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Surely, there are plenty of bands you haven’t seen that you should have by now, but we’re calling out the 12 bands you absolutely must see live before it’s too late. While there are definitely bands that need to stop touring immediately (ahem, U2), there’s still lots left from our rock elders. And we’re not talking about these infectiously terrible ideas.
Between North Korean missiles, ISIS, hurricanes, looming earthquakes and impending floods, there is an endless number of things that can distract you from a good concert, but live music, dear friends, is what keeps the soul alive. So put down the baby bottle or rubber breast pump, lock your kids in the closet and call out of work, if you must, then get tickets to see these bands before they die (or you do).
Don’t let Mick kick it before you see that rooster dance or Bruce croak before he slides his sweaty crotch across the stage into your face, as we count off 12 bands you have to see live before it’s too late. Then rock until you drop.
These Are the 12 Bands You Absolutely Must See Live Before It’s Too Late
Oh, and by the way: This Color-Coded Stadium Chart Will Tell You Just How Bad Your Seats Truly Are
Bands to See
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The Rolling Stones
Started up in 1962, you can't get no satisfaction if you don't see Mick rock the rooster before they're gone. Keith and the kids just wrapped a fall European tour.
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Paul McCartney
Our little Rocky Raccoon is now 75, but that's not stopping him from finishing the year touring Australia.
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Neil Young/CSNY
If you can catch Neil Young during a harvest moon, get on it, but just Neil Young in general is a must-see act. He rocks harder at 71 than most of the electronic daisy douches.
Expected to tour the states in 2018. CSNY isn't expected to get together again anytime soon, but David Crosby is currently on tour in the states.
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Bruce Springsteen
Holding residency at Walter Kerr Theatre in New York for the next seven weeks, fans can hopefully get a classic Springsteen stage slide before the holidays.
Springsteen's crotch gliding across a smooth surface makes the perfect Christmas gift.
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Iggy Pop
Though Iggy Pop isn't on tour for the rest of the year, he's far from done even at 70. Van Morrison, however, is on tour this fall and in Los Angeles next February, if that helps you out.
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Red Hot Chili Peppers
Folks might not think of Kiedis and Flea as old timers like the Stones, but they're in their 50s and have rocked and lived harder than anybody. If you don't believe us, try reading Scar Tissue. RHCP will be on tour again in the spring, and we trust you'll see them in concert or under the bridge.
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Fleetwood Mac
Whether you see Stevie Nicks tell lies, sweet little lies, solo or with the band, it's worth your time and money. Lindsay Buckingham and Christine McVie are currently on tour behind their studio collaboration, and Stevie Nicks is on tour overseas through the end of the year.
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Roger Waters/David Gilmour
Though they tour separately, both are extraordinary Pink Floyd solo experiences. Roger Waters just wrapped his Us + Them North American tour, and Gilmour just released Live in Pompeii, but expect to see them again soon. You'll wish you were there.
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The Beach Boys
Though the Beach Boys are little past their prime after more than 50 years as a band (plus LSD), they're currently on tour in the states and will be into 2018. If you want to see some real "California Girls," be in Thousand Oaks next March.
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Phish
The Trey Anastasio Band has a few November tour dates, and Mike Gordon is set to take off again in early February. Does anyone else feel like you'd rather see them play in a farmhouse than a big, stinky arena?
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The Cure
Robert Smith may have started The Cure at age 17, but he's also been going at it since the '70s. Even at 58, the lead man is known to play extensively long sets, which is great if you're a big Cure fan and smart enough to go.
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Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
Nick Cave is getting some pushback from other musicians, like Roger Waters, about his continuing Israel tour this November. While he has no dates planned for America yet, the first half of 2018 is wide open for the 60-year-old real life Count Chocula.
In the meantime, see if you can catch PJ Harvey on tour, another great act you wouldn't want to die without.
