My Top 10 official live releases
The Who – Live At Leeds 14 February 1970 – Best live album of all time

Crowded House – Farewell To The World [Live At Sydney Opera House, Sydney, Australia 24 November 1996] – This may well be the best introduction to the group. A great setlist that doubles as a greatest hits collection. Hearing their 80’s work without the 80’s production that is probably more accessible that the studio work. Also Crowded House walks the tightrope of entering towards soft-rock with their studio work that at times be a put off (Crowded House songs are part of the cultural landscape in Australia but that acted as a barrier for me getting into them and actually listening to their albums because it created an impression that they were an easy listening soft rock group) but their live performances has a more energy/punch and guitar heavier approach with extended solos. Fingers Of Love is absolutely exceptional and is elevated in this live album by the great guitar solo.

U2 - Live At Red Rocks ‘Under A Blood Red Sky’ June 5th 1983 DVD – Great set list picking the best songs from the 3 albums. More energetic performances of the song, removing some of the production echo and replacing it with a distorted edge and a live version of 11 O’Clock Tick Tock that is one of the U2 greatest ever song and perhaps Edge at his peak as a guitarist. Ignore the CD release which is disgrace especially it’s dampening of the distortion of the guitar which undercuts what made the live performance great and short tracklist of 8 songs.
The Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones Live In England 5-7 March 1965 – The studio release of early cover era of Rolling Stones is often celebrated for combining aggressive approach with professional playing. However there is an element of “you have to be there” to truly get it’s impact listening it today. However this live release by adding some distortion to the guitar, increasing the tempo and being accompanying by the screaming girls and you can truly get what a phenomenon the early era of The Rolling Stones are and helps to truly appreciate the early Stones. This live document helps close the early cover era of the band while showcasing its developing songwriting. Live version of Route 66 remain The Rolling stones greatest achievement and one of the greatest covers ever.

Joy Division - Live at the Factory, 13 July, 1979 (Bonus CD from reissue of Unknown Pleasure) – Raw punkish performance of the band without the Martin Hannett production gives an almost different

Neil Finn & Friends - 7 Worlds Collide Live At The St. James 2 April 2001 to 6 April 2001 DVD – Neil Finn with a backing band of Johnny Marr, Ed O’Brien and Phil Selway. The definitive version of Private Universe, Loose Tongue and Suffer Never. Eddie Vedder guest vocalist in Take A Walk and I See Red to brilliant effect.

Radiohead - The Astoria London Live 27 May 1994 DVD – There may be better Radiohead bootlegs out there but this is the best of the official release

The Jam - Live At Newcastle City Hall 28th October 1980 (from Fire And Skill Boxset) – Married the punk rock performance of the early era of The Jam with the songwriting craftmanship of later era to get the best of both world.

Jerry Lee Lewis - Live at the Star Club, Hamburg 5 April 1964 – it’s debateable who is the greatest 50’s rocker but Jerry Lee Lewis is clearly the greatest live performer out of all the 50’s rocker.

King Crimson - Absent Lovers Live at The Spectrum, Montreal, 11 July 1984 – Great career summary of the Discipline era of King Crimson