This is a really, really tough one. I saw some great live music this year.
10) U2 at Lincoln Financial Field (Philly) (probably the most impressive visuals I've ever seen at a concert)
9) Belle and Sebastian w/Spoon, Andrew Bird and Ex Hex at Merriweather (though the Belle and Sebastian after party in Chicago was more fun than either concert of theirs I saw, and one of the best nights of the year)
8 ) The Pixies at Lincoln Theatre (night 1)
7) X at State Theater
6) The Breeders at Lincoln Theatre
5) The Damned at Baltimore Soundstage
4) Luna at Union Transfer (Philly)
3) Best Coast at Rough Trade (Brooklyn)
2) Air at Strathmore (best-sounding show of the year by a mile)
1) The Feelies at World Cafe Live (Philly)
Honorable mentions: Bob Mould at Black Cat, Face to Face at Rock'n'Roll Hotel, PJ Harvey at Wolf Trap, Social Distortion at the Fillmore (Philly) and Saint Etienne at U Street.
Worst shows: Queens of the Stone Age at Anthem, Book of Love at U Street, Real Estate at Union Transfer.
This was the first year since 1993 where I did not see a single show at the 9:30 Club.
