Best of 2009: In Concert
Being on tour is a bit of a double-edged sword when it comes to going to shows: You miss a few of your favourite bands, but you get to fall in love with new ones. I missed a good many gigs this year, but here are ten shows that stood out above the rest in 2009.
Oh No Forest Fires @ Lee’s Palace [03.20.09]
I love this band and had the privilege of touring with them for much of this summer, but I have never seen them play harder, faster, sloppier or drunker than the “Brofest” show at Lee’s Palace. Closing with their signature cover of “Footloose,” which ended with about twenty people from various other Toronto bands on the stage (and the floor), this was one of the best live experiences of my life, let alone this year.
Young Widows @ Sneaky Dee’s [03.27.09]
This was the second of three times (and as many cab setups) I’d see this band at this same venue in the span of a year, and it was easily the best. Showcasing some new material from their then-upcoming split series, the show was a great mix of new material and old favourites. If you’ve never seen this band, do yourself a favour and catch them on tour – they are easily one of the most interesting bands in heavy music right now. It didn’t hurt that Burning Love and My Disco helped warm up the stage, either. Bring earplugs.
Great Bloomers @ Horseshoe Tavern [05.02.09]
Far and away my favourite local band to see live – regardless of friends, roomates and ex-bandmates being in this band. You could tell that the Bloomers were feeding off the energy in the crowd and loving every minute of it. Playing all of their debut record plus some old tunes, this was a night to remember. It was also the last time I’d see them with the original lineup.
The Balconies @ Jupiter Room [05.30.09]
This was one of those shows where I hated going on after a band, because they absolutely upstaged us in every respect. The Balconies were kind enough to join us on some shows this summer, and they are an absolute delight to watch. I had the pleasure of watching them a few other times this year, but this was easily the best – and most fun – of the bunch. Plus, Liam made my drums sound way better than I could.
Future Of The Left @ El Mocambo [07.15.09]
When a guy asks a fan if they’re autistic because they’ve been yelling for the same song all night, you know you’re in for a great show. I could watch these guys just berate their audience for an hour and not play any music whatsoever. We need more bands who are completely fine with alienating their audience – at least for the banter opportunities.
Harvey Milk @ La Sala Rossa [07.24.09]
I’d missed Harvey Milk (and Obits) the day before as we had a show in Kingston the same night, so I decided to make sure I saw them the next night when we had an off day in Montreal. It was worth it just to see Creston Spiers dressed like Michael Myers (unintentionally).
Nine Inch Nails @ Molson Amphitheater [08.30.09]
I have never been the biggest NIN fan, but having heard accounts of their live show being quite the spectacle, I thought I’d see them on what happened to be their “last tour.” The accounts were, for the most part, true. To see the band stripped down to four members yet still recreate the dense atmospheres of Trent Reznor’s records was pretty impressive. The guy clearly runs a tight ship, as everything was firing on all cylinders that night. I just wish they’d release a live album of all the Pretty Hate Machine songs, as that record definitely does not hold up too well…
I Am Committing A Sin @ Spencer’s House [09.05.09]
To be fair, I could have put any of their shows here, as this band is killer no matter what venue or what day, but the intimacy of this house show was a deciding factor. We’ve played with these kids a dozen times now, and every time, they make me embarassed to play my instrument. Intense, dextrous, energetic and fun, this band is a sight to behold. They’re also the only band I’ve ever seen who proved themselves worthy of a Refused cover. It was also one of Lost Cities’ first shows, and they are sure to be on this list next year. Killer.
Cave In @ Knitting Factory [11.19.09]
To see my favourite band in my favourite city with my favourite people and not call this my favourite show of the year would be preposterous. I never got to see Cave In when they were around, so I was more than ready to take a trip down to Brooklyn to make up for it. They looked as happy to be playing again as the crowd was to see them, ripping through old favourites, b-sides and unreleased tunes in just under an hour. Hell, they could have just played “Big Riff” and I would have been satisfied.
Constantines @ Lee’s Palace [12.19.09]
I have long said that the Cons are the best band in Canada, but on their fourth anniversary show in Toronto, they proved it – over the course of almost three hours. Ripping into everything a diehard fan could want (including “Dirty Business” and “National Hum,” the two songs I wanted to hear), the band played their hearts out to the point of exhaustion. If you were at this show and you don’t agree with my sentiments, you’ve gotta be crazy.
