Songs
01. Bat for Lashes – Laura
02. Sharon Van Etten – Serpents
03. David Byrne and St. Vincent – Dinner for Two
04. Metric – Youth Without Youth
05. St. Vincent – KROKODIL
06. Bat for Lashes – Marilyn
07. Cat Power – Ruin
08. Garbage – Blood for Poppies
09. thenewno2 – Station
10. Lissy Trullie – Rules We Obey
11. Lower Dens – Brains
12. Amanda Palmer – Do It With A Rockstar
13. Blur – Under the Westway
14. The Killers – Runaways
15. The Joy Formidable – Cholla
16. Muse – Madness
17. Sleigh Bells – Comeback Kid
18. Fiona Apple – Every Single Night
19. Bobby Womack – Love Is Gonna Lift You Up
20. School of Seven Bells – The Night
Shows, along with mini-review
1. The Joy Formidable at Terminal 5 - What an explosive show. Even without a great view, the band's energy was unreal. Not only is Ritzy Byran a fantastic guitarist, but she is an incredibly fiesty, frantic and compelling front woman. The drummer came out dress as a giant lobster for the encore, just for the hell of it. And he still pounded the hell out of the drums. Fantastic show.
2. Pulp at Radio City Music Hall - Pulp looked like they were having an absolute thrill onstage, especially Jarvis Cocker, who retains all the charm and wit he's known for on record during his onstage dialogue with the crowd. Very happy my show got "Monday Morning" and "Sunrise". Of course, the hits were great too.
3. Metric at Radio City Music Hall - Metric is always a captivating live band that seemed built for bigger venues than they had played in the past. They sounded amazing with Radio City's acoustics. Plus, Lou Reed came out to sing "The Wanderlust" and "Pale Blue Eyes". The show ended with an acoustic version of "Gimme Sympathy" that sounded surprisingly good.
4. Governor's Ball at Randall's Island - This year's festival was miles ahead of 2011's electronica-heavy set. I only went on the indie rock day of the festival. The day’s highlights were Cults, Fiona Apple, Modest Mouse and Beck. Although I’ve heard people complain about how disinterested Beck seems nowadays live, I think this mini-tour has breathed a little more energy into him, especially after being off the road for four years. I got hear my favorite Sea Change song, “Sunday Sun,” which was a nice treat. Even the two women tripping out behind me couldn’t hinder that concert for me!
5. Sharon Van Etten at Bowery Ballroom – Tramp is one of my favorite albums of the year and I was lucky enough to see Van Etten play a good majority of it live, on her birthday no less! She was in a great mood, chatting it up with various members of the crowd and her band in between songs. During the encore, she even performed one number while wearing a giant balloon animal that was made for her birthday. Aaron Dessner played with her during the night and it was great to hear him perform in such a small venue.
6. Crossing Brooklyn Ferry Festival at Brooklyn Academy of Music
7. Sleigh Bells, Grizzly Bear, Antlers and Cults at Terminal 5
8. Kasabian at Terminal 5
9. Scissor Sisters at Terminal 5
10. Zola Jesus at Webster Hall