I can’t resist a great concert. Music is meant to be experienced live. CDs, and radio are great but nothing is better than live music.

Hamilton is a great city for musical events. When I was a teenager and young adult, I would go out to shows every weekend. It was amazing. Unfortunately, I don’t get out to shows as much I used to anymore.

The proximity to Toronto is also a major plus to living here. Most concerts have a Toronto date on their tours. Since, it is just a hop, skip, and jump away, music events are pretty limitless here.

So here is a list of the Best Concerts I have ever seen.

1) DE LA SOUL – They played at Toronto’s Wake Stock this summer. It was quite frankly the best show I have ever been to. This group is legendary in hip hop. I was so looking forward to seeing them and they did not disappoint. They put on an energetic show that showed the innovation that they are known for. They had the audience captured from start to finish.

2) RUN-DMC – They played in Toronto in 1994 in a small club. These guys are the reason I got into hip hop. They are my favourite music group ever! I was such a groupie-type-fan that I made a sign that read, “Run-DMC Kings of Rock!” and held it up for them to see. I stood right in the front row and was leaning on the stage as these legends performed their hits. DMC took the sign from me, held it up and threw it back into the crowd. It was amazing.

3) superGARAGE – I caught this power pop group quite by accident one night at the X-Club, a now defunct but legendary hole-in-the-wall night spot here in Hamilton. They won me over with catchy tunes and an energetic live show. I am still a huge fan.

4) THA ALKAHOLIKS / XZIBIT – You probably know Xzibit from the T.V. show Pimp My Ride but you might not know that he is an excellent rapper. I was fortunate enough to see him live at the X-Club when he first came out in 1996. He wasn’t even listed on the bill. I was there for the Alkaholiks and their show was amazing. I didn’t even mind when they sprayed the whole crowd with their booze. The show was so amazing, and then Xzibit’s hit song started to play and the club went nuts. I have never seen that much energy from a small club audience before and I don’t think I will again.

5) THE ROOTS / DREAM WARRIORS / THRUST – This show at the CNE was free. It only cost $9.00 to get into the exhibition and the show as phenomenal.

6) EMC – I caught this new supergroup in a small Toronto Club this summer. I wrote about this already in the blog. Check the link.

7) AVRIL LAVIGNE – She surprised me. I love her music but I didn’t know that she was so talented. She did an acoustic number, played the grand piano for a few songs, and even switched places with the drummer and hit the skins while the drummer sang. It was an amazing show!

8) MOIST – The first rock show I ever went to. Once again, it was in Toronto.

9) HEADSTONES – I have seen them play several times. They always rock the place.

10) 54-40 – Legendary Canadian rock group. They always kill it!

11) SMOOTHER – If you’re not from Hamilton, you probably don’t know them. They were huge in the underground and got signed to a major label. They didn’t really go anywhere after that, which is a shame. I can still rock out to their first two CDs and their indy cassette.

12) BELLY – This group is amazing and it is a shame that they only lasted two albums. Tanya Donelly has had a successful solo career since then, but I miss the days of Belly. They came out, played their songs, and then left the stage. It seemed way too short and wasn’t the best show I’d ever seen. But I was a huge fan and enjoyed myself immensely.

I bet that I could go on and on. I could mention TLC, A TRIBE CALLED QUEST, BUSTA RHYMES, BASS IS BASE, CYPRESS HILL, SPEARHEAD, THE FUGEES, SWOLLEN MEMBERS, MOKA ONLY, THE KILLJOYS, BIF NAKED, YOUNG M.C., THE ODDS, and many, many more.

I could probably write a book. I hope that these entertainers know how much they have touched my life. Their music is amazing and their shows were just inspiring. I will always be a fan. I want to thank you all for the music and the memories. Thanks!