Today, we’re going to continue a segment started in 2006 called the Four Questions. If you’re a long-time Hidden Track reader who has never commented before, we hope that you’ll participate in this thread.
Sure it ain’t Passover, but we’ve got four questions for you anyway…
1. What was your single favorite musical experience of 2010?
2. What band are you most excited to see in 2011?
3. What under-the-radar band didn’t get nearly enough buzz this year?
4. While everyone focuses on the “best of” this time of year, we want to know, what was the worst live musical performance you caught in 2010?
Leave your answers as comments below…
32 Responses
1. (tie/cheating) Phish 10/30 Atlantic City, first song thru encore//My Morning Jacket’s performance of Z + encore at Terminal 5
2. Who knows? I have tickets to see two bands so far in 2011, Broken Social Scene and the Bad Plus and I’m psyched for both. Beyond that… ???
3. El Ten Eleven
4. Wavves at MHOW
Best Music Event 2010: Phish – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Band Most excited to see in 2011 – Apollo Sunshine (if they tour) or Howlin Rain (if they tour)
Under the Radar Band: The London Souls, The Killer Balloons
Worst Performance: Actually most disappointing was Umphrey’s McGee at all good festival, one of my top bands to see, was just flat during an awful daylight set that lasted an hour or less. George Cliton and P-Funk at All Good was more then disappointing, they were terrible!
1. Even though I saw my first Halloween show and it was terrific, I think I have to go with Roger Waters the Wall at MSG. Also really liked Peter Gabriel at Radio City.
2. Some stuff I’d like to see is the Tallest Man on Earth, Johnny Flynn, Trampled By Turtles, Fang Island, Rush, and Bright Eyes.
3. I guess they got a fair amount of buzz, but I thought Tokyo Police Club’s album would have more broadly well-received. Really liked that album.
4. I don’t recall seeing anything that bad, but I did eat tickets for two nights of MGMT, because I felt like crap. That sucked.
1. My Morning Jacket’s performance of At Dawn at Terminal 5.
2. Local Natives, since I missed them this year.
3. Dr. Dog getting left off everyone’s “best of” lists.
4. Garfunkle (of Simon & Garfunkle) at JazzFest. He sounded like poop.
Favorite: John Butler Trio in Central Park
Most excited for in 2011: Dr. Dog in Philly
Under-the-radar: They are way under the radar but check out Easy Company if you are ever down in the New Orleans or deep south area.
Worst: Jimkata and someone else played Philly back in April. Jimkata’s music was stellar but they played interlocking sets with the other band. Jimkata was playing great then stopped to let the other band play for an hour and it just killed the night.
1) (tie/cheating) It was definitely Phish. I can’t decide if it was Atlantic City when they got the Led out or Harpua on 4th of July.
2) I’d love to see Galactic with Corey Glover in 2011. I’m looking at Nashville or Atlanta.
3) I’m loving Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros.
4) The worst was the last day of the Hangout Music Festival getting rained out. I had the wife and kids with me. I took them home to Pensacola before I heard they re-opened. I made it back out there for Trey but I missed Matisyahu, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Keller Williams, and Ben Harper.
1. Traveling across the country for three nights of Phish at The Greek. Second…Wilco’s “An Evening With…” tour when they kicked it into acoustic Spiders (Kidsmoke)
2. Dr. Dog at the 9:30 Club. Second…Titus Andronicus at the 9:30 Club.
3. Trampled by Turtles. Second…not as under the radar, but Justin Townes Earle.
4. Rouge Wave at the 9:30 Club. It was absolutely awful. Not sure why I went.
1. Avett Brothers opening for Gov’t Mule at Red Rocks for Labor Day…far and away the best show of the year…something about those Avett’s
2. I missed LCD Soundsystem this year…and I won’t let that happen again…also Girl Talk @ the Ogden in March
3. Here’s one for you…and don’t be thrown off by the name, but Brooklyn based rappers Das Rascist are bringing the fun back…wikipedia that…
4. Walked out of an Umphrey’s McGee concert at Red Rocks…thankfully Galactic went on first and was fantastic as usual.
Sure it ain’t Passover, but we’ve got four questions for you anyway…
1. Single favorite musical experience of 2010? – My Morning Jacket at Merriweather Post Pavillion.
2. Band most excited to see in 2011 – Hammer No More the Fingers.
3. Under-the-radar band – Hammer No More the Fingers. HMNTF.com. (check out their new album Black Shark when it comes out in 2011). Honorable Mention – The Hot Seats from Richmond, VA. (thehotseats.net)
4. Worst live musical performance caught in 2010? – Hate to say it, but Cadillac Sky was a disappointment. The album might be good, but they were horribly annoying live. The dumb generic bluegrass band name Cadillac Sky should have been a tip-off.
1) The National at Radio City Music Hall. While Phish 10/30 was a close second, The National gets the nod because I went in with no expectations and was blown away.
2) Keep hearing rumors of this giant Metallica tour that will rival The Wall in terms of theatrics. Would love to see that.
3) As usual, JJ Grey and Mofro – great new album.
4) The jumper at Phish Jones Beach. Have they put that douchebag in jail yet?
1. Levon + MMJ Midnight Ramble
2. Page McConnell solo band
3. Sister Sparrow + the Dirtybirds
4. ZZ Top @ Beacon
1. Phish – SC2 (hm: LCD Soundsystem)
2. Phish
3. Here We Go Magic
4. can’t say i had one. let’s say i was left feeling underwhlemed after Phish SC1.
1. Levon Helm Band – Floyd Fest
2. Phish
3. Deer Tick (not sure if they are under the radar but I would expect them to be talked about more and playing larger rooms – great band)
4. Phish Broomfield Night 3
1. Phish Manchester bustout city also my 100th show and my girls 10th. Specifically Makisupa into Night Nurse
2. After fall tour I have to say Phish I know I am a homer but I think they are really starting to click on all cylinders.
3. Anything with Seth Yacavone. I know he isnt doing much these days playing a lot with Mr. Charlie (dead cover band) but his old band rocked and I think if he got more exposure he could be great
4.Keller Williams at the Higher ground. He only gets this because the crowd was so annoying at the ground that night.
1. Tie between Phish @ Deer Creek > Alpine Valley run or The Chemical Brothers in Chicago at Northcoast Music Festival.
2. Widespread Panice since it’s rumored to be their last year 🙁
3. Cold War Kids. Caught a performance a few weeks ago and they were STELLAR!
4. Widespread’s Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis. Bad weather caused them to play an incredibly short set w/ no encore.
1. Toss up between a number of shows – Felice Brothers Rocks Off Boat Cruise / Phish Zeppelin Madness / 2 nights of Wilco at the Wellmont / Jeff Tweedy’s Solid Sound set / Newport Folk Fest
2. Middle Brother – new project from the lead singers of Deer Tick, Dawes & Delta Spirit and the return of Bright Eyes
3. The Moondoggies – Tidelands is a fantastic album, and these guys are a great live band as well channeling The Band and CSN&Y
4. Blitzen Trapper at Webster Hall, just wasn’t in love with their album and thought they feel a bit flat that night
1. Toubab Krewe/Railroad Earth show at Toad’s Place. Awesome to see both bands on the same night.
2. Warren Haynes Band. Great vibes from the X-mas Jam show!
3. Otis Grove – Funk/Rock/Jazz Trio from Boston. To be completely honest, they’re like a poor man’s MMW (add guitar, remove bass). That being said, they need to get some love from the jam scene so they can leave New England. http://www.otisgrove.net
4. John Brown’s Body and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad. I caught the show at the beginning of 2010 and I didn’t realize the lead singer and keyboard player had JUST(within weeks) left GPGDS. So needless to say, they were absolutely terrible. I knew what to expect with JBB (I dig the early stuff/10 Ft. Ganja Plant era), but they were still worse then expected. They did play the lowest/weirdest bass note I’ve ever heard though. It’s sad when one note is the highlight of the night.
1. Phish in Telluride. Wasn’t the best Phish show I saw this year, but the vibe and scenery were absolutely amazing.
2. I’m really hoping Radiohead tours next summer.
3. Lotus
4. Furthur @ All Good
1) Favorite musical experience was probably seeing Gorillaz for the first time. That was a long-time coming and the show did not disappoint in any way, music and production were top notch.
2) I’d like to catch Foals live in 2011. I was late to the party on that band, just heard their most recent album a couple of weeks ago and love it.
3) Phosphorescent gets my vote for under-the-radar band not getting enough buzz. Their 2010 album Here’s To Taking It Easy is amazing and is not showing up on any of the Year-End-Lists I have seen thus far.
4) Worst live musical performance this year. I was pretty underwhelmed when I saw Wolf Parade. Love the band, their set was just pretty uneven (as is their new album). Was not surprised to hear they are hanging it up. Built To Spill, another band I love, put on a rather uninspired show the night I went to check them out in Boston as well.
1. Roger Waters doing The Wall in Tacoma. Truly transcendent. Very close 2nd place, Furthur in Eugene on 9/17.
2. Phish
3. Flowmotion, as always
4. Xavier Rudd opening for Rodrigo Y Garbriela. I had high hopes and he thoroughly ruined them.
1. MMJ at Daniel Island Tennis Center, Charleston, SC
2. Really hoping to see Bela Fleck & the Original Flecktones
3. Cary Ann Hearst and also Town Mountain
4. did not see a bad show this year…
1. The Wooden Sky playing their encore behind Lee’s Palace post-gig and playing Dylan’s “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” with over a hundred fans singing along in the middle of Bloor Street causing some serious traffic commotion (this was in Toronto).
2. Surprise Me Mr. Davis/The Slip/The Barr Brothers
3. The Wooden Sky
4. Al Tuck (who was opening for Jason Collett)
1. The last 4 shows on the 1st leg of Phish summer tour or Moogfest (both WILD long weekends)
2. wanna see !!!, hopefully they tour.
3. Paper Tiger (indie/electro/sexieness) via Asheville
http://www.myspace.com/thepapertigermusic
4.Hate to say it but, MGMT @ Moogfest was pretty lame, had high hopes that were ultimately dashed…
1. Stevie wonder and jay z back to back @ the roo (or) thievery corporation @ red rocks
2.mmw or Phish in ohio
3. The morning benders/surfer blood
4. Wale @bonnaroo
1-Phish @ Telluride this Summer. Best concert experience/venue in the US!
2-U2 in Denver. Sounds a bit corny maybe, but can’t wait to these giants play again.
3-Moon Taxi. Amazing prog/jam rock band from Nashville, they kick ass.
4-Worst show this year was David Grisman @ Odgen in Denver. Too slow, 60 minute show. Not worth $35!
1. Walking into AC during Halloween, after years of seeing Phish I finally catch a 10-31 show. My Phish crown is complete everything else is gravy at this point.
2. Blues and Lasers getting serious love from the masses, its only a matter of time and in 2011 it will happen mark these words.
3. Blues and Lasers again. Best band that slides under the radar. The show they released to audio archive this week is super killer.
4. I have to say I didn’t see a single bad show in 2010. The Phish shows I caught were amazing. Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at 9:30 was killer. King of Leon in the pit, very nice. Black Crowes at 9:30 before they leave, epic. I can’t complain, thank goodness for music and blessings to those who create the rock!
1. Phish – 6/20/10
2. The Jayhawks or Chris Robinson’s solo project
3. Super 400!!! Check them out!!!
4. N/A
1. Either pavement in Atlanta or MGMT in Nashville.
2. Super excited for new albums by both the
Black lips and deerhoof in 2011.
3. Sonny and the Sunsets or Harlan T. Bobo.
4. Caught both the greenhornes and avett bros.
In Nashville for hallowen. Grace potter opened
For the Avett’s and it was easily the worst show
I caught in 2010.
1) Phish + Telluride + Best Friends = Magic
2) It’s not a band, but Jazzfest. Getting down there for the first time and can’t wait for everything, regardless who’s there that 2nd weekend
3) I really liked the Broken Bells record, and didn’t hear too too much about it, but don’t really care that much one way or the other
4) Furthur @ MSG. My friends had talked up the CA Festi shows and Radio City shows so much, and it all just felt underwhelming to me. Besides Russo being the all-star he always is, just didn’t feel the excitement. Wanted to love it but didn’t.
1. phish AC 10/30- raw energy
new mastersounds- brooklyn bowl
2. Tool—if they’re ever around
3. The Bridge…..these dudes need some more burn
Ra Ra Riot- same
4. My Morning Jacket- Terminal 5 ( it still moves)
-years of waiting to see these guys, snoooooze fest
1. Infamous Stringdusters @ the Festy — super vibes/energy; no nitrous/tour-rats
2. Antibalas, now that they’ll be done with the Fela musical.
3. Megafaun
4. Drive-by Truckers @ the 9:30 — whoever was in charge of FOH sound that night should be fired.
1. Seeing Phish in Alpharetta for the 4th of July
2. Phish, no question, but I am excited to see the Meat Puppets at the Hi-Tone in Memphis on January 1
3. Ty Segall, psychedelic garage fuzz at its best and he always seems to be releasing new stuff
4. It pains me to say… the Jimmy Herring Band… zzzzz