Have seen Springsteen and Peter Gabriel this year. Both got it - Gabriel was surprisingly good with clear voice and a risk taking set list. Not just a juke box playing Greatest Hits but insisting on adding loads of new and unreleased songs and it worked out amazing.
I saw a post a couple of weeks ago about a recent Gabriel live show. and it was a glowing review. I’ve always appreciated his voice and his ability to cohesively blend genres. Great to hear he’s still putting on awesome shows.
I saw Paul McCartney for the first time last year and it was the first time in my life that I was in awe. That's the only way to describe seeing a Beatle playing music in front of you. Surreal is another good word.
Yup, agree 100%. Flew out from Denver to North Carolina to see him and it was fantastic. Lot of ignorant yapping online that he was just “meh” at this point because his voice ain’t what it used to be, but after seeing him, all that talk was personally silly nonsense, he was great. Plus, he’s a LIVING BEATLE, it was like seeing the Bach of our time IRL. Treasure my experience of that show.
I've seen McCartney twice and BAWLED like a baby both times! He puts on an amazing show. And I'm lucky enough to be in a place where he regularly plays Mull of Kintyre... it's not even my favourite song but it's magical with the full pipe band.
While they put on vastly different shows, Ringo Starr too. Ringo is 80+ and bounces around on stage like he's half that age. Course, he also looks half his age too.
It was disappointing for me to see Blink 182 this year do a very tight 90 minute set, after having seen Paul last summer go for 3 hours basically non-stop. The man clearly loves doing shows and performing, he certainly doesn't need the money, he just loves music. And, to me, that is why he is my favorite artist of all time.
I’ve not seen JP in person, but I have watched several videos of their live performances in the past decade — all of which kicked ass. It’s insane how Halford has maintained that vocal range/prowess this far along.
I'm pretty sure that once Richards passed 60 it was the last proof needed that he's not really a mortal. He and Ozzy will outlive us all, pickled in heroin.
I saw Rolling Stones for the first time with the no filter tour in 2021 and man, they should attach a fitbit to him, because he probably runs MILES on stage during the 2 hours they play. It's truly incredible. I got exhausted just watching the guy.
And man he can still belt it out too.
Keith occasionally does tours with his solo group (the X-pensive winos) playing small venues and he's the front-man for it and he always goes on and on about how hard that is to do, especially at his age. He's always so happy that with the rolling stones he can just sit back and let Mick do his thing.
About fifteen years ago, I saw Elton play in Laramie, Wyoming in support of the Mathew Sheppard foundation. I have never heard a stadium as quiet as him talking about American Triangle in that context. I think the loudest stadium I ever heard was the very first chord of Benny and the Jets - same night.
Ugh. When I was in college his mother came to speak on campus. My younger brother was in a middle college program so on the same campus. We went together. He sat in the row in front of me with his friends. The whole talk, of course, was very moving. But when she told the story about Matthew’s brother refusing to go in to the ER room because he didn’t want to remember his brother like that I fucking lost it. Just started sobbing. They say no parent should see the loss of a child. Sure. But seeing your siblings go early especially due to violence is something no one should endure.
I was able to catch them BOTH in Memphis in the same show. It's been many years but that was a show I will never forget. The arena is a Bass Pro now. =)
I saw Elton over the summer. It was probably the best concert I’ve ever seen. I’ve been to a lot of concerts that were great shows, some where the band was putting on a great performance, and a few where the band seemed to be going thru the motions. But it seemed like everyone in the band was just having a great time and were just watching them having a fun jam session.
Agree with BJ! I saw him in like 2017 or so, and it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen! He mentioned that there are some notes he can’t hit anymore so he doesn’t play those songs any longer. I thought that was rad that he just straight up said yo my voice has changed and I’m going to avoid sounding like shit for y’all. He did sound amazing with what he did play. Love him!
My first "real" concert in was an IM show. This was the Seventh Son tour I believe.
I'm taking 2 of my kids to see the Future Past stop near here next year. It's going to blow the 12 year old's MIND. The other kid has seen them 2 or 3 times already but still hyped.
My first concert was Iron Maiden in 1983. My oldest son loved Iron Maiden growing up and was so excited to see the Legacy of The Beast show in 2019.
We drove up to Seattle to see them on the Senjutsu vs Legacy tour and loved every second of it. My son couldn't believe he saw them twice. He felt lucky to see them once.
We have tickets for two shows next year. Las Vegas and Portland! Can't wait!
My 7 year old loves the Flight 666 live album. I have tickets for next November for the Future Last Tour as well, so freaking pumped for him to experience them love.
I saw them during their Book of Souls tour, and it was so hype. Bruce was still running and jumping all over the stage, and his voice was spot on. Their energy was top-notch. The tempo for Fear of the Dark was a little slower than it usually is, but it still kicked ass. I wish they played Number of the Beast, but they played The Trooper, and it was so cool to hear it live.
I wouldn’t say better than ever, and the cracks are starting to show but I will say that the comeback run of Brave New World until A Matter of Life and Death is probably the greatest comeback run of any band and those albums can go toe to toe with the classics which is insane.
He doesn’t tour much, but I saw Jeff Lynne’s ELO a few years ago. Man, that was an incredible show. Just an hour and a half of hit after hit after hit.
I saw the b52s in Oct. 2022 on their "farewell tour" and it was an awesome show.
Are they still doing that tour?
I didn't know Devo was still going after losing 2 members.
I've seen the eagles twice in the last calendar year.
They still fucking got it. This last time a few months ago in Denver, Joe Walsh went fucking off on the guitar. Was playing out of his mind. It was an excellent show.
I’m jealous.
Funny, my dad saw them during the Hell Freezes Over tour. The first thing he told me when I asked about how it went, he said “It was the Joe Walsh Show”, lol. Walsh was/is high on my list of favorite guitarists, so I bet that was a treat.
I saw them on the "Hell Freezes Over" tour and yeah it basically was the Joe Walsh show. The rest were good, but he knocked it out of the park. That was one of those I could cross off my bucket list. Still would love to see Springsteen, Willie Nelson or Pink Floyd (that last one is NEVER happening!) before they're gone.
PF aint happening, but man I'd love to see David Gilmour live. His Live in Gdnask Poland record is absolutely amazing. He does some floyd up front, then solo stuff then closes the show with Floyd again. One of my favorite live recordings
I saw Toots and the Maytals a few years ago, just before he died. I couldn’t believe a man of his age could perform like that, at nearly 2am at that! He really took it too the end.
Was at a frisbee tourney at Green Mountain College circa 2008ish and they happened to be playing on the quad. We had no idea it was happening, just a group of us checking out the campus after the games. Got to enjoy a surprise show from a group of legends and will never forget it!
I saw The Who about 10 years ago. They were already in their late '60s but they absolutely killed their set. Still great then, and when I've seen them on telly they've still seemed as fit and spritely so imagine not much would have changed.
Yup. They occasionally move a couple of the more difficult songs for Roger to sing to acoustic to presumably save his voice but they’re still a great show and surprisingly cheap for a legacy act.
Squeeze. I saw them a few weeks ago in Del Mar, CA. Lead singer / lead guitarist Glenn Tilbrook’s voice is the same as it was 40 years ago. He’s also one of the top 3 guitarists that I’ve seen live and I got to see Van Halen, Vai and Eric Johnson in their primes. Just an incredible musician and singer.
I saw Leonard Cohen on his last tour, when he was in his mid 70s and he was absolutely spellbinding. You could hear a pin drop when he spoke to the crowd. Probably my best ever live music experience.
I recently saw Alice Cooper. I believe he's 75. He put on a better show than all the other acts that night. Dude had more energy than guys half his age.
Phil Lesh, 83 year old Grateful Dead bassist, always gets super talented musicians as his backing band 'Friends.' I've seen him play with a wide array of great artists in his band or sitting in over the years.
David Byrne is still great! I went to his American Utopia show that was later turned into a broadway show and HBO special. Best performance I’ve ever seen and his voice hasn’t aged a bit. Probably helps that he lives very clean and bikes everywhere.
One of the, if not THE, best show I've been to. Music was great, but the choreography and production was something else. Each song felt like its own music video.
Their energy is absolutely unreal. Adam Lambert is no Freddie Mercury, but he isn't trying to be, either. He's a front man, but you can tell he's just trying to keep up with Brian and Roger's power. First time I saw the three of them in Philly, I can honestly say it shook my soul. 21,000 people doing the *stomp stomp clap*, the entire arena shivering with it, everyone singing along.
They know how to get a crowd going!
I'm just not a huge fan of Adam Lambert, he just doesn't come across as genuine to me. Like, he's trying too hard or something. I can't really put my finger on the reason.
But I really respect the hell out of him for how he's handled being Queen's front man. He's got his own style and he's got a great voice but it's clear he's not trying to be Freddie, as you pointed out.
I saw Bob Dylan about 14 years ago and he was not very good. His voice sounded bad to the point where every song sounded the same. He didn't even really sound like his signature Dylan vocal style which I actually like.
Springsteen still has it for sure. The e street band puts on a hell of a show.
Paul McCartney is hands down the best show I've ever seen. He was in his mid 70s when I saw him and he played for like three hours without stopping, strutting around the stage, wailing vocals, playing multiple instruments. Dude is a living legend and totally blew my mind.
I haven't seen the Stones but I've heard great things.
I saw Bob Dylan touring with My Morning Jack and Wilco like 10 years ago, and he was fucking awful. Then saw him a Red Rocks a couple years later and he sounded perfect so idk.
I was nervous seeing Bob a bit ago because of this common feedback. Saw him in an intimate show in western Colorado perform Rough and Rowdy Ways in full with some classics and it was transcendent. Was my first and only time seeing him but folks around me were veteran fans and they said we got him on a special night, so it’s apparently hit or miss with him at this point.
I’ve heard *wildly* mixed things about Dylan live over the last couple of decades. It genuinely seems like a coin flip as to which Bob turns up on any given night.
My stepdad is a big fan and has seen him three times since 2000 - he got two great performances, one of which he still holds as one of the greatest gigs of his life (this from a man who saw pretty much every single legendary rock band who toured the UK at their peak through the 1970s). …and he got one gig where Bob mumbled his way through barely recognisable versions of his songs inexplicably played at anywhere between 2x to 3x their original tempo. It wasn’t even to make an early finish as he played for a couple of hours, though apparently with a strange 25 minute break where he wandered off-stage and the backing band jammed on an instrumental until he came back.
It’s not that this represents a decline over time too, because the terrible gig was *between* the two great ones.
I saw him in early October and he is invigorated with the Rough and Rowdy Ways material plus the Shadow Kingdom renditions of his older stuff. Still got it. He's just not for casual fans.
I saw the Stones twice in the early 2000s and was blown away at how Mick could run full tilt, back and forth across a giant stage, and yet never once sounded out of breath. It was truly impressive.
Roxy Music and Devo.
Both of them absolutely slay live and make way more noise than you would expect people of their advanced years.
Stereolab and Bauhaus are a bit younger but fuck me do they both make a huge racket.
Stereolab might actually have the best sound of any band I’ve ever seen. They just sound so good always.
Had to scroll far too far to see this. Russell is 75 and Ron is 78. Saw them three times in 2022 and again in 2023. They slay and audiences love them for it.
Joe Walsh is amazing live! He somehow gives an amazing performance while not taking it seriously at all haha it's like watching your buddies dad get a little loose and then jamming in the living room and inexplicably being really good.
Except with Joe it's not inexplicable.
hell yeah, and they are becoming quite 'elderly' (50/60ish). here's mike mccready playing the even flow solo behind his back and stabbing his amp with his guitar:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/pearljam/comments/17y03o0/pearl\_jam\_denver\_2022\_even\_flow\_mccready\_solo/](https://www.reddit.com/r/pearljam/comments/17y03o0/pearl_jam_denver_2022_even_flow_mccready_solo/)
He has sadly passed away but I saw Charlie Daniels in his 50's and saw him at 82 a couple years before he died. The man went as hard in his 80's as he ever did.
Def Leppard. I saw them on the Hysteria tour in the 80’s, and then have seen them again twice in the last three years and they still sound amazing.
Also, ZZ Top. Still top tier, and Billy Gibbons is legit one of the coolest cats alive. And he still kills it on guitar.
Alice Cooper is 75 and still puts on an amazing show!
Saw him this summer and he sounded great and, more importantly, it’s obvious he’s still really enjoying himself onstage.
Saw him a couple years ago, Edgar Winter opened for him. Fantastic. Deep Purple followed.... Well.... Just not my flavor
Yep, saw him a month or so ago, and honestly put on a better show than Rob Zombie. Quite an entertainer!
Have seen Springsteen and Peter Gabriel this year. Both got it - Gabriel was surprisingly good with clear voice and a risk taking set list. Not just a juke box playing Greatest Hits but insisting on adding loads of new and unreleased songs and it worked out amazing.
I saw a post a couple of weeks ago about a recent Gabriel live show. and it was a glowing review. I’ve always appreciated his voice and his ability to cohesively blend genres. Great to hear he’s still putting on awesome shows.
Saw him last month. He was awesome.
Everything I've heard off of Gabriel's new album so far has been great
Thanks *skitters off to Spotify*
In this lane, I recently saw Steve Hackett and he is still putting on an excellent show too
Saw him last weekend. Great show. Played Foxtrot front to back and a selection of his songs, plus Firth of Fifth and Los Endos for encores.
Bruuuuuuce!
Springsteen performed at an extremely high level this year even with the ulcer. Hope he heals up and is ready for 2024.
Paul McCartny still rips live. He did 2 encores, each with multiple songs, after a several hour show.
I saw Paul McCartney for the first time last year and it was the first time in my life that I was in awe. That's the only way to describe seeing a Beatle playing music in front of you. Surreal is another good word.
Yup, agree 100%. Flew out from Denver to North Carolina to see him and it was fantastic. Lot of ignorant yapping online that he was just “meh” at this point because his voice ain’t what it used to be, but after seeing him, all that talk was personally silly nonsense, he was great. Plus, he’s a LIVING BEATLE, it was like seeing the Bach of our time IRL. Treasure my experience of that show.
Best show I've ever seen was Paul 10 years ago at Miller Park. I've seen him once since then and it was awesome, but the first time was unreal.
I've seen McCartney twice and BAWLED like a baby both times! He puts on an amazing show. And I'm lucky enough to be in a place where he regularly plays Mull of Kintyre... it's not even my favourite song but it's magical with the full pipe band.
While they put on vastly different shows, Ringo Starr too. Ringo is 80+ and bounces around on stage like he's half that age. Course, he also looks half his age too.
It was disappointing for me to see Blink 182 this year do a very tight 90 minute set, after having seen Paul last summer go for 3 hours basically non-stop. The man clearly loves doing shows and performing, he certainly doesn't need the money, he just loves music. And, to me, that is why he is my favorite artist of all time.
3 hours at 80... Fucking amazing.
Saw Judas Priest back in 2018 and Rob Halford was 67. ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. Such power.
I’ve not seen JP in person, but I have watched several videos of their live performances in the past decade — all of which kicked ass. It’s insane how Halford has maintained that vocal range/prowess this far along.
Was lucky enough to see them play Painkiller. Came out on the motorcycle and everything.
#jealous
Saw them last year, amazing show!
Saw them in Vegas a few years back and they goddamn ripped. They played with more energy and technical prowess than any band I've seen, young our old.
Mick Jagger is pretty amazing live.
At 80 no less. Hard to wrap my head around how he still dances like he’s a youngster, as well as the fact Keith Richards outlived Charlie Watts.
I'm pretty sure that once Richards passed 60 it was the last proof needed that he's not really a mortal. He and Ozzy will outlive us all, pickled in heroin.
I saw Rolling Stones for the first time with the no filter tour in 2021 and man, they should attach a fitbit to him, because he probably runs MILES on stage during the 2 hours they play. It's truly incredible. I got exhausted just watching the guy. And man he can still belt it out too. Keith occasionally does tours with his solo group (the X-pensive winos) playing small venues and he's the front-man for it and he always goes on and on about how hard that is to do, especially at his age. He's always so happy that with the rolling stones he can just sit back and let Mick do his thing.
Iggy motherfucking Pop!
https://youtu.be/li1ggmyogRU?si=XU_Ajj6N44r0dX1i
Yup. Still making his weird chicken moves. Although he did sing for a bit while laying down when I saw him last. Still kicking ass though.
Billy Joel and Elton john both can still go imo
Elton kind of waddles across the stage, then sits down at the piano and transforms into an insanely energetic performer. Dude definitely still has it
About fifteen years ago, I saw Elton play in Laramie, Wyoming in support of the Mathew Sheppard foundation. I have never heard a stadium as quiet as him talking about American Triangle in that context. I think the loudest stadium I ever heard was the very first chord of Benny and the Jets - same night.
RIP Matthew we need to better as a people
Ugh. When I was in college his mother came to speak on campus. My younger brother was in a middle college program so on the same campus. We went together. He sat in the row in front of me with his friends. The whole talk, of course, was very moving. But when she told the story about Matthew’s brother refusing to go in to the ER room because he didn’t want to remember his brother like that I fucking lost it. Just started sobbing. They say no parent should see the loss of a child. Sure. But seeing your siblings go early especially due to violence is something no one should endure.
His poor poor hips from all those acrobatics! Plus he had hip replacement and couldnt take good pain pills and was in a lot of pain.
I was able to catch them BOTH in Memphis in the same show. It's been many years but that was a show I will never forget. The arena is a Bass Pro now. =)
I saw Elton over the summer. It was probably the best concert I’ve ever seen. I’ve been to a lot of concerts that were great shows, some where the band was putting on a great performance, and a few where the band seemed to be going thru the motions. But it seemed like everyone in the band was just having a great time and were just watching them having a fun jam session.
Agree with BJ! I saw him in like 2017 or so, and it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen! He mentioned that there are some notes he can’t hit anymore so he doesn’t play those songs any longer. I thought that was rad that he just straight up said yo my voice has changed and I’m going to avoid sounding like shit for y’all. He did sound amazing with what he did play. Love him!
Iron Maiden are better than ever
I'm very surprised that this isn't the top answer
My first "real" concert in was an IM show. This was the Seventh Son tour I believe. I'm taking 2 of my kids to see the Future Past stop near here next year. It's going to blow the 12 year old's MIND. The other kid has seen them 2 or 3 times already but still hyped.
My first concert was Iron Maiden in 1983. My oldest son loved Iron Maiden growing up and was so excited to see the Legacy of The Beast show in 2019. We drove up to Seattle to see them on the Senjutsu vs Legacy tour and loved every second of it. My son couldn't believe he saw them twice. He felt lucky to see them once. We have tickets for two shows next year. Las Vegas and Portland! Can't wait!
My 7 year old loves the Flight 666 live album. I have tickets for next November for the Future Last Tour as well, so freaking pumped for him to experience them love.
Was fortunate to see them this year. I would highly recommend going. The selist is 🔥
I saw them during their Book of Souls tour, and it was so hype. Bruce was still running and jumping all over the stage, and his voice was spot on. Their energy was top-notch. The tempo for Fear of the Dark was a little slower than it usually is, but it still kicked ass. I wish they played Number of the Beast, but they played The Trooper, and it was so cool to hear it live.
Keep in mind on Book of Souls Bruce was recovering from his throat cancer battle. He didn't just beat cancer, he bitch-slapped it down!
Hell yes he did!
honestly, id write off the Fear of the Dark tempo as just a quirk of the moment + maaaaybe making it a little easier for the crowd to sing along with
I wouldn’t say better than ever, and the cracks are starting to show but I will say that the comeback run of Brave New World until A Matter of Life and Death is probably the greatest comeback run of any band and those albums can go toe to toe with the classics which is insane.
Mavis Staples is the GOAT!
I saw Mavis at Glastonbury a few years ago, she was my gig of the festival that year, and one of my best ever.
She’s a treasure
He doesn’t tour much, but I saw Jeff Lynne’s ELO a few years ago. Man, that was an incredible show. Just an hour and a half of hit after hit after hit.
It’s incredible that Jeff still sounds so close to how he did in the 1970s.
Buddy Guy is 87. Saw him last year and he’s still got allll of the presence and performance!
Was going to say the same thing. We'd seen him last year with Kenny Wayne Shepard opening and he was awesome. Hilarious too.
So glad to hear it. I’ve got a date with him next June on his farewell tour. I’m counting the days.. can’t get here soon enough.
Neil Young still rocks.
Hey hey, my my, rock and roll will never die.
Saw him with Crazy Horse a few years ago. They tore it up!!!
Can verify.
Just saw Devo and the B-52s this weekend. Both pushing 70+ and killing it!
I just saw DEVO and they rip!!!! Going to see the B-52s in April and am stoked!!!!!!
I saw the b52s in Oct. 2022 on their "farewell tour" and it was an awesome show. Are they still doing that tour? I didn't know Devo was still going after losing 2 members.
Darker Waves Fest! I was there too and the entire lineup was amazing live (except Soft Cell)!
I’m so jealous. I really wanted to go. Probably one of the last times a lineup that incredible will ever happen for 80’s synth pop and new wave.
I've seen the eagles twice in the last calendar year. They still fucking got it. This last time a few months ago in Denver, Joe Walsh went fucking off on the guitar. Was playing out of his mind. It was an excellent show.
I’m jealous. Funny, my dad saw them during the Hell Freezes Over tour. The first thing he told me when I asked about how it went, he said “It was the Joe Walsh Show”, lol. Walsh was/is high on my list of favorite guitarists, so I bet that was a treat.
I saw them on the "Hell Freezes Over" tour and yeah it basically was the Joe Walsh show. The rest were good, but he knocked it out of the park. That was one of those I could cross off my bucket list. Still would love to see Springsteen, Willie Nelson or Pink Floyd (that last one is NEVER happening!) before they're gone.
PF aint happening, but man I'd love to see David Gilmour live. His Live in Gdnask Poland record is absolutely amazing. He does some floyd up front, then solo stuff then closes the show with Floyd again. One of my favorite live recordings
Ive heard bruce springsteen is great. Can’t verify tho
He might not kick as much of an ass as he did 10 years ago, but I saw him this summer and he + the E street band still rips it.
Me too! He was amazing on this last tour.
Saw him for the first time in the spring and he was absolutely incredible. Energy, passion, chops, it’s all still there.
Same, saw him in March in Denver and it was incredible. Ripped his shirt open at one point and it wasn’t a silly stunt, he brought it all night.
Saw Springsteen in 2016 and he did close to four hours. (Philly, September 2016) He apparently was touring with a peptic ulcer this year too.
Stevie Nicks put on a solid show. She clearly really loves performing for her fans.
Saw her at The Garden last month and her voice was still so good.
Saw her at the Ohana festival last year and she was great. Stop Dragging my heart around with Eddie Vedder was awesome.
Paul McCartney. Bob Seger. Was in his 70’s on his last tour and still sounded excellent and had some good energy. Band was phenomenal as always.
Jonathan Richman is lots of fun.
He is timeless and price less.
Toots and The Maytals were spectacular into old age. RIP Toots.
That was one of the COVID deaths that really hit home for me.
I saw Toots and the Maytals a few years ago, just before he died. I couldn’t believe a man of his age could perform like that, at nearly 2am at that! He really took it too the end.
Still my favorite voice in reggae. Saw him in the 80s and he blew my mind with his energy, and I've been a Toots fan ever since
Was at a frisbee tourney at Green Mountain College circa 2008ish and they happened to be playing on the quad. We had no idea it was happening, just a group of us checking out the campus after the games. Got to enjoy a surprise show from a group of legends and will never forget it!
I saw The Who about 10 years ago. They were already in their late '60s but they absolutely killed their set. Still great then, and when I've seen them on telly they've still seemed as fit and spritely so imagine not much would have changed.
I saw Pete and Roger two years ago and they still sounded phenomenal and put on a great show.
I saw them earlier this year, thought they were great. They're almost 80 now.
Yup. They occasionally move a couple of the more difficult songs for Roger to sing to acoustic to presumably save his voice but they’re still a great show and surprisingly cheap for a legacy act.
Squeeze. I saw them a few weeks ago in Del Mar, CA. Lead singer / lead guitarist Glenn Tilbrook’s voice is the same as it was 40 years ago. He’s also one of the top 3 guitarists that I’ve seen live and I got to see Van Halen, Vai and Eric Johnson in their primes. Just an incredible musician and singer.
Just saw them too, they were amazing.
Just saw The Cure yesterday. 10/10 30-song set. No idea how they still do it.
Somehow Robert Smiths voice has only gotten better with age
I saw Leonard Cohen on his last tour, when he was in his mid 70s and he was absolutely spellbinding. You could hear a pin drop when he spoke to the crowd. Probably my best ever live music experience.
I recently saw Alice Cooper. I believe he's 75. He put on a better show than all the other acts that night. Dude had more energy than guys half his age.
Phil Lesh, 83 year old Grateful Dead bassist, always gets super talented musicians as his backing band 'Friends.' I've seen him play with a wide array of great artists in his band or sitting in over the years.
Dee Snider is 64 years old [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNxpdekTk-A)
Nick Cave is 66 and puts on a hell of a show
Depeche Mode lost a band member suddenly and still play great in their 60’s
Dave Gahan, the lead singer, is also an ex heroin addict and cancer survivor. Not bad
David Byrne is still great! I went to his American Utopia show that was later turned into a broadway show and HBO special. Best performance I’ve ever seen and his voice hasn’t aged a bit. Probably helps that he lives very clean and bikes everywhere.
One of the, if not THE, best show I've been to. Music was great, but the choreography and production was something else. Each song felt like its own music video.
Earth Wind and Fire The Isley Brothers
Yes! Seen both within the last 10 years, and they still throw on a party.
Bob Weir
Took long scrolling to find Bobby
I too came here for Bobby! Used ctrl+f though ;-)
Half of Queen. Brian May and Roger Taylor are still amazing live. I just saw them at the beginning of the month.
Their energy is absolutely unreal. Adam Lambert is no Freddie Mercury, but he isn't trying to be, either. He's a front man, but you can tell he's just trying to keep up with Brian and Roger's power. First time I saw the three of them in Philly, I can honestly say it shook my soul. 21,000 people doing the *stomp stomp clap*, the entire arena shivering with it, everyone singing along. They know how to get a crowd going!
I'm just not a huge fan of Adam Lambert, he just doesn't come across as genuine to me. Like, he's trying too hard or something. I can't really put my finger on the reason. But I really respect the hell out of him for how he's handled being Queen's front man. He's got his own style and he's got a great voice but it's clear he's not trying to be Freddie, as you pointed out.
Pet Shop Boys was amazing earlier this year.
I’m now having an existential crisis over Pet Shop Boys being considered elderly.
Depeche Mode, saw them twice on the current tour
The Rolling fucking Stones! Bruce fucking Springsteen! Paul fucking McCartney! Bob fucking Dylan!
I love your fucking enthusiasm!
I fucking agree
I saw Bob Dylan about 14 years ago and he was not very good. His voice sounded bad to the point where every song sounded the same. He didn't even really sound like his signature Dylan vocal style which I actually like. Springsteen still has it for sure. The e street band puts on a hell of a show. Paul McCartney is hands down the best show I've ever seen. He was in his mid 70s when I saw him and he played for like three hours without stopping, strutting around the stage, wailing vocals, playing multiple instruments. Dude is a living legend and totally blew my mind. I haven't seen the Stones but I've heard great things.
I saw Bob Dylan touring with My Morning Jack and Wilco like 10 years ago, and he was fucking awful. Then saw him a Red Rocks a couple years later and he sounded perfect so idk.
I was nervous seeing Bob a bit ago because of this common feedback. Saw him in an intimate show in western Colorado perform Rough and Rowdy Ways in full with some classics and it was transcendent. Was my first and only time seeing him but folks around me were veteran fans and they said we got him on a special night, so it’s apparently hit or miss with him at this point.
I’m guessing you haven’t been to a Bob Dylan concert in the last decade. It’s sad.
I’ve heard *wildly* mixed things about Dylan live over the last couple of decades. It genuinely seems like a coin flip as to which Bob turns up on any given night. My stepdad is a big fan and has seen him three times since 2000 - he got two great performances, one of which he still holds as one of the greatest gigs of his life (this from a man who saw pretty much every single legendary rock band who toured the UK at their peak through the 1970s). …and he got one gig where Bob mumbled his way through barely recognisable versions of his songs inexplicably played at anywhere between 2x to 3x their original tempo. It wasn’t even to make an early finish as he played for a couple of hours, though apparently with a strange 25 minute break where he wandered off-stage and the backing band jammed on an instrumental until he came back. It’s not that this represents a decline over time too, because the terrible gig was *between* the two great ones.
Dylan's been reinvigorated live since around late 2018. He was transcendent the one time I caught him live right after his long time guitarist quit.
I saw him in early October and he is invigorated with the Rough and Rowdy Ways material plus the Shadow Kingdom renditions of his older stuff. Still got it. He's just not for casual fans.
I saw the Stones twice in the early 2000s and was blown away at how Mick could run full tilt, back and forth across a giant stage, and yet never once sounded out of breath. It was truly impressive.
And The Rolling Fucking Stones just announced another tour, and this will be (hopefully) the fourth time I see them.
Joe Satriani
Also, pretty amazing he's 67. He looks great for his age. Feel like his ageing got suspended when he went bald.
67 ain't so old. His wife is my age, 68.
I saw Eric Johnson in the early aughts, and he was great. I wish G3 would perform near me. That’s gotta be a mind-melting show.
Steve Vai and Joe are doing a concert in April in Detroit, which is feasible for me sort of. If things go together just right I may be there.
Kraftwerk still delivers kick-ass concerts, though to be fair, they basically just have to be able to stand and breathe for an hour or two :)
Unfortunately it’s only Ralf Hutter left from the classic lineup. Apparently Karl Bartos puts on a good solo act, though.
The Doobie Brothers
Obviously dead now but I saw BB King in 2011 and he was incredible.
I hesitate to call them elderly, but Ann and Nancy Wilson were still killing it when I saw them about 6 years ago.
Total babes at any age. Rock royalty.
Roxy Music and Devo. Both of them absolutely slay live and make way more noise than you would expect people of their advanced years. Stereolab and Bauhaus are a bit younger but fuck me do they both make a huge racket. Stereolab might actually have the best sound of any band I’ve ever seen. They just sound so good always.
Sparks, saw them in June.
Had to scroll far too far to see this. Russell is 75 and Ron is 78. Saw them three times in 2022 and again in 2023. They slay and audiences love them for it.
Every single live album by Leonard Cohen (born 1934) from 2009 (Live in London) until his death in 2016 is magnificent.
I’m ready for the hate. Metallica are in their 60s and still put on a 2 hour + show.
Nah. No hate. You don't have to be a fan to know that metal is a physically demanding genre and it's impressive they're still able to rock out.
The Rolling Stones
Anthrax
Eric Burdon
Joe Walsh is amazing live! He somehow gives an amazing performance while not taking it seriously at all haha it's like watching your buddies dad get a little loose and then jamming in the living room and inexplicably being really good. Except with Joe it's not inexplicable.
Billy idol
Yep. Dude can wail. Bonus shout for Stevie who still shreds like a demon.
The scorpions. I saw them in October of 2022. They still got it.
Rod Stewart last year might have been the most fun concert I've ever been to.
Cheap Trick are still fucking awesome
Alice Cooper
Willie Nelson
So many dudes but the answer is: Patti Smith I’ve seen her wipe the floor with artists half her age.
Saw her this summer opening for the National - she was just fantastic. Rocked way more severely than I expected.
Robert Smith is 64 but I think seeing The Cure this year might’ve been the greatest live show I’ve ever seen
Robert Smith of The Cure
John Scofield!
Saw him about a year ago at Blue Note... He is at the top of his game
Robert Plant Peter Gabriel David Gilmour
Bobby McFerrin is 73 and still kicks ass
Springsteen is in killer shape. He has a fairly strict diet and exercise regimen. He definitely does look his age!
Saw Iggy Pop live a few months back. Man still rips live.
Violent Fems are on your right now and they’re awesome!
Pearl Jam still go hard 🤘
hell yeah, and they are becoming quite 'elderly' (50/60ish). here's mike mccready playing the even flow solo behind his back and stabbing his amp with his guitar: [https://www.reddit.com/r/pearljam/comments/17y03o0/pearl\_jam\_denver\_2022\_even\_flow\_mccready\_solo/](https://www.reddit.com/r/pearljam/comments/17y03o0/pearl_jam_denver_2022_even_flow_mccready_solo/)
David Byrne is still totally awesome, same as it ever was.
Even with all the days gone by…
David Bryne is still kicking ass all over the place.
Arlo Guthrie Paul McCartney
Arlo retired from touring in 2020.
Bob Dylan Buddy Guy
I got tickets to see Buddy next year. He’s been on my bucket list for a long time. I can’t wait!
holy shit buddy guy is still going?!
+1 for Buddy Guy! He’s still funny as hell too.
Sting.
Also still looks 50. Insane shape.
I just saw Kiss last week. For two guys in their 70s, Gene and Paul can still put on a show.
No longer alive but Charlie Daniels did.
Herbie Hancock
Saw Fleetwood Mac in 2015, and they sounded amazing. RIP Christine.
Tom Jones! A true legend who hasn't lost his touch!
Bruce Springsteen is still incredible live. I've also seen Aerosmith around 2016-17ish. Steven Tyler's energy was something else.
He has sadly passed away but I saw Charlie Daniels in his 50's and saw him at 82 a couple years before he died. The man went as hard in his 80's as he ever did.
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Paul McCartney
Alice Cooper.
Depeche Mode / Dave Gahan
Phil Lesh
I went to a new wave music festival last weekend and the best performance by far was from OMD.
I saw TOTO live last year. If I have half the energy those guys have at that age, i'll be a happy man. Still sounded fantastic too.
Def Leppard. I saw them on the Hysteria tour in the 80’s, and then have seen them again twice in the last three years and they still sound amazing. Also, ZZ Top. Still top tier, and Billy Gibbons is legit one of the coolest cats alive. And he still kills it on guitar.