2009: The Live Album

RXP asked its listeners to report their top 9 concerts of 2009, and I thought I would share them here as well.

1) Snow Patrol @ Beacon Theatre- This was without a doubt my favorite live experience with a band this year. The funny thing about this is that it was the only one on this list that I didn’t go with anyone else. Normally it is the whole experience of going to see your favorite band perform live with a friend singing by your side that makes a concert special, but that just goes to show how great a performance they gave. I hardly noticed I couldn’t find anyone who loved them enough to say “money is no object” and trek out to see them on a Tuesday night. I also really loved the venue they were at. It was a really nice place with a good atmosphere. I would definitely go back there if the right band was playing. One of my favorite moments from that night was this:

2) Green Day @ MSG- This was another great experience for me. “21st Century Breakdown” was the soundtrack of my summer, and it came to a climax getting to see these guys live (finally) at Madison Square Garden. What made it extra special was getting to see it with one of my best friends. Words still can’t describe the utter joy this night brought to my life, but this video shares my favorite moment of that night:

3) Mates of State @ Webster Hall – The word “experience” pretty much sums up every story I have to share here. I had a mild obsession with Mates of State, and was extremely agitated that I was unable to see them live. That was until my favorite concert partner surprised me by announcing that he had been guest listed for the show and had a +1 if I wanted to come with. Of course I said yes, and thus memories were born, including this one:

4) Switchfoot @ Irving Plaza – I have been meaning to see these guys perform for about two years now, but it was only recently that I was able to make this happen. I happened to mention the show offhand to one of my friends and he became so incredibly excited that I knew we had to go together. It was a great night, and they are fantastic live. It’s hard to say what was my favorite song that night, but this definitely is on the list:

5) Amanda Palmer @ Highline Ballroom – It is ironic that one of my favorite moments came during one of the hardest times of my life (and the low point of my year). Despite that, I still had one of the best nights of my life. It was such an uplifting experience that it was hard to stay down for long. The night was an emotional rollercoaster. The most fun was had when the opening act got back on stage to help sing a cover of Yakity Yak:

6) Kevin Devine @ Music Hall Of Williamsburg – Kevin played for two hours in this epically good night. If there was a song he didn’t play, I don’t think anyone noticed. Not only is Kevin a great singer, he is overall a great performer. Even the banter during his shows becomes part of the performance, as seen here:

7) Amanda Palmer @ Music Hall of Williamsburg – I know, I already mentioned how great AFP is, but she is so epically AMAZING that she deserves a separate entry for both times I saw her this year. This one was a surprise birthday present from one of my best friends. That alone made it special. It was also great getting to experience Amanda on a night where I was in a much better place emotionally. Highlight of the night? Right here:

8) Handsome Furs @ Bowery Ballroom – Love this band, and it’s always great to see them live. The first time was just me tagging along with a friend who needed someone to go with. Now I love them just as much as she does. Here’s one reason why:

9) Jukebox the Ghost @ Bowery Ballroom (CMJ) – This was one of the only bands I actually saw during CMJ this year, but they were all I really needed. Every band that night was good, but I was really here to see these guys work their magic. The stage was decorated in a holiday motif, the fans were packed in and beaming with excitement. I met two really cool people at this show who I still talk to online and plan to (hopefully) see again at some point. Unfortunately the only video I can find is from CMJ last year, but it’s still pretty good.

*all videos found on YouTube and were not taken by yours truly. have to give credit where credit is due*

This year in music – 2009

There is no denying it, 2009 has been a great year for music. A semi-complete list can be found on WIkipedia (linked above; if you love them as much as I do then please donate to them today. Knowledge is priceless). Here is a sample of their list plus a few of my own additions from bands most people don’t know exist.

Green Day
AC/DC
Switchfoot
Sunset Rubdown
Bon Jovi
Dredg
The Killers
John Mayer
Alice in Chains
Phoenix
Snow Patrol – greatest hits
Dave Matthews
Pearl Jam
Reliant K
311
Fooling April
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Bell X1
The Fray
Muse
Pete Yorn
Franz Ferdinand
Bruce Springsteen
Lily Allen
Ben Folds
Thursday
U2
Handsome Furs
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Death Cab for Cutie
Manchester Orchestra
Depeche Mode
Taking Back Sunday
The Airborme Toxic Event
Black-Eyed Peas
Wilco
Nightmare of You
Modest Mouse
Third Eye Blind
Artic Monkeys
Smile Empty Soul
Paramore
Tegan & Sara

All had albums come out this year. Some I have heard and fallen in love with. Others are just artists I have liked in the past but unfortunately didn’t get a chance to listen to their complete new albums yet. The really noteworthy ones for me have been reviewed on this blog at one point or another (most likely close to when the album first came out, since these would be the ones I anticipated the most). I especially want to highlight Green Day, Muse, and Switchfoot, which have been the top three albums on my playlist for most of this year. Also a special shout out to that band you probably only heard about here: Fooling April. Since this is the obscure album on my list I will put special focus on it and the band now. This band has been slowly gaining popularity over in their home area (Philadelphia) for a few years now. Their new album “Three” was released over the summer and became part of my soundtrack during that time (right alongside Green Day’s “21st Century Breakdown”). They have been one of my favorite bands since I discovered their existence 2 years ago. Here is a small sample from their latest album plus an interview done before the album came out:

I highly recommend checking them out if you haven’t already. They definitely have potential to be something special.

In music news there were a few surprises this year too. We saw a reemergence of Blink 182 and No Doubt, both of which had huge tours over the summer. We also saw Nine Inch Nails, Fall Out Boy, and Foo Fighters go on hiatus. We saw Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga take hold of the year, and bid a sad farewell to the King of Pop: Michael Jackson. It certainly was an eventful year in the music world. Here are some video highlights to leave with:

January:
Franz Ferdinand – Can’t Stop Feeling (from Tonight:Franz Ferdinand)

February:
The Fray – You Found Me (from The Fray)

March:
U2 – I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight (from No Line On The Horizon)

Handsome Furs – I’m Confused (from Face Control)

April:
Silversun Pickups – Panic Switch (from Swoon)

Depeche Mode – Wrong (from Sounds of the Universe)

May:
Green Day – 21 Guns (from 21st Century Breakdown)

Phoenix – 1901 (from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix)

June:
Dave Matthews Band – Funny the Way It Is (from Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King)

Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling (from The E.N.D.)

Dredg – Information (from The Pariah, the Parrot, the Delusion)

July:
Our Lady of Peace- All You Did Was Save My Life (from Burn Burn)

August:
Artic Monkeys – Crying Lightning (from Humbug)

Artic Monkeys – Cornerstone (also from Humbug)

(I loved both these videos so much I just couldn’t choose between the two)

September:
Muse – Uprising (from The Resistance)

Pearl Jam – The Fixer (from Backspacer)

October:
Reliant K – Forget and Not Slow Down (from Forget and Not Slow Down)

(Sorry, best I could find)

November:
Snow Patrol – Just Say Yes (from Up To Now)

Bon Jovi – We Weren’t Born To Follow (from The Circle)

Switchfoot – Mess of Me (from Hello Hurricane)

December:
30 Seconds to Mars – Kings and Queens (from This Is War)

Keeping rocking on well into the new year. And have a happy one.