The Live List - All the gigs I can remember (and some I can't) *Updated 20/03/11*

Back when I was a strange little 18 year-old student, I compiled a little list of all the bands I'd seen live, then promptly forgot about it for the best part of eight years.

One day in early 2011, I found it again, and was bothered, perhaps more than I should be, that I had no recollection of ever seeing a good number of the bands mentioned. Not wanting to find myself in a similar situation eight years from now, I wasted an entire self-indulgent night trying to list every band I've ever seen, and what I remember about them.

Since then, I've kept The Live List as up to date as possible in the hope that I don't forget any more of the gigs I've been to!

Here's the list.

1990s

Mates of Franz Ferdinand were mightily impressive at T in the Park 2008. Album Kicks still enjoys some time on Stereo Skoyles.

8Dayslate

One of the first bands I interviewed and reviewed when I joined The LINC magazine. Resulting article wasn't my finest piece of writing, but the gig was tonnes of fun.

A

Impossible-to-Google creators of the awesome Nothing, which I fondly remember moshing to in my bright-red baggy pants at Maximes night club. Have a vague memory of this gig, I think they were supporting Green Day at Lancashire Cricket Ground in the early 2000s).

Acrid Fear

Local metal gods. Caught them a few times in their various incarnations, most recently at The Boulevard in 2010.

Adema

Supported Linkin Park back in Nu-Metal's heyday. Was never a massive fan, but their second single The Way You Like It enjoyed some rotation on my playlists back in the day.

Arctic Monkeys

Played a brilliant gig at Wigan's Club Nirvana in 2005, just before they went huge. Saw them a few year's later headlining at Leeds Festival, where they were woefully boring.

The Ark

Supported The Darkness in 2006. Don't remember much about them.

Arke

Not to be confused with the band above. The Boulevard, September 2010.

Alan Pownall

Saw him twice in 2010, the first in support of Angus & Julia Stone at The Ruby Lounge, the second at some other venue in the summer.

Amy Winehouse

T in the Park, 2008. Was awful.

Amy McDonald

Was thrilled to see her perform at T in the Park, 2008. Quite smitten with the Scottish songstress and her music.

Angus & Julia Stone

I only discovered Angus & Julia last year, but I've become a huge fan since. Played an awesome show at The Ruby Lounge in Manchester.

Blink 182

Talking to my brother about this post reminded me that I took him watching the pop-punk band a few times when he was little.

Bingowings

Fantastic Liverpool-based outfit who did the couple of gigs we put on at The Presidential back in the day. Had an awesome cover of Metallica's King Nothing in their set-list. Didn't forget to include them in the original Live List, honest ;-)

Bon Jovi

Manchester City Stadium, Lost Highway Tour. Memorable for the epic fail in showing a video that highlighted such local sites as Chester Zoo, and Wanted Dead or Alive, obviously.

The Bedheads

Played in Leigh in 2006. I was convinced they were going to be huge, but I don't think they are!

Bullet for my Valentine

Saw them at Leeds, thought they were crap.

The Blackout
I've a feeling I've seen this band twice, though I only really remember their amazing set in support of My Chemical Romance at the M.E.N arena on February 18th 2011.

Blind Pilot

Good little group who struggled to project themselves in the massive M.E.N when they supported Counting Crows in 2009.

Boss Keloid

Alex Hurst and his psycho circus of mental metal, or the soundtrack to your favourite nightmare.

Boomin

Popular Wigan lads went down a storm at Haigh Fest 2010

Before Autumn Falls

Faught hard to get these guys on at Haigh '09, and they didn't disappoint.

Catatonia
Made part of the line up for a benefit gig at the M.E.N, in 2001 I think it was. Never a big fan, but they weren't bad!

Clutch

Love this band. Saw them at Academy 2 (I think it was) in Manchester, 2009.

Catfish and The Bottlemen

Accidently stumbled across these guys at The Avenue in Leigh over the Christmas 2010 period. Was blown away by their blistering rock 'n' roll and swaggering stage presence. Lined up an interview with them in a few weeks time.

Cave In

For the life of me recall seeing Cave In, but my 18 year-old self says I did, and I trust me. A quick look on Wikipedia says they supported Foo Fighters and Muse in 2003, so it was probably one of those gigs.

Crucifer
My first ever gig. Christian heavy metal band who played at Shevington Methodist Church's youth club when I was about nine. Had songs like Stone Cold and Iron Birds. Didn't get me into God, but I've been worshipping Heavy Metal ever since that gig. Would love to know what happened to that band!

Counting Crows

Undisputedly my favourite band. Saw them live at T in the Park 2008, were frontman Adam Duritz threw himself about the stage like a crazy man despite using a crutch to support a broken foot. Then they played the M.E.N in 2009 and were even more amazing.

Colour Me Blind

My kid brother's band, so I'm incredibly biased, but I do genuinely enjoy their gigs.

Chaos Theory/Praire Dogs

Love these lads. One of the hardest working acts in Wigan, first performed for us Live at the Swinley in March 2010. I then fought like mad to get them on at Haigh 2010, and caught them again, as Praire Dogs, at a Davestock gig late last year.

Dizzee Rascal

Leeds Festival. Pretty good.

The Darkness

Didn't like The Darkness and had no interest in seeing them, but all my friends were going, as was the girl I'd just started going out with, so I got dragged along to see them at the M.E.N in 2006. Subsequently had a great night, but haven't listened to the band since.

Dave Rybka and the Victorian Dad Band

Enjoyed the Haigh Fest 2007 set, but I'll always remember their particularly memorable gig at The Mad Ferret in Preston, in 2009.

David Jordan

Remember him? Did Sun Goes Down? Played T in the Park in 2008 and was a lot of fun to watch.

Dirty Harry

Supported Wheatus (long story, I'll explain later) at the M.E.N. Met her afterwards, fell in love with her and promptly went out to buy her single Nothing Really Matters. Song still gets played about once every few years!

Dirty Little Minds

Stockport outfit gave us a brilliant show at The Fleece, Ashton in June 2010.

Dirty Pretty Things

A decent gig, but I spent most of the time angry at all the Pete Doherty clones in the crowd.

Dirty Snow

Supported Selfish Cunt, The Lux, Wigan, 2004.

Dropkick Murphys

Had an excellent time watching them support The Pogues.

Element

Incredible metal act and all-round good lads, went down a storm at Haigh 2010. Really should catch up with these boys.

Elias T. Hoth

Blistering blues rock, opened Haigh Fest 2009. Big on the US Southern Rock charts apparently.

Eighth Wave / Simon James

Simon's band, Eighth Wave, played Haigh Fest 2009. He then signed a deal, went solo and opened for Ronan Keating at the Tuned In concerts. Great guy and I wish him the best of luck.

Eagles of Death Metal

I don't remember much of their Leeds Festival appearance, but I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it.

Feeder

Played a few festivals I've been too. Ex wife loved them.

Eminem

Played the M.E.N arena after the release of The Marshall Mathers LP. Really good gig.

E.C.D

Haigh Fest '10 alumni.

The Enemy

Only went to see them whilst waiting for Counting Crows to come on at T in the Park '08 and wasn't too impressed.

The Empire

Played Haigh '10.

Foo Fighters

Will always remember this gig for the spontaneity of it. Ex-girlfriend and I out shopping in Manchester, about to head home when we hear the Foos are playing. Promptly pay over-the-odds for tickets and enjoyed an awesome show from Grohl & Co.

Fall Out Boy

Honestly, it annoys me that I enjoy FOB's music. Didn't enjoy this gig much though.

Forward, Russia!

Saw this brilliant group twice in 2006, first at Leeds Festival, and then again at some NME package tour later in the year. Shame they're off doing other things now, still enjoy listening to them.

Frank Turner

53 Degrees, Preston, 2010.

Fields

NME Shockwaves Tour, 2006.

The Fight

American pop-punks who played Wigan's Club Nirvana a good few years ago. Haven't heard anything of them since.

Facing Paige

Put on a brilliant little show at The Swinley in 2010.

Face to Face

Had to look this band up just to see who they were. Again, I'm trusting my old website on this one. American punk rock band apparently.

The Feeling

Saw these chirpy-little pop-rockers supporting Richard Ashcroft in 2006, at some festival somewhere and again when they supported Bon Jovi a few years ago. Always fun to watch.

Flogging Molly

An old friend introduced to me this Irish-punk band. Had a great time when I saw them in 2005, and I'm pretty sure I've seen them at a Festival somewhere since then.

Green Day

Lancashire Cricket Ground, early 2000s. Always liked Green Day without being a huge fan. Decent gig that I only just remember.

God Fires Man

Putting this list together reminded me how awesome I thought his band were when I saw them supporting Hundred Reasons in 2007.

Geekgirl

Interviewed them at The Tudor, Wigan, for The LINC sometime in '05/'06, then wouldn't leave them alone all night until they took to the stage at Club Nirvana.

The Ga*Ga*s

Was supposed to interview them when they played Wigan's Club Nirvana back in 2005 but they called it off. It's OK, my friends Testosterone (now Social Icons) completely upstaged them as their support act.

The Gekko

Ran a feature on these guys in an edition of The LINC magazine and by a strange coincidence, ended up occasionally working with bassist Tom. A great band who I saw at Haigh Fest 2007.

Halo

Met these guys when they supported Rachel Stamp (again, long story), and instead spent the night hanging out with them rather than watching the headline act. Saw them again when they supported Vex Red a few months later. Don't remember any of their songs, just recall they were quite good!

Hundred Reasons

I've seen the awesome Hundred Reasons four times now, though I only remember three. First saw them supporting Muse during the Origin of Symmetry era, then there's the gig I don't remember (trusting 18 year-old Chris), caught them in a small tent at Leeds Festival in 2006 and again in 2007 after I'd interviewed guitarist Larry Hibbit.

Hobo Heist

Quirky indie dudes who played The Presidential gigs we put on. Also remember them playing at Bar Fever once, I think in support of Madkaps.

The Hold Steady

Enjoy their music, but wasn't a big fan of their support slot for Counting Crows in 2009.

The Hicks

My favourite local band, there isn't anything I can saw about the awesome fusion of metal and reggae that is The Hicks that I haven't said countless times in the past.

Idlewild

First saw them at the same benefit gig I saw Catatonia, and they quickly became one of my favourite bands. Caught them a few times since, but that first show remains my favourite.

Inglory

Incredible, intense and sadly no longer around, Inglory were one of the best bands in the local Wigan scene for a while. I so desperately wanted to see them sign a huge record deal, and told them at every opportunity.

Inside View

Another great local band who thoroughly deserved their spot at Haigh Fest '10

Iggy Pop

Vague memory of seeing Mr. Pop on stage. Probably at the Green Day gig.

Jaguar Love

Absolutely adore this band. Went to check them out at T in the Park, 2008 after a tip off from one of their record label's PR folk. Subsequently asked for a copy of their album, Take me to the Sea, which is still one of my favourite albums.

John Doe

Played The Boulevard, Wigan, September 2010. Were deliriously heavy

Juliet Lewis & The Licks

I'm a big fan of Juliet Lewis' music, so I was disappointed when she supported The Darkness in 2006 and had a rubbish gig.

Jet

Another one from my festival-going days. To be honest, only went to see them to kill time whilst waiting for another band to come on.

Kate Nash

Performed an entertaining set at T in the Park, 2008.

Kids in Glass Houses

Wanted to write them off as a bunch of pretty-boys, ended up having fun when they played in support of Hundred Reasons.

The KBC

The Preston outfit played Wigan's worst venue, Bar Fever. Sadly, if it wasn't for the review I wrote, I wouldn't remember much about this gig, I probably wouldn't remember it.

The Kooks

Leeds Festival, 2006. Don't remember a thing about this one.

The Klang

Haigh '09, play really fun music.

The Levellers

No memory of ever seeing this band live.

Linkin Park

Manchester M.E.N, around the time of mega-successful debut album Hybrid Theory. Awesome gig.

Less Than Jake

Another one from Leeds Festival. Never been a huge fan, but always find them fun.

Lostalone
Opened up for My Chemical Romance at the M.E.N Arena, February 18th 2011.

Los Vencidos
Preston's finest performed an enjoyable set at The Boulevard on February 25th 2011.

Millencolin

Headlined the Eastpack Antidote Tour in 2005. Saw them on bonfire night at the Manchester Academy. Had fun.

McFly

Honestly wouldn't have gone to see McFly if they weren't playing the Tuned In concerts where I worked last summer. Surprisingly though, they were pretty good. Nice lads too.

Machine Head

Supported Metallica, 2009. Were awesome.

Madkaps

French punk-rockers who played Wigan in 2007. Only thing I really recall about this gig is that it was very badly managed!

Mindless Self Indulgence

Scotland, 2008. Surprisingly brilliant.

Metallica

I worshipped at the alter of the mighty Metallica from my last few years in high school right through college, but it was only in 2009 that I finally got to see them as part of the World Magnetic tour. The chill that went through my spine when Ecstasy of Gold struck up is something I'll never forget.

Muse

One of my favourite bands ever. I've been to a tonne of Muse shows, my favourite being at the M.E.N in support of Black Holes and Revelations, the worst at Leeds Festival 2006 when I almost got crushed to death and my ex-wife had to take me back to the tent!

Moco

You can't be a music fan from Wigan unless you've seen Moco at least a dozen times. One of the town's finest, sadly no longer around as I understand.

Moody Tuesday

Portsmouth's finest made one hell of a journey to delight us with their powerful indie rock at the Murdoch Entertainment gig last year.

The Maladies of Bellafontaine
Haigh Fest 2007.

My Chemical Romance
Took my best buddy Faye to her first ever arena gig to see her favourite band and enjoyed myself much more than I thought I would. Manchester M.E.N Arena, February 18th 2011.

Mr. Fist

Performed an, erm, interesting set at Haigh '09

The Noisettes

Supported Muse in 2006, were awful.

N-Dubz

Yes, I know, I'm ashamed to have them on this list. To be fair though, I was getting paid to be at their Tuned In gig last year, and for the sake of being comprehensive, in they go.

Olly Squires

Incredibly impressed with Olly when he played for us at The Fleece in Ashton last year.

Pearl Jam

Along with Muse and Counting Crows, one of my all time favourite acts. Headline performance at Leeds 2006 remains one of my all time favourite gigs. Almost cried during Alive. Still don't know why.

Pencil In

Erstwhile Preston rockers. Bill Orrick now flying solo, and quite wonderful at it.

Puddle of Mudd

Supported Linkin Park (I think). Were quite good.

The Pogues

Christmas Cash-in Tour 2005. Shane MacGowan was suitably smashed. Gig was fantastic nonetheless.

The Portlands

Played Haigh Fest 2010.

Plasmastorm

Fantastic dance act from Wigan, were the highlight of Haigh Fest '07.

Paisley Walls
Good young band with tonnes of potential, performed in Golborne some time in February 2011. Hope to book these guys myself at some point.

The Relays

More Haigh Fest alums, as good live as they are on record.

R.E.M

T in the Park, 2008. Had a brilliant time watching a band who've been a favourite of mine for years.

Rage Against the Machine

Saw the reformed band in Scotland in 2008. Didn't enjoy it as much I hoped I would.

Raging Speedhorn

Not a clue.

Richard Ashcroft

Headlined at Lancashire Cricket Ground. Good gig, though not one I'd count amongst my favourites.

Randy

Played the Eastpack Antidote Tour in 2005. Wore skeleton suits. Were decent.

The Randoms

Old mates of mine for whom I made the Bar Music video. Caught them a bunch of times, including Cafe Stella, Leigh in 2006. Haven't seen those lads in years, wonder what they're up to...

Razorlight

Supported Richard Ashcroft. Enjoyed their set more than his. America is a beast of a tune.

Rival Schools

Have a very hazy memory of seeing this band, which is a shame because I used to love them. Used for Glue is still a fantastic song.

Ronan Keating

Played Tuned In last summer. My mother loved him.

Slayer

The mighty Slayer came, saw and destroyed Leeds Festival. Metal at it's best.

Skyline Logic

Played Ashton Music Festival last September. Interviewed them recently, good lads who's acoustic cover of Many of Horror is quite spine-tingling

Simple Kid

Supported Richard Ashcroft. Enjoyed his set, but haven't given him much thought since.

Snuff

Another gig I completely fail to remember anything about.

Smudge

Another one of Wigan's more popular bands, I've seen them live more times than I care to remember. Since changed their name (to what, I can't remember) and sound, and are now pretty much a new band.

Strain

Deliciously brutal metal band. First saw them in the early 2000s at some bar in Leigh, the name of which now escapes me, and again when they headlined Haigh '07.

Selfish Cunt

One of the last bands to play at the now legendary Lux Club in Wigan before it was demolished to make way for the Grand Arcade shopping centre, later returned to the town at Club Nirvana. The Lux gig was special in many ways, especially for the antagonistic atmosphere and having the bouncers shut the gig early.

Sum 41
Don't remember much about this gig, just remember taking my kid brother to see them years ago.

Social Icons

Old friends. Used to manage the band for about 18 months, so I've been to countless gigs. Highlights included the stage invasion at Westleigh XII Apostles and the 700-crowd charity gig at Club Nirvana. Really proud to have had them on at Haigh Fest last year.

Soil

Manchester Academy to support the Scars album. Pretty much just played the album in its entirety and left, but was hell of a lot of fun.

Skindred

Played Club Nirvana sometime in the mid-2000s. Had an interview lined up but it was cancelled. Rumour had it the band were grumpy about the poor turn out and refused to do the interview. Enjoyed the gig all the same and got some good pics from it.

The Suzukis

Popular Wigan band signed (or at least were the last I heard) to Delta Sonic. Used to know guitarist Adam. Not my cup of tea, but fair play to the lads.

The Subways

Leeds Festival. Good times.

The Stone Roses Experience

I wasn't going to include covers bands here, given that most of them are rubbish, but The Stone Roses Experience are pretty well established, so in they go. Played Wigan in 2006, I wasn't impressed.

Senser

I'd never heard of this band til I was asked to interview them in 2005. Then I went to their gig, and I've been a fan since. Age of Panic is a blinder.

Tiredness Kills

Great local band I first saw at the now-closed 'Tavern in 2008, finally got their slot at Haigh Fest last year.

Toploader

Enjoyed watching them at the same benefit where Idlewild and Catatonia performed. Saw them again at Warrington Parr Hall and enjoyed that even more.

Toxic Lemon
Old friends of mine. Haven't seen my good buddy and lead-singer/vocalist Denver Harrington for ages, but drummer John works in the club I frequent on weekends.

Thebrokendoor

Drum 'n' bass improv, one of the highlights of Haigh 09.

Tidalmind

An amazing band I also hung out with at the Rachel Stamp show. Had a brilliant single, the name of which escapes me but had a brilliant refrain of Stay Out My Way, I Know You Don't Like Me. Every now and again I try to track this band down and always fail. Tidlemind, if you're out there, get in touch!

Tinie Tempah
Supported N-Dubz. Yeah, exactly.

This Devastated Fan

Old chums who I usually get to see live at least once a year. Music just keeps better and I'm looking forward to their new album in March.

Treehouse 3

Absolutely slated them when they played The Mad Ferret, Preston in 2009, but I think I was just jealous over the amount of women they attracted.

The Ultras

First met them when they played the inaugural Davestock charity night, as The Crash Band, at the Tavern way back when. Nice group of guys, ended up writing their band bio for them in return for them playing The Gig, our all-day charity event at The Presidential in 2005.

Vex Red

Wasn't a fan, but Halo were supporting, so we went along to the Manchester Academy. Mike Patton's Tomahawk were playing upstairs and I remember wanting to be at that gig instead!

The V.Cs

Sci-fi inspired surf-rock and one of Wigan's best loved bands. Caught them a bunch of times at various venues. Sadly no longer together.

Wheatus

I've seen this band more times than I care to admit. An old girlfriend of mine was a big fan, couldn't get out of it.

The White Stripes

Played a brilliant show in Manchester in 2007. Recent news that they've called it a day was very disappointing.

The Whiskeycats

Popular North West act played The Adelphi in Preston in 2006 and were pretty good as I recall.

The Verve

From my home-town of Wigan, and yet I ended up seeing the reunited band play in Scotland in 2008.

Without Motive

Incredible metal outfit from Preston taking their cues from the likes of Dragonforce. Absolutely loved them and it's a shame I'm no longer in touch with them.

William Fitzsimmons

I love William Fitzsimmons. His music is special in ways I can't explain. Gig at the Night & Day, Manchester in 2009 was magical.

Wolfmother

Whatever happened to Wolfmother? They were incredible. Saw them live at Leeds Festival and the NME Shockwaves tour, both in 2006.

Xzibit

For all my love of guitar-based music, I hold a strange fondness for Mr. X-to-the-Z which started when he supported Eminem in Manchester many years ago.

You Remind Me of Rasputin

Great little band, sadly no longer around, played Haigh Fest in 2007, the same year we featured them in The LINC magazine.

Zen Motel

Supported The Ga*Ga*s. Really should have given this band more attention, their song The Devil Song was brilliant.