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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Vas Deferens on December 15, 2009, 01:07:44 pm

Title: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Vas Deferens on December 15, 2009, 01:07:44 pm
what's on your list....?
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: sweetcell on December 15, 2009, 01:30:12 pm
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.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: andyrichter on December 15, 2009, 02:01:13 pm
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
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: azaghal1981 on December 15, 2009, 02:21:36 pm
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
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Mobius on December 15, 2009, 02:30:01 pm
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





Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: sweetcell on December 15, 2009, 02:54:59 pm
Antony and the Johnsons at Town Hall NYC 2/19

forgot about that one.  add it to my list.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Darth Ed on December 15, 2009, 03:00:13 pm
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.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: walkonby on December 15, 2009, 03:10:37 pm
phish

3/6  3/7  3/8

no one else need apply.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Relaxer on December 15, 2009, 03:42:58 pm
Antony at 6th and I
Earthless at DC9
Gallows at DC9
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: xneverwherex on December 15, 2009, 05:53:39 pm
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
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Mr.Whippy on December 15, 2009, 06:07:37 pm
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)
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: killsaly on December 15, 2009, 11:36:36 pm
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
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: chancegardener on December 16, 2009, 01:24:06 am
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
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: snailhook on December 16, 2009, 07:32:41 am
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

Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: azaghal1981 on December 16, 2009, 08:38:50 am
"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.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: James Ford on December 16, 2009, 08:51:21 am
> 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.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: sweetcell on December 16, 2009, 09:06:19 am
"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.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: azaghal1981 on December 16, 2009, 09:11:17 am
State Theatre indeed.

I think the closest they got to us this year was the 8x10. Had to say "no thanks."

Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Bombay Chutney on December 16, 2009, 11:27:29 am

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   

Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Vas Deferens on December 16, 2009, 12:21:00 pm
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

Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Got Haggis? on December 16, 2009, 12:36:12 pm
Dan Deacon Ensemble @ Bowery Ballroom (i've seen him a ton of times in baltimore, but this show was great)
My Bloody Valentine @ The National
Jesus Lizard @ Sonar
Beach House / Celebration @ outside of the Metro Gallery
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: eltee on December 16, 2009, 01:33:13 pm
Swell Season at 930. The Frames just sounded soooo good. The one show in awhile I didn't want to miss a note.
Bloc Party at 930. Maybe not perfectly polished but damn close. Way fun, an excited crowd and I appreciated this booking, a gift from Seth/twangirl.
Distant third tie: Nada Surf - the appreciative crowd added to the energy and good time. (this was this year right? Agh so long ago)  or Paolo Nutini - just to toss him in the mix b/c he's just a good guy, growing in his craft.

Not best show b/c the sound was off-putting, but I appreciate 930 for the attempt and for bringing the Ben/Jay show.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: bearman🐻 on December 16, 2009, 02:03:52 pm
15) Social Distortion @ House of Blues, Atlantic City, NJ (10/17)
14) The Prodigy @ 9:30 Club, DC (5/18)
13) Bruce Springsteen @ Verizon Center, DC (11/2)
12) The Feelies @ 9:30 Club, DC (3/14)
11) Jane's Addiction @ Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden, NJ (6/5)
10) The Damned w/the Bellrays @ Black Cat, DC (5/12)
9) Phoenix @ Rock'n'Roll Hotel, DC (6/21)
8 ) Peaches @ 9:30 Club, DC (6/17)
7) Bob Mould Band @ 9:30 Club, DC (10/10)
6) Fischerspooner @ 9:30 Club, DC (5/10)
5) Black Francis @ Hotel Utah Saloon, SF (8/8)
4) Face to Face w/Pegboy @ Sonar, Baltimore, MD (9/19)
3) Pixies @ DAR Constitution Hall, DC (11/30)
Tie: 1&2) Death Cab For Cutie @ Belly Up, Solana Beach and @ Hollywood Bowl (7/3, 7/5)
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: teepo on December 16, 2009, 02:08:58 pm
my bloody valentine @ national
ghost/magic markers @ music hall of williamsburg
9boadrums/jesus lizard/laming lips/onedia/ @ atp09
pixies @ dar
glenn kotche @ claire smith
sonic youth  @ 930
dinosaur jr @ ottobar
mono w/ wordless music @ society for ethical culture concert hall
crimson grail for 200 guitars @ lincoln center
faust @ blackcat


haven't really gone outside my house this year. i blame mbv for having satisfied all my needs.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: teepo on December 16, 2009, 02:11:48 pm
"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.


i bought my ticket way in advance and faked out on the day of the show :(
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Vas Deferens on December 16, 2009, 10:52:09 pm
no The Juan MacLean at Black Cat? I'm sure you can toss out Jandek...just think about the super extended version (25 minutes?) of Happy House...that was pretty hypnotic, eh? 

and ~~~~~~~~~~~~~launch me into spaceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~~~~~~~~

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

Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: azaghal1981 on December 16, 2009, 10:59:03 pm
Jandek stays. TJM was good but nowhere near top 10 material for me.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: snailhook on December 17, 2009, 08:04:46 am
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.


yeah, he's the only original member.  his wife brandy is now playing bass, and she's really good.  i used to love the ozrics in the '90s, and have always considered them more of a space-rock band in the vein of hawkwind or gong than a noodly jam band.  the rhythm sectionhas always been rock-solid and motoric.  they played for over two hours at jb's, and there were hardly any dull moments.  waaaay better than the 2004 tour.

the haino/conrad set was intense, but everything haino does is gripping and urgent.  if he did a duet with a fucking pigeon, it'd be in my top ten shows of the year.
 
 
 
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: mdh9857 on December 17, 2009, 10:49:22 am
I'll just say it, and deal with the consequences.

P!nk at Patriot Center
Kylie Minogue at Hammerstein Ballroom

P!nk puts on one hell of a show.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: MonkeyPants on December 17, 2009, 10:57:13 am
Distant third tie: Nada Surf - the appreciative crowd added to the energy and good time. (this was this year right? Agh so long ago) 

Nope - both Nada Surf shows were in 2008 and they were both amongst my top shows from last year.
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: eltee on December 17, 2009, 11:09:22 am
top 30 faves  ::)
no Beirut?
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Vas Deferens on December 17, 2009, 11:20:24 am
Nope. They didn't make it to the top 30  ;D

top 30 faves  ::)
no Beirut?
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: azaghal1981 on December 17, 2009, 12:43:05 pm
They were probably in the top 10 overpriced shows of the last 10 years, though.


Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: RatBastard on December 17, 2009, 05:35:42 pm
It has been an unusually slow year for shows for me.  Less than 30 shows so far..  :(  Here are some that I recall as being on the listing of kick ass events.

05/18 The Prodigy (930)
06/13 Jane's Addiction (Porstmouth Amphitheater)
08/22 Chuck Brown (930)
10/20 Little Richard (Ram's Head Annapolis)
11/11 Joe Perry Project (Starland Ballroom)
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Lazer Guided Melodies on December 17, 2009, 05:44:35 pm
1.  Leonard Cohen-Red Rocks 6/4
2.  MBV/Brightblack-Fillmore (Denver) 4/24
3.  Ghost/Lichens-Hi-Dive 5/18
4.  Primal Scream-Music Hall Of Williamsburg 3/29
5.  Sonic Youth-Ogden Theater 7/31
6.  Hope Sandoval-Bluebird Theater 10/1
7.  Phoenix-Monolith Festival Red Rocks
8.  Thievery Corporation-Fillmore 4/18
9.  Wilco-Red Rocks 7/3
10. Om/Six Organs-ICA (Boston) 10/12
11. Shpongle-Mishawaka 6/5 (at least from what I remember)
12. A Place To Bury Strangers-Larimer Lounge 10/23  
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: lagas on December 18, 2009, 08:11:59 am
my take

T O O L @ Patriot Center
NIN/JA @ Merriweather
Van Der Graaf Generator @ State Theatre
Pixies @ DAR
The Breeders @ Black Cat
David Byrne/Devotchka @ Wolf Trap
U2/MUSE @ FedEx Field
Kayhan Kalhor & Brooklyn Rider @ Library of Congress
Antony & The Johnsons @ Sixth & I
Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ 930
Them Crooked Vultures @ 930
Moby @ 930
Animal Collective @ 930
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: Firebutt McGee on December 21, 2009, 02:38:14 pm
1. Leonard Cohen @ Radio City Music Hall (*)
2. Grace Jones @ Hammerstein Ballroom (*)
3. Fever Ray @ Webster Hall (*)
4. David Byrne / Devotchka @ Wolf Trap (*)
5. The Long Count @ Brooklyn Academy of Music (*)
6. Nine Inch Nails @ Bowery Ballroom (*)
7. Grizzly Bear / Final Fantasy @ Brooklyn Academy of Music (*)
8. Jay-Z with guests Beyonce, Young Jeezy and Mary J. Blige @ Warner Theater (*)
9. The Cure @ Coachella Music Festival (*)
10. The Jesus Lizard @ Fun Fun Fun Fest (*)
11. Spoon @ Chameleon Club (*)
12. Antony and the Johnsons @ Sixth and I Synagogue (*)
13. The Decemberists with the Heartless Bastards @ The Metro / Smart Bar (*)
14. Kylie Minogue @ Hammerstein Ballroom (*)
15. ESG with DJs Sal Principato and Matt Cash @ Le Poisson Rouge (*)

Top 15 of 2009

It's SUPER hard for me to do a top 10 of 00's...
Title: Re: Best live shows this year 2009
Post by: betao on December 21, 2009, 05:10:24 pm
My favs of 09:

The Orb (live) @ Coachella
My Bloody Valentine @ The National
The Prodigy @ 9:30
A Place To Bury Strangers @ RNR Hotel
Throbbing Gristle @ Coachella
Plump DJs @ Coachella
Leonard Cohen @ Coachella
Primal Scream @ 9:30
NIN/JA @ Merriweather
The Flaming Lips @ Merriweather