Top 5 Gigs of 2007

This is my final post of the year. Another amazing year of shows. I took that giant leap in May and bought an SLR camera, thus gaining me some good access to some shows. It kind of gives this space that air of professionalism .. sort of.

I think I saw about 100+ shows this year, but this was actually an easy list to put together.

5. I'm From Barcelona @ Southpaw (August 6): I'm still getting confetti out of my clothes. The Swedish mega-band fronted by Emanuel Lundgren finally made that important leap to America with a pair of NYC shows and a slot during Lollapalooza. This intimate show was the perfect way to experience the fun and sense of joy with their music. You didn't feel that you were watching a concert, but you were part of the show.

4. Amy Winehouse/The Pipettes @ Bowery Ballroom (March 13): This was back when Amy Winehouse was a singer. I don't know what she is these days. It's sad and pathetic. This show was a turning point for her. She changed from obscure British artist to dynamic household name. To think, she almost didn't make the show. She had broken up with boyfriend now imprisoned husband and was canceling shows left and right. The end result was a show that felt like a neighborhood block party. To add, my girls The Pipettes opened, starting their exposure in the U.S.

3. Bjork @ Radio City Music Hall (May 2): I knew I was in for a good times when I had a better seat than Kanye West. Yeah, that's me in the front row, y'all, about 10 feet from Icelandic royalty. Her latest album might not be up to snuff, but the show was her at her finest, with the pageantry and oddness that embodies the singer.

2. Arcade Fire @ Tower Theatre (May 5): If I were to give out an award for MusicSnobbery Band of the Year, I would give it to Arcade Fire. The statue would be a rendition of Rob Gordon sitting among piles of albums. I'll get to work on it. Anyway, I saw the band four times this year (one church, one theater, one music hall and one island) and this was most memorable for me. The band was in peak form and the Philly crowd was going nuts. Like with any great, "for the ages" show, being right up against the stage made you feel like part of the show.

1. Daft Punk @ Keyspan Park (August 9): If you saw Daft Punk this year and you didn't think it was one of the best shows you ever seen, what fucking show did you see? Was your back turned the whole show?

Honorable mentions: Rilo Kiley at Webster Hall, Los Campesinos at Mercury Lounge, Pink Martini at Le Grand Rex, Underworld at Central Park, Peter Bjorn & John at Maxwell's, Klaxons at Bowery Ballroom, Kate Nash at Joe's Pub, M.I.A.'s set during Siren Festival, Jesus & Mary Chain at Webster Hall, Faithless at Webster Hall, The Decemberists at Mann Music Center, Paul Weller at Irving Plaza.

Worst show of the year: Rufus Wainwright at Central Park, it rained and I was sick for a week after that.

That's it for 2007, see you in 2008.