Best of the Best: Concerts 2010

Here's to another great year of shows.  It definitely started off with a bang, then slightly fizzled towards the end of the year (crummy work schedule).  But nonetheless, it was a very eventful year and the latest chapter in Music Taster's Choice history has been written and an exciting one lay waiting this coming year.  Here is the top ten concerts I attended this year, including shows seen in New York, Texas, and Oklahoma.  There is no set criteria for this list but I will say that there are special points for intimacy, originality, special guests, and overall excitement.  Without futher adeu, here is my favorite shows of 2010:

#1  Muse / Passion Pit @ Ford Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Yes, I have a special spot in my musical heart for Muse.  But until someone can dethrone them as the best live act in the world today, they will continue to be near the top of my list annually.

#2  Beach House / Washed Out w/Small Black @ Webster Hall, New York, NY
It took me a good year before I got to see Beach House, and they did not disappoint.  Performing to a sold-out Webster Hall, the dream pop was in full force and made for a great night.

#3  The National @ Bell House, Brooklyn, NY
It was very hard not to put this show #2 but I think a solid #3 is more than fair.  This show rated the highest for intimacy, especially for a band of this magnitude.  Very excellent.

#4  LCD Soundsystem / Holy Ghost! @ Palladium Ballroom, Dallas, TX
LCD performed in New York just before I moved to Texas but I was unable to attend; quick ticket sales can do that.  This was my definitely my favorite show in Texas, hands down.

#5  Surfer Blood / Turbo Fruits / Beach Fossils / Morning Benders @ Market Hotel, Brooklyn, NY
There was so much anticipation for this show.  Surfer Blood headlined a show packed full of young indie talent, opened by the emerging Morning Benders.  Great crowd at the small DIY venue.

#6  Neon Indian / Miniature Tigers @ Granada Theater, Dallas, TX
Denton's own Neon Indian dazzled a packed house at the Granada Theater while Miniature Tigers were nothing short of spectacular as the show's opening band.  Great show from start to finish.


#7  The Bloody Beetroots - Deathcrew 77 @ House of Blues, Dallas, TX
Here was another band I patiently waited to see and finally got to experience when they visited Dallas.  This show had so much energy, led by Bob Rifo and his Beetroots which included a live drummer.

#8  Atlas Sound / Memory Tapes @ Bell House, Brooklyn, NY
Bradford Cox, aka Atlas Sound, and Dayve Hawk, aka Memory Tapes, mesmerized the Brooklyn crowd with a heap of ambient rock/pop goodness; this was also Memory Tapes' first US show.

#9  of Montreal @ Granada Theater, Dallas, TX
I saw of Montreal twice at Granada Theater this past year but their show in May was leaps and bounds better than their show with Janelle Monae.  The crowd was amazing at this show.

#10.1  Titus Andronicus / The Babies @ Fordham Univeristy, Bronx, NY
See #9.  With family in attendance and a crowd of eager college students, this show was marred by multiple interruptions by Fordham's administration.  Despite the setbacks, their set was electric.

#10.2  Radio Happy Hour w/ David Bazan @ Le Poisson Rouge, New York, NY
David was uncannily funny during the acting portions of this live variety show but was unmistakably brilliant during his three-song set including a beautiful homage to his late friend, Vic Chesnutt.

Here's to 2010.

enjoy.
Best of the Best: Concerts 2010 Best of the Best: Concerts 2010 Reviewed by Scott Rowe, Editor on January 01, 2011 Rating: 5
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