As 2011 draws to a close, we take a look back at our top live shows of the year. A mixture of local and festival-curated performances that became etched into our memory banks. Madison lived up to its reputation as an indie rock magnet, pulling in a steady stream of cutting edge shows while the big festival experience added fuel to the fire. Let's get to it. Rock of the Arts top ten indie shows of the year:
10 The Flaming Lips at SoundTown Festival in Somerset, Wisconsin
The spectacle that is The Flaming Lips live must be experienced by everyone at least one time. Whether that’s somewhere in a Northwest Wisconsin bowl-shaped amphitheatre like Somerset or not, lead singer and ringmaster Wayne Coyne holds the trigger to an explosive show that assaults the senses. From large transparent rubber balls and giant video cams to cheerleaders and fireworks, this kind of extravaganza cannot be downloaded from iTunes into a neat little package. The indie infused electronic soundtrack to all this energy is framed with a powerful edge, but subdued by a Pink Floyd hue. One might call this a spiritual awakening; others call it The Flaming Lips.
09 Smith Westerns/Unknown Mortal Orchestra/Sat. Nite Duets at the Frequency in Madison
Chicago’s Smith Westerns have been catching quite a few breaks this year with numerous accolades and heavy blog chatter aimed their way. After releasing the T-Rex/David Bowie born-again master piece “Dye it Blonde”, the barely-out-of-their-teens trio hit the road with the likes of Wilco and Arctic Monkeys. This intimate show teamed them up with Portland-based Unkown Mortal Orchestra, whose debut album lit up the indie landscape. A perfect scenario, with two emerging bands in a small club environment, causing the audience to drip in both sweat and anticipation. Milwaukee’s Sat. Nite Duets added the slacker pavementesque icing to the cake.
08 Peaking Lights at Mickey’s Tavern in Madison
It was a bittersweet performance for Aaron Coynes and Indra Dunis (aka Peaking Lights) as they played their last show in Madison as city residents. After four years in the badger state, Peaking Lights exit stage left for sunny California to pursue the inevitable treasure at the end of that electronic rainbow. Aaron Coyes penchant for guitars, synths and synaptic digital impulses weaves an intricate audio journey that left an indelible mark on Madison’s music scene. Indra Dunis best summed up the melancholy feeling with the couple’s final tweet as they headed out of town on the beltline:
@peakinglights 21 Dec
Bye Madison , love you! http://instagr.am/p/aj8tg/
07 Wilco and Nick Lowe at Overture Hall in Madison
Jeff Tweedy and Wilco proved why they’re one of the best live bands on the road today. Only three weeks into the “Whole Love” tour and still fresh, the alt-country pioneers showed their experienced chops with chestnuts like "Via Chicago" and "Jesus Etc." along with crisp interpretations of the new material. What could make this any better? How about Nick Lowe in all his power pop glory as the opening act? Mr. Lowe even joined Wilco for an encore. Peace, Love and Understanding indeed!
06 Toro Y Moi at Pitchfork in Chicago
The smooth rhythmic stylings of Toro Y Moi kept everyone in the groove at Pitchfork. The gyrating movement of the crowd hypnotically building energy that circulated back to the band and reinforced the sonic pledge of allegiance that can only be described as euphoria.
05 James Blake at SXSW in Austin
The dubstep purist was one of the break-out artists at SXSW. This lawn party performance outside the French Legation Museum was a communal experience at the altar of Mr. Blake.
04 tUnE-yArDs at SXSW in Austin
It was a one-two punch at the French Legation Museum with tUnE-yArDs' Merrill Garbus incorporating drums, a ukulele, loop pedal and an adventurous band into a riveting set. The eclectic anthems, fueled by a cross pollination of music genres, drove the laid-back Austin crowd to their feet screaming for more.
03 The Black Lips at SXSW in Austin
The Black lips are always entertaining and if you catch them on a good night, unpredictable. Garage rock meets vaudeville, flirting with punkish shenanigans that incite crowds to the maximum. Jimi Hendrix lit his guitar on fire at Monterey. Cole Alexander of the Black Lips played the guitar with his manhood at this show. Need we say more? That’s Rock n Roll! Yes, there is a video.
02 The Black Angels at the High Noon Saloon in Madison
Austin’s reigning kings of psychedelic expression laid a dreamy strobe-light laden haze on the High Noon Saloon. But make no mistake, The Black Angels are not a retro-sixties band, taking fuzzy hallucinogenic imagery to the next level. It’s not by accident. The Black Angels backed up legendary 13th Floor Elevators’ frontman Roky Erickson on one of his solo tours. There’s nothing like learning from the master.
01 Bon Iver at the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee and the Orpheum Theatre in Madison
Justin Vernon must have expanded his father’s cabin in Northern Wisconsin to accomadate the dynamic eight piece band that toured behind the Bon Iver album this year. Kidding aside, nothing can describe the creative leaps that Justin and his cohorts displayed over the last five months. We thought the debut show in Milwaukee last July was spectacular. Watching the cohesiveness and sound mature through the Madison performance in December just blew us away. If you’re one of the few people still on the fence about Bon Iver, you must see the band live.
