In the last week or so there has been much debate about the greatest rock n roll band's ability to play live these days and me starting some bad threads - my apologies.

It s hard to name the top bands live without hearing them all. These are my picks of todays top live acts.

The Arcade Fire
The Flaming Lips
Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band
The Black Crowes
Patti Smith and Band
Metallica
Wilco
White Stripes
Phish

AC/DC runs circles around all of those above, except maybe Bruce & Co.

I bet... but I havent seen them.

Hopefully you will have the chance.

Aerosmith... with flying colors

turbonegro
hellacopters
ac dc

Pearl Jam

foo fighters
everclear

Feel The Fear
And Do It Anyway

White Stripes... although it´s doubtful if they´ll ever tour again
Sonic Youth
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
AC/DC
Oasis

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Tornandfrayed
Oasis

That's a lie and you know it!

White Stripes don't seem to tour anymore. Go and see the Raconteurs. Jack White is still very much on top of things.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club is pretty good. I saw them this year.
Conor Oberst is also really good live in concert, as long as you're in the middle or at the back of the venue.

AC/DC
Ghostland Observatory

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aerostone
Aerosmith... with flying colors

They're not really live, aren't they. They have so much pre-recorded I don't consider it live.

Mathijs

Original Sex Pistols! incl. Glen Matlock...

2 1 2 0

THE DRIVE BY TRUCKERS

Go and see them if they come within driving distance of you! You will NOT be dissapointed in any way!!!

I'm very fond of Marah. Great band, greats songs and great live act.

Other guys that I also dig quite a lot are the swedish rock band Diamond Dogs. Always a good night of rock in Stones/Faces/classic Rod Stewart fashion. They never disappointed me. Strongly recommended.

And of course AC/DC and Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band.

The Flamming lips? Worst band in the history of mankind.

U2
PEARL JAM
SHERYL CROW
WHITE STRIPES
NINE INCH NAILS

I think one has to be objective when naming out bands that are good live. There are bands that I like a lot who are terrible live, and viceversa.
One of the hottest shows I have ever seen is the Twilight Singers; Greg Dulli from the old Afghan Whigs. He has teamed up with Manuel Agnelli and Afterhours from Italy. Incredible album and show.
Arcade Fire is awesome because they leave the audience feeling high, experienced. Kings of Leon, Hellacopters, Scissor Sisters really put it out there on stage.
All these groups play for real. The names Loudei mentioned I pretty much agree with, even though I am no big fan of Wilco anymore.
Aerosmith is a farce by now; that is not live. U2 I don't think are that good live. Their studio productions are so powerful, that they almost hurt themselves. because they can reproduce it live. And they won't bring out extra musicians. At least not openly. I have seen them where it was obvious there was either tapes or someone hidden playing. And while I think Bono is very good singer in the studio, I don't really like him as a live performer in any way.
Flaming Lips I like a lot, but they have become a joke live nowadays. Foo Fighters are the worst IMO. They are more corporate than Aerosmith. They are everything that is wrong with rockmusic.

Now that is a good post ladies and gentlemen

Pearl Jam
The Black Crowes
Radiohead
My Morning Jacket
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

U2
Springsteen
The Who


I have not seen anyone else lately so I really can't go beyond this.

The Cult are excellent live. Incredible actually.

Drive-By Truckers are fantastic live too.

Taj Mahal is fantastic.

John Mooeny is fantastic.

As far as bands I haven't seen live but have heard live things from (albums, videos, etc...) I'd have to say Bruce and AC/DC are without a doubt stellar as well.

Aerosmith - yeah, about as live as Memorex.

Metallica - those cats are just insane. Great live act.

Mariah Carey is real good. Belive it!

You know you love Taylor Swift.

Paul Anka

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dreamtime1
Paul Anka

since odia coates passed, the act hasn't been the same, though

Red Hot Chili Peppers are great live!

I don't like most of their early work, but their past three studio releases have been excellent.

They don't @#$%& live. They're tight, very energetic. John Fruciante is a very, very talented guitar player.

Paul Anka ...well at least he did it his way......!!!!



ROCKMAN

U2 of course, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned The Hives yet. They put on an amazing live show, and their frontman is a joy to watch (clearly, he has studied, and borrowed from Mick). If you haven't seen them live, I highly recommend it