The 1990s and 2000s produced some of the most unforgettable live rock performances in history. From epic festivals to career-defining stadium shows, these concerts shaped music culture and left an impact still felt today. Here’s our ranking of the top 10 rock concerts of the ’90s and noughties.
1. Oasis – Knebworth 1996
Two nights. 250,000 fans. One of the biggest cultural moments in British music history. Oasis’s Knebworth shows became the defining event of the Britpop era, with Noel Gallagher calling it “the Woodstock of the ’90s.”
2. Nirvana – MTV Unplugged in New York (1993)
Recorded just months before Kurt Cobain’s death, Nirvana’s acoustic set stripped away the noise to reveal haunting, emotional performances. Their covers of David Bowie’s The Man Who Sold the World and Lead Belly’s Where Did You Sleep Last Night are still spine-tingling.
3. U2 – Zoo TV Tour (1992–93)
A groundbreaking multimedia experience mixing rock, performance art, and biting social commentary. U2’s Zoo TV Tour was ahead of its time, blending live satellite feeds, ironic advertising, and unforgettable setlists.
4. The Rolling Stones – Copacabana Beach (2006)
In front of a staggering two million people, The Rolling Stones performed a free concert on Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach. The scale was unprecedented — and the atmosphere electric.
5. Radiohead – Glastonbury Festival 1997
Rain poured, mud churned, and Radiohead delivered what many call the greatest Glastonbury set ever. Playing tracks from OK Computer at the peak of their powers, they turned a weather-soaked crowd into one of the most euphoric audiences in festival history.
6. Pearl Jam, RHCP & Soundgarden – Lollapalooza 1992
Grunge met alternative rock at Lollapalooza ’92 in a messy, muddy, and unforgettable collision of energy. Pearl Jam’s intense set, Soundgarden’s raw power, and RHCP’s explosive finale made it a tour to remember.
7. David Bowie – Glastonbury Festival 2000
Returning to the Pyramid Stage for the first time since 1971, Bowie delivered a masterclass in showmanship, mixing Ziggy Stardust-era classics with newer hits. A magical night for fans old and new.
8. Tibetan Freedom Concert (1996)
Held in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, this benefit concert for Tibetan independence brought together Rage Against the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Björk. It was a powerful fusion of music and activism, drawing over 100,000 people.
9. U2 – Super Bowl XXXVI Halftime Show (2002)
In the shadow of 9/11, U2 turned a sports halftime show into an emotional global tribute. Performing Beautiful Day and Where the Streets Have No Name while the names of victims scrolled behind them, it remains one of the most moving live TV moments in rock.
10. Radiohead – Oxford Homecoming Concert (2000)
A charity concert in their hometown of Oxford drew 42,000 fans, becoming one of the largest events in the city’s history. With a setlist spanning their early hits to Kid A, it was a love letter to where it all began.
Why These Concerts Matter
These shows weren’t just great performances — they became cultural milestones. Whether it was the sheer scale of the Rolling Stones in Rio, the vulnerability of Nirvana’s Unplugged, or the activism behind the Tibetan Freedom Concert, each event left a lasting legacy on music history.
