(photo by David Evans of MOKB)
Each year I start this post off with something to the effect of, “I did not see nearly as many shows as last year”, and I have a hard time not saying the same thing this time. However, if I really allow myself to think, I remember I got to go to four great festivals this year (Lollapalooza, Monolith, Forecastle, MidPoint) and saw loads of great shows in those weekends alone.
I am also making way for Dave this year on the favorite concerts list, he has done several excellent reviews for us here at ENS this year, and I think you will enjoy his list as well. Feel free to leave your own favorites in the comments section.
So, without further do, here are my favorite concerts of 2008.
#11 – Liam Finn @ Monolith Music Festival (WOXY.com Stage)
#10 – Explosions In The Sky @ Lollapalooza
Explosions was worth the wait though, as they took the stage with a Texas flag hanging from an amp and mentioned that “without fans like you, we would not be here”
#9 – Pomegranates @ MidPoint Music Festival
#8 – Okkervil River @ Mad Hatter
After a great set of songs from The Stage Names, Black Sheep Boy and more, Will and Charles treated us to a re-interpretation of a song from Down The River Of Golden Dreams, “It Ends With A Fall.”
#7 – Band Of Horses / Catfish Haven / Cass McCombs @ Halfway To Forecastle
Ben and company launched into all the good tunes you would expect from both Everything All The Time and Cease To Begin. I cannot think of a tune that I was hoping to hear that did not get played.
What ensued was a brilliant 2 hour performance that plucked gems from every Radiohead album (save Pablo Honey) and included favorites of mine like “Airbag”, “The Bends”, “Everything In It’s Right Place”, “Weird Fishes/ Arpeggi”, “15 Step” “I Might Be Wrong” and more that I lost track of quickly.
#5 – Grizzly Bear @ MusicNow Cincinnati
A band I was already impressed with earned a few extra points for me during this live performance, possibly the best individual performance of the entire festival.
#4 – TV On The Radio @ Monolith Music Festival
#3 – Foals @ Lollapalooza
It was certainly one of those sets that smack everyone upside the head and as I predicted, several people walked away saying “that was great, who were those guys”?
#2 – Bon Iver @ Southgate House
Without getting too silly here, his guitar solo on Blindsided shocked the hell outta me, I mean, for a minute there, the man seemed to morph into Santana or something, really a jawdropper.
#1 – Wilco @ Lollapalooza
The band came out on stage wearing brand new custom tailored sequins suits, colorful and shiny. Jeff claimed that the had been “doing a lot of sewing to get ready for this show” and they broke into a brilliant 90 minute set.
Dave’s Top 10 Concerts Of 2008
10. Mike Gordon/Freekbass – Cleveland – Beachland Ballroom – September 5
9. Girl Talk – Cincinnati – Bogart’s – November 9
8. Animal Collective – Jersey City – All Points West Festival – August 9
7. Elephant 6 Collective – Columbus – Wexner Center – October 19
Mangum’s voice is absolutely as amazing live as it is on record, and sounded even more vulnerable and beautiful live.
6. Josh Ritter – Bellbrook, OH – Bellbrook Jamboree – May 16
5. Yeasayer/Man Man – Columbus – Wexner Center – April 15
4. Bruce Springsteen – Cincinnati – US Bank Arena – March 22
3. Radiohead – Noblesville, IN – Deer Creek – August 3
2. My Morning Jacket – Louisville – Waterfront Park – August 16
1. Trey Anastasio Band – Brooklyn – Music Hall of Williamsburg – August 7
View the entire Each Note Secure Live Review Archive right here…
