A lot of factors go into what makes a good show for me. The band I'm seeing is only the half of it. There's also the venue, who i'm with, and the general atmosphere of the whole show. In the last 8 years I've seen a lot of shows including every Y101 Birthday Bash, Disorientation, and Snowball we've put on and all have been a blast. This is a list of 5 shows that stick with me the best.

Flogging Molly @ The National (Richmond, VA)

I've seen Flogging Molly twice at the National and I've combined both of those shows in my mind to one awesome show. Being in the middle of a packed crowd jamming out to my favorite songs and dancing and singing along with everyone, what more can you ask for at a show of one of your favorite bands? Not to mention the awesome t-shirt I bought with the typo on the back. It makes my t-shirt special...

Street Dogs @ The National (Richmond, VA)

My good friend Lindsay first sent me songs by the Street Dogs a few years ago and I was hooked immediately. A punk band out of Boston that you need to check out if you haven't done so already. Not a lot of people were at this show but you wouldn't have known it by the performance that was put on. They treated that show as if it were sold out, and afterwards hung out and chatted at the merch table with everyone. Totally cool guys and I've been waiting for them to come back to Richmond.

2 Skinnee J's @ The Lincoln Theater (Raleigh, NC)

I LOVE 2 Skinnee J's. The first time I met them was during a radio interview they did with Y101 roughly 7 years ago. I was just a part-time promotions kid back then and when they put me on the guest list to see them that night at the Canal Club I had no idea what to expect but was completely blown away. I saw them about 5 more times after that, the last time being in Raleigh. It was one of their last shows before calling it quits as a full time group. Guitarist Lance Rockworthy offered to put me on the guest list if I came down for the show, so a buddy and I took the road trip and had one of the best times of our lives. Awesome set capped off by hanging out with the band until 4am.

Kiss and Aerosmith @ MCI Center (Washington D.C.)

Kiss is the band that got me into Rock & Roll at a young age. I collected Kiss stuff growing up and listened to them constantly. My first tattoo was even a Kiss tattoo! These days I may not listen to Kiss as much or collect the merch, but finally seeing them a few years ago was deffinitely an experience to be remembered. Awesome seats, lots of pyro, and thousands of Kiss fans. How are these guys not in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame yet?!

My Chemical Romance and Muse @ William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA)

Two of my favorite bands playing together, and I got to meet both of them. A really hard show to top. Seeing the entire CD of The Black Parade performed live was amazing to say the least. This was the second time I had seen them perform and it was even better with Muse as a co-headliner. Probably my favorite show ever. It's too bad My Chemical Romance ended up getting food poisioning later that night which took them off the road for a few days. So I'll assume the memory is not as great on their end.

This was not an easy list to make. I've seen a lot of great bands, especially right here in Richmond. Your turn. What are some of the best shows you have ever been to? Leave a comment!