Who was the best “live support band” you’ve ever seen. ?

[Ivortheengine]

Mine was unquestionably Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. Once again it was in the Capitol in the 70’s. I’ve seen over 150 live concerts and nothing has ever come within touching distance of how that rising band played that night for 45 minutes. You just knew they were going to be huge, getting the audience out of their seats . They were superb. I went out the next day and bought their album ,which I still possess. Nils Lofgren was the main act- he never stood a chance after the support band walked off the stage. He tried hard, but even he couldn’t compete with what happened prior to him getting to perform. Needless to say, I became a big fan of Tom Petty , and was not surprised at how he rose to the top as a well respected musician in every sense.

[Cyclops]

Has to be Johnny Kidd and the Pirates (Mick Green et al version)
They supported Jerry Lee Lewis (say no more!)
Kidd was brilliant - dominated the stage. And his routine during the instro break of Shakin' All Over was mesmerising.
He returned to another venue a month or so later - as the headliner. Another t'riffic show.

[RichardM]

Has to be Johnny Kidd and the Pirates (Mick Green et al version)
They supported Jerry Lee Lewis (say no more!)
Kidd was brilliant - dominated the stage. And his routine during the instro break of Shakin' All Over was mesmerising.
He returned to another venue a month or so later - as the headliner. Another t'riffic show.

I saw them headlining in about 1977. Johnny Kidd was long dead but Mick Green etc were still there. They were a three piece then, bass, guitar and drums. For a long time after I would tell anyone who would listen that you only need three people in a band.

[RichardM]

Mine was unquestionably Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. Once again it was in the Capitol in the 70’s. I’ve seen over 150 live concerts and nothing has ever come within touching distance of how that rising band played that night for 45 minutes. You just knew they were going to be huge, getting the audience out of their seats . They were superb. I went out the next day and bought their album ,which I still possess. Nils Lofgren was the main act- he never stood a chance after the support band walked off the stage. He tried hard, but even he couldn’t compete with what happened prior to him getting to perform. Needless to say, I became a big fan of Tom Petty , and was not surprised at how he rose to the top as a well respected musician in every sense.

I saw them both one year and Knebworth, neither was top of the bill, but TP was excellent.

[RichardM]

A local band Ofelia https://www.facebook.com/ofeliaband/ and a band called Mawkin from London are two bands that I have never heard off but supporting other bands in Cardiff and went out and bought their albums after.

I also saw Eddie and the Hot Rods supporting Stiff Little Fingers a year to two ago, both bands were execellent.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Clutch supporting Motorhead

Tool supporting Sabbath

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Clutch supporting Motorhead

Tool supporting Sabbath

In fairness, you've spent years telling us how much you clutch your tool, so no surprises here!

[adz-a32]

For acts: DVSN or JID (tho DVSN is a duo)

This is a DVSN song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDVufnezUAs

For band: Pale Waves

[Cyclops]

I saw them headlining in about 1977. Johnny Kidd was long dead but Mick Green etc were still there. They were a three piece then, bass, guitar and drums. For a long time after I would tell anyone who would listen that you only need three people in a band.

[RichardM]

[Swiss Peter]

A local band Ofelia https://www.facebook.com/ofeliaband/ and a band called Mawkin from London are two bands that I have never heard off but supporting other bands in Cardiff and went out and bought their albums after.

I also saw Eddie and the Hot Rods supporting Stiff Little Fingers a year to two ago, both bands were execellent.

I saw a triple bill of Eddie and the Hot Rods, the Damned and another at Canterbury Uni in 1977. We were all 6th formers in Folkestone at the time. To this day I can't remember who the third band were, and none of the old farts I went with can remember either. Silly old sods. Bugs me to this day..

[life on mars]

Thin Lizzy supporting Suzi Quatro and Slade Top Rank

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Thin Lizzy supporting Suzi Quatro and Slade Top Rank

Lizzy , class band

[Des Parrot]

UB40 supporting the Pretenders

[theclaw]

Budgie,supporting someone at Sophia Gardens.Really can’t remember who the headliner was.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

The Who at their peak. No question.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Budgie,supporting someone at Sophia Gardens.Really can’t remember who the headliner was.

First gig I saw was Budgie at Barry Memorial Hall. Supported by the then-unknown Judas Priest. Entrance 50p.

[NYCBlue]

UB40 supporting the Pretenders

I had this as (one of) my worst. We all see things differently.

[theclaw]

Judas Priest was one of the few bands I saw at Sophia Gardens so maybe it was them.Vice Versa coincidence.

[cardiff55]

Stereophonics supporting the Manics I think. Or Catatonia.

I went to see Michael Jackson at the Arms Park and Kim Wilde was the support act. Nobody was interested in her except the two guys in front of me, who as soon as she came on stage leapt up and shouted "Oooo Cooooeee Kim!!!". I moved. She was awful too.

I also got sat next to a nutter at an Aussie Pink Floyd gig two years ago. I had a front row seat and I spotted him before I got to the seat and though, I hope I'm not sat next to him. I was. he said , in a weird way "Are you a Pink Floyd fan" in a shouty voice so my fears were confirmed. Luckily the music was loud as he sat there talking to himself all night.

I went to the Cardiff Castle gig in 1975 and the line up was Man, Thin Lizzy, Steeleye Span and 10cc, so that was all very good.

Super Furry Animals supported the Manics too at CIA in 1996, they were excellent.

[tricks]

Happy Mondays supporting James at Manchester Ritz. Blew them away. Great venue the Ritz.

[Feedback]

Milltown brothers supporting the Charlatans in Newport around 1992

[Peajay]

The Adventures, supporting Fleetwood Mac. Great band I went on to buy everything they did.

[Gofer Blue]

Fanny - the American all female rock group. Supporting Jethro Tull, early 70's at the Round House in North London.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcb1HpH42N8

[Cyclops]

Fanny - the American all female rock group. Supporting Jethro Tull, early 70's at the Round House in North London.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcb1HpH42N8

Loved the way they shunted their pianist behind the piano for the full-on shots
She was a trifle spotty, mind!