It’s no surprise to anyone that I am an avid fan of making lists of random things. What I should currently be doing is writing reviews, but I seem to have hit a bit of a wall…so I’m making this list of the top(ish) best shows I feel I’ve seen in my almost 31 (*gasp*) years in Tejas. This is more for me to archive because I’m sure I won’t remember this in 20 years time. And the advent of e-tickets has stolen the the nostalgia factor away by not giving me a f*cking ticket to fondle in my later years.
*It took me a really long time to remember even a handful of shows I’ve seen. Memory loss is a cruel beeyotch.
Here goes! (And this isn’t in any particular order – just how I was able to remember them)
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Brightblack, Black Nasty @ The Orange Show - May of 2004
I went alone to the first show and didn’t make it back the next night for his second performance. It was my first time being at The Orange Show and seeing BPB. It was sort of overcast and drizzly that night and I just remember it being a really incredible experience that I’m kind of glad I had on my own.
Rilo Kiley, M. Ward and The Statistics at Walter’s – August of 2003
This lineup pretty much speaks for itself. Man, this was such a good show. And flipping cheap. I had to bribe two of my friends to come with me by paying for their tickets too – and it was still significantly cheaper than the last time I saw them play at Warehouse Live a few months ago.
M. Ward and Jim James at St. David’s Church in Austin, TX – SXSW 2008
Again…one of those shows that speaks for itself. 200 people in a small church listening to these two incredible musicians play their music acoustically. Amazing.
My Morning Jacket – ACL Festival 2004
By far one of the best performances I’ve ever seen at ACL period. Let alone of MMJ’s.
Jeff Buckely – Urban Art Bar (when it was still on Tuam) April 1995
Um..yeah. I just wish I could remember who the supporting bands were from this show. If anyone knows – please comment. It’s been driving me crazy!!
The Charlatans/ The Dandy Warhols – Liberty Lunch – Austin – Oct. 1997
* I will never refer to The Charlatans as The Charlatans UK..nor will I ever refer to Suede as London Suede. Just so you know.
I actually got to see this show totally on accident. A friend of mine from high school snagged tickets to this show and needed a ride. I guess he couldn’t find anyone else to go and knew I loved Brit Pop – so….I got a free ticket in exchange for a ride. Awww yea.
Mark Gardner – The Parish – Austin – 2003 ( I think)
Although British journalists and music lovers totally turned on Ride back in the mid 90’s – they remain one of my favorite bands. They were short lived so I never got the chance to see them play. Seeing Mark Gardner though was the next best thing. He started a solo career and was playing SXSW that year. We didn’t realize it until after the fact – but luck was on our side because Mark was so smitten with Austin that he came back through for another show. There were maaaaaaaaybe 40 people there and I’m pretty sure most of them were people who drove in from Houston like I did. He played lots of Ride songs and it made me giddy.
Lush – Lollapalooza – 1992
Another one of my favorite bands. They were the whole reason I went to Lolla that year. Granted there was a ton of great stuff that year – including an incredible performance from Ministry…and I don’t even like Ministry all that much.
Doves – Waterloo Records – SXSW 2005
Like an asshole, I missed the show Doves played in Houston back in like 2003 (?) and I never had another opportunity to see them until SXSW in 2005. They played a free acoustic set at Waterloo and it was a total music orgasm.
Badly Drawn Boy – The Meridian – 2004
One of those awesome intimate shows with a musician who is incredibly talented and personable and funny. It was a long show – but I never got bored and never wanted it to end.
I’m sure there a loads more. I have been to hundreds of shows over the last 17 years. I can’t believe these were the only ones I could recall offhand!!
