...re: Dinosaur Jr.

Just saw them last month, and I'll keep going to see them no matter how old, grey and/or fat J. and/or I get.

Have to add A Tribe Called Quest.

They were one of the first great live shows I ever saw, and the last time they got back together to perform I still felt like the top of my head was going to fly off from all the joy.

In addition to the small v. large debate -- think about the differences between standing vs. seated venue. i've seen the shins twice - once at stubb's bbq in austin and once at the DAR hall in D.C -- sitting down for music you'd like to be able to move with sucks.

I saw Arcade Fire there too - the show was mediocre until Win Butler finally convinced the crowd and security to let people get up and dance, which triggered a fantastic 30 minutes of balls-out dancing and rocking.

must sees:

Feist - her love of performing is so evident.

Yo La Tengo - everything people have been saying about them in the previous posts is true.

Deerhoof - they bring it live.

Cat Power - cause when she's on, she'll make you cry.

Manu Chao - all the best parts of a political rally and a rock show.

Audiofile had become one of my favorite aspects of Salon and I am very disappointed to see it discontinued.

No more Audiophile? I've been away, and this is the news I come home to in Salon.com. Sadness reigns here. This was one of the best things on the Web, and you have trashed it. Sorry to see it go.

Bongwater blues that went out of style 30 years ago? Maybe, but who going into a show doesn't have some kind of idea what music they might be paying to listen to, especially at those prices? Last night I saw the Black Crowes for the third time in 11 months. Yeah, the sound was a bit muddy in the last 2 shows I saw, and last night's show seemed a bit disorganized, but they still put on 2.5 hours of music that kept a packed small club satisfied. The shows I saw last autumn were better, but I'm willing to give them an off-ish night in a tiny club.

No one here has mentioned Jet, another band I've seen 3 times within about a 6-month span. They are terrific live--very energetic and fun and great to see in a small venue!! Not sure I'll see them if they do stadium tours--I'm not interested in the stadium experience--but if you can catch them live in a small place, do!