My pals at CJSW have asked me to submit a Top 10 (only) list for their website. So, I had to mercilessly revise my picks from yesterday and also add a few explanations. Before it gets published there, I thought you might like to take a look:
1. Wilco – MacEwan Hall – Calgary, AB
For years, cold, hard reality had stoutly prevented me from seeing the phenom that is Wilco. Finally, in June, I witnessed them live. With talent comes hype. With hype comes expectations. Rarely does the experience live up to the thrill. Ladies and Gentlemen, the top concert spot for 2006 was earned by Wilco. They threw down amazing new material, they sounded fantastic, and they were truly awesome performers. For high-quality bootlegs, including the currently unreleased song "Impossible Germany", check out etree.org.
2. Brian Jonestown Massacre – Warehouse – Calgary, AB
Without BJM, there would be no psych-rock revival. Immediately after the show, I picked up Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request. I've been a far mellower individual ever since.
3. The Flaming Lips – Sasquatch Music Festival – The Gorge, WA
After a somewhat miserable afternoon (weather-wise), Wayne and Co. made sure everyone had a great time. The spectacle included Martians. balloons, fog machines, confetti, and lots of carefree fun. They played late into the night (much longer than their allotted 60-70 minute set) including selections from their new At War With The Mystics album.
4. Deerhoof – Hiro @ The Maritime Hotel – New York, NY
Deerhoof puts on an amazingly eclectic show. Seeing them in the Japanese-themed Hiro ballroom, in Manhattan's stylish West Side, really enhanced the experience. Oh, it was also during CMJ, or "Spring Break in November for Hipsters".
5. Islands – Warehouse – Calgary, AB
It was fun to go to a show where everyone knew the lyrics to all the songs. Islands let us in on a couple new songs they have been working on (which were absolutely jaw-dropping). Make sure to keep tabs on them in 2007. They are showing lots of potential.
6. Beck – Sasquatch Music Festival – The Gorge, WA
I think this was the first show that Beck unveiled his bizarre puppet show extravaganza. His affiliation with Scientology be damned, he is a brilliant showman.
7. Ladytron/John Acquaviva – Metro/Smart Bar – Chicago, IL
I went to this show after missing a flight home from O'Hare (and consequently missing my shift at the CJSW bingo). In retrospect, I think it was fate. Industrial and tech-house aren't really my thing anymore, but that night stands out as being among the most fun I've had this year. Metro/Smart Bar is an ideal place to party.
8. Wolf Parade/Frog Eyes/Sunset Rubdown – Various Locations – Calgary, AB
Every Spencer Krug performance I've seen this year has been rock-solid and memorable in an off-beat, off-key, odd-ball sort of way.
9. Final Fantasy – Liberty Lounge – Calgary, AB
SON YOU SHOULD (have been there). Wow, I hadn't heard anything by Final Fantasy (except for the lame title of his album - He Poos Clouds and his arrangements on the Arcade Fire albums) before the show. Man-o-man, is that guy talented though. Not only that, he finished with a rousing cover of Mariah Carey's "Fantasy".
10. Thunderbirds Are Now!/You Say Party! We Say Die! – Broken City – Calgary, AB
By the exclamation points alone, you knew what you were getting yourself into. Not only did I get busy on the dance floor, but both bands agreed to be interviewed for CJSW by yours truly. And, since they headed off to Vancouver immediately following the show, guess who scored a ridiculous number of drink tickets. Yeah, you guessed right. ♪
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1 comment:
i think you left out the part of your list where you said "thanks pat, for insisting that i come to final fantasy, even though i was in stinky, sweaty soccer clothes."
<3
P
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