When I was in my 20’s, I spent pretty much every night at the now defunct Roxy Rhythm Bar, watching band after band break, and fail in the then burgeoning SA rock music scene. Then for a good few years, SA seemed to get great band after great band, and I took the chance to see very nearly every one of them. That’s seemed to have come to a stop now, and we’re only getting a trickle of top international artists.
That said, I don’t really care. I’ve come to a point in my life where as much as I love bands and live music, I just could not be arsed to spend that sort of money, sit in that much traffic, and stand about in a field with thousands of people for the experience. Over the years there have been a number of bands that I love, that I’ve just skipped out on because I’m old and grumpy.
I would, however, drag myself out of my house and pay whatever the ticket price is to see Radiohead or Arcade Fire live, even if their last albums have been middling at best. I’d also pay whatever the ticket price is to not have to see Creedence Clearwater Revival, who are somehow still touring.
But you tell us: what bands and artists are on your see-before-you-die bucket list?
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Critical Hit as an organisation.
Last Updated: February 8, 2019
The D
February 8, 2019 at 11:14
Many, but for now I’m going to say The Cybertronic Spree:
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:21
What did I just watch?
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
That’s actually not bad
kieker
February 8, 2019 at 11:47
This is actually really good! I love stuff like this. Check out TWRP if you are into these type of performances. Those guys can REALLY play.
The D
February 8, 2019 at 11:51
Yup! I love a band that goes the extra mile during a performance.
Guz
February 8, 2019 at 11:51
Awesome!
Pariah
February 8, 2019 at 12:34
I raise you:
kieker
February 8, 2019 at 12:55
hahaha, love this, and also kawaii metal XD
Dresden
February 15, 2019 at 08:24
Youtube name? I can’t view the video.
Tiaan Venter
February 8, 2019 at 11:18
This year locally for me will be:
Imogen Heap in March (going to both shows yassss)
Jinjer in May
Then going to UK for Meshuggah in August here: http://www.arctangent.co.uk/
Absolute hype year of music for the obsessed.
Tiaan Venter
February 8, 2019 at 11:21
The Clash and Judas Priest also coming, but gonna have to give them a skip :”(
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:26
Meshuggah! Man, I’m jealous.
Tiaan Venter
February 8, 2019 at 11:30
Dude I can still not fucking believe I’m going to check shuggah jaam live, it’s gonna be the best weekend of my life, bar none. Hopefully Fredrik rejoins them before August, rumours he’s busy writing a second solo album
If you like Meshuggah;
https://youtu.be/KLhSFATOhW0
Pariah
February 8, 2019 at 11:47
Thanks for the Jinjer tip, defs going to buy a ticket for that!
Tiaan Venter
February 8, 2019 at 12:05
Was by chance that I saw them on Computicket’s site, then got hooked on them, King of Everything is a damn good modern metal LP, gonna freak the fuck out when they play Captain Clock and Just Another
Matthew Holliday
February 8, 2019 at 13:35
Imogen Heap, that is not a name I expected to see in this, but her live shows look pretty interesting.
Must see if i can get in on that.
Tiaan Venter
February 9, 2019 at 00:29
2 shows in CPT then 2 in JHB early next month, highly recommended, tickets through computicket, bit pricey, but well worth it I believe
GooseZA
February 8, 2019 at 13:51
Hiiiiiiiiiiide aaaaaaaand seeeeeek. Traaaaainsss aaaand sewing machines.
*weeps
Tiaan Venter
February 9, 2019 at 00:22
Aaaaaaaalllll thooooOOOOSE YEEEaaaarsss
Theeeeyyyy weeeeeeere heeeeere fiiirst
:'( :'( I am so gonna fucking bawl my eyes out xD but looking more forward to all her other compositions and productions.
She’s playing 4 shows in SA in total, 2 in CPT, 2 JHB @ Monte, going to both of those because yes
Kromas
February 8, 2019 at 11:22
Tenacious D.
Skittle
February 8, 2019 at 11:30
I saw Faithless live at one of their last ever shows, I’m not interested in seeing any other group live.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 8, 2019 at 11:43
I guess you could say…. You lost your faith in other bands
B-)
Skittle
February 8, 2019 at 11:47
Stop it
Umar
February 8, 2019 at 11:30
Coldplay and Nickelback
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:30
The question isn’t shows that will make you die inside, it’s shows to watch BEFORE you die.
Umar
February 8, 2019 at 11:35
Look at the stars
Look how they shine for yoooooooooooooou
And everything you doooooooooooo
Yeah they were all yellooooooooow
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
Oh you sly bastard
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
Don’t lie. You want to see Hatsune Miku.
Umar
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
I’m not really going to deny that lol I really do
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 8, 2019 at 11:35
I wish I’d known better than to watch Smashing Pumpkins live before it was too late.
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:35
Man, me too dude. That’s one thing I’m still pissed at myself for. That and Soundgarden.
Milesh Bhana
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
Yeah, so bummed I missed that when they came to SA in the early 2000s
Alien Emperor Trevor
February 8, 2019 at 11:43
If you were going to watch them in CT then you didn’t miss anything. The venue was switched at the last minute to a giant tent next to Canal Walk, and it was terrible.
Spathi
February 8, 2019 at 11:43
The Supersport Park show was truly incredible! One of my best memories.
Dresden
February 15, 2019 at 08:24
Sad that I’ll never get to see Avenged Sevenfold perform while The Rev was still alive. Would still like to see them live now, though it won’t be the same.
Pariah
February 8, 2019 at 11:35
I’ve already watched Metallica (twice) and The Offspring. I even got to see Collective Soul. I really don’t care about anything else. I skipped on Roxette (twice), despite at one point having wanted to see them. So eh.
Milesh Bhana
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
Pretty much seen all I’ve wanted to, SA had a great run of bands I’ve wanted to see. FOO fighters, Muse, Iron Maiden etc.
A few like Radiohead, Green Day, Arctic Monkeys that are my bucket list.
Steffmeister
February 8, 2019 at 13:00
An upvote for Radiohead
Original Heretic
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
I wanna watch Beyonce.
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
You’re not alone. I mean, I definitely don’t want to, but other people do XD
Original Heretic
February 8, 2019 at 11:43
I just thought “I need more suffering in my life”. Presto! Beyonce concert can arrange that.
Dresden
February 15, 2019 at 08:24
This guy Knowles what he’s talking about.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
Fuck right off to the left, stop lying
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
ACDC
Dresden
February 15, 2019 at 08:24
Off the top of my head… Foo Fighters and Trivium.
Spathi
February 8, 2019 at 11:43
Tool and Rammstein please!!
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:47
Maynard’s a weird dude on stage XD But that voice…
Spathi
February 8, 2019 at 11:47
Yeah he freaks me out. Would love to see them live though.
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:47
For sure.
Spathi
February 8, 2019 at 11:47
New album dropping April? Maybe? Maybe SA tour? 😛
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:47
A man can dream.
Tiaan Venter
February 8, 2019 at 12:05
Hopefully with the new album on the way they’ll include SA in a near future tour. Can only hope.
Or we can wait another 13+ years for the next album
Original Heretic
February 8, 2019 at 11:51
For real now, apart from the various rock bands I wanna see, I’d love to see Eminem live in concert
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 8, 2019 at 12:00
Bro if you didn’t see Rapture, forget about it. Eminem brought the stadium down. Hands down the best experience i’ve ever had. I can die in peace.
Umar
February 8, 2019 at 11:51
Real talk though, I would love to see Muse before I kick the bucket
Dresden
February 15, 2019 at 08:24
Uprising live… *getting goosebumps*
Admiral Chief
February 8, 2019 at 12:00
My man
GooseZA
February 8, 2019 at 13:45
They’re incredible. Saw them at Cokefest years ago. Opened the gig with Knights of Cydonia and just kicked everyone’s ass.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 8, 2019 at 12:00
Who saw Seether live at Gateway? lol
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 12:05
Holy shit dude. I did! Right in the front against the fence that wanted to fall over XD
They were good live though.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 8, 2019 at 12:05
I was there too lol
Yea they are one of my favs from my angry days
RK1985
February 8, 2019 at 12:05
Behemoth, Amon Amarth, Watain, Arch Enemy, Enslaved, Diecied… too many
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 12:05
Nice to see the amount of metalheads on CH XD
Kenn Gibson
February 8, 2019 at 12:20
Probably Manchester Orchestra, Daughter, London Grammar, Cœur de pirate, Phoebe Bridgers, mewithoutYou and Thrice.
I’ve seen most of the big ones that I wanted to…. Foo Fighters, Ben Howard, Dave Matthews, Incubus, Billy Talent, RHCP, U2, Coldplay, Biffy Clyro, Fightstar etc etc.
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 12:20
Cœur de pirate. Yes! For sure.
Dresden
February 15, 2019 at 08:24
Alestorm! ?☠
Craig Lotter
February 8, 2019 at 13:00
Blue October
Kervyn Cloete
February 8, 2019 at 13:10
Off the top of my head, System of a Down, The Prodigy (coz I missed them when they were here), Radiohead, Disturbed, Kasabian, Run the Jewels, Wu Tang Clan, Childish Gambino,Thirty Seconds to Mars.
I want to add Samantha Fish to that list, but there’s a part of me that’s afraid that I would not survive that much awesomeness. That voice, that skill on the guitar, those legs! I would die!
G8crasha
February 8, 2019 at 13:15
To be dead honest, I am happy to listen to all bands/artists on Spotify. I have no interest in seeing any band/artist live who still tours. The only band I would ever want to see, but they don’t tour anymore, is Led Zeppelin. My taste in music is to varied to consider attending a live performance.
Se7en Sharon Needles
February 8, 2019 at 13:20
Ed Sheeran, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber and Bruno Mars.
Gr8_Balls_o_Fire
February 8, 2019 at 13:20
There’s trolling and then there’s you.
GooseZA
February 8, 2019 at 13:55
I’ve seen a few of mine already. Dave Matthews Band, Metallica, Foo Fighters.
Sadly it’s too late for me to see the top of my list, ACDC. I know they still tour a bit with Axl Rose but it’s not the same, especially since Malcolm is gone as well. RIP.
For the Emperor!
February 8, 2019 at 14:12
Bon Jovi (attended last time they were here). Also I hear Rammstein is excellent. The one I most want to see live in person though, is Katherine Jenkins!
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:10
Sadly for quite a few it is already too late.
I’ll start with the obvious one and say Metallica.
Otherwise. Killswitch Engage. Anything with Miles Kennedy really. NIN. Amorphis. Incubus.
Geoffrey Tim
February 8, 2019 at 11:14
Saw Metallica when they were here, and it was a good time.
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:18
Yea. Me too. Was excellent. One of the best shows I’ve watched.
Dresden
February 15, 2019 at 08:24
Were you there the first or second night?
I was there the second night and the arena was surprisingly empty.
Matthew Holliday
February 8, 2019 at 13:35
Incubus was apparently a pretty legit concert
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 13:45
Honestly the best show I’ve ever watched.
kieker
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
I would love to see NSP & TWRP live!
I saw Foo fighters, Billy Talent, Sum41, Incubus, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Deftones, Mango Groove, The Used, Bullet for my Valentine, Iron Maiden. Out of these, The Used, Deftones and RHCP sucked the most, in this order. Incubus, Foo Fighters and Billy Talent rocked super hard.
I’m sad that I missed Lagwagon and NOFX while they were here, I would also love to see a Mad Caddies show.
EDIT: Sum41 was the wildcard in this list, because they just switched guitarists at that point, but their show was really super super good.
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
I’d love to see a Billy Talent show, always looks like a ton of fun.
kieker
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
Was so good!! Both of their shows here were amazing _m/
Captain JJ
February 8, 2019 at 11:39
And Incubus is by faaaar the best I’ve ever watched.
kieker
February 8, 2019 at 11:43
Yeah that show was super good! Had such a great time at that show.
Kervyn Cloete
February 8, 2019 at 12:50
I was at their show in 2010 at the 3 Arts Centre in Cape Town. That was a great freaking night!
kieker
February 8, 2019 at 13:05
They complained a lot about the heat with their Post aKOPPIlyptic Punk Picnic in the botanical gardens, but with them being from Canada, I can kind of understand why. Didn’t stop them from putting up an excellent performance though 🙂
Geoffrey Tim
February 8, 2019 at 11:43
I saw NOFX! It was pretty wild. 😀
kieker
February 8, 2019 at 11:43
Super super jelly (although I heard that they didn’t have a really great show here), they have great energy from the shows I’ve checked out on youtube!
Geoffrey Tim
February 8, 2019 at 11:47
I had a great time. It was a super small venue – and did get a little..raucous. when the played linoleum, the place erupted.
kieker
February 8, 2019 at 11:51
I can only imagine, aaahhhh!
Tbone187
February 8, 2019 at 13:00
Megadeth for sure..I hear Mustaines’ wrists are packing up. Three days Grace..Disturbed..Papa Roach..Tool..Seether..Incubus..Chevelle…Porcupine Tree..Wouldn’t mind Satriani or Norman Brown either. I know, I haven’t seen too many but damn it I watched Metallica and George Benson and that’s all that matters!
Tiaan Venter
February 9, 2019 at 00:22
There needs to be a big international prog event in SA where Tool/Porcupine Tree/Opeth/etc come here to play
Skyblue
February 8, 2019 at 21:15
Already seen pretty much everyone I needed to including Metallica, Rammstein, Chris Cornell, KORN, Seether, Nudies, etc. Only Pearl Jam is really left on my list.