2013 is going down in the record books as "the year I moved to California". There's been a lot of good that's come with that: professional success, proof that I could do it, a pretty kick-ass cross-country road trip, the opportunity to be somewhere else and think about personal reinvention, a profound appreciation for public transportation. But, there's been a fair amount of bad as well: being lonely for the first time in my whole life, a little shake up of my self-perception as a result of that loneliness, some family shitshow nonsense that I'm not close enough to fix.
But, despite whatever else happened, like most years, I saw some incredible live music in 2013. Picking a Top 5 was difficult, but these are the shows I'll remember most from this year. Apparently, I was looking for comfort music this year, because 3/5 are old favorites.
In no particular order:
John Mayer - July 26, 2013
"And then, John Mayer. Holy shit, John Mayer. This set was so cool in the seamless mix of old & new material. It was like every song was a special surprise from some point in the last ten years (aww man, I am getting old, huh?) and you never knew where he was going to take you next..."
The Features - September 18, 2013
"They have the coolest sound - that intersection of classic rock influence, a little bit of jam, but totally modern. The organ effects sounded really cool in this space. The lead singer, Matt (per Wikipedia) had just a touch of the crazy behind the eyes and it translates to his voice - there's an underlying intensity...almost yearning? that cuts beyond the lyrics to sucker pull you in."
The Mowglis/ Ellie Goulding - Lollapalooza August 2, 3, & 4
"So, here's the thing about The Mowgli's...I wasn't expecting them to be quite so California, you know? Like, they reminded me of a big, old Edward Sharpe style 20 person "way of life" band rather than the smaller, poppy ensemble I was expecting...One of my favorite sets of the festival."
"First, Ellie Goulding is gorgeous, all bottle blonde and weird see-through shirt and drum playing. Second, her logo looks kind of like the Deathly Hallows logo..."
Goo Goo Dolls
"... This show felt like Buffalo. From the guys in front of us in Goos shirts & Bills hats to the cold Labatt to the absolute adoration in the air... I often struggle when people are incredulous that I had reservations at leaving the BUF because it's hard to put into words why the place is so great. This night? This is why this place is so great. Such a really great night with really great friends."
moe.
"I have so much emotional investment tied up in these five guys from Upstate New York; they're intrinsically linked to the time in my life when I was figuring myself out... I can definitively say that seeing moe. will pretty much always feel like "home"."
Honorable mentions: Ben Howard (for playing with a broken hand), Charlene Kaye, Walk the Moon, Chris Isaak's set at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Here's everything I've written about music I've seen in 2013.
But, despite whatever else happened, like most years, I saw some incredible live music in 2013. Picking a Top 5 was difficult, but these are the shows I'll remember most from this year. Apparently, I was looking for comfort music this year, because 3/5 are old favorites.
In no particular order:
John Mayer - July 26, 2013
"And then, John Mayer. Holy shit, John Mayer. This set was so cool in the seamless mix of old & new material. It was like every song was a special surprise from some point in the last ten years (aww man, I am getting old, huh?) and you never knew where he was going to take you next..."
The Features - September 18, 2013
"They have the coolest sound - that intersection of classic rock influence, a little bit of jam, but totally modern. The organ effects sounded really cool in this space. The lead singer, Matt (per Wikipedia) had just a touch of the crazy behind the eyes and it translates to his voice - there's an underlying intensity...almost yearning? that cuts beyond the lyrics to sucker pull you in."
The Mowglis/ Ellie Goulding - Lollapalooza August 2, 3, & 4
"So, here's the thing about The Mowgli's...I wasn't expecting them to be quite so California, you know? Like, they reminded me of a big, old Edward Sharpe style 20 person "way of life" band rather than the smaller, poppy ensemble I was expecting...One of my favorite sets of the festival."
"First, Ellie Goulding is gorgeous, all bottle blonde and weird see-through shirt and drum playing. Second, her logo looks kind of like the Deathly Hallows logo..."
Goo Goo Dolls
"... This show felt like Buffalo. From the guys in front of us in Goos shirts & Bills hats to the cold Labatt to the absolute adoration in the air... I often struggle when people are incredulous that I had reservations at leaving the BUF because it's hard to put into words why the place is so great. This night? This is why this place is so great. Such a really great night with really great friends."
moe.
"I have so much emotional investment tied up in these five guys from Upstate New York; they're intrinsically linked to the time in my life when I was figuring myself out... I can definitively say that seeing moe. will pretty much always feel like "home"."
Honorable mentions: Ben Howard (for playing with a broken hand), Charlene Kaye, Walk the Moon, Chris Isaak's set at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass
Here's everything I've written about music I've seen in 2013.
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