Over the past week I have been reminiscing over my time at The University of Texas at Austin since the upcoming school year is quickly approaching and I sadly won’t be there. I was trying to think what my favorite memories were during my college years and other than the obvious football season my best memory was concerts. I would have never imagined that when I got to UT this concert obsession would occur. My parents and some people who follow me on Facebook are convinced that I didn’t even go to school…and instead I actually majored in concerts. Now that I have sat down and thought about those wonderful three years I think those people might actually be correct.

From Katy Perry and Lil Wayne that kicked it all off my freshmen year of college, to Foster the People, Pink, One Direction and so many more I thought it would be fun to countdown my concert experiences and maybe even encourage you to see some of these amazing artists!

I am going to start at the bottom and work my way up to the best show I have seen.

22. John Mayer

I have seen John Mayer twice in the last year. I saw him once at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, TX and in June at the O2 in London, UK. He is extremely talented, but I could have done without seeing him twice. The only perk of seeing him again was that I got to see the iconic O2 Arena. I would go see him but if you are wanting to go see someone else I would see them first. Overall, I give this show a 5 out of 10.

21. The Black Keys and Arctic Monkeys 

I was given free tickets from a friend who had to miss this show 2 years ago. I saw them in Austin at the Frank Erwin Center with Arctic Monkeys as an opener. I love the Black Keys and REALLY love Arctic Monkeys (whose concert I will be attending this coming October). But at the time I didn’t listen to their music as much and unfortunately didn’t appreciate the concert experience as much as I would today. Overall, I am giving their show a 5 out of 10 but I know they would be ranked much higher if I had seen them recently.

20. Gavin Degraw

I saw Gavin Degraw at the Austin Rodeo a few years ago. He is brilliant but unfortunately the venue was not ideal. The mix of sound was completely awful and we could hardly hear him the whole show. I would love the opportunity to see him again in the future. I give this show a 5 out of 10.

19. Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean

I saw Luke Bryan and Jason Aldean together at the Gexa Pavilion in Dallas, TX. It was a very fun night and they were great performers. If you are a major country fan I highly recommend this show. Clearly they are two of the biggest names in country music so it was exciting to be able to see them both for the cost of one ticket. Overall I am giving their show a 6 out of 10.

18. Kelly Clarkson and The Fray

I saw Kelly Clarkson and The Fray together for my 20th birthday with my family at The Woodlands Pavilion in Houston, TX. It was a great show minus the heat and 100% humidity. I melted by the end of the night, but other than that they were fantastic. Kelly Clarkson is so incredible live I was amazed. I would absolutely recommend seeing her in concert just maybe not in Houston, outside, in August. Overall, I give the show a 6 out of 10.

17. Backstreet Boys

As a part of my 21st birthday I was given tickets to see the reunion tour of Backstreet Boys with Paige at The Woodlands Pavilion in Houston. THEY SANG EVERY HIT. I relived my childhood that night. We had so much fun and they still sounded pretty good. They definitely looked different than the last time I had seen them (back in 99) but I was pretty impressed. Sadly, it was hot and humid yet again. Houston in August is miserable… try to avoid it if you can. Overall, I give this show a 6 out of 10.

16. P!NK

Pink was fantastic at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. My roommate Paige and I went together and it was a concert we had dreamed about since we were little girls. Get this party started was basically the theme song of our entire childhood and our favorite cover when we had our own band, Hot Pink Wonders. Don’t judge, we were legitimate with contracts and everything. To our extreme sadness though, PINK decided to NOT SING GET THIS PARTY STARTED. It was a travesty for sure. The strange thing about the show was the audience. Paige and I were some of the youngest there which still is odd to us. Overall, I give her show a 6 out of 10.

15. Lil Wayne

I turned 19 the day I saw Lil Wayne in San Antonio, TX at the AT&T Center. Paige and I went to celebrate my birthday and it was definitely a night to remember. We stuck out like a sore thumb…we were searched prior to entering the venue which was something new for me. I had been to several concerts at this venue and that had never happened before. I was almost jumped for catching a t-shirt and well the atmosphere was not exactly breathable if you know what I mean. But Lil Wayne put on the show of a lifetime. He sang all of his hits and was just so much fun. I don’t recommend this concert to anyone younger than high school. Overall, I give this show a 6 out of 10.

14. LMFAO

My friend Taylor and I got to see LMFAO at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, TX a few years ago. We got tickets in the party pit so we stood the whole night, but it was it was a great experience. Now clearly you can’t go see them anymore since they broke up but it was honestly one of the most fun I have ever had at a show before. We danced the entire night so much that I actually broke my shoe during the show. Overall, I give this show a 6 out of 10.

13. Justin Bieber

I have seen Justin Bieber twice. The first time I saw him I was 17 and it was probably the highlight of my teenage years. He was so sweet and adorable and one heck of an entertainer. Fast forward a few years and I decide to go see him again at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX where I had seen him the first time. It was an incredible show, but it was very different. He was very serious and did not interact with the audience like the first time. The production was quite a bit larger than the first time and his dancers were fantastic. I don’t know if I would pay to see him now though but you know “Never Say Never” (only true Bieber fans will get that). Overall, I give the Biebs a 7 out of 10.

12. Fall Out Boy

I saw Fall Out Boy at Stubbs Outdoor Venue in Austin, TX a little over a year ago. I was so excited I could barely stand it. They were my favorite band back in junior high so when they decided to put out a new album my inner 8th grade self jumped for joy! They sang their new stuff, but also incorporated all of their old hits which I greatly appreciated. My only complaint about that night was the concert was outside, in June, in Austin, TX. The combination of those three things makes for a miserably hot evening. Overall, I give this show a 7 out of 10.

11. Maroon 5

I saw Maroon 5 at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, TX. They were an absolute blast. Adam Levine puts on one heck of a show and he sang every hit they have ever had. I am not sure if I would go see them again though. It would depend on how good their new music is, but if you haven’t seen them before you definitely should. Overall, I give this show a 7 out of 10.

10. Katy Perry

Thanks to my wonderful roommate who if you haven’t noticed has attended most of these concerts with me, got me floor seats for my birthday to see Katy Perry and her California Dreams Tour and I was ecstatic. I saw her two nights prior to the Lil Wayne concert in San Antonio at the AT&T Center. It was fun and girly and she was incredible live. We got to see her dad too which was pretty awesome. I would absolutely go see her again. We danced and had a blast and I would recommend her show to anyone. Overall, I give her show a 7 out of 10.

9. Imagine Dragons

These guys are incredible. I had the absolute privilege of seeing them at the Frank Erwin Center a few months ago and was in awe the whole show. They put on a killer show and just sound truly incredible live. They sang their entire album and their drum set up was just amazing. I HIGHLY recommend seeing their show if you ever get the chance. Overall, I give their show a 7 out of 10.

8. Carrie Underwood and Hunter Hayes

Paige and I saw Hunter Hayes and Carrie Underwood a few years ago at the Cedar Park Center in Cedar Park, TX. As you can see from the picture above Paige and I met Hunter after the show. Meeting him only made me love him more. He was beyond sweet and ended up chatting with us for awhile. Carrie was great live as well but this entire night was overshadowed by meeting Hunter! Overall, I give their show an 8 out of 10.

7. 5 Seconds of Summer 

I have seen 5 Seconds of Summer twice (soon to be a third time) and both times they were opening for One Direction. They are so much fun to see! I love their music especially their new album that just released. They are headlining their first tour next year and I recommend anyone to get tickets! Overall, I give them an 8 out of 10.

6. Bon Jovi

I am 80s music lover to the extreme so seeing Bon Jovi was an ultimate concert. He had no opener and he sang for almost 3 hours and he sang every single hit! Even though Paige and I were the youngest people at this concert we had an absolutely fantastic night. EVERYONE Should go see him no matter your age! Overall, I give this show an 8 out of 10.

5. Muse

For my 21st birthday my wonderful friend Paige got me an Austin City Limits Music Festival 3 day pass (I know pretty great friend right?). Muse was a headliner for the first night which was a dream come true for me. I have loved this british band for a long time and never thought I would get the opportunity to see them live. Their set up was incredible and they just put on a fantastic show. Go see them if they ever come back to the states, you will not be sorry. Overall, I give this show a 9 out of 10.

4. Kings of Leon

Like Muse I also saw Kings of Leon at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Even though it was BRUTALLY HOT and we waited 6 hours so we could be front row it was worth it. They sang every song I could think of and put on a fantastic show. I would love to see them again and hope I get the opportunity to soon! Overall, I give this show a 9 out of 10.

3. Foster The People

I saw Foster the People 2 years ago during the last show of their first tour ever. Paige and I got to see this spectacular band at a rooftop pool party at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. This show will forever be one of my favorites. They sang every single song from their Album Torches which still remains one of my all time favorites to this day. If you ever get the chance to see them in concert GO. They are appropriate for all ages and just a great show. The coolest part about Foster The People is that they all play all the instruments so they would get up and change instruments in the middle of song. It was really amazing. The venue could not be beat either. Overall, I give this show a 9 out of 10.

2. One Republic 

I saw One Republic at the Austin 360 Amphitheater and this concert was hard to put as my number two. It almost got my number one spot on this list. First, the venue was one of the coolest venues I have ever been too. It was extremely relaxed with great acoustics and Austin food trucks parked to get food during the show WHICH IS A MAJOR BONUS. Ryan Tedder is a musical genius and has been one of my favorite artists since pretty much forever. The openers for this show were Jamie Scott (who is beautiful and British and you should 100 percent check out his music) and Christina Perri. Just when I thought this night couldn’t get any better Ryan made his way into the audience and came directly in front of me so I got to shake his hand. I would be lying if I said I didn’t lose my mind because I definitely did. They were lively and energetic and one of the best performers I have ever seen. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this show and I will absolutely go see them again when they come back to Texas (or hey maybe London). Overall I give this show a 10 out of 10.

1. One Direction

I am sure I will get backlash for making One Direction my number one concert, but I don’t care. I have seen them three times and in a few weeks will see them for a fourth time. I have seen them at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX (Take Me Home Tour), Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX, and will be seeing them at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Tx. But the One Direction concert that I am ranking at the top of the charts is by far their Where We Are Tour in London, UK at Wembley Stadium. I was front row and it was magical. There is nothing like seeing an artist perform in their home town. This concert would be equivalent to seeing the Beatles in London back in the day (and I wish so desperately I could have been around for that). The boys are extremely interactive with the crowd and don’t take them selves too seriously. If you can manage to handle the piercing screams of 100,000 girls I would recommend seeing this show. I give this concert a standing ovation and a 10 out of 10 (also a 10 out of 10 for just how beautiful they really are). If you want to hear more about this crazy concert experience make sure to check out my previous post called “Yes I Am 21”.

Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to take the poll and be sure to share with your friends!

With love from me to you,

Nichole