Favorite Shows of 2011

The end of the year is fast approaching and various countdown lists are beginning to appear.  I figured I'd start off by counting down my favorite concerts of 2011:

5 - Friendly Fires @ Union Transfer, Philadelphia
Prior to FF even taking stage the show became one of my favorites of the year.  That was in part due to it being my first time at Union Transfer and also because Theophilus London commanded and energized the crowed unlike I think I've seen an opening act do before.  Friendly Fires brought a similar intensity that the crowd ate up in a dancing frenzy.

4 - Bright Eyes @ The Mann, Philadelphia
Opening act Dawes played as the unsuspecting crowd filed into The Mann.  Following their 2011 release "Nothing Is Wrong" I have a feeling they'll be headlining similar venues in the near future.  I tend to prefer their live performances more so then their albums.  See this version of Peace In The Valley as an example.  I had previously seen Bright Eyes in a much smaller venue so I wasn't sure how they'd translate to an outdoor setting this time around.  Conor & Co. didn't disappoint and neither did their album "The People's Key" which will likely end up on another Year-End list of mine.

3 - Bela Fleck & The Flecktones @ The Grand Opera House, Wilmington
It should come as no surprise that some of the best musicians in the world put on a fantastic show.  The original Flecktone lineup was on tour in support of their new album "Rocket Science".  I had very high expectations for this show and they lived up to them.  This particular show also included the first live performance of the song 'Wolf Laurel' off Rocket Science which was a real treat to experience.

2 - Cut Copy @ Rams Head Live, Baltimore
Cut Copy put on the best live performance I saw all year, and probably longer.  Even though I wasn't too familiar with their first album I was still caught up in every beat of every song.  A couple years from now they're the band you'll be kicking yourself in the ass for not having seen before.

1 - My Morning Jacket @ The Merriweather Post Pavillion, Columbia
I've seen MMJ a handful of times and although this wasn't the best performance I've witnessed (Bonnaroo '08), it was one of the most memorable.  Through their fan club I got pit tickets and experienced the show from several feet in front of the stage.  Jim James & Co. can seem larger then life to a mega-fan enjoying the show from a distance, so to get that close was uncharted waters for me.  I thought to myself, this is what it would have been like to see them years ago at a smaller venue, forgetting the thousands seated/standing behind me.  A couple months later I saw MMJ again from a distance and it was a fantastic show as well, just not as refreshing as an up close and personal look from the pit. 

Boot: Cut Copy - Live at the Wireless, Sydney 5/29/2011

I've been on the lookout for a recording of Cut Copy for a while now and finally came across this gem today.  This performance is from their native Australia in May of 2011.  Give a listen to "Lights & Music" and download the entire show below.
Cut Copy - Lights & Music - Live at the Wireless 2011 by Ledjam311

Setlist:
1 - Visions
2 - Nobody Lost, Nobody Found
3 - Where I'm Going
4 - So Haunted
5 - Lights & Music
6 - Take Me Over
7 - Pharaohs & Pyramids
8 - Saturdays
9 - Hearts On Fire
10 - Need You Now
11 - Out There On The Ice
Download - Cut Copy - Live at the Wireless 2011

Recent Shows: Friendly Fires & Fanfarlo

I caught a couple shows over the past two weeks that lived up to and surpassed my expectations.

• Friendly Fires played a crowd pleasing, high intensity show at a new venue called the Union Transfer.  Touring in support of their sophomore album 'Pala' they worked the crowd and the stage with the presence and confidence of a veteran act.  Opening act Theophilus London helped start off the night working the crowd into a dancing frenzy.  Definitely the best opener I've seen in recent memory.  Union Transfer is a great concert location and I'm eager to return for another show.
• Fanfarlo played Johnny Brenda's as part of a small tour in prep of the release of their next album due out in February.  Their set, heavy with new material, didn't disappoint.  Afterwards the only complaint I had was that I have to wait until Feburary for the new album.

Free Speakers With Purchase Of Shoes?

While shopping at EMS this past weekend for hiking shoes the cashier told me that my new Keens came with free cardboard speakers.  At first I gave him a confused look, then accepted said speakers figuring I'd be depositing them in the nearest trash receptacle.  Turns out I was too quick to judge, they're actually pretty cool.

Keen's "Fold and Play Recycled Speakers" form 2 speaker cubes that don't require a power source and plug into any headphone jack.  The sound quality is decent considering the source and volume output is sufficient at my office desk.  Kudos to you Keen.



 

Catch Up on Late Night

For those of us who are asleep by the time bands come on the late night shows watching online is the way to go.  Good performances by Neon Indian on Jimmy Fallon and Wilco on Letterman recently.

Wilco Spreads The Love On Labor Day Weekend

Over the weekend Wilco treated fans to a sneak peak at their new album "The Whole Love" by streaming it on their website for 24 hours.  Although not much notice was given leading up to Saturday I managed to get in 2 listens.  For those who aren't Wilco fans I've got bad news... it's gonna be a long year for you because this album is good and will be talked about a lot.  The opening track 'Art of Almost' has drums and guitars echoing a song you'd expect from Radiohead.  Other instant standouts, 'Dawned on Me' and 'Born Alone', showcase Jeff Tweedy's gifted songwriting and the classic Wilco sound.  Based on those 2 listens I already enjoy this album more then their recent releases.  Check out a couple of the album's highlights below and get the new album out on September 27th!

New To Me: Neon Indian

While searching for some new music to listen to while doing laundry and dishes (I know, exciting...) I saw Neon Indian's new album "Era Extrana" available on NPR's Exclusive First Listen.  Having heard the name tossed around I figured I'd give it a shot.  I'm damn glad I did.  Electronic pop can walk a fine line with my musical taste but this album easily surpassed my expectations.  It had my head bopping and my feet moving which is a great first sign in my book.  Follow the link below to hear the entire album up until it's release.
First Listen - Neon Indian 'Era Extrana'