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My Top 10 Live Shows for 2006
For the first 6 months of the year, I lived in New York. Since then, I’ve resided in Philadelphia. Thus, this list will include shows I saw in 2006 in both places as well as a few in other locations. I have to say that I made a few painful cuts here, replacing a great Decemberists show I saw back in November with Lou Reed’s Berlin performance. I also left out excellent performances by PERNICE BROTHERS, THE EX, SHELLAC, THE DEARS, EVAN DANDO, SLEATER-KINNEY, VOXTROT and others. Well I only have room for ten, though I saw other great shows this year as well.
Hands down, this was my favorite show of the year. This was the first time that Radio Birdman had ever hit these shores and while I was hoping that it would be good and while the ecstatic reviews from the prior shows raised my expectations, nothing prepared me for the sheer display of flamethrowing, bruising rock and roll that they put on. Guitarist and main songwriter DENIZ TEK absolutely put on a clinic, playing with more passion, fire and conviction than most guitarists half his age. Singer ROB YOUNGER also hasn’t lost a beat in 30 years and new drummer RUSSELL HOPKINSON (of YOU AM I) is a great addition as well. While I wasn’t as thrilled with their reunion album Zeno Beach as many other people seemed to be, this show just knocked it out of the park even though the sound mix was as such that it was hard to hear keyboardist PIP HOYLE. Or perhaps Tek and other guitarist CHRIS MASUAK’s playing was just that ear-shredding.
You can read a full review of this show here.
Although their show here at the First Unitarian Church on a sweltering day in mid-July was also excellent, this was the better of the two Mission of Burma shows that I saw this year. Why? Well it was so hot inside the First Unitarian Church (which lacks air conditioning) that it made it tough for the band to play and also tough for the fans to enjoy despite the fact that at that point, I was already familiar with their great new album The Obliterati, which hadn’t yet been released at the time of the February show. Besides, any show where BOB WESTON steps out from behind the sound board and sings WIRE’s “Dot Dash” for an encore is gonna be memorable and extra-special!
You can read my full review of the show here.
I saw TV on the Radio twice last year and I could have just as easily put their Bowery Ballroom show last April on this list. However, this one was the slightly better of the two shows. Like the best live bands, TV on the Radio simply overpower the listener and bring them into their own unique world. Your mouth will be left wide open and your head will be spinning after one of their shows.
Although not as jaw-dropping or powerful as the RADIO BIRDMAN show at the same venue a few days later, this was still a fantastic show. All of the old classics were played as singer PENELOPE HOUSTON and guitarist GREG INGRAHAM were joined by members of opening band THE PLUS ONES, who filled out the rhythm section.
You can read a full review of this show here.
He performed the entirety of Berlin and then encored with “Sweet Jane” and “Candy Says”. Oh and it didn’t hurt that the room was the best-sounding one I’ve EVER seen a show at.
You can read the full review here.
Anyone who thinks that Joanna Newsom is a gimmick because of her voice should really go see her live. Playing the entirety of her new album Ys minus the string arrangements that are ever present on the album, she still stunned. Of course, it didn’t hurt that a few audience favorites from The Milk-Eyed Mender were also performed on this evening.
Inexplicably opening for blogger buzz bands SOUND TEAM and COLD WAR KIDS when they are by far the best band on that bill, Midlake put on an audio-visual feast with videos accompanying performances of each song during their too-short 45-minute opening set. They’ll be back to headline the same venue next month. I can’t wait.
You can read a full review of this show here.
Terrastock Festival April 21-23, 2006
This hometown show was special because it was in a regal, old (though a bit dilipadated) theater. The sound wasn’t the greatest, but Yo La Tengo kicked out the jams anyway, thrilling with an extremely intense version of “The Story of Yo La Tango” (the closing song on their excellent new album) and a JAMES MCNEW-sung cover of THE ROLLING STONES classic “Rocks Off”.
You can read a full review of the show here.
One of the highlights of my trip to Los Angeles last February was seeing one of my favorite bands of all-time on their home turf. The House of Blues may not be the most logical choice of venue for a punk rock show, but X ripped it up on the same Sunset strip that they made their name on 25 years ago. As always, they concentrated heavily on their 1st 2 records (including their best one, Wild Gift) and they didn’t play anything past their 4th album, but that made it a concert filled with thrilling gem after gem.
You can read the full review here.
