John Roderick (January 28, Mercury Lounge)
The Long Winters have not released an album since 2006. Frontman John Roderick really knows how to engage an audience. With a plethora of witty banter and audience participation, this was one of the most fun concerts of the year. Now all there is to do is hope for a new album sometime this decade.
Pulp (April 11, Radio City Music Hall)
Pulp is a newer discovery for me. After many different people suggesting this English alt-rock band to me, I dove into their discography and then went to see them live. The live show sold me. Jarvis Cocker pranced around the stage and up the sides of Radio City Music Hall. He had so much energy and the band was tight. The entire audience danced along and sang out the lyrics. It was a pretty magical experience.
Regina Spektor (May 15, United Palace Theater)
United Palace is a very unique place to see a concert. Located in Washington Heights, it has the charm of the old theater. In fact, it looks like no updates were made this century. Spektor fit in perfectly in this venue. Her old-school charm and quirky nature really shined through.
Radiohead (June 13, Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden NJ)
Radiohead, outside venue, Thom Yorke dancing. That is really all that needs to be said.
Bob Mould (Sept 7, Williamsburg Park)
This former Husker Du/ Sugar frontman started the set with the seminal Sugar album "Cooper Blue." He then went on to play other selections from his solo releases and Husker Du albums. Another energetic concert, the background of an concrete park fit perfectly with the vibe of the songs and Mould's voice. His album "Silver Age" is definitely one of the best of the year.
Bonus: The Hold Steady (December 31, Wellmont Theater, Montclair NJ)
Regina Spektor (May 15, United Palace Theater)
United Palace is a very unique place to see a concert. Located in Washington Heights, it has the charm of the old theater. In fact, it looks like no updates were made this century. Spektor fit in perfectly in this venue. Her old-school charm and quirky nature really shined through.
Radiohead (June 13, Susquehanna Bank Center, Camden NJ)
Radiohead, outside venue, Thom Yorke dancing. That is really all that needs to be said.
Bob Mould (Sept 7, Williamsburg Park)
This former Husker Du/ Sugar frontman started the set with the seminal Sugar album "Cooper Blue." He then went on to play other selections from his solo releases and Husker Du albums. Another energetic concert, the background of an concrete park fit perfectly with the vibe of the songs and Mould's voice. His album "Silver Age" is definitely one of the best of the year.
Bonus: The Hold Steady (December 31, Wellmont Theater, Montclair NJ)
Opener Lucero really pumped up the audience and laid the groundwork for an excellent show.
Despite being put on hold for about 10 minutes due to an incident on the dance floor, this show was awesome top to bottom. With a set of older and newer songs, Craig Finn and the rest of the band worked the audience through fist pumps and sing-alongs. They counted down at midnight and shot confetti into the audience. There was complimentary champagne and giant balloons that floated from the stage. It ended around 1:20 in 2013 and can be counted as one of the best shows of 2012 and 2013. 
No comments:
Post a Comment