong festival. While virtually all of their songs were memorable, particular notice deserves to go to their signature hit, which brought the crowd's excitement to a fever pitch, and consequently led to AC/DC stealing the show right out from under the nose of the headliners - none other than the Rolling Stones.

2. U2, "Where the Streets Have No Name", Toronto, 2005: I had been waiting for years to see U2 live, after many unsuccessful attempts at getting tickets to previous tours. After finally lucking out with their Vertigo tour, I had high hopes for the band that Rolling Stone once called the greatest live act ever. They certainly didn't disappoint, and topped an incredible 2 1/2 hour live set with their hit from 1987's Joshua Tree. Rousing, energetic and uplifting, it was the perfect capper to an evening that proved their worthiness of the Greatest Band in the World title.

3. Heart, "Crazy on You", Toronto, 2008: After showing up to the concert late, we caught the tail end of Heart's opening set for (the heinous) Journey. As their encore, the Wilson sisters raged through their signature hit, with Nancy masterfully playing a 2 minute solo intro to the song. Once she started singing, sister Ann showed that with the best singers, voice deterioration with age is never a worry.

4. Dave Matthews Band, "Ants Marching", Toronto, 2002: Dave and Co. and notorious for playing their songs jam-style, which has lead to a devoted following similar to those who borderline stalk other jam bands like Phish and the Grateful Dead. The Air Canada Centre stunk of the ganj that night, and after my friends and I took part, we proceeded to zone out to Dave's hypnotic rendition of "Ants Marching", which continued on for over ten minutes. Long? Yes, but the song left you feeling like you were under the table and dreaming.

5. Pink, "Who Knew", Toronto, 2007: It's always a pleasant surprise when an opening act steals the show out from under the nose of the headliner. In this case, it was Pink who blew Justin Timberlake outta the water while opening for him on his FutureSexLoveShow Tour. In a show that included daring gymnastics and sweaty dance moves that even Justin would envy, her peak came with her 2007 hit, "Who Knew", which showcased something Pink is often underestimated for; her powerhouse vocals. Who knew indeed.

6. Oasis, "Don't Look Back in Anger", Virginfest Toronto, 2008: As has been previously mentioned, Noel truly showcased how to not look back in anger, after being attacked onstage at this recent event on Toronto island by a moronic fan. After a ten minute break, he came back and played the best song that was performed all day, an acoustic version of the song that was all beauty and no anger.

7. Plain White T's, "Penny (Perfect For You)", Toronto, 2002: This was the concert that turned me on to Plain White T's, a full five years before they broke out with "Hey There Delilah". None of us had known who they were when they opened for Jimmy eat World at this 2002 show, but by the end, we were all lined up to get our albums autographed by the band. The highlight was the angry tune from their album Stop, which addresses the spite geared towards a shallow ex. The whole album is incredible, but live, this was the angsty highlight that made away with the evening.

8. The Spice Girls, "Stop", New York City, 2008: Many a person would cry blasphemy at the idea of the Spice Girls being placed on a live act top ten list. However, since expectations were low in terms of singing quality, the girls were a surprisingly talented treat during their reunion tour last winter. The best was their opener though, which feverishly energized the crowd, as they reunited (and flawlessly did the hand motions to) "Stop". Victoria Beckham still can't sing, but that doesn't stop them from being incredible overall entertainers, something essential to crafting a great live performance.

9. Blink 182, "Damnit", Toronto, 1998: This performance, littered with adolescent fart and penis jokes, probably wouldn't make my top ten if I saw it now. However, when I was fifteen, I was all about Blink 182, and this was the first concert I went to. Nothing can compare to the first time you hear a song you're obsessed with, from the band you worship, live. In my case, that first time was with "Damnit", just before Blink truly broke out onto the mainstream pop-punk scene with Enema of the State. I may not enjoy it as much had it been today, but well, I guess this is growing up.

10. A-Rae, "All I Want Is You/Save Tonight", Georgetown, 2008: This highly underrated Canadian duo, currently on hiatus while Amy (the "A" in A-Rae) treks around BC, have become the masters of the acoustic cover. Furthermore, their inspired medleys of various songs provide thorough excitement to their rabid fans (myself included). While their fans all have their own opinions of their favourite A-Rae tunes, my own without a doubt has to be their cover medley of two hits from U2 and Eagle Eye Cherry, respectively. The seamless blending of the songs, combined with their soulful harmonizing, are truly something to leave you in awe. The best part? Their performances of the song weren't just good the one time, they're amazing. Every. Single. Time. When the A-Rae Reunion Tour comes back around, I'll be first in line.

What about you? had an awesome experience at a concert that blew you away? Comment in the section below!!