10: Spoon @ P4k festival (7/20/2008)
Their last album, GaGaGaGaGa, had been my soundtrack to the summer of 2007 and I was quite pumped to finally see them live. The set had everything going for it, an excited crowd, the sun setting, and the Chicago skyline, but alas the set disappointed. The playing was technically sound, but the band gave off the impression that they really were not enjoying themselves. Still, being 10 feet from the stage at any show is memorable.
9: The Apples in Stereo @ P4k festival (7/20/2008)
They played early in the day and I only knew one of their songs from a commercial, so I was prepared for a lackluster set. Yet, their pop anthems and crazy attire (keyboardist dressed up in a futuristic cape for example) were the perfect match to the sunny day.
8: Tift Merritt @ Fitzgerald's (7/12/2008)
Thank God for the Onion. A chance spying of this concert inside the humorous paper led to one of the better nights of intimate music from last year. Her voice is so pure and perfectly suited for the small venue. Unfortunately, the crowd was not into it (and way old) and she struggled to convey her emotional songs to the bland room.
7: The Black Keys @ Lollapalooza (8/1/2008)
Similar to the Apples in Stereo, they played relatively early in the day and although they are just two guys, they shook the park.
6: The Hold Steady @ P4k (7/19/2008)
The perfect festival band. Interacting with the crowd, running around the stage, and playing rock anthem after rock anthem. They should have switched time slots with Spoon.
5: Radiohead @ Lollapalooza (8/1/2008)
Radiohead at five? A once in a lifetime chance to see one of the biggest and most influential bands of my generation doesn't top the list? The stage show was amazing, with crazy lights and camera angles, but for such a big rock group, the set was kind of quiet. Even with fireworks going off in the background, the set lacked energy and volume, but maybe being a football field away from the stage does that.
4: Wilco @ Lollapalooza (8/2/2008)
Although they did not have the stage show that Radiohead displayed the previous night, Jeff and company brought fancy suits and a focused energy to their set. I don't think I've ever seen a crowd where everyone was having such a good time at a festival concert before. Even though Wilco brings the same atmosphere to every set they play, this night had a harmony to it that even the millionth playing of "Shot in the Arm" could not ruin.
3: Fleet Foxes @ P4k (7/19/2008)
Perfect silence and four part harmonies. The breakout band of 2008 proved that its music could capture even a large outdoor festival crowd and without even standing up.
2: Jeff Tweedy Benefit for Scholarship @ The Vic (1/26/2008)
A set comprised of requests from the crowd that leaned heavily on older material and rarities sparkled on a cold Chicago night.
1: The Hives @ The Riviera (2/29/2008)
This is probably the only time I've had beer spilled on me (thanks Scott) and not cared. It is probably the only time that I will willingly go into a mosh pit. The energy from the band kept the crowd dancing for their entire hour and half set. Plus, winning the epic battle for the towel is destined to go down in history.
Honorable mentions:
Jeff Tweedy @ Lollapalooza Kid Stage (8/1/2008)
Wilco @ Barack Obama Benefit (12/7/2007)
Les Savy Fav @ P4k (7/20/2008)
No comments:
Post a Comment