kelly’s enlightening year-end lists: most memorable shows
the great thing about nyc is that every touring band typically passes through multiple times. as a nyc transplant, i’m still learning that i don’t have to see every band i like every time they play [there are exceptions to that rule, of course]. regardless i, like many friends, strangers and colleagues, see way too many shows. honestly most are fine, forgettable or bad at worst. here are the ones that still stick out in my mind as the best concert experiences i had this year, in order of their appearance.
- Sharon Jones & The Dapkings @ Maxwells [February 2] - i had been dying to see SJ&TD for years and for some reason this show was the first time the stars aligned for me to attend. unfortunatley, i was having a tough day and tipped back a few too many drinks, but regardless i had a blast. absolute dance party. i hugged sharon afterwards, no lie.
- Arcade Fire @ Judson Memorial Church [February 14] - af were one band that were all over the place this year. having never seen them in concert before, i had the joy of witnessing their live show 3 times in vastly different venues: a small church, a theatre and a festival. so, obviously, seeing them in the small church environment was absurdly magical.
- LCD Soundsystem @ Bowery Ballroom. [March 30 or 31]…can’t remember which show i went to, help friends! - this show really blew my mind. i didn’t expect to have such an amazing time, but all i remember is dancing, and then dancing some more!
- Amy Winehouse @ Bowery Ballroom [March 13] - i love amy’s record and was so pumped to score a ticket to see pre-really-crazy amy at bowery before heading to sxsw. it’s so sad that she’s really gone so batshit insane because she has so.much.talent in that teeny body.
- of Montreal @ Studio B [April 14] - after having seen oM earlier in the year at Irving Plaza and falling in love with their new album, it was fun to witness the same theatrics in such a small space. also, this was the event where after playing a FULL set, they backed several drunk karaokers jamming out to rock standards . it was brilliance.
- Sasquatch! Music Festival @ The Gorge, Washington [May 26- - sasquatch! was my first festival. i’m sold. it was in a ‘gorge’ous setting, fairly laid-back, not too insanely crowded/easy to be up close if you wish, and topped off by a great lineup. in a matter of days i saw bjork, the beastie boys, arcade fire, interpol, and many many more. and honestly most weren’t throw-away shitty festival sets… i felt like i had really seen these bands afterwards. [photos, more]
- Wilco @ Warsaw [June 26] - if you know what a big ryan adams fan i am, you’ll know that i am sick at myself for missing his much buzzed, small show @ Hiro Ballroom on this very night. however, when you’ve already lined up tickets to see wilco at a small venue, you can’t really complain. the whole event of this show was amazing. the tickets were sold at a box office only, and therefore were sold to hardcore fans who waited in line for hours. the opportunity for scalping was pretty much eliminated and come showtime several months later, it showed. the room was sweltering but it didn’t matter. it was full of actual fans, who had ‘done their time’ to be there… and wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. the band played for hours, and it was such a treat. [photos, more]
- Hanson @ Webster Hall [July 25] - again, i’m not afraid to tell you i like hanson. the last time i saw them play was probably 7 or so years ago, and with a completely different lens as a concert attendee. back then i was hardcore, convinced i would marry taylor hanson, and not really concerned with the depth of the music. the delight of seeing hanson NOW was watching folks [mostly chicks] still losing their minds while singing along with every lyric. the attendees of the shows i’ve become accustomed to seeing lately are jaded and afraid to really let themselves go. not the case here. i was surprised to see that while hanson still have young/new fans, majority of the audience was older; fans that have stuck with them all these years. kinda reminded me why i was so taken by the music/artist/fan connection in the first place. [photos]
- Muse @ Madison Square Garden [August 6] - they really pulled it off. as anyone had any doubts to begin with, but this band owned msg for the night. each venue i see them perform, they prove how big they are and seeing them destroy the pinnacle venue of nyc was simply exciting. i love this band so much. i was glad to see them again, minus the panic attack after literally getting trampled while trying to get an up-front spot at their [random!] bamboozle performance in may. [photos]
- Daft Punk @ Keyspan Park, Coney Island [August 9] - ask anyone who attended this show, and they’ll say the same thing. show of the year. for two guys who don’t look like they’re doing a whole lot up in their classy pyramid, they sure now how to get people moving. the lights [and the bass!] were phenomenal and you couldn’t help but completely lose yourself in dancing. not a soul in the place was standing still. even the drink vendors were losing their shit. [photos]
- Paramore @ Roseland Ballroom [November 28] - hands down my least favorite venue in nyc. however, paramore [deliverers of my fave song of this year, and hell, my favorite band of this year] cut through the massive venue and tugged at my heartstrings. frontlady hayley has such charisma and is just so darn entertaining to watch. her bandmates do little tricks. it all screams of gimmick, but it feels so good. it also doesn’t hurt that each song is catchy as all get-out. [photos]
