Here's something I should'a made a long time ago - a list of every concert I've ever attended. Sadly it's April 2022 as I write this, so that's fifteen years of gigs for me (this took fucking ages to make). Not everything is clear to me anymore. I'm sure there's concerts I've been to that are missing, and I have zero recollection of them. Like, I'm certain I went to at least one or two more shows in 2013 and 2016, but I just can't remember what they were. And then there's trying to remember all the support acts. I've seen countless lesser-known bands in support slots that I've never listened to since wherever it was I saw them. Seriously, I went to an Ingested gig last month (March 2022) and I don't remember the names of any of the support bands, probably because death metal isn't even a favourite genre of mine these days. Speaking of death metal, I was surprised at how many fucking death metal shows I've been to. I was big into that scene in my teens/early twenties, and one of my best friends is a die hard death metal fan, so that's probably why. But still...
There's also some shows here that I just barely remember full-stop. Apparently I saw a joint-headline Ghost and Gojira show in 2013 - I was sure that was in 2011, but Setlist.fm says differently, and Setlist.fm is never wrong! I do remember many of the gigs from 2007 to 2011 quite clearly. I would have been sober for a lot of those. Many of the shows from 2012-2015 are hazy though, probably because I was, lets just say, experimenting with substances and partying much harder in my early twenties (as you do). In fact, I remember literally nothing of Bloodstock 2015, save for Nuclear Assault on the main stage one morning. I do normally drink when attending concerts these days still, but I tend not to get properly wasted anymore because you just end up forgetting the night.
I'd also like to add that festivals are a fantastic way to see a shit load of bands for way less money. For example, even though I've only seen Judas Priest (one of my favourite bands) twice on two headlining shows, I've actually seen them five times in total. I've also seen a ton of other legendary stuff that would cost a lot of money to see separately - Metallica, Iron Maiden, Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Cypress Hill, Billy Idol, Muse, Slipknot, System of a Down, Slayer, Tool, Linkin Park, Faith No More, The Prodigy etc., the list is endless. Of course, the downside to festivals is that an outdoor environment is rarely as good sound or atmosphere-wise to an indoor venue, but even so, I still absolutely love going to festivals. I've also added my favourite performances from each festival (from what I can remember at least). Hey, I try to watch some bands before the booze consumes me and I blackout!
Thank god Setlist.fm exists! There's no way I would have remembered all these shows. But the craziest thing for me personally, is the fact it's been nearly fifteen years since my first ever gig! I turned thirty the other week, and compiling this list put things into perspective for me. It also brought back a lot of great memories that I otherwise would have no reason to think about. Not just memories of the music itself, but also all the random incidents and great people I've met at concerts and festivals over the years - guys, gals, sometimes even band members and roadies. Some are friends that I'm still in contact with to this day. People have all kinds of hobbies that have meant something to them. Music really has played a huge part in my life and how I've developed as a person. I mean, I've now spent half my life going to concerts fairly regularly! This list means a lot to me. Yeah, just let me ponder for a few minutes...
PAST CONCERTS:
2007:
- Heaven & Hell @ NEC, Birmingham 13/11/2007
Support: Lamb of God, Iced Earth
2009:
- Judas Priest @ LG Arena, Birmingham 14/02/2009 - Priest Feast Tour
Support: Megadeth, Testament
- Sonisphere Festival @ Knebworth 01 - 02/08/2009
Headliners: Linkin Park, Metallica
Favourite performances: Heaven & Hell, Metallica, Saxon, The Wildhearts, Anthrax, Mastodon, Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains
- Cannibal Corpse @ The Assembly, Leamington Spa 01/11/2009 - European Plague Tour
Support: Dying Fetus, Annotations of an Autopsy, Trigger the Bloodshed
- Nile @ Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton 16/12/2009 - Those Whom the Gods Detest Tour
Support: Grave, Krisiun, Hackneyed, Ulcerate
2010:
- Evile @ The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton 25/01/2010 - Infecting Nations European Tour
Support: I don't remember...
- Overkill @ Civic Hall Bar, Wolverhampton 24/02/2010 - Killfest 2010
Support: Savage Messiah, plus more that I don't remember...
- Obituary @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 07/03/2010 - Darkest Day Tour
Support: Fleshgod Apocalypse, Beneath the Massacre
- Dying Fetus @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 30/04/2010
Support: I don't remember...
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 13 - 15/08/2010
Headliners: Opeth, Children of Bodom, Twisted Sister
Favourite performances: Meshuggah, Cathedral, Coroner, Cannibal Corpse, Suffocation
- Motorhead @ Civic Hall, Wolverhampton 24/11/2010 - 35th Anniversary Tour
Support: Hanoi Rocks
2011:
- Dying Fetus @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 09/02/2011
Support: I don't remember...
- Saxon @ Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton 18/04/2011 - Call to Arms World Tour
Support: Wolfsbane
- Judas Priest @ Civic Hall, Wolverhampton 21/07/2011 - Epitaph Tour
Support: Queensryche, Rival Sons
- Iron Maiden @ NIA, Birmingham 31/07/2011 - The Final Frontier World Tour
Support: Airbourne
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 12 - 14/08/2011
Headliners: W.A.S.P., Immortal, Motorhead
Favourite performances: Exodus, Napalm Death
- Opeth @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 12/11/2011 - Heritage European Tour 2011
Support: Pain of Salvation
- Morbid Angel @ The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton 20/11/2011 - Illud Divinum Insanus Tour
Support: I don't remember...
2012:
- Biohazard @ HMV Institute, Birmingham 02/02/2012
Support: Lionheart, Heights
- Cannibal Corpse @ HMV Institute, Birmingham 11/03/2012 - Destroyers of the Faith Tour
Support: Enslaved, Job for a Cowboy
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 10 - 12/08/2012
Headliners: Behemoth, Machine Head, Alice Cooper
Favourite performances: Alice Cooper, Grand Magus, Hatebreed, Nile
- Motorhead @ Civic Hall, Wolverhampton 02/11/2012 - Kings of the Road Tour
Support: Anthrax
2013:
- The Sword @ The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton 06/01/2013 - Apocryphon Tour
Support: I don't remember...
- Ghost / Gojira @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 23/03/2013 - Jagermeister Music Tour 2013
Support: I don't remember...
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 08 - 11/08/2013
Headliners: King Diamond, Lamb of God, Slayer
Favourite performances: Slayer, Anthrax, Exodus, Dying Fetus
2014:
- Nine Inch Nails @ Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff 21/05/2014 - Europe/UK Tour
Support: Cold Cave
- Sonisphere Festival @ Knebworth 04 - 06/07/2014
Headliners: The Prodigy, Iron Maiden, Metallica
Favourite performances: Iron Maiden, Metallica, Anthrax, Slayer, Limp Bizkit, Dropkick Murphy's, Carcass
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 07 - 10/08/2014
Headliners: Down, Emperor, Megadeth
Favourite performances: Down, Emperor, Hatebreed, Biohazard, Crowbar, Carcass, Saxon
- Damnation Festival @ Leeds University 01/11/2014
Headliners: Bolt Thrower, Cannibal Corpse
Favourite performances: Bolt Thrower, Cannibal Corpse, Orange Goblin, Aeon
2015:
- Download Festival @ Donnington Park, Leicestershire 12 - 14/06/2015
Headliners: Slipknot, Muse, KISS
Favourite perfomances: Muse, Judas Priest, Suicidal Tendencies, Body Count, Faith No More, Clutch
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 06 - 09/08/2015
Headliners: Trivium, Within Temptation, Rob Zombie
Favourite performances: Nuclear Assault... no real memories of this particular year 'cos I was totally baked for the duration of it...
- Riot Fest @ Douglas Park, Chicago 11 - 13/09/2015
Headliners: No Doubt, Faith No More, System of a Down, Iggy Pop, Modest Mouse, The Prodigy
Favourite performances: Faith No More, The Prodigy, Living Color, Eagles of Death Metal, De La Soul, Billy Idol, Rancid, Andrew W.K.
2016:
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 11 - 14/08/2016
Headliners: Twisted Sister, Mastodon, Slayer
Favourite performances: Mastodon, Slayer, Venom, Anthrax, Diamond Head
- Exodus @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 29/11/2016 - Battle of the Bays European Tour 2016
Support: Obituary, plus more that I don't remember...
2017:
- Anthrax @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 09/02/2017 - Among the Kings Tour
Support: The Raven Age
- Napalm Death @ 02 Institute, Birmingham 09/05/2017 - Campaign for Musical Destruction Tour
Support: Brujeria, Power Trip, Lock Up
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 10 - 13/08/2017
Support: Amon Amarth, Ghost, Megadeth
Favourite performances: Megadeth, Annihilator, Hell, Havok, Brujeria, Testament
- Damnation Festival @ Leeds University 04/11/2017
Headliners: Bloodbath, Sodom, Paradise Lost
Favourite performances: Bloodbath, Sodom, Dying Fetus, Big Business
- Mastodon @ Manchester Academy 1, Manchester 09/11/2017 - Emperor of Sand Tour
Support: Red Fang
2018:
- Suffocation / Venom Inc. @ The Asylum, Birmingham 12/03/2018
Support: Nervosa, plus more that I don't remember...
- Havok @ The Asylum, Birmingham 26/04/2018 - Conformicide European Tour 2018
Support: Cephalic Carnage, plus more that I don't remember...
- The Rolling Stones @ Principality Stadium, Cardiff 15/06/2018 - No Filter Tour
Support: Elbow
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 09 - 12/08/2018
Headliners: Judas Priest, Gojira, Nightwish
Favourite performances: Judas Priest, Suicidal Tendencies, Venom Inc., Power Trip
- Smashing Pumpkins @ The SSE Arena, London 16/10/2018 - Shiny and Oh So Bright Tour
Support: Mykur
2019:
- Orange Goblin @ KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton 08/02/2019
Support: I don't remember...
- Download Festival @ Donnington Park, Leicestershire 14 - 16/06/2019
Headliners: Def Leppard, Slipknot, Tool
Favourite performances: Carcass, Power Trip, Anthrax, Slayer, At the Gates, Those Damn Crows, Clutch, Eagles of Death Metal, Smashing Pumpkins
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 08 - 11/08/2019
Headliners: Sabaton, Parkway Drive, Scorpions
Favourite performances: Anthrax, Death Angel, Aborted
- Annihilator @ KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton 16/10/2019 - A Tour for the Demented 2019
Support: Archer Nation
- Cattle Decapitation @ Mama Roux's, Birmingham 29/10/2019 - Global Warmup Tour
Support: I don't remember...
- Agnostic Front @ Mama Roux's, Birmingham 19/11/2019 - Celebrating 35 Years of Victim in Pain Tour
Support: The Take
- Uriah Heep @ KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton 07/12/2019 - Living the Dream Tour 2019
Support: Diamond Head
2020:
- Cannabis Corpse @ The Asylum, Birmingham 22/01/2020 - Nug So Vile European Tour
Support: Withered
- Napalm Death @ 02 Institute, Birmingham 20/03/2020 - Campaign for Musical Destruction Tour
Support: Eyehategod, Misery Index
2021:
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 11 - 15/08/2021
Headliners: Devin Townsend, Kreator, Judas Priest
Favourite performances: Judas Priest, Saxon, Napalm Death, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons, Orange Goblin, Diamond Head
- Michael Schenker Group @ KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton 30/10/2021 - Immortal UK Tour
Support: Doro
- Eagles of Death Metal @ 02 Institute, Birmingham 26/11/2021 - The 24th Anniversary Tour
Support: Bones UK
- Bossk @ Mama Roux's, Birmingham 14/12/2021
Support: Dvne
2022:
- Hammerfest 13 @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 12 - 13/02/2022
Headliners: What headliners? The organisation was shite...
Favourite performances: Blaze Bayley
- Ingested @ The Asylum, Birmingham 18/03/2022 - European Tour 2022
Support: I don't remember...
- Magnum @ Symphony Hall, Birmingham 31/03/2022 - The Monster Roars Tour 2022
Support: Vega, Theia
- Bloc Party @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 26/05/2022
Support: The Murder Capitol
- Graham Bonnet Band @ KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton 28/07/2022
Support: Beth Blade & the Beautiful Disasters
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 11 - 14/08/2022
Headliners: Behemoth, Mercyful Fate, Lamb of God
Favourite performances: Mercyful Fate, Cattle Decapitation, Venom Inc., Testament, Exodus
- Anthrax @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 27/09/2022
Support: Municipal Waste, Sworn Enemy
- Deep Purple @ Utilita Arena, Birmingham 25/10/2022 - Whoosh!
Support: Blue Oyster Cult
2023:
- Karnivool @ 02 Institute, Birmingham 10/02/2023
Support: The Ocean
- Polyphia @ 02 Institute, Birmingham 12/05/2023
Support: Don't know, don't care
- Amon Amarth @ Civic Hall, Wolverhampton 14/06/2023 - The Great Heathen Summer 2023
Support: Bleed from Within
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on-Trent 10 - 13/08/2023
Headliners: Killswitch Engage, Meshuggah, Megadeth
Favourite performances: Meshuggah, Candlemass, Sepultura
- Glenn Hughes @ KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton 21/10/2023 - Classic Deep Purple Live
Support: The Damn Truth
2024:
- Filter @ 02 Academy, Birmingham 15/03/2024 - The Algorithm Tour 2024
Support: Belmondo
- Judas Priest @ Resorts World Arena, Birmingham 19/03/2024 - Metal Masters 2024
Support: Saxon, Uriah Heep
- Smashing Pumpkins & Weezer @ Utilita Arena, Birmingham 07/06/2024
- Foo Fighters @ Villa Park, Birmingham 27/06/2024
Support: Hot Milk, Courtney Barnett
- Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band @ Wembley Stadium, London 27/07/2024
Support: N/A
- Bloodstock Open Air @ Catton Hall, Walton-on- Trent 08 - 11/08/2024
Favourite performances: Clutch, Forbidden, Enslaved, Rotting Christ
- Deep Purple @ Resorts World Arena 04/11/2024 - = 1 More Time Tour
Support: Reef
- Cats in Space @ KK's Steel Mill, Wolverhampton 12/12/2024
2025:
- Biohazard & Life of Agony @ 02 Institute, Birmingham 02/03/2025
UPCOMING CONCERTS:
- Saxon @ Civic Hall, Wolverhampton 14/11/2025 - Hell, Fire & Steel Tour
Support: Udo Dirkschneider
