This past year I made a goal to see a concert a month. I didn't quite make that goal, I managed 10 months out of the year, but I saw 14 shows (plus one Evening With). So, I'm calling that a success. Plus, there were some pretty damn amazing shows.
January
Martin Sexton
Like I posted at the time, I went to see Martin really only because I heard that he was amazing live. Amazing doesn't quite cover what Martin does. He is a one man music machine. Honestly, words fail what he does. It is something that one needs to experience first hand. I highly, highly recommend checking him out. Martin has now joined the Ben Folds ranks for me, in that I will see him every time he comes to town. Really, the albums I subsequently got don't do him justice. He's a live act, and a perfect way to kick off the year.
Teitur
Teitur was my friend Juli's pick. We saw him at my favourite Triple Door, and he was adorable. The Triple Door is an already intimate space, but Teitur managed to pull us in even closer. It was truly like hanging out in the living room with a friend and his guitar, chatting and playing songs. It wasn't the nearly spiritual experience Martin was, but it was a sweet one.
February
Mutemath
Oh Mutemath how I love thee. These guys are amazing. It was one of those nights where I barely got myself there, I was so tired. Oh man though, once they took the stage you are immediately swept up by their energy. Seriously, I mean seriously, they are the hardest playing band I have ever seen, and I've seen a lot of shows. They put 200% into every song, such energy. I wish I had just a little bit of what they got. I love these guys, all their albums are fantastic. I saw them originally when they opened for Matchbox Twenty, and I was hooked. A must see live.
March
Sharon Van Etten
Honestly, this was probably my least favourite show of the year. I was grasping to find someone to go to for March. I really love Sharon's song One Day, but I wasn't too familiar with the rest of her work. She was good, but it wasn't outstanding. Plus the venue messed up the audio, the volume was way too loud. It made it harder. I did just pick up her latest CD. I haven't listened to it yet, but I hear it is pretty darn good.
April
I went a little crazy in April, and saw four amazing shows.
Rodrigo y Gabriela
If I remember correctly they said this was the opening night of their North American tour, or maybe it was just one of their first shows. Either way they were full of energy. Gabriela was bouncing all over the stage. Too cute!! I am really thrilled that they have found the success they have, especially when we are so often force fed farmed music. It is so refreshing that two exceptionally talented people have blazed their own trail, and the crowds have found them. They were touring with C.U.B.A., which I wasn't quite sure about, but they were equally as wonderful. They book-ended the show, so we got Rodrigo y Gabriela alone and solo too. Fantastic show at the Paramount, they gave amazing energy, which was returned with equally exuberant energy. I am so glad I was there to witness and take part in the love fest.
Steven Wilson
As I posted at the time, I saw Rodrigo y Gabriela and Steven Wilson back to back, and what polar opposite experiences they were. Where the RyG show was a celebration of life, Steven, well Steven was a trip to the dark side. Actually to say Steven is dark would be a bit of an understatement. Just think of the movie Seven, and you've pretty much got the feeling. I dare say I am not his typical fan, being a girl for one, but I do really love his stuff. Not sure what that says about me. In fact, I listened to Porcupine Tree on a loop for most of yesterday. Anyway, I am a big fan, and was ecstatic to see him live. Again, were RyG completely engaged with the crowd, the warm up for his show was about an hour of a creepy slide show with an equally creepy drone. The first part of the show they played behind a screen, and then they eventually engaged a bit. It was good though, really good. He had a fantastic band with him, and I found myself fixating on his guitarist. Steven said that this band was so good that he found he was pushing his writing to meet their talent. Quite a compliment, I dare say.
Band of Shadows
Absolutely without a doubt one of my favourite new bands (well new to me as of this year). I love these guys. I was so psyched to see them. It turned out to be not such a great show, only in that they were late taking the stage. The show was pushed back and hour, and they had two opening bands. It was a work night, and I was stressing about getting out of there. I had to leave early. I NEVER leave early, the only other show I was forced to leave was Sia, both of which still kill me. I can only say that what I saw was wonderful, and I hope they come back soon, so I can see them again properly. Love them!!
DJ Shadow
Again, like I had posted (this is where my posting dropped off for the year) I wasn't sure what I was going to get at this show. I actually went prepared to leave if it was too freaky. Just admitting that is shameful. Like I could ever leave?!! His show was a truly unique experience, and I am so glad I took the leap to see Josh do his thing live. His show was a multimedia extravaganza. The show had images synced to his music, which was entrancing without any drugs. I can only imagine what the tripping folks were experiencing. I'm sure it was quite a ride. I just read this morning on
The AV Club that his show was stopped in Miami for being too "futuristic". I can only imagine what brought that on. Josh is an true artist, and one that it seems to me, is never going to stop pushing the limits. Break on through Josh!!
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