Alive 2008: Everyone Loves Lists

Running Playlist Mid-Year Review:

Top 10 Concerts of 2008 (Thus Far)

10. White Rabbits, w/ The Happy Hollows
The Echo, Wednesday, May 28, 2008 (video)

This honestly wasn't the most exciting concert, although it's not really the White Rabbits' fault. They sounded great, but the audience wasn't really feeling it. I went to this more because it was $10 and I wanted to see local act the Happy Hollows again before I leave Los Angeles. What really made this memorable for me was that Michael Stipe was randomly there, standing in front of us the whole show--and on the night before he began his Accelerate tour. Maybe he's shopping for newer, hipper opening acts? Oh, L.A.

9. Los Campesinos!, w/ Parenthetical Girls
The Troubadour, Saturday, June 7, 2008

8. Times New Viking
The Echo, Sunday, June 15, 2008

7. Islands
The El Ray, Tuesday, June 17, 2008

6. Prince
Coachella, Saturday, April 26, 2008
There were some issues here: everyone was already tired, he spent the first twenty minutes killing time with the gospel funk that's watered down everything that was ever interesting about Prince, he destroyed "Little Red Corvette" by turning it into a ballad and removing the second bridge, and "Creep" really isn't the best choice for a cover if you're going to take out the expletives. But he's Prince. He brought the energy and some very impressive guitar skills, and, really, it's Prince.

5. Lykke Li and El Perro Del Mar
The El Ray, Thursday, May 22, 2008

4. Robyn
The Troubadour, Saturday, February 9, 2008 (video)

This was her first show in L.A. since she was like 14 or something, and it was really fun to see her in such a small venue, espeically given that I've been waiting for her to come back since, well, 2005. If she's not higher, it's only because her set was so short (though she still managed to fit in the wonderful, Katsuya-approved "Dream On") and because she's now the European opener for Madge's vadge on her Hard Cashola tour, which I really can't support.

3. Architecture in Helsinki and the Ruby Suns
w/ The Happy Hollows
The Echo, Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I was honestly just excited to see the Ruby Suns when Architecture in Helsinki randomly announced that they'd be playing with their fellow Australians the day of the concert. Pretty exciting.
Echo house band The Happy Hollows may have been the big surprise of the night, though. Lead singer Sarah Negahdari draws obvious comparisons to Karen O--if Karen O were unbelievably awesome on guitar. My friend and I complimented her after the show, and she said she was taking lessons via YouTube, which was pretty funny. I can't wait for them to release a full-length album, but for now I'll indulge on the studio recording of "Lieutenant" streaming on their myspace.
The Ruby Suns were naturally very good. Apparently Ryan McPhun is hot? They played a short set, though, and really let Architecture in Helsinki steal the show--McPhee actually joined them on stage for most of it. Loved their cover of "Break My Stride" and loved Kellie Sutherland even more. Their studio albums really don't do justice to the fun they bring on stage.

2. The Dirty Projectors
The Echo, Saturday, April 12, 2008 (Photos)

The Dirty Projectors have a sound that you would really not expect to see replicated live, especially at such a low-key venue as the Echo. But they do replicate it live, and they do it impeccably. They nail all those bizarre harmonies, and it all sounds much more exciting and vital than it ever has on their records. Their live act is truly an achievement, something rare in indie rock.

1. Hot Chip
The Mayan Theater, Monday, April 28, 2008 (Photos)

My friends and I caught Hot Chip's show at Coachella, but it was so ridiculously crowded that we decided to redo it a few days later here. Hot Chip have a live presence that's shocking for an electronica act, though easy enough to describe: they turn the beat way up, Alex Taylor struts his nerdy stuff, and hey, they actually play guitar and stuff. I've never danced so much at a concert.