Top 10 live shows of 2005 - from the horse’s mouth!
December 22nd, 2005 by misanthropicmoilTop 10 live shows of 2005
I thought this was worthy of a blog post…even though I’ve never blogged about on the Fster…but this way all interested parties can peep my fave shows of the year.
I thought this was worthy of a blog post…even though I’ve never blogged about on the Fster…but this way all interested parties can peep my fave shows of the year.
Of course these are mostly at the Fir…I mean I wasn’t lucky enough to
see much live music when I was chained to that double wide cubicle at the rock
brothel, so I’m loving being smack dab in the epicenter. Live music is making a
comeback…if you don’t go out to see the bands rock it, make your 2006
resolution to take advantage of the fact that PDX is finally on the map for most
bands national routing…I’ve lived here for 10 years, and it didn’t used to be
like that. I’m getting really into bringing the world to Portland….read on
for some personal and very passionate highlights of 2005
see much live music when I was chained to that double wide cubicle at the rock
brothel, so I’m loving being smack dab in the epicenter. Live music is making a
comeback…if you don’t go out to see the bands rock it, make your 2006
resolution to take advantage of the fact that PDX is finally on the map for most
bands national routing…I’ve lived here for 10 years, and it didn’t used to be
like that. I’m getting really into bringing the world to Portland….read on
for some personal and very passionate highlights of 2005
Viva Voce - Jan 2005
All bands and humans bared a nasty ice storm to come down for this,
which wound up being an ecstatic celebration of amazing pop by my fave
husband/wife duo.
which wound up being an ecstatic celebration of amazing pop by my fave
husband/wife duo.
Subtle - Feb 2005
One of those shows where you fall in love so fast that you simply want
to peep out with the band all night. These guys charmed us with their
rhythmically tangible avant hip-hop, and we all fell hard. This was the show
where a few days after hitting portland, their keyboardist Dax had his back
broken in a terrible van pile up…Dax is recovering now and Subtle is back on
the road….sigh. Love for Dax.
to peep out with the band all night. These guys charmed us with their
rhythmically tangible avant hip-hop, and we all fell hard. This was the show
where a few days after hitting portland, their keyboardist Dax had his back
broken in a terrible van pile up…Dax is recovering now and Subtle is back on
the road….sigh. Love for Dax.
Antony & The Johnsons - March 2005
An unbelievable night with a man who’s voice is prettier and more
moving than anything I could have even imagined. The entire audience was
riveted and silent for this show, hanging on Antony’s breathy delivery for every
last drop of brilliance…
moving than anything I could have even imagined. The entire audience was
riveted and silent for this show, hanging on Antony’s breathy delivery for every
last drop of brilliance…
Stars - April 2005
Another rock and roll adoption fantasy…Stars were so fucking amazing
live - juicy, romantic, fleshy pop with just enough tension and plenty of angsty
rambunction to make an indelible impression. Plus i wanted to adopt them as
well…so nice and delightful to work with…i still have crushes on all of
them.
live - juicy, romantic, fleshy pop with just enough tension and plenty of angsty
rambunction to make an indelible impression. Plus i wanted to adopt them as
well…so nice and delightful to work with…i still have crushes on all of
them.
Andrew Bird - April 2005
A massive surprise sellout with the most awesomely talented violinist
I’ve met since Petra Haden. Building layers upon layers of juicy violin, guitar
and voice over live drums, Mr. Bird knocked the wind out of me with his
glittering layered melodies…total genius. Wow.
I’ve met since Petra Haden. Building layers upon layers of juicy violin, guitar
and voice over live drums, Mr. Bird knocked the wind out of me with his
glittering layered melodies…total genius. Wow.
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings - May 2005
This was my first experience with the urnreal Ms. Jones…who rocked my
ass into a shimmy frenzy with over 2 hours of pure soul….I brought her back
recently for a return engagement…These cats would be my number 1 choice for
house band.
ass into a shimmy frenzy with over 2 hours of pure soul….I brought her back
recently for a return engagement…These cats would be my number 1 choice for
house band.
Mono - September 2005
My brain got completely blown by these Japanese ambient/avant
freaks….I’ve never heard such beauty at such a ridiculously high volume. Will
never forget them…until they blow my mind again when they return!
freaks….I’ve never heard such beauty at such a ridiculously high volume. Will
never forget them…until they blow my mind again when they return!
Jamie Lidell - October 2005
Blowing Fourtet out of the water, Mr. Lidell made a laptop and a velvet
smoking jacket seem like a 12 piece live soul orchestra. His soulful voice and
devilishly charming stage persona made for a night of completely engaging and
unexpected boogie action.
smoking jacket seem like a 12 piece live soul orchestra. His soulful voice and
devilishly charming stage persona made for a night of completely engaging and
unexpected boogie action.
Dungen - October 2005
A totally in the know deal, these freaky Swedes filled my prog fix
while pumping out more psychedelic originality than I thought possible from a
simple power trio. Maybe they have magical guitar elves in the mountains where
they come from, cause there were some might phat and fuzzy sounds coming from
those axes. I became obsessed with their album for about 3 months prior and
post…finally coming down.
while pumping out more psychedelic originality than I thought possible from a
simple power trio. Maybe they have magical guitar elves in the mountains where
they come from, cause there were some might phat and fuzzy sounds coming from
those axes. I became obsessed with their album for about 3 months prior and
post…finally coming down.
Sigur Ros - November 2005 (@ Roseland)
This show was just out of control brilliant…Oh to be completely
enveloped by a sound as rich as theirs. I get massaged every 2 weeks to the
Sigur, and I walked in right as the song that always makes my head feel better
hit. My heart swelled and popped for these Icelandic geniuses. I’m still
swooning.
enveloped by a sound as rich as theirs. I get massaged every 2 weeks to the
Sigur, and I walked in right as the song that always makes my head feel better
hit. My heart swelled and popped for these Icelandic geniuses. I’m still
swooning.
Honorable Mentions
Monade - May 2005 - For having a very memorable convo backstage with
Laetitia about pooping at Powells.
Laetitia about pooping at Powells.
Mountain Goats - June 2005 - For John Darnielle quizzing Sarah Dougher and
I backstage about sex, and for me and my boy at the time having some during
their set in one of the Jupe’s hotel rooms very inspired…
I backstage about sex, and for me and my boy at the time having some during
their set in one of the Jupe’s hotel rooms very inspired…
Gang of Four - May? 2005 - If only for a teenage fantasy come true combined
with hearing the entire crowd chant for Dave Allen.
with hearing the entire crowd chant for Dave Allen.
Bettye Lavette - October 2005 - For having a late night J session in the
hotel where Bettye gave me some hilarious but great advice post breakup….and
for generally inspiring me with her life story.
hotel where Bettye gave me some hilarious but great advice post breakup….and
for generally inspiring me with her life story.
