The List: A Baker’s Dozen of My Favorite Concerts

Despite the first thing I saw upon walking into the Burt Flickinger Center at ECC City Campus on March 8, 1999 being a woman on a stretcher, I knew that live music was for me. My soon-to-be 11-year-old self was captivated by the unpredictability of the concert experience, and, while I didn’t know it at the time, the next 25 years would come to be defined by that very thing.

While I feel as if I’ve missed out on just as many shows as I’ve seen, I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to write about this stuff on a regular basis and wouldn’t change a thing.

Coming up with 13 shows was difficult, because the good outweighs the bad in terms of the live music I’ve experienced during the past quarter-century. I’m sure there’ll be people complaining that I either left something out or included something that they don’t understand, but that’s the beauty of subjectivity.

I chose my 13 favorites along with some honorable and dishonorable mentions for your reading pleasure.

Feel free to share yours in the comments.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Nov. 22, 2009 at HSBC Arena

Clarence Clemons’ final performance and still the only time they’ve ever played “Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.” in its entirety.

Steven Wilson – April 21, 2013 at Town Ballroom

He dropped by on “The Raven That Refused To Sing (And Other Stories)” tour and I haven’t been the same since.

King Crimson – Aug. 27, 2021 at Artpark

As close to a religious experience as a concert can get.

Rush – Aug. 15, 2004 at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

As a 16-year-old whose obsession with prog was beginning to blossom, this was a transformative moment in my development.

Jackson Browne – Aug. 11, 2014 at Artpark

He took the stage armed with only a guitar and a piano. No backing band, no problem.

Marcus Miller – June 7, 2013 at The Bear’s Den

The crowd was ravenous and the band fed off that vibe all night long.

Lindsey Buckingham – Nov. 27, 2018 at The Riviera Theatre

His first tour following his departure from Fleetwood Mac and the hard feelings were palpable.

Heaven and Hell, Alice Cooper, and Queensrÿche – Sept. 19, 2007 at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center

Black Sabbath is my favorite band and reuniting with Dio was something that I never thought would happen.

Jewel – March 16, 2013 at Seneca Niagara Casino

One of the most stunning vocal performances you’ll ever see. What Jackson Browne did at Artpark the following year, she did at the casino a year prior.

Public Enemy – Aug. 11, 2010 at Town Ballroom

They didn’t come on until 10:00 p.m., but played until 1:00 a.m. and had the audience off the ground the whole time.

The Tragically Hip and Arkells – July 30, 2011 at Erie Canal Harbor Central Wharf

It’s nearly impossible for me to choose a favorite Hip show, but Gord was especially possessed on this gorgeous evening below the Skyway.

Pixies and John Grant – May 19, 2015 at The Rapids Theatre

Black Francis and Co. brought a feral energy to The Falls.

U2 – Sept. 5, 2017 at New Era Field

Seeing The Joshua Tree performed in its entirety was another religious experience for me and production design was unreal.

Honorable Mentions – Stone Temple Pilots – May 7, 2011 at Main Street Armory, Willie Nile – June 30, 2022 at Fountain Plaza, Peter Gabriel – Sept. 22, 2023 at KeyBank Center, Ted Nugent – Aug. 16, 2011 at Artpark, Puscifer – June 20, 2012 at The Riviera Theatre, Megadeth, Testament, and Exodus – March 13, 2010 at Town Ballroom, Tori Amos – July 8, 2023 at Artpark, The Black Keys – Sept. 2, 2010 at Town Ballroom, Rik Emmett – June 13, 2002 at Lafayette Square, Living Colour – May 29, 2003 at Lafayette Square, Bad Company – July 16, 2013 at Artpark, and Rock on the Range – May 19, 20, and 21, 2017 at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, OH, Foo Fighters – Sept. 25, 2011 at First Niagara Center, The Offspring, Ozomatli, and The Living End – March 8, 1999 at ECC City Campus, and Aretha Franklin – March 2, 2013 at Seneca Niagara Casino

Dishonorable Mentions – Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts – Sept. 5, 2014 at The Bear’s Den, Theory of a Deadman – Sept. 5, 2009 at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Kings of Leon – July 30, 2010 at Darien Lake Performing Arts Center, Eddie Money – July 6, 2012 at Ulrich City Centre, and Imagine Dragons – June 24, 2015 at First Niagara Center