So despite my lack of regular posting, I'm still doing a bunch of end of the year stuff. I find it fun, some people find it obnoxious. Whatever.
While I'm still whittling down my Top 50 Albums and Top 100 Tracks, I thought I'd do something different this year and list my Top 10 Shows of 2008, complete with photos and all that jazz.
Oh, and this doesn't mean that these are the best live music acts, they're simply the shows that struck me the hardest. And there's a little room for error yet - I still have My Brightest Diamond (tonight), School of Seven Bells (Monday), of Montreal (Tuesday), Ryan Adams/Oasis (Wednesday), My Morning Jacket (NYE) and maybe Gogol Bordello before the end of the year.
Honorable mentions: Kanye West secret appearance at Knitting Factory with Consquence and Q-Tip, Fleet Foxes at Union Hall, Band of Horses at The Parish Room (in Austin), Friendly Fires at The Annex.
10. The Kills, Music Hall of Williamsburg, October 4.
While no photos of this show were published (nor a review), this was one of my favorite shows of the year. I had just seen The Kills
at Austin City Limits the week before, but it was in the middle of the day, which doesn't really suit their music. Music Hall was a much better venue for the dark, somewhat dissonant sound that these two Brits put on. Their 2008 album,
Midnight Boom, is a prime suspect for best album of the year, and this show definitely helped their case.
9. Bon Iver, Music Hall of Williamsburg, December 12.
So this show happened last night. Seems a bit quick to coin it one of the best of the year, but really, I couldn't have asked for a better show. The Tallest Man on Earth opened, and that Swede has some major talent. Justin & co. came on and the crowd. Was. Silent. It was chilling - I might even call it a spiritual experience. "re: Stacks" was staggering. "Skinny Love" was the gorgeousness that I've always known. "Wolves (Act I and II)" was heartbreaking (and much louder than I expected). They also played a few new tracks off their upcoming EP
Blood Bank which were... good (to make a ridiculous understatement).
8. Beth Orton, Prospect Park, July 12. (more
here).
This one I didn't expect. When I went to see Beth Orton I went to see a few songs off of
Comfort of Strangers that I liked, and I went because it was a beautiful night and Prospect Park is just a short walk from my house. I enjoyed the first few songs while I was taking photos, but man, after I sat down and listened I was absolutely blown away. Such an intimate sound on a big stage, so careful and so stunning. It was stripped down - none of the electronics that had been associated with some of her older work. I'd very happily see her again.
7. Ryan Adams, Cafe Select, October 29. (more
here).
Secret shows are always great, especially when you love the act as much as I did this time around. I wrote a
review of the show for Brooklyn Vegan, but I just want to iterate how great this show really was. How often do you get to see one of your favorite artists do a show at a cafe that holds 40 people in the middle of the day where he takes one of your personal requests for a song? That, friends, rocks.
6. I'm From Barcelona, Brooklyn Masonic Temple, May 1. (more
here).
Another one I wrote a
review for, but man, this show was great. I didn't know Thao before, so she was a nice touch as an opener, but also I'm From Barcelona have to be one of the best live acts around. Their 20-some people on stage, excessive use of confetti and happiness just make for such a fun night. Not to mention finding that confetti in your pockets days later.
5. Cut Copy/The Presets, Webster Hall, September 21. (more
here).
This show was sick. The only real dance show on here, because I'm not usually a dance show fan. But both of these bands were ridiculously good at getting people dancing. The only time I've felt the floor at Webster bounce like that was at my first ever concert photog experience - Hot Chip last year. These bands just straight up kill it live - if you have the chance to see them, do so. Just don't do so in a pair of flip-flops so that the 6'1 Australian girl standing next to you can't step on your toe with her stilettos.
4. Metric - Union Pool, September 9. (more
here).
When Emily Haines announced several shows in one night at Union Pool I was sold. It turned out to be her and Jimmy Shaw playing the new Metric album acoustically, which... holy shit, wait until you hear it. The entire record is so good, and they're recording an acoustic version as well. The night gets extra points because Emily gave me a hug and Jimmy bought me a beer. And because I finally got some good shots of the musical love of my life.
3. Joanna Newsom, BAM, January 31. (more
here).
This one I kind of half-expected to be good. I love some of Joanna's stuff, but am also kind of annoyed by her voice in some of them. Thankfully her voice is coming along beautifully and there wasn't a moment during the show that I cringed. The first half of the show was her playing with the Brooklyn Philharmonic - they played all of
Ys from beginning to end - and the second half was her with her band. I am so very excited to hear some of her new stuff.
2. Sigur Rós, United Palace, September 18. (more
here).
This one, I mean come on. It was everything I expected it to be. Yes, I would have loved to have seen them earlier in the year in a smaller space with their orchestra, but I cannot complain for one second about this experience. It was powerful. I made friends with one of the security guards which allowed me to shoot a bit more freely throughout the night, including from the crowd that rushed to the front of the stage during the last song of the set, "Gobbledigook," and stayed there as they played "Illegresi" live for the first time and ended with "Untitled #8" which was nothing short of face-meltingly good.
[mp3] Sigur Rós -
"Fljótavík" (Me› su› í eyrum vi› spilum end)
1. Radiohead, All Points West, August 8. (more
here).
Duh.
This show was amazing. Night #2 was great too as I got to shoot a few songs from the pit, but night #1 is my choice because I was decently close for the entire set and it was my first time seeing them. 25 Radiohead songs... they know how to perform. The second encore will stick in my mind as one of the best things ever to happen to me. 3 songs: Thom solo on "Cymbal Rush," then "Just" and "Everything in Its Right Place." "Cymbal Rush" was particularly stunning. He played it acoustically, and it was the most silent you've ever heard 30,000 people in one place. My view was Radiohead | Manhattan Skyline | Statue of Liberty. It was a gorgeous night and this one will always stick out as one of the most amazing concerts of my life.
Read More......
I've always enjoyed Thom Yorke's solo bits. OK, that's not entirely true - I really didn't care for his 2006 solo record, The Eraser - but I've always liked his covers and live stuff. Now we've got a new cover to offer you: "All For the Best," written by Mark Mulcahy for his band Miracle Legion, is Thom's contribution to a new compilation record. Mulcahy's wife died very unexpectedly last year, leaving him to raise a set of twins all by himself. This album, Ciao My Shining Star, is a tribute to his late wife and a means to help raise his children. The record has a great list of contributors, including Yorke, Frank Black, The National, Michael Stipe and Ben Kweller. Buy this record when it comes out on September 29th - it's for a good cause and should be a great listen!
