2012: top five gigs

radiohead rules again, originally uploaded by julienpaul.

So, who really rocked in 2012? This year was packed with great gigs and festivals so I have had a hard time to cut it down to a top five. Hell, I had enough to make a top ten and then some. Still, lets keep it short, in no particular order:

Grizzly Bear, Brixton Academy, London

Lit by floating glowing jellyfish, Grizzly Bear easily had the best set design of 2012 but don't let this overshadow what was a perfectly executed set. The perfect harmonies and rich instrumentation made GB's beautiful tunes really shine.

M83, Brixton Academy, London

What could go wrong? Lush electronic music, happy tunes and sexy singers. Well, there was worry all around that the sleepy sounds of the CDs might turn into a sleepy concert (XX ahem?). They managed to avoid this completely by injecting the music with a heavy dose of rock, pop and just pure energy that kept the crowd dancing.

For a taste:

https://soundcloud.com/snooze_button/m83-live-set-at-bumpershoot

Radiohead, Optimus Alive, Lisbon

Oh, this is a hard one. Three days of music in sunny Lisbon, including stand out shows by Justice, Mumford and Sons and The Kills. But Radiohead managed to not only outshine all of the other acts, but also provide the best concert I have ever seen of theirs. Having not played in Lisbon for a while they decided to do a best-of concert, playing a mix from all of their albums except Pablo Honey. What really showed is that Thom is having fun, doing his funny dances, singing his heart out and improvising like hell (something that lacked from the In Rainbows tour). Utterly amazing stuff.

Tori Amos, Royal Albert Hall, London

What is this? Tori Amos?? The singer I once adored, but has made it harder and harder to continue to do so with her recent mediocre records, not to mention having already seen her twice and being sorely disappointed. But here, in the setting of the grand Royal Albert Hall, she pulled together a best-of concert backed by the Metropole Orchestra that succeeded in riding that fine line between emotional and overly indulgent. The kind of concert that makes you feel the world is a little more beautiful.

Black Keys, Alexander Palace, London

Best mosh and biggest sound of 2012 goes to the Black Keys. Nothing much more to say: pure fun.

Honourable Mentions

Oh no, this is where I sneak in a whole lot of other bands instead of just sticking to my top five. Please forgive me:

Justice, Optimus Alive, Lisbon
Wonderful masters of sound, bending it to their will.

Mumford and Sons, Optimus Alive, Lisbon
Toe tapping fun.

New Order, Brixton Academy
This gig was either ruined or made by the 50 year old 120 kilo men in the front row moshing with no mercy.

Other Lives, Oxford
I think every year needs an Other Lives concert to keep it real (and beautiful).

Metronomy, Field Day, London
Amongst quite a few good concerts at Field Day this one and Beirut really stood out as the surprise hits.