I went to a lot of shows this year, and thought it would be fun to acknowledge, in no particular order, some memorable moments...
Best show seen from the "front row":
3 way tie between Mudhoney@Music Hall of Williamsburg, Melvins/Big Business@Irving Plaza, Dream Theater@PNC Bank Arts Center
Best show seen from the top row:
Heaven and Hell (first time)@Radio City Music Hall
Best band seen three times in 2007: Heaven and Hell
Biggest disappointment: 2 way tie between Boredoms with 77 Drummers and Jesus & Mary Chain@Webster Hall
Biggest regret of the two tickets I had to eat in 2007: Testament@The Chance in Poughkeepsie
Band I most expected to suck but were totally awesome: Art Brut@Bowery Ballroom
Over-hyped show that did not live up to expectation but was still pretty good: 2 way tie between Sonic Youth playing Daydream Nation@McCarren Park Pool and Daft Punk@Keyspan Park
Best example of a band being better as an opening act than a headliner: Two way tie between Megadeth@PNC and Celtic Frost@Irving Plaza
Best band I never expected to have the opportunity to see: Hawkwind@Europa
Steve Vai@Irving Plaza or Joe Satriani@Gramercy ? Both were much better and more enjoyable than expected, but Joe Satriani edges into the lead for being so damn personable and keeping the show fast paced and rocking. Minimal wanking FTW.
Megadeth@PNC or Megadeth@Irving Plaza? Megadeth at PNC for sure.
Dream Theater@PNC or Dream Theater@Jones Beach: Dead even draw. The set list was much better at Jones Beach but lining my beers up on stage next to John Petrucci at PNC was a unique thrill.
Best sounding show: Placebo@Roseland
Best example of old people "getting it": Rush@PNC
Best example of old people not "getting it": UNCLE TED!
Best show where I felt really bad for the performer on stage: Qui (David Yow)@Mercury Lounge
Best show of 2007: Sebadoh@Webster Hall for being so awful that I decided to go to Vince's party to blow off some steam. And ended up meeting Kristin.
