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My Top 10 Live Shows of 2012
Swervedriver with Heaven – Bowery Ballroom (New York) – March 31, 2012
Please see my full review here.
Scream with Laffing Life – Kung Fu Necktie (Philadelphia) – April 16, 2012
Please see my full review here.
La Sera with Life Size Maps – Cameo Gallery (Brooklyn) – May 19, 2012
Please see my full review here.
Best Coast with Those Darlins and DIIV – Union Transfer (Philadelphia) – July 16, 2012
Please see my full review here
Bob Mould with Cymbals Eat Guitars – Union Transfer (Philadelphia) – September 11, 2012
Please see my full review here.
Thee Oh Sees – Pier 36 (New York) – September 23, 2012
Though there were many great sets at ATP, theirs was definitely my favorite. For more on my thoughts about their set, please see item #10 on this list.
Those Darlins with Heavy Cream and Slutever- Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia) – October 27, 2012
Please see my full review here.
The Fresh and Onlys – Johnny Brenda’s (Philadelphia) – November 10, 2012
It was my first time seeing The Fresh and Onlys. I had high expectations given that they were supporting Long Slow Dance, one of my favorites of the year. Thankfully, these expectations were met (and then some). Playing a short setlist consisting of mostly Long Slow Dance material but also including a few “oldies” from the Secret Walls EP and their previous album Play It Strange, the material from Long Slow Dance was played with more aggression and volume than was evident from the recorded versions and it made for a great show!
The Rezillos – Kung Fu Necktie (Philadelphia) – November 12, 2012
After missing their 2002 U.S. tour dates, I wanted to redeem myself and to catch Scotland’s greatest late ’70s punk band. I’m glad I did as though they are missing original guitarist and main songwriter Jo Callis (who was on board for the 2002 reunion tour), singers Eugene Reynolds and Fay Fife haven’t lost a step. They played just about everything from their sole Lp, 1978’s Can’t Stand the Rezillos, as well as both sides of the great “Destination Venus” 7” and a new song as well.
X – Theater of the Living Arts (Philadelphia) – December 6, 2012
You pretty much know what you’re gonna get when you see X. The setlist won’t go past the first four (and best) Lps and they will blow you away. This time seemed even better than the many previous times we’ve caught them as Exene Cervenka sounded better. Plus, the combination of “Poor Girl” followed by “Some Other Time” early on in the set was enough to instill a state of permanent bliss throughout the rest of the evening!
