Best Live Shows (Music) in 2008
I decided this year to do one of these things - it will be a bit of a short list because my show attendance in comparison to previous years has fallen quite a bit, which will hopefully be rectified in 2009.
January - L.A. Phil Presents: Concrete Frequency: Songs Of The City ( featuring: Biirdie, Franklin Bruno, Annie Stela, Zach Rogue [of Rogue Wave], John Doe [of X], Money Mark, Mark Bianchi [of Her Space Holiday], Stevie Jackson [Belle and Sebastian], Zooey Deschanel [w/M. Ward a.k.a. She & Him], Sondre Lerche, Inara George [w/Van Dyke Parks], Daniel Rossen [of Gizzly Bear], Bob Mould, and Kyp Malone [of TV On The Radio] ) - Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA.
This was quite the stellar evening of entertainment - I went due to being a huge Belle and Sebastian and Sondre Lerche fan (I had also seen Annie Stela and Inara George previously as well) and the super cheap ticket price (I think they were $25-$35 each). I left quite impressed with most of the evening's performances. The theme behind this night was for each musical act to showcase what "city life" (and L.A. specifically if they desired) meant to them through song (everyone got two) and this was well conveyed. The only determent I can think of was the length of the show - clocked in at almost 2 1/2 hours! (I think most of the audience was getting very antsy in the last half hour)
January - March - Seth MacFarlane, guest vocalist of "The Hollywood Hotshots" - Steve Allen Theatre, Hollywood, CA.
Self-explanatory. ;)
February - Carina Round, Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.
Acoustic show.
March - Lions of Pansjhir, Tangier, Los Angeles, CA.
I remember coming to Tangier this night to check out Listing Ship, but I think this band edged them out in terms of most memorable performance that evening. They have this sort of mystic folk-rock quality - I think those familiar with Jesca Hoop would enjoy Lions of Pansjhir. I do wish they would release their record and play live more often though (and at more "friendly" venues) On another note, this was the last time I would be at Tangier, since they closed their doors earlier this month.
May - The Four Tops, The Temptations, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett - The Rooftop of The Americana parking garage, Glendale, CA. (VIP opening night party for The Americana)
While I'm not exactly an uber-fan of any of these artists, this show was memorable for the sheer novelty and exclusivity of the evening. (Jay Leno did some stand-up as well - um, yeah not a fan. Half the monologue was about his cat, and I love cats! Then again, I was really drunk by then...)
(for those not aware, The Americana is a sprawling open mall/"lifestyle center"/mini-town with lots of apartments/condos located in Glendale, a city outside of Los Angeles)
June - Autolux, MakeMusic Festival, Pasadena, CA.
It was really hot that day - so hot, the festival (which took place on many stages/areas throughout the city) got half it's projected attendance. Still, stellar line-up for free.
October - 10th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival, Eagle Rock (Los Angeles), CA.
After a somewhat pallid line-up the previous year, the festival rebounded in 2008 with a much better roster of acts. I got to see Cobra Lillies, Listing Ship, Pierre de Reeder (of Rilo Kiley), Earlimart, Landy with the Black Pine, and Crystal Anthers. (again, all for free!) Well, it did rain a little, but wasn't too bad.
November - The Happy Hollows, The Echo, Los Angeles, CA.
I started listening to the Happy Hollows earlier this year, and I have to admit it took me awhile to really "click" with this band. (this was the 2nd time I'd seen them live) This show did it - it was a combination "Imaginary" EP release /Barack Obama victory party.
That's it - I thought about putting the Dresden Dolls and Amanda Palmer shows on the list, but just couldn't for some reason, very strange and depressing shows for me. Same with the Ditty Bops - June shows sounded better on playback, weird.
Oh well, hopefully next years list will be better and longer.
January - L.A. Phil Presents: Concrete Frequency: Songs Of The City ( featuring: Biirdie, Franklin Bruno, Annie Stela, Zach Rogue [of Rogue Wave], John Doe [of X], Money Mark, Mark Bianchi [of Her Space Holiday], Stevie Jackson [Belle and Sebastian], Zooey Deschanel [w/M. Ward a.k.a. She & Him], Sondre Lerche, Inara George [w/Van Dyke Parks], Daniel Rossen [of Gizzly Bear], Bob Mould, and Kyp Malone [of TV On The Radio] ) - Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, CA.
This was quite the stellar evening of entertainment - I went due to being a huge Belle and Sebastian and Sondre Lerche fan (I had also seen Annie Stela and Inara George previously as well) and the super cheap ticket price (I think they were $25-$35 each). I left quite impressed with most of the evening's performances. The theme behind this night was for each musical act to showcase what "city life" (and L.A. specifically if they desired) meant to them through song (everyone got two) and this was well conveyed. The only determent I can think of was the length of the show - clocked in at almost 2 1/2 hours! (I think most of the audience was getting very antsy in the last half hour)
January - March - Seth MacFarlane, guest vocalist of "The Hollywood Hotshots" - Steve Allen Theatre, Hollywood, CA.
Self-explanatory. ;)
February - Carina Round, Hotel Cafe, Hollywood, CA.
Acoustic show.
March - Lions of Pansjhir, Tangier, Los Angeles, CA.
I remember coming to Tangier this night to check out Listing Ship, but I think this band edged them out in terms of most memorable performance that evening. They have this sort of mystic folk-rock quality - I think those familiar with Jesca Hoop would enjoy Lions of Pansjhir. I do wish they would release their record and play live more often though (and at more "friendly" venues) On another note, this was the last time I would be at Tangier, since they closed their doors earlier this month.
May - The Four Tops, The Temptations, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett - The Rooftop of The Americana parking garage, Glendale, CA. (VIP opening night party for The Americana)
While I'm not exactly an uber-fan of any of these artists, this show was memorable for the sheer novelty and exclusivity of the evening. (Jay Leno did some stand-up as well - um, yeah not a fan. Half the monologue was about his cat, and I love cats! Then again, I was really drunk by then...)
(for those not aware, The Americana is a sprawling open mall/"lifestyle center"/mini-town with lots of apartments/condos located in Glendale, a city outside of Los Angeles)
June - Autolux, MakeMusic Festival, Pasadena, CA.
It was really hot that day - so hot, the festival (which took place on many stages/areas throughout the city) got half it's projected attendance. Still, stellar line-up for free.
October - 10th Annual Eagle Rock Music Festival, Eagle Rock (Los Angeles), CA.
After a somewhat pallid line-up the previous year, the festival rebounded in 2008 with a much better roster of acts. I got to see Cobra Lillies, Listing Ship, Pierre de Reeder (of Rilo Kiley), Earlimart, Landy with the Black Pine, and Crystal Anthers. (again, all for free!) Well, it did rain a little, but wasn't too bad.
November - The Happy Hollows, The Echo, Los Angeles, CA.
I started listening to the Happy Hollows earlier this year, and I have to admit it took me awhile to really "click" with this band. (this was the 2nd time I'd seen them live) This show did it - it was a combination "Imaginary" EP release /Barack Obama victory party.
That's it - I thought about putting the Dresden Dolls and Amanda Palmer shows on the list, but just couldn't for some reason, very strange and depressing shows for me. Same with the Ditty Bops - June shows sounded better on playback, weird.
Oh well, hopefully next years list will be better and longer.