Skip to main content

RTE Bonus: Top 5 of 2012

2012 was a good year for me, which was nice after 2011's shitshow. I accomplished so many things I wanted to - 15,000 minutes in the gym, 20 books read, increased philanthropy, hitting some financial milestones. I took myself on some amazing adventures - the Eiffel Tower, the West End, Austin City Limits Festival, ending happy hour with a beach bonfire, dressing up like a zombie and not crying at my own reflection, starting a new job that I love. All that, plus I saw some incredible live music.

Trying to pick the top five concerts from this past year was hard - top five performances? top five experiences? In the end, I went with the five that now, however many months later, I can still remember exactly how awesome the show made me feel.

In no particular order:

fun. - April 25, 2012
"And I really do believe, that if everyone could feel the way I felt driving home that night - exhilarated, alive, in love with life, able to conquer anything - the world would be a much better place."

Mumford & Sons - August 7, 2012
"...I couldn't understand how the majority of these songs were simultaneously so melancholy and so sensual. Like, kissing someone while crying is usually so awkward but that's exactly what the majority of this makes you want to do. Sit down in someone's lap and cry all over his face while you kiss the heck out of him (just me?)."

Snow Patrol - March 7, 2012
"This was such a special night for me - seeing one of my very favorite bands for the first time, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, while on the vacation of a lifetime."

Florence + the Machine - October 12, 2012
"At the beginning of 'Dog Days', she indicated that it was a tradition and the plinky beginning of the song started. She started to hop up and down. The whole crowd started to hop up and down. It built and built and built until the song seemingly erupted out of the anticipation. That was the moment - being in that crowd clap-clap/clapping while singing along like a fool and bopping around like crazy. It felt like being enveloped in joy."

Dave Matthews Band - July 3, 2012
"The tease of Clapton's 'Wonderful Tonight' during 'Lie in Our Graves' made me lose my mind, looking around to make sure that others heard it. The really long vamp into 'Funny the Way It Is' was everything a jam should be - a long, slow tease that built and built (with Dave muttering random song titles over it) until it exploded into the first verse."

Honorable Mentions: The Sheepdogs (for shear awesomeness), The Leagues (for the unexpected surprise of an awesome opening band), The Features (for starting a new obsession)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

RTE Bonus: The Grammy Awards Live Blog

8pm Why is Taylor Swift co-opting Brit Brit's Circus tour costumes?  Also, that bunny is creepy.  She sounds better than she usually does live though, so there's that.  And, are those clowns with clown hand puppets?  Yes, Tay-Tay, we know.  You're a big deal. (On a side note, I love her song 'Trouble' so much.  But, narratively, wouldn't it have made sense to release 'Trouble' before 'Never Ever...'?) Oh LL Cool J.  I'm liking the hometown shout outs.  Plus, the signature Kangol hat. The lights hanging in the theater look like the lights that Mumford & Sons used during their summer tour. My favorite thing so far?  Panning to all the unimpressed celeb faces in the crowd. Grammys for Grammy!  Aww, LL, that's adorable. Oh Adele, I love you so much.  You may need a new stylist. ELTON JOHN AND ED SHEERAN!! I read about how Elton John told the Grammy people that they had to have Ed Sheeran perform because Ed is just so am

RTE Bonus: 2016 American Music Awards Significantly Delayed Blog

Usual disclaimers about how this is much less fun from the west coast and on DVR. I know I say this every time but I love Bruno Mars.  I like that he's traveling with a band of hpye men, though I miss his horn section.  Whoa - how did I miss that Bruno is the heir apparent to MJ?  This dance break is outstanding.  Is the use of pop and locking in reference to "pop, pop it's showtime?" Gigi Hadid is a model, right?  Has she ever had a speaking job before?  I'm not sure this would be the place to start?  I like that she's called out both the electoral college and Melania in the first four minutes.  Though that impression was kind of weak sauce.  Much like the VMAs, I feel like I still know things about music but if the presenters are what the children are into, I am out of touch.  Jay Pharaoh's Donald impression is hilarious though. These three look like they could orchestrate a complicated murder and get away with it, stage a hostile corporate takeov

The Space Between the Tears We Cry is the Laughter Keeps Us Coming Back For More

Who: Dave Matthews Band with Brandi Carlile When: July 3, 2012 Where: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center/ Darien Center, NY With: Zach, James & Chelsea Of Note: Influencing the next generation ... There are so many things I want to say, that I need to say about this show. Brace yourself. Seeing the Dave Matthews Band at Darien Lake is a summer tradition for me and I love all of it. The smell of sunscreen, the great lot for tailgating, the terrible traffic getting out of the venue, the (usually) day of roller coasters that precedes it...I love it all. Sadly, my comrades in Dave at Darien have either moved away or have new responsibilities/different priorities now so I was afraid it might not happen this year. No big deal, I'm seeing two other DMB shows this summer, right? Then, a stroke of genius hit me and I asked my nephew if he'd like me to take him to his very first concert. He agreed, asked if he could bring some friends (which, obviously!) and we w