Cool thread. I remember doing something like this a few years back; and now I can add some new shows and re-rank them. It seems that the majority has seen STP mostly since the '08 reunion. I was fortunate to see them 7 times before the '02 split. It's cool to see how many of us were at the same show. Well, of the 19 times I've been to a STP concert, here's my official ranking of them.
# 19) July 19, 2009 - Columbia, MD - Merriweather Pavilion, touring w/ Meat Puppets
The only reason this show is ranked last is because I barely remember any of it. I realize this show was performed greatly by STP, as my friends who went informed me. Also, WickedGarden23 has expressed how awesome it was. I was super excited and overdid the tailgating before the show. I honestly only remember hearing a very first bit of the opening song, Silvergun Superman, before I was escorted out. I then went through the woods, got poison ivy, and climbed a fence to get back in. My friends found me passed out in a chair in the way back after the show. Needless to say, I was really pissed at myself and a bit depressed a few days later that I had managed to do that for a STP show. I also didn't know if or when I'd see them again, as we STP fans know to treat each show as a possible last time. They played Silvergun and Army Ants, 2 of my all time favorite songs that I had never seen before, and that made it worse for me. I was really bummed and I even debate weather or not to count this as a show I've "been to" or not.
# 18) August 10, 2008 - Baltimore, MD - Pimlico Race Course, Virgin Mobile Fest
What should've been a great addition to a great day of festival music, ended up being a big letdown. I was with 2 of my good friends who had never seen STP and they were really excited to be able to see them with me. STP was over 20 minutes late and Scott was not in good shape. People in the crowd heckled and made it worse. They had to be off in time for NIN to get ready, so their set was heavily trimmed. The most disappointing STP performance I've seen.
# 17) October 22, 2001 - Philadelphia, PA - 1st Union Center, Family Values Tour
This was a last second decision I made to go to this show. I had to do a lot of driving to get to this show so that my friend could come. I also forked out a lot of money just to get there. Plus, it was the first time I had to go to a concert and have seats... very bad seats. The performance was average and I may have enjoyed it more if I was closer and mobile.
# 16) May 23, 2010 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center, MMRBQ
This show was really good, so being ranked this low goes to show you how much greater the other shows have been. I also had just seen STP the day before in DC and that show really wiped me out and was just more energetic than this one. The highlight of this show I think was seeing Jerry Cantrell perform Sex Type Thing with them. So far, it's been the only time I've seen 'Bagman.' It was also the first time I had seen Scott pull someone up on stage to sing the Dead and Bloated intro. That's when I knew I had a mission.
# 15) October 18, 2001 - Washington D.C. - MCI Center (now Verizon Center), Family Values Tour
This was the 4th time I had seen STP; and it was the closest I had been to the stage at this point. The events of 9/11 were still very fresh on everyone's minds and being in D.C. made this show pretty cool as most everyone in the opening bands made reference to it. Scott gave his emotional thoughts about it too. This was the first and only time I've seen them perform their cover of 'Revolution,' albeit a shortened version. I also remember being searched on the way in and the security guy found my bowl and took it. No problem though. I thought it was hilarious when I saw him toss it in a box filled with other bowls and contraband they had confiscated.
# 14) May 5, 2011 - Upper Darby, PA - Tower Theater, touring with Rose Hill Drive
Great show. Awesome venue. 3rd row seats, but seats still suck if you ask me. I really enjoyed the crowd though and I especially enjoyed meeting Laura for the first time and sharing the experience with her.
# 13) October 9, 2009 - Virgina Beach, VA - nTelos Pavilion, touring w/ Meat Puppets
I drove a good distance by myself to get to this show. This was my "redemption" show as I called it. Redemption from the "blackout" show I attended just 3 months prior (ranked #19). This was finally the first time I got to see 'Silvergun Superman' and 'Army Ants.' I thought it was a great set list as well. The venue was small but really cool, outside on the water. Also, being able to see the Meat Puppets was a highlight for me too.
# 12) September 3, 2010 - Atlantic City, NJ - The Borgata, touring w/ Cage the Elephant
My first time in Atlantic City. It was awesome. I LOVE the Borgata. I can't recall being any closer to the band prior to this show. I was able to slap their hands frequently. It was the first time I got to see 'Still Remains' and 'Heaven & Hotrods,' and so far, it's been the only time I've seen 'Cinnamon.' Had a great time gambling afterwards too.
# 11) October 10, 2009 - Reading, PA - Eagle Theater, touring w/ Meat Puppets
I liked this show a lot. Nice little venue, good set list. Again, I had a seat, but it was real close. As WickedGarden23 said before, the crowd wasn't that great, but STP still gave a stellar performance.
# 10) May 18, 2008 - Camden, NJ - Susquehanna Bank Center, MMRBQ
First time at this venue. I like it. It was also the first time I had seen STP back-to-back days. I had just flown back to Baltimore that morning from their Columbus, OH reunion show. I was tired and the drive up to Camden was awful, but once I was there, it was all good. Same exact set as the day prior, but irrelevant to me. Crowd was awesome too.
# 9) October 25, 2000 - Fairfax, VA - Patriot Center, Revenge of Rock touring w/ Godsmack
This was the 2nd time I had seen STP. Great show that really stamped my infatuation with seeing them live. It was the only time I had eaten mushrooms for a STP show too, and that made the whole experience very... neat. It's the only time I've seen them play 'No Way Out' and I will never forget Scott's crazy dance moves for that one. I can remember too, that after the blazing encore they did, as the lights came up, 'And So I Know' played on the house speakers as the crowd exited. It was a really cool calming effect to leave the show with. I always thought they should do this, but I can't remember that ever happening again.
# 8.) October 16, 2002 - Philadelphia, PA - The Electric Factory
Somehow, I knew this was my last opportunity to see STP, for what I thought would be the very last time. I was supposed to see them 1 week prior in New Jersey but had some unfortunate luck that prevented me from going. This ticket was my very first eBay purchase. I bought it 2 days before the show. 2 hours before I was going to leave, my car died. I then had to scramble to get another way there. I ended up borrowing my grandparents station wagon, equipped with American flags on the windows. I had never been to this venue, but always heard about it. I got insanely lost and knew I was missing the opening band. I finally found the place, parked, smoked a quick J, and literally walked through the door as they hit the stage. By the middle of 'Crackerman' I had made my way to the front of the crowd. This was the first show I had been to by myself. I relished in the fact that I made it and had to enjoy every moment like it was the last. This was the first time I had seen 'Dancing Days.' The crowd was awesome too.
# 7) May 22, 2010 - Washington D.C. - RKF Stadium, DC101 Chili Cook-off
I love outdoor festivals in May. I had been really stoked for this show as their new album was being released. Had a great day with friends and some I didn't expect to see. Cage and Alice in Chains were amazing. I got insanely close for STP and was then trapped in what has got to be the roughest crowd I've ever been in for a concert. I'm not a big guy at all, but I can hold my own in the pit, and there were a few moments when I actually thought about getting out of the crowd. But STP's energy just wouldn't let me escape. I stayed planted where I was, and rocked out with everyone else. It was great seeing some new material live and some rarities, like 'Tumble in the Rough' which was very apropos as that song really sticks out for me when the crowd got real active. A genuinely great rock'n'roll show that reminded me how hard STP can really play. A few bumps and bruises were all worth it.
# 6) April 26, 2011 - Baltimore, MD - Pier 6 Pavilion, touring w/ Rose Hill Drive
Never been to the venue before, even though it's in my hometown. Great first experience. Another great outdoor show. Went with some friends again who had not seen STP yet. Had seats, but 3rd row in the aisle so I had a lot of room to dance around. Not sure why, but this show just really sticks out as being near flawless. The energy, the crowd, the set list, it was all perfect. At the very end, I got to slap all their hands and caught one of Eric's drumsticks.
# 5) April 28, 2000 - Landover, MD - FedEx Field, HFStival
This was when I lost my STP virginity. The HFStival was a big thing back then and when I heard the lineup with STP, I immediately bought a ticket. I wanted to see the other bands, but truly the only thing bringing me out was STP. The day was actually pretty bad because it rained the whole time. My friends were in bad moods and no one could agree on anything. I saved a joint for STP and lit it up right as they came one. Finally, the rain had stopped by then and I made my way closer to the stage. I was truly mesmerized by what I was experiencing. Scott came out looking like Clint Eastwood and was just on fire. It was a fantastic set list to be a first time for anyone. I swear to you, I remember during 'Big Empty' thinking to myself I'm now in love with STP and they are my favorite band that I must see as often as I can. Might sound strange, but the best was I can describe it is like when you see and meet someone for the first time and you're immediately attracted to them. The whole show was seductive. STP was all I cared about.
# 4) May 17, 2008 - Columbus, OH - Crew Stadium, Rock on the Range
Epic. For the previous 7 and a half years, I never thought this day would happen. A friend of mine, the only person I knew who liked STP as much as me, made a deal back in '02 that if STP ever reunited, we'd be at their first show, no matter when or where. Well, thankfully, Columbus, OH isn't that far from Baltimore. We flew out early in the morning and enjoyed a great day of festival music. Being able to see Filter was really cool, because we could see Dean and Robert on the side of the stage. At one point, we were on the prowl for some weed, so my friend suggested we go to section 420 of the stadium seats. Damn, what a great idea that was. The people were very friendly and we had a blast meeting them from several different states. Moments before STP came on, we hit the bathrooms one last time, got 1 more drink and made our way to the front. I can't convey what kind of an awesome feeling of anticipation I had. It's something I can't recall every feeling before. Those 5-10 minutes standing in the crowd waiting for my favorite band to take the stage for the first official time was something I'll never forget. Not knowing what the set list would consist of was equally great. Seeing them walk out, to a roar from the crowd, then hearing 'Big Empty' as the opener was intense. First time I got to see, 'All in the Suit that You Wear.' The crowd was awesome and it was an epic experience all around.
# 3) August 4, 2001 - Latrobe, PA - Rolling Rock Town Fair
I think this show is one of the most revered performances amongst the STP fans. The pinnacle of a Summer outdoor festival. In the middle of no where, nothing but big green hills, a large beer garden, and a fantastic lineup of bands. I went with 3 other friends and had a blast. We had graduated high school this year and had that feeling we were on top of the world. It's hard to rank this at #3 when it can hold it's own weight at #1, but as you'll see, my top 2 are very deserving. I loved the set list, and especially happy I got to see the one and only performance of 'Long Way Home' one of my favorite's from SLDD. Will never forget this show. To this day, my friends that went will still talk about it.
# 2) April 16, 2002 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva, touring w/ Home Town Hero
The epitome of what every STP concert should be like. A solid 2 hours of pure straight relentless rock. They were at their finest I've ever seen, to be honest. Such a great venue to see them. Opening with 'Shine on You Crazy Diamond' and transitioning in to 'Vasoline' was unbelievable to see live. This was the first time I got to see 'Seven Caged Tigers' and 'Kitchenware and Candybars.' It's also the the one and only time they played 'I Got You,' which I've talked about in other threads before. Just an all out epic show. Every song was on point, but for some reason, I feel like 'Creep' and 'Lounge Fly' are the best I've ever seen. Those two songs were played back-to-back and really stand out to me. The crowd was also superb. Wish I could relive this show over and over.
Finally, the #1 show I've been to of STP, should not come as any surprise...
# 1) August 6, 2011 - Atlantic City, NJ - The Borgata, touring w/ JetStream & Rose Hill Drive
Don't really need to elaborate on this, do I? Hard to believe it's nearly been a month since the most epic and awesome night of my life. The entire performance was solid and very enjoyable. It's been mentioned in other threads, that you can see STP play the same songs over and over, but they do evolve and the guys do a kickass job at mixing it up and keeping them fresh to hear again. Experiencing this show as close as I did with Laura would've still garnered a high ranking from me, but it takes # 1 for just one main obvious reason....
"I AMMMMMMMM SMELLING LIKE THE ROSE THAT SOMEBODY GAVE ME ON MY BIRTHDAY DEATHBED......"
Aw, you know the rest.
Well, there you have it. Those are the 19 shows I've been to. This was fun and enlightening for me to do. I liked being able to dig deep into my memories and relive some of these shows will ranking them. Only here, in the BE community would this be possible. Thanks for starting the thread, StoneTempleBrett! Can't wait to add more shows to the list!
