Thread: Concerts Of 2k12 Thread

Social D has 15 or so shows over the next month at HOB Sunset Anaheim and San Diego. Im going 1/20, bunch of my friends are going tonight.

Great year for concerts. I'll happily start another thread on New Year's day if someone else doesn't get to it first.

I figure I'll list my top 10 concerts here (saw 70 shows this year). Will start by saying that leaving Swans out is tough. I think The Seer is the best album of the year for me. And their show at the Fonda was great! But it falls just outside my top 10 along with other honorable mentions PiL, Dinosaur Jr, Hot Snakes and Spiritualized.

Peter Gabriel, Hollywood Bowl
This show met and exceeded even my lofty expectations for one of my favorite performers. I first saw Peter in 1987 and I can confidently say his voice is as good now, if not better, than it was back then. Coupled with the absolute best sound I have ever heard at the Bowl, the entire night was mesmerizing. The band was in top form (Tony Levin!) and the setlist a dream of PG hits. I sure hope he comes back soon.

Tool, Tucson Arena
Although I had seen them just a couple of nights earlier at Mandalay Bay in Vegas, I felt like this show was superior in terms of the band’s performance. The Tucson Arena is an awful, ****ty place. Maybe the worst arena I’ve ever been to for a show. But Tool were dialed in and it was musically and visually as good a performance as I’ve seen from them. Couple that with Maynard’s generally light-hearted mood and it made for a great night from my favorite “big” band.

Refused, Coachella
The FYF Fest set was tighter and the Fonda performance was better sounding but nothing can beat the initial rage and energy that accompanied Refused taking the stage for the first time in a long time. I was right up front when The Shape of Punk to Come opened up the night and it was like a bomb going off. I won’t ever forget it.

Roger Waters, Yankee Stadium
Except for the guy who yakked behind us and the initial smell (and subsequent clean up), I’d rate this as the best of the 5 times I have seen The Wall performed. The sound was crisp, the visuals stunned, and the audience were enraptured on a perfect New York summer night. Piggy Pig went crowd surfing at the end. And the group of family I brought along gushed for days after. Roger is awesome.

Dead Can Dance, Gibson Amphitheater
After passing on other chances to see them in the past, I finally pulled it together and saw one of my favorite bands. They did not disappoint. So many highlights but none more poignant and moving than hearing Brendan perform Song To the Siren. That wasn’t just a 2012 highlight, it was a lifetime highlight.

A Place To Bury Strangers/This Will Destroy You, The Echoplex
I’m cheating a bit and listing both bands here since this was a co-headliner tour and they both were incredible. TWDY turned in a pounding set through a wall of tuneful fuzz. APTBS came out shrouded in smoke and darkness and made my eardrums bleed. So much fun. And Worship is one of my top records for the year.

DeVotchKa, The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever
DeVotchKa released one of my favorite records in 2011, 100 Lovers, and I saw them live for the first time that year opening for Elbow. So I was damned excited to get a standalone show for their return to LA at the Masonic Lodge. Great sound, great venue and DeVotchKa lived up to my lofty expectations. Nick Urata has one of my favorite voices in modern pop music.

Buzzcocks, Coachella
This one stands out to me as some of the most fun I’ve ever had at a show. Shoes were flying and the pit was roiling in full force. The love in the tent was palpable. Orgasm Addict, What Do I Get?... all the classics. Great time!

Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Great American Music Hall
Made a special trip up north to SF to catch one night of Godspeed’s 5 show residency at the GAMH. They were awesome at Coachella and following it up with this full performance at a small, excellent venue felt like a good decision. And it was! No Rockets Fall on Rocket Falls but not complaining- one of my favorite bands.

Guns N Roses, The Wiltern
Hard to believe I’m listing this show in my top 10 but it deserves it. In anticipation of sure disappointment I was mentally preparing to leave a little early, especially since it was a Sunday night and Axl didn’t grace us with his presence until 11:30pm. But then something magical happened- they kicked ass! And Axl was simply phenomenal. I get the fashionable hate for this version of the band- and Axl in particular- but it didn't matter this night. Unexpectedly good show.

Anyone going to the Satellite tonight? Neil Hamburger is headlining but I'm mainly going to see Duncan Trussell.

Ok, start the new thread sonnyboy!!!!!!!!