Today, someone on the internet posted a clickbait article, 'What You Were Supposed To Learn Between 2016 And 2018, Based On Your Zodiac Sign'. Here's what mine said:
And, that probably makes sense? Someday, when I'm old and trying to stave off senility, I'll probably recall 2017 as "the year I started at Revel" or maybe "the year I started/tried doing stand-up comedy" or "the year Melissa and Beth finally came to visit me in California". In the nearer range future, I hope to think of 2017 as "the year I started becoming at least somewhat less of a shitshow" and (in the tiniest, non-jinx-y voice imaginable) "the year Buffalo broke the drought". And, maybe all that rolls up to 'find(ing) (my) passion again'. Creating a new type of content has been fun. Professional life in 2017 has been very rewarding after a 2016 period of stagnation/frustration.
But, regardless of the year and what I did/ didn't learn, one thing always remains the same: I saw some amazing music. Without further adieu, in no particular order, here are my top five of 2017:
Bleachers at the Fox Theater in Oakland
I saw Bleachers at Outsidelands and loved them so much that I had to see them again. Their show at The Fox was one of the dance-iest, tightest shows I saw all year - and one where the band was having just as much fun as the crowd. I am 100% on board with everything that Jack Antonoff's "small music that's meant to be played big" philosophy has to offer. This show was an absolute delight.
P!nk/ Andy Grammer at Kaaboo in San Diego
I've said this before, but how on earth did Ms. "I'm Coming Out So You Better Get This Party Started" turn out to be an artist who sings such ridiculously beautiful songs about heartache and the human condition? She was charming, belting, and every single song was worthy of a full-scale sing along. Did you know I was a P!nk superfan? I did not, but I knew every word to every song. And then she got wired up and flew over the crowd. I yelled, I cried, I became best friends with every single person in that crowd because we shared something special. Are you having any sort of crisis? Third-life? Existential? Listen to 'Glitter in the Air'. It will help to know you're not the only person with those feelings.
On the flip-side, Andy Grammer's Sunday afternoon sunshine set was so perfectly charming and so perfectly SoCal. Bonus points for his band because they were SO FUNKY.
Theo Katzman at the Independent
Have you listened to Theo Katzman's 'Hard Work' album? Why not? Does nobody ever listen to me when I tell them things? His set at the Independent was fun, funky, and a seamless mix of genres. He's a real deal musician with the swagger of a rockstar and I was smitten from the first chord.
John Mayer at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
What more can I say about John Mayer? I want the jukebox musical of my life to be scored by John Mayer. His return to the solo stage was as magnificent as I imagined.
The Revivalists with Con Brio at the Showbox Theater in Seattle
2017 started with a "congrats on your new job" solo long week-end in Seattle. Not content to just cram eight days worth of tourism into a three day week-end, I also looked for a show to see. This was just the right kind of boogie down that I was looking for. First, the lead singer of Con Brio has the presence and energy of a young Bruno Mars and their horn section is ridiculous. Send, the Revivalists hit that 'modern Southern Rock' sweet spot that rocks my world seven ways to Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: Joshua Henry at the Marine Merchant Theater (for the #HamJam medley alone, even though the whole show was spectacular), Lea Michele at the Palace of Fine Arts (listen up, yo - I'm not saying I teared up during 'Don't Stop Believin', but I'm not saying I didn't)
And, that probably makes sense? Someday, when I'm old and trying to stave off senility, I'll probably recall 2017 as "the year I started at Revel" or maybe "the year I started/tried doing stand-up comedy" or "the year Melissa and Beth finally came to visit me in California". In the nearer range future, I hope to think of 2017 as "the year I started becoming at least somewhat less of a shitshow" and (in the tiniest, non-jinx-y voice imaginable) "the year Buffalo broke the drought". And, maybe all that rolls up to 'find(ing) (my) passion again'. Creating a new type of content has been fun. Professional life in 2017 has been very rewarding after a 2016 period of stagnation/frustration.
But, regardless of the year and what I did/ didn't learn, one thing always remains the same: I saw some amazing music. Without further adieu, in no particular order, here are my top five of 2017:
Bleachers at the Fox Theater in Oakland
I saw Bleachers at Outsidelands and loved them so much that I had to see them again. Their show at The Fox was one of the dance-iest, tightest shows I saw all year - and one where the band was having just as much fun as the crowd. I am 100% on board with everything that Jack Antonoff's "small music that's meant to be played big" philosophy has to offer. This show was an absolute delight.
P!nk/ Andy Grammer at Kaaboo in San Diego
I've said this before, but how on earth did Ms. "I'm Coming Out So You Better Get This Party Started" turn out to be an artist who sings such ridiculously beautiful songs about heartache and the human condition? She was charming, belting, and every single song was worthy of a full-scale sing along. Did you know I was a P!nk superfan? I did not, but I knew every word to every song. And then she got wired up and flew over the crowd. I yelled, I cried, I became best friends with every single person in that crowd because we shared something special. Are you having any sort of crisis? Third-life? Existential? Listen to 'Glitter in the Air'. It will help to know you're not the only person with those feelings.
On the flip-side, Andy Grammer's Sunday afternoon sunshine set was so perfectly charming and so perfectly SoCal. Bonus points for his band because they were SO FUNKY.
Theo Katzman at the Independent
Have you listened to Theo Katzman's 'Hard Work' album? Why not? Does nobody ever listen to me when I tell them things? His set at the Independent was fun, funky, and a seamless mix of genres. He's a real deal musician with the swagger of a rockstar and I was smitten from the first chord.
John Mayer at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
What more can I say about John Mayer? I want the jukebox musical of my life to be scored by John Mayer. His return to the solo stage was as magnificent as I imagined.
The Revivalists with Con Brio at the Showbox Theater in Seattle
2017 started with a "congrats on your new job" solo long week-end in Seattle. Not content to just cram eight days worth of tourism into a three day week-end, I also looked for a show to see. This was just the right kind of boogie down that I was looking for. First, the lead singer of Con Brio has the presence and energy of a young Bruno Mars and their horn section is ridiculous. Send, the Revivalists hit that 'modern Southern Rock' sweet spot that rocks my world seven ways to Sunday.
Honorable Mentions: Joshua Henry at the Marine Merchant Theater (for the #HamJam medley alone, even though the whole show was spectacular), Lea Michele at the Palace of Fine Arts (listen up, yo - I'm not saying I teared up during 'Don't Stop Believin', but I'm not saying I didn't)
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