Top 10 Concerts I've Ever Been To

I thought this would be fun to do... There are a lot of things to consider when trying to compare shows to one another. Shows like Kanye and RHCP have amazing production value because they're big budget acts that can afford to have huge lighting displays and screens on their tours, while smaller bands can't afford that stuff. But that shouldn't be held against the smaller bands. Also, there is the overall performance: how long the show was, has well the act performed, etc. Finally, there is the personal x-factor. The overall experience and memories you have when you think about a show.

1. Dispatch: Zimbabwe (7/13/07)
Madison Sq Garden, NYC
Dispatch's reunion concert is my #1 because of the x-factor. Radiohead put on the best show I have ever seen, but Dispatch was my favorite concert. I took the trip with a group of my best friends to NYC for the night, and was 3rd row at MSG. How can you beat that?!

2. Radiohead (8/13/08)
Grizzly Bear; Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA

3. Coldplay (10/29/08)
Duffy; TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA

4. The Roots (3/13/07)
Lupe Fiasco; Avalon, Boston, MA

5. Zox (11/27/04)
State Radio; Lupo's, Providence, RI

6. Atmosphere (10/12/05)
POS, Blueprint; Lupo's, Providence, RI

7. Jack Johnson (8/6/08)
Rogue Wave, Neil Halstead; Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA

8. Dave Matthews Band (8/1/07)
Xavier Rudd; Comcast Center, Mansfield, MA

9. Jurassic 5 (5/6/05)
Lupo's, Providence, RI

10. Kanye West (7/10/07)
Common, Lupe Fiasco; Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT

Honorable Mentions/Runners Up:

11. The Who (10/24/08); Inward Eye; TD Banknorth Garden
12. Red Hot Chili Peppers (10/2/06); The Mars Volta; TD Banknorth Garden
13. Dispatch (7/31/04); The Hatch Shell, Boston
14. Rock The Bells: Rage Against the Machine, Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy, Cypress Hill, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, Jedi Mind Tricks, MF Doom, Felt/Atmosphere, Sage Francis, Brother Ali, Mr. Lif, Akrobatik, Eligh & Grouch, Rahzel, Supernatural (7/29/07); Randall's Island, NYC
15. Guster (11/12/05); Matt Pond PA; Lupo's
16. Gym Class Heroes (2/17/07); Rx Bandits, POS, K-Os; The Avalon
17. Immortal Technique (4/1/07); Poison Pen, Akir; Middle East Downstairs
18. OAR (10/6/05); Dunkin Donuts Center