For pure showmanship and quality of live music, Meatloaf at the Gorge in 1994 or 1995. Very entertaining, and good clearly auduble music that wasn't overblown by some a-hole who wanted to turn the amps up to 11. Cheap Trick opened (one of the 5 or 6 times they opened for some band I saw) and they were spot on as well.

Tickets were free from Seafrist Bank, since I was an employee and my job was to hand out free foam frisbees before the concert at teh mobile ATM. We got unlimited free food and booze in one of the hospitality Yurts, along with free parking. Even got paid mileage.

Sat in the front row at a Rush concert in Seattle in 1985 or 1986, which was a great time, row 1, seat 2B. Roommate sat in line for 3 days to get those 8 tickets while we brought him food. 8 tickets, all front row, old school style.

Upgraded tickets to Aerosmith at White River a few years back. We were supposed to be in the grass, but it was raining. We showed up WAY early, checked to see if there were any fresh seats avaiable and ended up resting my elbow on the stage peninsula. That was an entertaining show, and we stayed dry. Wife said Steven Tyler had soft hands.