what's on your list….?
Best live shows this year 2009
see, now this list i had ready… i'm still working on my best-of-the-decade list.
my best shows of 2009, in no particular order:
metallica @ newark - frikken lasers!!! even the anti-hard-rock/metal missus was thoroughly impressed.
dead weather @ bowery - they just oozed "rawk stah", alison was sooooo bad-ass.
NIN @ T5 (second night) - first night was good, being front and center for night 2 really made the show)
FotC @ Radio City - both the venue and the show were impressive. the missus almost got to touch germain's butt.
ZZ Top @ 930 - classic (and cheesy!) blues-rock done right
roots @ highline ballroom ("the jam") - saw this show 3 or 4 times, every time was excellent: street sweeper social club, booker T, a blind piano/keys player henry ?, etc).
NINJA @ pnc bank center, holmdel, nj
prodigy @ roseland ballroom, nyc - only band & crowd that has ever come close to RATM's intensity.
U2 @ c'ville
TCV at 930
younger brother @ T5, nyc - a criminally under-attended show/booked in way too large a venue… still an amazing show.
my best shows of 2009, in no particular order:
metallica @ newark - frikken lasers!!! even the anti-hard-rock/metal missus was thoroughly impressed.
dead weather @ bowery - they just oozed "rawk stah", alison was sooooo bad-ass.
NIN @ T5 (second night) - first night was good, being front and center for night 2 really made the show)
FotC @ Radio City - both the venue and the show were impressive. the missus almost got to touch germain's butt.
ZZ Top @ 930 - classic (and cheesy!) blues-rock done right
roots @ highline ballroom ("the jam") - saw this show 3 or 4 times, every time was excellent: street sweeper social club, booker T, a blind piano/keys player henry ?, etc).
NINJA @ pnc bank center, holmdel, nj
prodigy @ roseland ballroom, nyc - only band & crowd that has ever come close to RATM's intensity.
U2 @ c'ville
TCV at 930
younger brother @ T5, nyc - a criminally under-attended show/booked in way too large a venue… still an amazing show.
PJ Harvey and John Parish @ Warner Theatre
Naked Raygun/Paint It Black @ Ottobar
The Jesus Lizard @ 930
The Damned @ Black Cat
Sonic Youth/Entrance Band @ 930
Bob Mould @ 930
Devo (Q Are We Not Men night) @ 930
Neko Case @ Rams Head Live
Mika Miko/Strange Boys @ Comet Ping Pong
The Breeders @ Black Cat
Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ 930
Naked Raygun/Paint It Black @ Ottobar
The Jesus Lizard @ 930
The Damned @ Black Cat
Sonic Youth/Entrance Band @ 930
Bob Mould @ 930
Devo (Q Are We Not Men night) @ 930
Neko Case @ Rams Head Live
Mika Miko/Strange Boys @ Comet Ping Pong
The Breeders @ Black Cat
Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ 930
Mine isn't set in stone but here's what I got at the moment:
Top three are interchangeable:
Antony and the Johnsons at Town Hall NYC 2/19
Ghost/Magik Markers Velvet Lounge DC 5/10
My Bloody Valentine National Richmond 7/30
4. Them Crooked Vultures 930 Club 10/14
5. Devo 930 club 11/15
6. Sonic Youth 930 Club 7/7
7. The Tallest Man on Earth Black Cat 6/16
8. Dinosaur Jr. 930 Club 10/8
9. Jandek Load of Fun Theater Baltimore 11/14
10. Primal Scream 930 Club 3/27
Top three are interchangeable:
Antony and the Johnsons at Town Hall NYC 2/19
Ghost/Magik Markers Velvet Lounge DC 5/10
My Bloody Valentine National Richmond 7/30
4. Them Crooked Vultures 930 Club 10/14
5. Devo 930 club 11/15
6. Sonic Youth 930 Club 7/7
7. The Tallest Man on Earth Black Cat 6/16
8. Dinosaur Jr. 930 Club 10/8
9. Jandek Load of Fun Theater Baltimore 11/14
10. Primal Scream 930 Club 3/27
Springsteen MSG (played The River in its entirety!)
Leonard Cohen Merriweather and Radio City
MBV The National
Primal Scream 9:30 Club
NINJA Merriweather
TCV 9:30 Club
Pixies DAR
Good year for attending what were once theoretical "dream" shows
Leonard Cohen Merriweather and Radio City
MBV The National
Primal Scream 9:30 Club
NINJA Merriweather
TCV 9:30 Club
Pixies DAR
Good year for attending what were once theoretical "dream" shows
azaghal1981 wrote:
Antony and the Johnsons at Town Hall NYC 2/19
forgot about that one. add it to my list.
2009/07/30 My Bloody Valentine (The National, Richmond, VA) – a dream come true, show of the year
2009/06/08 The Decemberists/Andrew Bird/Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 (Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD) – probably the second best show of the year
2009/08/28 The Flaming Lips/Explosions in the Sky (Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD) – this show made me smile with all the over-the-top theatrics and fun, my #3 show of the year
2009/01/17 The Raveonettes (Black Cat, Washington, DC) – fun show, better than their recent 9:30 Club show
2009/01/18 Moby (DJ) (9:30 Club, Washington, DC) – Inauguration night, epic power outage with Moby drumming on buckets to keep us entertained until the power came back on
2009/03/18 AC Newman/The Broken West (Black Cat, Washington, DC) – better than some New Pornographers shows I've been to, openers were excellent as well
2009/04/17 Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down (Black Cat, Washington, DC) – Thao is so awesome; I love her energy and off-kilter rhythms
2009/10/07 The Gossip/MEN/Apache Beat (9:30 Club, Washington, DC) – the "dance-y-est" show of the year, the 9:30 Club was hopping all night
2009/06/09 TV on the Radio (9:30 Club, Washington, DC) – always an excellent show
2008/10/27 Van Morrison (Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore, MD) – Van went deep catalog, playing a lot of obscure favorites; I loved every song
2009/11/09 The Swell Season (9:30 Club, Washington, DC) – a magical evening, even the new material was excellent
2009/11/30 Pixies/Jay Reatard (D.A.R. Constitution Hall, Washington, DC) – IMHO, this was better than the 2004 reunion show at D.A.R.
2009/06/08 The Decemberists/Andrew Bird/Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 (Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD) – probably the second best show of the year
2009/08/28 The Flaming Lips/Explosions in the Sky (Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, MD) – this show made me smile with all the over-the-top theatrics and fun, my #3 show of the year
2009/01/17 The Raveonettes (Black Cat, Washington, DC) – fun show, better than their recent 9:30 Club show
2009/01/18 Moby (DJ) (9:30 Club, Washington, DC) – Inauguration night, epic power outage with Moby drumming on buckets to keep us entertained until the power came back on
2009/03/18 AC Newman/The Broken West (Black Cat, Washington, DC) – better than some New Pornographers shows I've been to, openers were excellent as well
2009/04/17 Thao Nguyen with the Get Down Stay Down (Black Cat, Washington, DC) – Thao is so awesome; I love her energy and off-kilter rhythms
2009/10/07 The Gossip/MEN/Apache Beat (9:30 Club, Washington, DC) – the "dance-y-est" show of the year, the 9:30 Club was hopping all night
2009/06/09 TV on the Radio (9:30 Club, Washington, DC) – always an excellent show
2008/10/27 Van Morrison (Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Baltimore, MD) – Van went deep catalog, playing a lot of obscure favorites; I loved every song
2009/11/09 The Swell Season (9:30 Club, Washington, DC) – a magical evening, even the new material was excellent
2009/11/30 Pixies/Jay Reatard (D.A.R. Constitution Hall, Washington, DC) – IMHO, this was better than the 2004 reunion show at D.A.R.
phish
3/6 3/7 3/8
no one else need apply.
3/6 3/7 3/8
no one else need apply.
Antony at 6th and I
Earthless at DC9
Gallows at DC9
Earthless at DC9
Gallows at DC9
Fischerspooner @ Webster Hall
Phoenix @ Summerstage
Fran Healy & Andy Dunlop (Travis) @ Joes Pub
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings @ Nokia
Friendly Fires/White Lies @ Bowery & Black Cat
and best show by far
The Long Count w/Bryce & Aaron Dessner and The Deal Sisters @ BAM Opera House
Phoenix @ Summerstage
Fran Healy & Andy Dunlop (Travis) @ Joes Pub
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings @ Nokia
Friendly Fires/White Lies @ Bowery & Black Cat
and best show by far
The Long Count w/Bryce & Aaron Dessner and The Deal Sisters @ BAM Opera House
Here are my top 10 in chronological order
Gary Louris and Mark Olson, Alexandria VA, February (Seriously inspiring show. It is hard for me to imagine how two people could sound better singing together)
Nine Inch Nails, Bonnaroo, June (Epic 2.5 hour late night set.)
Soulsavers, RNR Hotel, Washington DC, September (Not only are the records great, they are also a great live band, amazing guitarist and freakin Mark Lanegan)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 9:30 Club, September (Also saw them at Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits and the club show was the best of the 3)
Them Crooked Vultures, Austin City Limits and 9:30 club, October (The most I?ve ever enjoyed a band without having heard a note of their music beforehand. I doubt this show will ever be topped in that respect)
Richard Thompson, Charlottesville VA, October (Best guitarist on the planet)
Pearl Jam, Closing of the Philadelphia Spectrum, October (PJ played for 3.5 hours, amazing)
Bruce Springsteen, New York City, NY, November (My favorite Springsteen album, Wild, Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, performed in its entirety.)
Jesus Lizard, Washington DC, November (Pure demented bliss)
Sonic Youth, New York City, NY, November (I missed the 9:30 shows this summer, so was happy to catch this while up in NY for thanksgiving)
Gary Louris and Mark Olson, Alexandria VA, February (Seriously inspiring show. It is hard for me to imagine how two people could sound better singing together)
Nine Inch Nails, Bonnaroo, June (Epic 2.5 hour late night set.)
Soulsavers, RNR Hotel, Washington DC, September (Not only are the records great, they are also a great live band, amazing guitarist and freakin Mark Lanegan)
Yeah Yeah Yeahs, 9:30 Club, September (Also saw them at Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits and the club show was the best of the 3)
Them Crooked Vultures, Austin City Limits and 9:30 club, October (The most I?ve ever enjoyed a band without having heard a note of their music beforehand. I doubt this show will ever be topped in that respect)
Richard Thompson, Charlottesville VA, October (Best guitarist on the planet)
Pearl Jam, Closing of the Philadelphia Spectrum, October (PJ played for 3.5 hours, amazing)
Bruce Springsteen, New York City, NY, November (My favorite Springsteen album, Wild, Innocent and the E Street Shuffle, performed in its entirety.)
Jesus Lizard, Washington DC, November (Pure demented bliss)
Sonic Youth, New York City, NY, November (I missed the 9:30 shows this summer, so was happy to catch this while up in NY for thanksgiving)
I didnt do too many shows this year, but based off of my ticket stubs that i still have left:
the Prodigy - 930 Club
Leonard Cohen - MPP
AC Newman - Black Cat
mc chris - Nerdapalooza festival in Orlando
Death Cab for Cutie - DAR
nine inch nails - Bonnaroo
Phish - Bonnaroo first set
Ports of Call - Velvet Lounge
Screen Vinyl Image - Black Cat
Fujiya & Miyagi and School of Seven Bells - 930 Club
the Prodigy - 930 Club
Leonard Cohen - MPP
AC Newman - Black Cat
mc chris - Nerdapalooza festival in Orlando
Death Cab for Cutie - DAR
nine inch nails - Bonnaroo
Phish - Bonnaroo first set
Ports of Call - Velvet Lounge
Screen Vinyl Image - Black Cat
Fujiya & Miyagi and School of Seven Bells - 930 Club
My faves of 09:
David Byrne - Wolf Trap 6/6/09
Phoenix - RRHotel 6/21/09
Paul McCartney - CitiField NYC 7/21/09
Elbow - 930 8/4/09
Franz Ferdinand / Weezer - VFest MPP 8/30/09
U2 / Muse - Fed Ex Field 9/29/09
Them Crooked Vultures - 930 10/14/09
Bruce Springsteen - VCtr 11/2/09
David Byrne - Wolf Trap 6/6/09
Phoenix - RRHotel 6/21/09
Paul McCartney - CitiField NYC 7/21/09
Elbow - 930 8/4/09
Franz Ferdinand / Weezer - VFest MPP 8/30/09
U2 / Muse - Fed Ex Field 9/29/09
Them Crooked Vultures - 930 10/14/09
Bruce Springsteen - VCtr 11/2/09
faust @ international house, philly
pentagram @ sonar, baltimore
van der graaf generator @ nokia theater, nyc
jesus lizard @ starlight ballroom, philly
keinji heino & tony conrad @ international house, philly
ghost/magik markers @ velvet lounge, dc
yahowha 13/afterhours/dark sea dream @ velvet lounge, dc
the feelies @ johnny brenda's, philly
marshall allen & han bennink @ vox populi, philly
saint vitus @ sonar, baltimore
ozric tentacles @ johnny brenda's, philly
boredoms: boadrum 9 @ ATP, monticello ny
pentagram @ sonar, baltimore
van der graaf generator @ nokia theater, nyc
jesus lizard @ starlight ballroom, philly
keinji heino & tony conrad @ international house, philly
ghost/magik markers @ velvet lounge, dc
yahowha 13/afterhours/dark sea dream @ velvet lounge, dc
the feelies @ johnny brenda's, philly
marshall allen & han bennink @ vox populi, philly
saint vitus @ sonar, baltimore
ozric tentacles @ johnny brenda's, philly
boredoms: boadrum 9 @ ATP, monticello ny
"keinji heino & tony conrad @ international house, philly"
Damn really? How'd I miss that one?
Tony Conrad's quickly getting up there and I've yet to see him.
"ozric tentacles @ johnny brenda's, philly"
Kind of a shocker seeing this on your list. Isn't Ed pretty much the only original band member left?
The show of theirs I caught five-ish years ago was pretty damn good, though.
Damn really? How'd I miss that one?
Tony Conrad's quickly getting up there and I've yet to see him.
"ozric tentacles @ johnny brenda's, philly"
Kind of a shocker seeing this on your list. Isn't Ed pretty much the only original band member left?
The show of theirs I caught five-ish years ago was pretty damn good, though.
> 1. Pogues, 9:30 Club March 18.
> 2. David Byrne with Devotchka,
> Wolftrap.
> 3. Wilco, Wolftrap.
>
> 4. Elvis Perkins in Dearland,
> Rock and Roll Hotel
>
>
> 5. Justin Earle, Groovin in the
> Garden, Richmond.
>
> 6. M Ward, Sixth and I Synagogue.
First time seeing Pogues and Byrne, after being a long time fan.
> 2. David Byrne with Devotchka,
> Wolftrap.
> 3. Wilco, Wolftrap.
>
> 4. Elvis Perkins in Dearland,
> Rock and Roll Hotel
>
>
> 5. Justin Earle, Groovin in the
> Garden, Richmond.
>
> 6. M Ward, Sixth and I Synagogue.
First time seeing Pogues and Byrne, after being a long time fan.
azaghal1981 wrote:
"ozric tentacles @ johnny brenda's, philly"
Kind of a shocker seeing this on your list. Isn't Ed pretty much the only original band member left?
The show of theirs I caught five-ish years ago was pretty damn good, though.
at the state theater? i was there, good show. didn't realize they toured this year.
yeah, ed is the only original member left.
State Theatre indeed.
I think the closest they got to us this year was the 8x10. Had to say "no thanks."
I think the closest they got to us this year was the 8x10. Had to say "no thanks."
A few highlights from this year…
1/ 7/09 Edie Sedgwick Black Cat Backstage
3/11/09 R.E.M. Tribute Carnegie Hall
5/11/09 Leonard Cohen Merriweather Post Pavilion
5/12/09 The Damned/The Bellrays Black Cat
5/18/09 Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band Verizon Center
5/27/09 Holy Fuck/Crocodiles Rock And Roll Hotel
6/ 5/09 A Place To Bury Strangers/Caverns Rock And Roll Hotel
8/ 1/09 Paul McCartney/Thievery Corporation (DJ Set) FedEx Field
10/14/09 Them Crooked Vultures 9:30 Club
11/11/09 Bob Dylan Patriot Center
top 30 faves ::)
Spiritualized/The Jesus Lizard/The New Year/MBV/The Jayhawks @ Primavera Fest, Barcelona
Leonard Cohen @ Beacon Theater, NYC
Kylie Minogue @ Fox Theater, Oakland
PJ Harvey @ Irving Plaza, NYC
The Juan MacLean @ Black Cat
Mono @ RnR Hotel
Mogwai @ 930
Built to Spill @ 930
The Tallest Man on Earth @ Black Cat
The Veils @ RnR
A Hawk & A Hacksaw @ RnR
Asobi Seksu @ Slim's, SF
Patrick Wolf @ RnR
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings @ 930
Elbow @ 930
Los Amigos Invisibles @ 930
Evangelicals @ Red and Black
Rodriguez @ Slim's, SF
Califone @ RnR
Bowerbirds @ Black Cat
Marissa Nadler / Alela Diane @ DC9
Plants & Animals @ DC9
Phosphorescent @ Black Cat
The Pixies @ DAR
The Hidden Cameras @ RnR
Antony & the Johnsons @ Sixth and I
Dan Deacon Ensemble @ 930
Elvis Perkins @ RnR
AA Bondy @ RnR
The Decemberists/Andrew Bird @ Merriweather
Spiritualized/The Jesus Lizard/The New Year/MBV/The Jayhawks @ Primavera Fest, Barcelona
Leonard Cohen @ Beacon Theater, NYC
Kylie Minogue @ Fox Theater, Oakland
PJ Harvey @ Irving Plaza, NYC
The Juan MacLean @ Black Cat
Mono @ RnR Hotel
Mogwai @ 930
Built to Spill @ 930
The Tallest Man on Earth @ Black Cat
The Veils @ RnR
A Hawk & A Hacksaw @ RnR
Asobi Seksu @ Slim's, SF
Patrick Wolf @ RnR
Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings @ 930
Elbow @ 930
Los Amigos Invisibles @ 930
Evangelicals @ Red and Black
Rodriguez @ Slim's, SF
Califone @ RnR
Bowerbirds @ Black Cat
Marissa Nadler / Alela Diane @ DC9
Plants & Animals @ DC9
Phosphorescent @ Black Cat
The Pixies @ DAR
The Hidden Cameras @ RnR
Antony & the Johnsons @ Sixth and I
Dan Deacon Ensemble @ 930
Elvis Perkins @ RnR
AA Bondy @ RnR
The Decemberists/Andrew Bird @ Merriweather