My best shows from 2010… Part 1

2010 was a year packed with music (and music projects). There were over a 100 artists, shows and gigs that I grooved to in the past year and this first post just skims the surface of my live music calendar. Spanning genres, from techno to Indian folk, with plenty of Indie, Americana, funk, soul and blues thrown in, the list below represents my picks of the year from a wide and eclectic mix.

The Manganiyar Seduction @ Old Fort, New Delhi, India – wrapping up the year with a special production. The first artist/group to sign on to my new label – Amarrass Records, with a label launch/show at Purana Qila, the 16th century fort and national landmark in the heart of Delhi, India. Transcendental Sufi music that had an audience of 4,000 mesmerized, dancing and crying tears of joy. The show made it to Time.com photo of the week, Guardian UK’s photo of the day and a host of national and international media. They play the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. March 19/20 this year.

Dustin Zahn, High Noon Saloon, Madison – a Wisconsin native, he has quitely been making waves worldwide with his blend of dark, moody and hypnotic techno. Dustin’s set at the High Noon last January was explosive… we are quite sure he will be back again this year to tear up the decks.

White Rabbits @ High Noon Saloon, Madison – a show I almost missed but glad to have made it. Packing two drummers onto the High Noon stage, and plenty of verve, the White Rabbits pack a punch! Do check out their fabulous 2009 release Its Frightening… the record has been in frequent rotation on my turntable. You can hear the influence of Britt Daniel (of Spoon) on the production of this excellent sounding, heavy weight pressing on TBD Records.

Tony Allen @ Yahara Waterfront Festival, Madison – the father of Afrobeat, with a full band backing his legendary drum work to bring a fresh dose of African rhythm and beats to Madison this summer.

Plastikman, Movement, Detroit – blew the minds of over 25,000 packed into the bowl at Hart Plaza…first night of Movement’s 10th anniversary festival… LED light cage, 808’s, 909’s, and big, big bass… the show had me having flashbacks for a while… and there was plenty more of the good stuff in Detroit (coming up)

Angie Mattson @ The Frequency, Madison – a new discovery, and one that has had me constantly hitting the replay button on my CD player with her lush sounding 2010 release Skeleton Arm. A beautiful silky and husky voice, and with looks that kill (she used to be a fashion model in a former career), Angie and her band mate Jeff Mendel create a rich sonic tapestry with tape loops, chains and all, with hooks that pull the listener in deep.

Neil Young, Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee – Better to burn out than to fade away… well, Neil need not fade away any time soon as the spark is still firing bright behind that craggy and bushy brow of his, and with a voice that seems to sound sweeter with the passing years. The Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee was beautiful, with a sweet spot next to the soundboard.

Scion, Movement, Detroit – dubby, dubby techno… soundwaves echoing and bouncing off the buildings in downtown Detroit. Scion (Substance, Vanquiver being some of the other monikers for this German duo) created layers upon layers of atmospheric sounds perfect for chilling in the late afternoon sunset glow, building up to a rising, pulsating groove that set the stage for the party to continue into the night.

The National @ Orpheum Theatre, Madison packed to the gills and we end up in a sweet spot.. front center for the entire duration of the show. Great to see and hear the emotions erupt from (lead singer).. grainy iPhone shot will have to do.

Justin Townes Earle, Union Terrace, Madison. A hard touring man and now somewhat of a regular fixture in Madison (I have seen Justin play about 5 times in the past 3 years in Madison) had the Union Terrace packed and hopping for a short late-night set. Always a great show, watch out for more of JTE in Madison this Spring.

Watch out for Part two with more of my best shows from 2010… and we’d like to hear from you what were your favorite shows of 2010.