20-MONSTERS OF FOLK (THE TROXY 17 Dec) (Different Live Footage) Read the rest of this entry »

40-THE DRUMS (BARFLY 27 10)

Our year in gigs had its true highlight at Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona. With an impressive line-up that ranged from a two hour greatest hits set by Neil Young to jaunty showcases by newcomers Girls and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart or mind blowing electronica sets courtesy of DJ/Rupture and The Bug. Alternative Titans ATP and Pitchfork curated their own stages and altogether Primavera confirmed itself as one of the most important music events in the world today. More than half the gigs we’ve highlighted as favorites happened there.

Elsewhere, impressive returns by The Pixies, performing their acclaimed album “Doolittle” in its entirety, Throwing Muses and The Jayhawks; The year’s greatest artists on record –Animal Collective; Grizzly Bear next to the London Symphonic Orchestra; Yeah Yeah Yeahs; Atlas Sound; etc.- lived up to their high standards also on stage. Warp records celebrated its 20th anniversary with an international tour and old-time Rober icons –PJ Harvey with John Parish; The Flaming Lips – kept the flame alive. Read the rest of this entry »