One more thing to keep in mind. As I was going through the shows, I realized I saw a local band three separate times, yet I can't hear their sound in my head or remember what they look like. What's more, I wrote that they were pretty good. So quantity can create a problem in the memory. That said, I hope to see everyone out there in clubland for more shows in 2014. I believe I am energized enough to have another busy year. I know the choices will be plentiful in DC.
And with that, from 10th best to my favorite show, here is the Best of 2013.
10. Rolling Stones - Verizon Center - June 2013: The old men showed how music can keep you young as this was far better than I had expected.
9. Garnet Rogers - Jammin Java - April 2013: I was harshly proven how far I had underrated this excellent folk singer-songwriter. His banter was almost Robyn Hitchcock good and his songs, voice and guitar were exquisite.
7. Iceage - Rock'n'Roll Hotel - June 2013: These really young Danes managed to combine pure punk and postpunk in a swirl of intense noisy riffs with some tricky songwriting in there--wise beyond their years.
6. Temples - DC9 - November 2013: popsike is becoming one of my favorite genres and these English newcomers have leaped over the wannabes and are delivering lush, fabulous music, as they showed DC.
4. Jacco Gardner - Black Cat - October 2013: This Dutch band/songwriter is the pinnacle of the new psychedelic pop scene to my ears. I saw them twice this past year and they were great both times. I loved their recent album and really hope they find a huge audience.
3. Graveyard - Black Cat - January 2013: The only repeat from last year's list (sorry Spiritualized, you didn't quite blow me away this year). This Swedish quartet has fully mastered heavy rock with plenty of blues and a power that starts from the garage but could fill arenas if it had to. They can even write songs that will stick in your head.
2. Man or Astroman - Black Cat - June 2013: Holy gobsmack! There are times I like to be proven an idiot and this was one of those times as I could not believe I had waited decades to see the brilliance of this hyper-twanged garage band. They were brilliant and the crowd was with me on this during this raucous yet melodic set.
1A. Comus - Shirley Collins - Islington Assembly Hall - September 2013: OK, the list goes to eleven as I had to include the one non-DC show that was as great as anything I saw this year. From seeing Dame Shirley Collins do anything to my second jaw dropping experience with Comus, this was pure magic. No one, but no one is capable of sounding like Comus.
And please enjoy this video from their comeback show on a boat near Stockholm a few years back (eagled eyed spotters may find me in the crowd)
2 comments:
Thanks for the list. I saw a mere 63 shows in 2013, including a few in Baltimore and one in Dewey Beach. I did see 3 of your top 10, and your write-ups will have me looking for opportunities for a couple others you mentioned.
Given my limited time and resources, I tend to pick bands that I am almost certain to like, and that probably builds in a tendency to try to view all shows in a positive light. But since the live music experience is so different from listening to recorded music anyway, I never regret seeing live music. In an era where many younger folks' music experience is to have recorded music piped into their ears (and their ears alone), I hope more of them wake up to the pleasures of live music.
I started my 2014 off right by seeing Deathfix at the Millennium Stage last night. I'm sure I'll be running into you one of these days.
Well stated, Chris. The live experience IS something I can approach with a cavalier attitude (especially if cover charge is reasonable and I can walk to the club). And yes, that is a great start of the year for you. I would have been there, but I was being a weather wimp. So I'll recharge and get ready for next week.
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