Concert on the Commons?

Coldplay, U2, Linkin Park or My Chemical Romance

Can someone get Keith Urban on the horn and ask him to come? Please? While you're at it, ask the Dixie Chicks too.

While not a fan of the large outdoor venues (must be my advanced age of 36, I would definitely brave the elements for Paul McCartney, the Chili Peppers or U2!

Coldplay, without a doubt.

I'd love to see a younger band like Fall Out Boy or My Chemical Romance, but the problem with filling the commons is that it needs to be someone older that will draw a wider audience... we're going to end up with another crusty old-man band, I'm certain.

U2 and Dave Matthews Band would surely be winners!

The best of Britain: Oasis, Kasabian and Muse

In order to justify a show on the Halifax Commons, we really need a band that can sell at least 40-50,000 tickets, and preferably 60-70,000 (which, if you recall, was what they were hoping for with the Stones). By my count, there are four rock bands who are rumoured to be touring next year that could pull off those sorts of numbers in this market: AC/DC, U2, The Eagles, and (if the gossip is true and Monday's show isn't a one-off) Led Zeppelin.

Any one of those shows would do extremely well, but in terms of which would sell the most tickets, U2 and Zeppelin top the list. Both have what Celine Dion lacked (and why I think putting her on the Commons was a bad idea): broad, cross-generational appeal and huge novelty in our market. Even if people aren't big fans of either band, they'll go to see those concerts just based on the sheer "event" status of the show, and they'll come from all over the Maritimes.

Your move, Halifax...

Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, U2.

I agree with Mr. McNutt, but will go further in saying that U2 would be the only real choice for a 60,000+ attendance at the expected ticket price of $50-$100. Other bands could bring in 50,000 at $20 a ticket, but to make it an event that bands will play there has to be a payday and that means high ticket prices, which is cool for U2.

I would like to see the Glen Miller Orchestra or the Spitfire Band.

Having attended the Stones on the Commons, I would continue to support groups like AC/DC, U2, Eagles, Dixie Chicks, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay on the Commons.

Being in the 50+ age group, I take exception to Kings Girl comment "crusty old-man bands". Working in a university environment for a number of years, I've found a large number of students like the "crusty old-man bands"; my own children and their friends(mid and late twenties) "love that old stuff".

It has to be financially worthwhile for larger bands to come -big payoff, and for Halifax to be known as a place to come; therefore the high ticket prices for 50,000 on the Commons.

For the "younger bands" - perhaps smaller outdoor venues around town enabling $20-$25 tickets, giving both band exposure and accommodating this type of demand.

U2, U2, or perhaps U2

Driving to work, the radio station asked the same question. All I had to do was look at the CDs in my car: AC/DC, Led Zepplin (a world tour would be too much to hope for), Aerosmith (even though they were in PEI last year, I'm sure they would draw the crowd here in Halifax). Although U2 would be great, I'm holding out for METALLICA!

Red Hot Chili Peppers or U2. I have my own personal favourites other than these two, but these could fill seats.

NO COLDPLAY! yelch! Let's bring musical *talent* please.

2 words Foo Fighters

I stood in the rain for the Stones and would do it again in a heartbeat for Springsteen, Matchbox 20, Chili Peppers, Cold Play, Eagles and countless others.

For Paul McCartney, I'd stand in the rain for days!

Dragonforce, The 69 Eyes, Evanescence

Adding to McNutt and Pearce's comments, I think another act that could seriously command an audience of more than 50,000, and even closer to 100,000 is Garth Brooks. Any comeback tour would certainly bring even the most reserved of fans out to see the greatest entertainer of the last 20 years.

my suggestion: Radiohead

RADIOHEAD! no band has a more diverse following, nor is any band more talented or groundbreaking.

i love the Chili Peppers, but they are awful live.
U2 or coldplay would be good, but not great.
does anyone really care about Oasis anymore?
to quote the Dude: "i've had a hard day, i hate the F-ing eagles."

Rush!

There are 3 generations of Rush fans out there! It would definitely sell out and the age mix would make for a great audience experience.

If Rush is too busy doing huge shows in South America next summer how about Tragically Hip?

Radiohead with openers being the Arctic Monkeys and the Kooks

Radiohead: Arguably the biggest band in the world right now, with a brand new critically acclaimed CD. Plus on Facebook more Dal students voted Radiohead their favourite band than any other. Bring Radiohead and satisfy everyone!!

I can think of no band that would be a better fit than Rush. I would personally stand in 10 feet of snow if it's what it took to see Rush on the Comons.

I've got a better idea. Let's leave the Commons to quietly recover from the pounding it took from the Stones crowd, and get Radiohead in the Metro Centre instead.

Nobody has suggested Bob Dylan yet. But I would go to Paul McCartney, for sure.

Coldplay or Black Eyed Peas!!

According to the 'concert hotwire' website Pollstar.com, the top 10 touring bands right now are (from 1 to 10): Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Van Halen, Celine Dion (!), Foo Fighters, Neil Young, Ozzy Osbourne, Tool, Billy Joel, The Police. Bruce Springsteen would definitely attract a huge & diverse crowd, as the Stones did. This type of artist is what the city wants and needs badly to polish up its image...a big name with enough star power that fans would be willing to fly or drive long distances for the show, and who therefore would be spending money in and around Halifax.

The city needs to look at its demographics, and do some ground level research. Acts like the Stones are top grossing (in 2006, $138.5 million for only 39 shows) but keep in mind that fans pay a pretty penny it. That's fine if you have the demographics; clearly it worked out well for all parties since the show was a success, by most reports.

I agree with previous posters on some of the acts they chose. My vote is for an act like the Dave Matthews Band (which is not in the Top 10 list above, but only because they are not currently touring) would be a major draw for a few main reasons (and these key reasons apply to any act trying to be recruited):

1. Loyal fans in the key 20-40 age range (remember, Halifax is a university/college town).
2. Their fans travel great distances for shows (I did, 4 times, and each time I spent $$ in those cities.)
3. Reasonable ticket prices (half the cost of a Stones ticket).
4. Top quality act.
5. They always do large outdoor shows.

Incidentally, another issue here is the lack of support when big name acts DO make it out this way. When Pearl Jam did their rare cross-Canada trip in 2005, it barely made a ripple on the local radio airwaves, likely because they did not sponsor it. But fans had come from everywhere in Canada and the US for that show!! It didn't even register.

Thanks for reading! Let's hope for a great 2007!

Me too.......for U2!!! or ACDC, Bon Jovi

U2 or Coldplay

Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Eagles, U2, or Coldplay

Paul McCartney
or Neil Young
or The Chili Peppers
or Radiohead

Nickelback, Sum 41 or Three Days Grace.

While I don't disagree with some of the suggestions, and feel the need to add Dylan as an also obvious choice, I can't help but wonder how this is pertinent to Dal news, or, why Dalhousie (the institution, not students) cares.

MANU CHAO.

U2, The Police, Dave Matthews, Coldplay, AC/DC- all great bands with pretty broad appeal..each have the potential to fill the commons...

I seriously don't understand who would have thought it was a good idea to have Celine play at the Commons- i can't even picture it!!

Let's go for the oldies, and say Paul McCartney, what's left of the BeeGees, Billy Joel, and probably Elton John would bring a big crowd.
For more recent people, probably BEP, Justin Timberlake, or Timbaland

Aussie Pink Floyd

Celine Dion - because Halifax was so mean so her!

I would definitely go for Muse or Paul McCartney

Garth Brooks...if he did another tour, it would def get lots of fans!

Pearl Jam and Neil Young

U2!!

U2!!!!

The Boss makes me weak at the knees.
Bring me Bruce!

Bon Jovi

The Killers, or Coldplay

No country artists...please. I could hear the Stones from my room and their music is not bad, but country music...spare me. I'd love to see Coldplay or Collective Soul. Great bands both.

Depeche Mode, Duran Duran

My sister says "put down SoulDecision". She doesn't care if they're broken up.... she wants them to come regardless.

INXS, WITH the original lead singer

AND Sloan, even though the just had a free concert

NKOTB

OneRepublic, only if they sing apologise with Timbaland

Girls Aloud: We really need them known here

Tool, ooo, and Rage Against The Machine, now that they are touring again (for now)

Definitely U2!

I can't beleive only one other person has said it- No more concerts on the commons!!! The commons are a communal activity field, not a concert venue.

No retreat, baby, no surrender. Bruce Springsteen in our home town!

Second choice: Niel Young.

Linkin Park or U2

Moe., Gov't Mule, Ratdog, Keller Williams, Trey, Mike, DMB, Neil Young.
There should be a 2 day music festival on the commons.

foo fighters, red hot chilli peppers, coldplay, dixie chicks, matchbox twenty, justin timberlake, etc.

RUSH!

There are VERY few acts for whom I would stand in the pouring rain and freeze for hours. The Stones are hard to beat, but I'd wear my thermals and my rubber boots for U2, the Eagles, Paul McCartney, and Elton John.

Matchbox 20, Goo Goo Dolls, Bon Jovi

No Doubt or the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Funny how a lot of these suggestions have already been to Halifax, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, The Hip, Nickleback, Coldplay (Junos)...

I'd definitely be there for Van Halen, Police or Led Zeppelin!