SXSW

Shows to Catch in the Spring of 2010

One of my new year’s resolutions was to see more live shows. What a better place to do that then New York City. I scoured some of the popular venues and while I’m sure I didn’t find all the bands, here are a few that shouldn’t be missed.

Hot Chip – $35

Saturday, Feb. 6 at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (Goes on sale Friday, 1/22)
Friday, April 23 at Terminal 5 (Tix on sale)

These British dance/hip-hop/electronic group has an ever-evolving sound that is contagious. I’m curious to see how they’ll transform with their next album as they have over the past four albums. Formed in 2000, these guys have been nominated for a Grammy Award.
Hold On

Justice – $45

Friday, Feb. 12 at Terminal 5 (Sold Out)

The French DJ duo made it big after their debut release (Cross) in 2007. They have since hit the festival circuit playing Treasure Island Music Festival in San Francisco and Coachella in Indio, Calif. Their much anticipated sophomore album is supposed to drop sometime in 2010.
B.E.A.T. (D.A.N.C.E. Remix)

Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears – $13

Thursday, Feb. 25 at The Bowery Ballroom (Tix on sale)

The Austin blues band formed in 2007 finally got their big break during the 2009 SXSW music festival and have been selling out shows around the country since. Definitely a band to watch in the next few years.
Someone Loves Me

Cage the Elephant – $15

Tuesday, March 2 at The Bowery Ballroom (Tix on sale)

The Bowling Green, Kentucky natives are one the few good rock bands to arrive on the music scene in recent years. Like many other bands, they got their big break after playing SXSW in Austin and went on to play last year’s Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn. They also appeared on my Top 30 Tunes of 2009.
Aint No Rest for the Wicked

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Top 30 Tunes of 2009: Listen Here

2009 was a year where the norm was turned upside down. We saw a regime change in Washington, D.C. Michael Jackson’s death almost crashed the internet. And people lost their marbles over the flu.

Music was no exception. We saw the formation of supergroups like Monsters of Folk, Them Crooked Vultures and The Dead Weather. Long-time rockers like The Flaming Lips, Weezer and Pearl Jam all released solid albums. There were also quite a few newcomers to the scene that helped amp up the last few months of 2009.

Here are my top 30 tunes of the year. You can listen them below. Now that is music to my ears.

30). Bulletproof by La Roux Synthesizers and 80’s styled hair-dos are making a comeback.

29). Sagittarrius Silver Announcement by The Flaming Lips Looking forward to this band’s next live history performance.

28). Man Named Truth by Monsters of Folk This unlikely supergroup is a throwback to the days of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and CSNY.

27). Revelry by Kings of Leon This Tennessee band of brothers settles into their sound on Only By the Night.

26). Panic Switch by Silversun Pickups More than just a one-hit wonder.

25). Bounce (ft. N.O.R.E. and Isis) by MSTRKRFTYou can’t help but let your body bounce to the beat.

24). Back Round by Wolfmother The sophomore album from the Aussie rock trio shows a maturation in their style.

23). The Fear by Lily Allen:Vulgar, offensive and dead on.

22). Pursuit of Happiness (ft. MGMT and Ratatat) by Kid Cudi The perfect song for the end of the night.

21). Good Ol’ Fashion Nightmare by Matt and Kim The Brooklyn duo belts out a haunting good ol’ fashioned drum beat.