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Of my 113 live shows I personally attended in 2014, these are my top ten.
1. Slowdive at Fine Line (31 Oct 2014)
An absolutely unforgettable show. After a 22 year absent, the band is back, healthier, happier, and dressed for the occasion (Halloween). Played all the hits, completely professional and absolutely a treat (like the candies they handed out) to finally see live.
2. Kaiser Chiefs at First Ave (13 June 2014)
WOW, these guys are amazing live. They did some things on this show that I've never, ever seen done at First Avenue (climbing owner's box rafters).
3. Paul Weller at Varsity Theater (10 Sep 2014)
Speaking of 20+ years absent from Minneapolis, the Modfather Paul Weller returned to the city. Fans of British music could not absolutely miss this sold out show.
4. Stars at First Avenue (19 Nov 2014)
Maybe it was because they were filming this live show for Yahoo, but this was a great show. I've criticized the band before when they only played new songs... but not this 2014 show. They played a lot of old stuff, including some hits and they did it because of the fans.
5. Lily Allen at Skyway (01 Oct 2014)
I love it when a band put on a show, and that's exactly what I got when I saw Allen. Sure, the setlist is the same every night, but the routines (including three costume changes) were absolutely fun to watch.
6. Peter Hook at Fine Line (15 Nov 2014)
I'll probably never see New Order live, so seeing Peter Hook play some classic New Order songs were good enough for me. Plus, bad snowstorm and sold out environment and three-hour music set, made it for a memorable show.
7. Buzzcocks at Varsity Theater (11 Sep 2014)
Legendary punk band... absolute blast to see them still at it.
8. Tori Amos at O'Shaughnessy (03 Aug 2014)
My first time seeing Tori, and it was everything I expected! Her set is different every night, thanks to fan requests... so you never know what she is going to play!
9. Pixies at State Theatre (11 Oct 2014)
This is one of those bands on my bucket list... I can finally cross them off the list. Really tight show, the band played all the hits and showcased their new songs.
10. Festival Palomino (20 Sep 2014)
Although the Americana music thing isn't my cup of tea, I have to give big thumbs up for this incredibly well-organized first-ever music festival of its kind. The event sold so well that they've already announced a second Festival Palomino... so obviously I'm looking forward to 2015.
1. Slowdive at Fine Line (31 Oct 2014)
An absolutely unforgettable show. After a 22 year absent, the band is back, healthier, happier, and dressed for the occasion (Halloween). Played all the hits, completely professional and absolutely a treat (like the candies they handed out) to finally see live.
2. Kaiser Chiefs at First Ave (13 June 2014)
WOW, these guys are amazing live. They did some things on this show that I've never, ever seen done at First Avenue (climbing owner's box rafters).
3. Paul Weller at Varsity Theater (10 Sep 2014)
Speaking of 20+ years absent from Minneapolis, the Modfather Paul Weller returned to the city. Fans of British music could not absolutely miss this sold out show.
4. Stars at First Avenue (19 Nov 2014)
Maybe it was because they were filming this live show for Yahoo, but this was a great show. I've criticized the band before when they only played new songs... but not this 2014 show. They played a lot of old stuff, including some hits and they did it because of the fans.
5. Lily Allen at Skyway (01 Oct 2014)
I love it when a band put on a show, and that's exactly what I got when I saw Allen. Sure, the setlist is the same every night, but the routines (including three costume changes) were absolutely fun to watch.
6. Peter Hook at Fine Line (15 Nov 2014)
I'll probably never see New Order live, so seeing Peter Hook play some classic New Order songs were good enough for me. Plus, bad snowstorm and sold out environment and three-hour music set, made it for a memorable show.
7. Buzzcocks at Varsity Theater (11 Sep 2014)
Legendary punk band... absolute blast to see them still at it.
8. Tori Amos at O'Shaughnessy (03 Aug 2014)
My first time seeing Tori, and it was everything I expected! Her set is different every night, thanks to fan requests... so you never know what she is going to play!
9. Pixies at State Theatre (11 Oct 2014)
This is one of those bands on my bucket list... I can finally cross them off the list. Really tight show, the band played all the hits and showcased their new songs.
10. Festival Palomino (20 Sep 2014)
Although the Americana music thing isn't my cup of tea, I have to give big thumbs up for this incredibly well-organized first-ever music festival of its kind. The event sold so well that they've already announced a second Festival Palomino... so obviously I'm looking forward to 2015.
Honorable Mention:
W♥M cover a lot of shows (over 233 shows in 2014), here's a look back at all the shows we covered.
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
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Jake Bugg at First Avenue, Minneapolis (01/17/2014)
I made a rare attendance for a winter show for Jake Bugg. And it was worth the trouble and the snow to see what all the fuss was about. Wizard World Minneapolis 2014 (2-04 May 2014) Just the sheer importance of the very first Wizard World Convention in Minneapolis that we had to cover this historic event. Veruca Salt at Varsity Theater, Minneapolis (09 Jul 2014) Veruca Salt kissed and made up, and the reunion show was a blast to attend. Love hearing all the hits. Ben Watt at Bryant-Lake Bowl Theater (19 Jul 2014) Very under the radar at this 50-seated venue, thanks to ex-Suede guitarist Bernard Butler. |
Boris at the Triple Rock Social Club (12 Aug 2014) I'm not a massive Boris fan, but after seeing them live, I can see why they have such a massive fanbase. La Roux at First Ave (29 Sep 2014) An underappreciated band and show... but Elly Jackson and her very dedicated fans made the show memorable (singalong, anyone?) Arctic Monkeys at First Avenue (14 Feb 2014) We've seen Arctic Monkeys almost every time they play Minneapolis (usually at First Avenue). AM have changed over the years, and it's fun to see them grow up. Blake Mills at Amsterdam Bar (26 Sep 2014) With a surprise guest appearance by Fiona Apple, how could I not forget this show? |
W♥M cover a lot of shows (over 233 shows in 2014), here's a look back at all the shows we covered.
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
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10/01 Lily Allen at Skyway 10/01 Phantogram at Myth 10/02 Paloma Faith at Triple Rock 10/02 Agent Orange at 7th St 10/04 Kooks at First Ave 10/05 Vintage Trouble at Varsity 10/06 of Montreal at Cedar 10/07 Lucius at Electric Fetus 10/07 Tennis at Fine Line 10/07 Belle & Sebastian at Theatre 10/08 Screaming Females at Triple R 10/08 Banks at First Ave 10/09 We Are Scientists at Turf Club 10/09 Allen Stone at Terminal 5 10/10 Sloan at Turf Club |
10/11 Augustines at Turf Club
10/11 Pixies at State Theatre 10/14 Communion Clubnight 10/15 Kina Grannis at Varsity 10/16 Kat Edmonson at Dakota Jazz 10/17 Placebo at Mill City Nights 10/17 Iggy Azalea at TCF Stadium 10/18 Angus & Julia Stone at Cedar 10/22 Dum Dum Girls at Fine Line 10/24 Minus the Bear at Triple Rock 10/27 Ray LaMontagne at Saenger 10/29 Bear's Den at Fine Line 10/30 Agnes Obel at Dakota Jazz 10/30 Kimbra at Fine Line 10/31 Slowdive at Fine Line 10/31 Alt-J at Myth |
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
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Great job, Vu. I wish I'd seen Arctic Monkeys this year (or at all, really, I've never seen them), but this year was really great for me for live shows. Ash in January, Belle & Sebastian twice in L.A. in October, Aislers Set in September were all super-fun, super-energetic shows. It was great to see Bernard Butler finally play guitar even if it wasn't with Suede. I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch of shows but the ones I mentioned were the highlights.
As for next year, I've just procured my Sleater-Kinney tickets and am really excited for that.
Happy holidays, Vu, and have a wonderful new year.
-Asian Robin
Posted by: Robin | 12/13/2014 at 01:59 AM