Best of 2011: Live Show

Those of us who pay even the smallest bit of attention to the goings on of the music business know that the world is changing. Digital music continues to turn the game on its head leaving record labels and album stores less important by the day. Perhaps we are on the verge of some grand solution, but right now things remain in flux. By offering free streaming to the masses, websites like Spotify, Rhapsody and Pandora  allow fans access to their favorite tunes, while the Compact Disc watches in through the window with its nose pressed up against the glass. Oh what once was Mr. CD… With so much chaos and uncertainty, it is heartening to see our favorite bands and artists take the stage and perform their music where it matters most; live. In fact, one could argue that the live performance is the most important aspect of an artist’s repertoire. With the rise of bedroom haze makers, manufactured starlets and blatant copy cats, the act of playing your music to an audience is the great differentiator. After the jump check out the shows that impressed us at Sloane the most in 2011.

We saw some amazing performances in 2011, the following list is just a microcosm of what we witnessed. Remember; go see live shows!

Micah: Futurebirds – Town Square Tavern (Jackson, WY)

Living mostly in Jackson Hole this past year I didn’t have the opportunity to see as many live shows as my co-writers in Boston and NYC. Thankfully, between the bluegrass house bands and cover bands, Atlanta’s Futurebirds stormed into JHole. One of my favorite up and coming groups of 2011, Futurebirds rolled through their short catalogue of reverb soaked tracks with a raucous energy that has come to be expected of young group. Like the best country alternative bands, the band plays to their roots with a live set that is unpolished, gritty, and authentic. These guys might not be at the same level as their forebearers My Morning Jacket, but they’re sure as hell on their way. Catch them in a club while you still can. Above is a clip of the group performing “Ski Chalet” at the 2011 Bonnaroo Music Festival.

Jeremy: James Blake – Bowery Ballroom (New York, NY)

You might be tired of hearing about James Blake. The 2011 dubstep wonderboy was seemingly everywhere this past year, but damn does he put on a great live show. To be honest, going into the show I thought it was going to be the band wrestling to perform his songs as closely modeled to the studio recordings as possible. Fortunately, I was very wrong about that. The band would assemble the sections of his compositions by looping together different layers of sounds and instrumental lines. In turn, these were built into walls of sound that were then deconstructed to reveal the melody. What was admirable about this show were the liberties Blake took deviating from the original recordings to create a new experience of his music, thus showing a seamless transition between his songs. The result was a fragile and entrancing performance that brought into focus his impressive voice and production skills, melded with a clear talent for orchestration.

Dan: Deadmau5 – House of Blues (Boston, MA)

Days after seeing Deadmau5 live for the first time, my body was still reeling. Never before had my ears and eyes been brought so close to explosion. Seriously, just when I thought the music and visuals couldn’t get any crazier…they tripled in size. If you have yet to experience one of his shows, get to one ASAP. As the drugged-out crowd around me jumped and swayed to the music (all the while pouring beer down my back) I thought to myself… “I hope this never ends.”

Tim: What Cheer? Brigade –  Firehouse XII (Providence, RI)

Hopefully you have heard of this Providence-based 19 member brass street band. A youtube video of one of their members quitting their job in epic fashion fascinated people who dreamed of doing the same. A Today Show appearance followed. They guys and gals are big deals in Rhode Island for good reason. Out of all the live shows I have been to, I have never felt so involved in a permanence. Maybe it was high fiving a cymbal or doing a mango line under the sanre drum, but the band’s focus was on forcing it’s audience to have the best time possible. They ended the night marching everyone out on the street and they are responsible for this epic saunter through NYC during hurrcane Irene. Pinch me I am in love.