Happy 2010! We hope you all had a phenomenal time sending 2009 to the history books and welcoming the new year in style. Like most music geeks and list junkies, we like to spend this time of year reflecting on all the music that moved us over the last 12 months. Check out our picks for the best albums and live shows of 2009 below, and tell us how they compare to yours.
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MJ’s Favorite Live Shows:
Ani Difranco, Indigo Girls, Dar Williams, Melissa Ferrick, et al at the Orpheum Theatre: Concert Photos & Videos
This blow out event was a fundraiser for The Progressive magazine’s centennial anniversary. Unlike any concert I’ve ever attended or worked the musicians enthusiastically (and sometimes emotionally) dedicated most of the night to collaborating on folk and personal classics both onstage and backstage.
Michael Franti and Spearhead at the Union Theatre: His 1st Radio Hit
This high energy show had the Union walls bumpin’ and the bodies sweatin’. Younger audience members danced on stage while college students partied on the floor. Perfection.
Joan Baez at the Barrymore Theatre: Concert Photos
Joan’s graceful demeanor, her massive musical talent, and a rare ability to connect that which is happening in the world to a musical note are just a few of the reasons she has found her place among musical legends. Her live performance proved to be nothing less. Added bonus: She hired one of our interns as her personal tour assistant.
Erin Mckeown and Jill Sobule at High Noon Saloon: Links & Downloads
I Probably maxed out on laughs per minute at this concert. There’s nothing like a good Neil Diamond cover to wrap up the night.
Jenny Lewis at the Barrymore: Concert Photos
With the unusually seamless transition from Rilo Kiley fame to fronting her self-named group, Jenny’s infectious but unassuming charisma (and band) was hard not to fall for.
The Ditty Bops at the Barrymore Theatre: Concert Photos
This show was especially cool because Bike Fed offered valet parking for two-wheeling guests and then Wonder Woman showed up.
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Joe’s Favorite Albums:
Camera Obscura – My Maudlin Career
mewithoutyou – It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All A Dream! It’s Alright
David Bazan – Curse Your Branches
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below
J. Tillman – Year In The Kingdom
Dark Was The Night – Red Hot Compilation
Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Discovery – LP
Joe’s Favorite Live Shows:
The Decemberists & The Heartless Bastards @The Overture Center Concert Photos
St Vincent & Sonmi @ The High Noon Saloon
Monotonix (in February) @ The High Noon Saloon Concert Photos and Reviews
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros, Local Natives, and Fools Gold @ The High Noon Saloon Concert Videos
Rodriguez @ The High Noon Saloon
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Shelley’s Favorite Albums:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Live
Manic Street Preachers – Journal For Plague Lovers Review
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – The Live Anthology
brakesbrakesbrakes – Touchdown
The Thermals – Now We Can See Interview
Shelley’s Favorite Live Shows:
Manic Street Preachers @ The Metro
The Brian Jonestown Massacre @ Turner Hall
The Dandy Warhols @ The Majestic
Jenny Lewis @ The Barrymore
Daniel Johnston @ The Annex Concert Review
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Justin’s Favorite Albums:
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Up From Below
William Elliott Whitmore – Animals in the Dark
The Rural Alberta Advantage – Hometowns
The xx – xx
Cymbals Eat Guitars – Why There Are Mountains
Florence & The Machine – Lungs
brakesbrakesbrakes – Touchdown
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart Concert Videos
Justin’s Favorite Live Shows:
Murder By Death – 2/10&11/2009 – Schubas/Beat Kitchen
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – 11/28/09 – High Noon Saloon
Daytrotter Barnstormer #1 (Catfish Haven, Local Natives, Snowblink, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin) – 7/27/09 – some attic on Henry St.
Amanda Palmer – 11/14/2009 – Music Hall of Williamsburg
The Yeah Yeah Yeahs – 5/31/2009 – The Rave
Sufjan Stevens – 9/28/09 – Majestic Theatre
Los Campesinos! + Titus Andronicus – 2/6/09 – Rathskeller
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Robin’s Favorite Albums:
The Fresh & Onlys – Grey-Eyed Girls
The Dutchess & The Duke – Sunset/Sunrise
Zola Jesus – The Spoils Interview
Ty Segall – Lemons
The Beets – Spit in the Face of People Who Don’t Want to be Cool
Tyvek – Tyvek
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Filed under: Indie, Pop, Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Sounding Board Blog | Tagged: best albums, best concerts, best list, best live shows, best music, best of, best of 2009, Concert, favorite albums, favorite music, favortite live shows, live concerts, live shows, Madison, Madison Music, Madison music scene, Madison WI, music in madison, music news, Musicians, nightlife, Tickets |
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