Bands that are either utterly consistent over many years or expand on their sound live and bring something different to each show do it for me.

Iron Maiden are probably one of the worlds best live bands out there but on the flip you get other bands that expand upon their sound live and really come alive in a live situation.

I have posted this a few times but it is a perfect example of a band that are much more than their studio recordings would suggest. Live instrumentation, timing, engineering and emphasis on real instruments than a quick fix on decks in a nightclub.

I have seen many bands in my time and class Faithless as one of the very best I have ever seen.

Bruce Springsteen is by far the best live act I've seen, and I'm not even that much of a fan. Prince put on a pretty kick-ass show too, but I'd expect nothing less of him.

Of the bands I've seen, including the above two, Jonny Lang, Sevendust, and Third Eye Blind also put on great shows. Hate on their music all you want, but they are pretty decent performers.

Oh, and how can we forget ZZ Top? Simply amazing...fun AND talented, delightfully over the top. If y'all ever get the chance to see them, you really shouldn't pass it up.

Conversely, two bands that I used to love, Kenny Wayne Shepherd band and Black Label Society, sucked so hugely in concert it broke my heart.

oasis!

I really didn't enjoy Iron Maiden when I saw them, it's probably because I don't care for them at all and didn't really engage myself in it. I'd agree with Faithless though for sure, I saw them at an open air festival and they were incredible so I'd love to see them in a venue. Did you go to that Ally Pally gig? I'd have loved that.

Boredoms, The Ex, Converge, Melt Banana, Yo La Tengo, Six Organs of Admittance, Faust, Sonic Youth, Deerhoof, Public Enemy, Pavement, The Clean, Swans, Pere Ubu, Gang of Four, Mission of Burma, Shellac, Autechre, Sunn O))), Electric Wizard, Low, Nick cave & the Bad Seeds

^ some of the best I've seen, that spring to mind.

You prick, I'm so jealous.

Some bands that have impressed me more than once seeing them live:

Thrice - Hands down my favorite group to see live. They have such a clear and crisp sound it sounds like you're sitting in a huge studio with a few thousand people loosing their **** at the same time hah.

A Wilhelm Scream
Propagandhi
Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum
Dub Trio
Andy McKee
Blackalicious

haha, I like Deftones, I just laughed really hard at that quote

Thrice was really good, The Fall of Troy takes the cake for me however.

Pop Evil wasn't half bad.