Spinoff: most disappointing concert you attended (not necessarily the worst, but most disappointing)

[gamecockcat]

I saw BB King in Cincinnati in the Taft theater, very cool, historic venue. I knew he was old and not nearly as energetic as he had been. But, he spent >50% of the 'concert' telling stories and talking to the crowd. Bet he didn't play 12 songs all night. He played those 12 well and his band was tight as hell, but he just didn't have the energy to do much more than tell stories and play a little guitar that night.

Close second was The Rat Pack in Memorial Coliseum in mid-80s. Dean Martin cancelled so it was just Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra. Sammy Davis was AWESOME and I don't even like that type of music. But, very engaging with the audience, sang and danced and really acted like he wanted to be there and perform. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing him. Sinatra was a complete disappointment. Yeah, he sang pretty well, but stood like a statue, said maybe 5 words to the audience, seemed like he was bored out of his mind and just putting in the time. Acted like he'd rather be almost anywhere than performing in front of several thousand fans who'd paid to see him. If it had been just him, I'd had walked out and/or asked for a refund because his 'performance' sucked.

 

[funKYcat75]

I’ve never been to a bad concert, but Boyz II Men at EKU last year only lasted about 70 minutes. I expected a lot more from my favorite group with almost … checks notes … 35 years of songs in their catalog.

 

[Catfan in Tn.]

Grand Funk Railroad Robert’s Stadium Evansville. Sound system was terrible.

 

[DreadLox]

Bruce Springsteen. Both times I saw him -- hope springs eternal -- I left before he was done. "Leave 'em wanting more:" is not in the way he's made.

 

[80 Proof]

David Allen Coe at Rumrunners back in the day. He was so drunk he couldn't stand, so they put a barstool up there for him and he kept falling off that.

Rumrunners was above Kamikaze's and they were e connected by stairs. 2 Live Crew was playing downstairs and DAC starts dropping an N-bombs over the mic while complaining about the bass from the other show.

They ran him off the stage shortly after that started. Concert didn't even make it an hour.

 

[WildcatFan1982]

Tool at freedom hall in 2001. Boring as can be.

 

[HeismaNole_rivals116019]

I saw BB King in Cincinnati in the Taft theater, very cool, historic venue. I knew he was old and not nearly as energetic as he had been. But, he spent >50% of the 'concert' telling stories and talking to the crowd. Bet he didn't play 12 songs all night. He played those 12 well and his band was tight as hell, but he just didn't have the energy to do much more than tell stories and play a little guitar that night.

Close second was The Rat Pack in Memorial Coliseum in mid-80s. Dean Martin cancelled so it was just Sammy Davis, Jr. and Frank Sinatra. Sammy Davis was AWESOME and I don't even like that type of music. But, very engaging with the audience, sang and danced and really acted like he wanted to be there and perform. Thoroughly enjoyed seeing him. Sinatra was a complete disappointment. Yeah, he sang pretty well, but stood like a statue, said maybe 5 words to the audience, seemed like he was bored out of his mind and just putting in the time. Acted like he'd rather be almost anywhere than performing in front of several thousand fans who'd paid to see him. If it had been just him, I'd had walked out and/or asked for a refund because his 'performance' sucked.

I saw BB King at the Louisville Palace in 03 and he was pretty good. He had a great opener with a guy named Jackie Green. What year was your show?

Also incredibly jealous you got to see Frank and Sammy. That would’ve been a dream for me but yeah, I think it’s disappointing to not have crowd interaction.

 

[Blueisbest]

Back around 1980 I saw Neil Young in Louisville. He came on stage and played a set with just his guitar and harmonica. It was great. He took a break and was supposed to finish with his entire band, but we soon found out that he had food poisoning and couldn't finish. In fact, he had to go to the hospital.
A lot of people were angry and started throwing chairs at the stage because, at the time, they didn't tell us why it was cancelled. Didn't find out why until the next day. It was a great half concert though.

 

[NKYWildcat]

Motley Crue at GABP (Cincinnati) in 2022

 

[Blueisbest]

Motley Crue at GABP (Cincinnati) in 2022

I was there. They sounded awful. Def Leppard was good though.

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

Twice I saw Black Sabbath and both times was a bit disappointed because I thought they’d be fantastic, and they were just OK.

First time was 1977. The opening act was Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. They were fantastic. The band was tight and they put on an energetic and entertaining show. Sabbath followed. The only real energy they displayed was Geezer Butler head banging and throwing his huge mop of hair back and forth for an hour plus.

Saw them again in 1978. This time Van Halen opened. Van Halen had recently released their first album which had multiple hits. Super energy with David Lee Roth jumping around like a wild man, and Eddie showing off his remarkable skills. Sabbath followed with a similar set as the year before. Again, the first band was better.

 

[JGCraw]

Twice I saw Black Sabbath and both times was a bit disappointed because I thought they’d be fantastic, and they were just OK.

First time was 1977. The opening act was Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. They were fantastic. The band was tight and they put on an energetic and entertaining show. Sabbath followed. The only real energy they displayed was Geezer Butler head banging and throwing his huge mop of hair back and forth for an hour plus.

Saw them again in 1978. This time Van Halen opened. Van Halen had recently released their first album which had multiple hits. Super energy with David Lee Roth jumping around like a wild man, and Eddie showing off his remarkable skills. Sabbath followed with a similar set as the year before. Again, the first band was better.

What did you think about Roth's voice live? Completely loved the rest of the band live but his voice was really subpar.

 

[Glenn's Take]

Eric Clapton about 10 or 15 years ago in Indianapolis. Don't know if his dog died that day or what. He only played 45 minutes with absolutely no energy. No encore and got in an argument with someone leaving the stage.

 

[ukalumni00]

I was there. They sounded awful. Def Leppard was good though.

Saw Def Leppard during their Adrenalize tour. Lightshow was unreal (for that time; 1992 I believe) but they sounded awful. Never saw them again but many tell me I must had attended an off night for them.

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

What did you think about Roth's voice live? Completely loved the rest of the band live but his voice was really subpar.

I don’t really recall how his voice was. Probably not good. But it was 45 years ago, and I was smoking pot throughout the show, so….

 

[megablue]

Jackson Browne (solo acoustic) at Taft Theatre ... extremely boring and non-musical.
Dave Matthews Band at Riverbend ... extremely boring ... I was expecting so much more.

 

[Mad Max]

David Allen Coe at Rumrunners back in the day. He was so drunk he couldn't stand, so they put a barstool up there for him and he kept falling off that.

Rumrunners was above Kamikaze's and they were e connected by stairs. 2 Live Crew was playing downstairs and DAC starts dropping an N-bombs over the mic while complaining about the bass from the other show.

They ran him off the stage shortly after that started. Concert didn't even make it an hour.

Holy cow. Actually wish I was there to watch the train wreck unfold.

 

[uk_bill]

2018-2019? was up in CT for work and they took us as a group to the casino to see Tony Keith w/Trace Adkins - even witb zero expectations they were horrid - these 2 acted drunk and like they were too good to be there - yet there they were for like 3 nights too
straight garbage

 

[vhcat70]

Well the UK Band halftime shows are pretty poor, but they didn't cause me to ever leave.

 

[megablue]

Well the UK Band halftime shows are pretty poor, but they didn't cause me to ever leave.

What about the seemingly exaggerated and contrived voice of the guy who narrates their performances ?? There is simply no way he regularly speaks and sounds like that !!

NOTE: Kentucky State band was always fabulous !!

 

[gamecockcat]

I saw BB King at the Louisville Palace in 03 and he was pretty good. He had a great opener with a guy named Jackie Green. What year was your show?

Also incredibly jealous you got to see Frank and Sammy. That would’ve been a dream for me but yeah, I think it’s disappointing to not have crowd interaction.

Wow. My memory completely flaked out. I saw BB King in San Antonio, not Cincy. We lived there '07- July 2011, so I'd guess around '08 or '09. Once you asked when I saw him, I remembered it was in SA at the theater in downtown. Have no idea why I said Cincinnati originally. Memory playing tricks on me.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

George Jones at the Manchester last night























He never showed.

 

[Kooky Kats]

Best:
U2 (War tour)
Dire Straits
Allman Brothers
The Beautiful South
Son Seals
Marcus King
Squeeze
CSN
Editors
Silversun Pickups
Bonobo
Fleetwood Mac
Grateful Dead
St Paul & The Broken Bones
New Order

Worst:
Tom Petty
The Police
Sting
The Who
Bob Dylan
Bruce Springsteen
Bonobo (DJ Set)
Public Image Limited

 

[NociHTTP]

What about the seemingly exaggerated and contrived voice of the guy who narrates their performances ?? There is simply no way he regularly speaks and sounds like that !!

NOTE: Kentucky State band was always fabulous !!

What kind of clownshow is THAT? Lord have mercy.

 

[HeismaNole_rivals116019]

Best:
U2 (War tour)
Dire Straits
Allman Brothers
The Beautiful South
Son Seals
Marcus King
Squeeze
CSN
Editors
Silversun Pickups
Bonobo
Fleetwood Mac
Grateful Dead
St Paul & The Broken Bones
New Order

Worst:
Tom Petty
The Police
Sting
The Who
Bob Dylan
Bruce Springsteen
Bonobo (DJ Set)
Public Image Limited

Dylan is always on everyone’s worst list it seems.

 

[UK 82]

I can't think of a bad concert I've been to but there was a Clapton show that was a bit boring. 90s. Love Clapton though, Just didn't hit it for me that night.

 

[GrandePdre]

Eric Clapton about 10 or 15 years ago in Indianapolis. Don't know if his dog died that day or what. He only played 45 minutes with absolutely no energy. No encore and got in an argument with someone leaving the stage.

Same. Clapton at Riverbend. Played about an hour. Roger Daltry opened with his band and was good. Clapton was mailing it in.

Also, Kiss in about 1989 or so.

 

[megablue]

Same. Clapton at Riverbend. Played about an hour. Roger Daltry opened with his band and was good. Clapton was mailing it in.

Also, Kiss in about 1989 or so.

I was there, too. Clapton was disappointing. Daltrey was much better, with Townsend's son on guitar.

 

[megablue]

Wow. My memory completely flaked out. I saw BB King in San Antonio, not Cincy. We lived there '07- July 2011, so I'd guess around '08 or '09. Once you asked when I saw him, I remembered it was in SA at the theater in downtown. Have no idea why I said Cincinnati originally. Memory playing tricks on me.

King very rately, if ever, sang and played guitar at the same time. Interesting tidbit ...

 

[Blueisbest]

Saw Def Leppard during their Adrenalize tour. Lightshow was unreal (for that time; 1992 I believe) but they sounded awful. Never saw them again but many tell me I must had attended an off night for them.

I've seen Def Leppard about 30 times (my daughter is a huge fan) and they have been mostly solid every time I've seen them.

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

Worst:
Sting
The Police

lol… we hired Sting for a private event. Dude crushed the entire set and everybody was fired up. He said he had one more song in him, but he likes to “calm the crowd down before they go home so this one is for the people in Ukraine” and then played some boring *** slow song that nobody had ever heard. It was beating Tennessee in football and then having scenes from Schindler’s list play on the Jumbotron right after. Complete buzzkill.

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

Van Halen with David Lee Roth at the Yum Center in 2012 was so bad we left after 6 songs. We then went to PT’s and then Gerstles (and had been day drinking for a UK basketball game that day too). Complete **** show. My wife is still pissed from when I rolled in at 2:30 AM.

 

[Kooky Kats]

Sting insists upon himself. Complete boring shitbag

 

[WildcatFan1982]

Bob Dylan is in a 3 way tie with 2 crap indie bands as the worst show I’ve ever seen.

I wasn’t disappointed. I knew what I was getting into. He was touring with Willie Nelson and that’s who I wanted to see.

 

[J_Dee]

I've fortunately never been to a bad show.

Many years ago I was at a CD release show for my friends' band that erupted into a massive brawl when about a dozen country boys and about a dozen high school punks got into it, but that was actually pretty fun. The cops were actually pretty cool about the whole thing and handled it calmly and fairly imho.

 

[JIMFKFT]

I'll join those who have Clapton on their list. Saw him in...Huntington?... in the mid '70s. The vibe was really weird and he just went through the motions. Saw Led Zepplin at some point...I think Charleston. Meh. The Band played at Cleveland Stadium during a big tour with CSN&Y. Richard Manuel was "sick," so the rest of The Band performed without him. Obviously, his absence was felt.

 

[TriangleUKCat]

Smashing Pumpkins 2000 in Denver

Saw them 1996 in Lyon, France where I was living at the time and it was a great show.

 

[Catman100]

Hated Jackson Browne when he was in Rupp with Tom Petty.
He sang maybe 8 new songs and 2 of his hits.
Thought he was terrible.
Petty rocked though.

 

[DSmith21]

Saw The Black Crows in the 2010's at the Louisville Palace. They were horrible mostly because Chris Robinson wasn't interested his vocal performance. The rest of the band cranked up their amps to drown him out. The result was awful.