Another Friday, Another Rock List: What is the best concert you've been to?

The second in my series of Friday night rock text message surveys continues with the following question: what is the best concert you've been to?

I must say that I felt a little guilty asking this one because I have a hard time answering myself. I've seen some amazing bands and visited some amazing venues. And what would even qualify as the best? There are so many factors to consider: performance, crowd, venue, who you're with, city, etc.

Consider the Old 97s show I went to a couple of weeks ago, for example. Amazing performance. Great set list. One of the best frontmen out there. The Boulder Theater even had a nice retro thing going on and I got a kickass t-shirt. It wasn't perfect though--a fact which had nothing to do with the band and everything to do with the talkers in the audience. Not the Old 97s fault but sadly it won't rank among my best.

Given my lengthy list of factors, I would have to say that the Wilco show in Asheville on 9/24/2004 is probably the best concert I've been to. Highlights include:

-A 22-song set including two 4-song encores

-A perfect performance of "Poor Places" beautifully transitioned into one of my favorite Wilco songs, "Spiders (Kidsmoke)"

-A performance of "Christ for President" with timely political stage banter (this was during the '04 Presidential race) from Jeff Tweedy including some good natured taunting of two Republicans in the front row

-Seeing my favorite band with some of my best friends in the world including Will Simpson who drove down from DC for the show

-The crowd was also really into the show--few of the talkers that have become more and more frequent at Wilco shows

While the venue, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, isn't legendary, it's still a good place to see a concert with good sound and a classy atmosphere.

So that's my case for Wilco in Asheville in '04. Though I could also make a case for the Dirtbombs at the Ogden, the Old 97s and Hayes Carll at the Gothic, or Old Crow Medicine Show at the Ryman. Here's hoping the Flaming Lips at Red Rocks next month makes the list.

Now, without further blathering on my part, here are the picks from our esteemed panel!

Ben--The Jayhawks at the Belcourt in Nashville just before Rainy Day Music came out.

Natasha--Tom Waits at the Paramount or Bjork at Red Rocks

Travis--The White Stripes just after Elephant came out (with The Flaming Lips as a close second)

Ferris--Probably Andrew WK, Dillinger Four, Of Montreal, or Deerhoof

Isaac--Beck with Ben Folds Five at Blossom, OCMS at the Ryman, Foo Fighters at the Agora, or Wilco at the Ovens in Charlotte

Bman--New Pornographers, The National, Vision of Disorder

James--Flaming Lips in Oklahoma City