Year In Review 2021 - Favorite Live Show

The live show is a slippery thing. There are lots of variables at play, most having little to do with the performance itself. Does the venue have enough bathrooms? Is it going to rain? What day of the week is it on? Did I have a shitty day at work before hand? Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this effects one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason, but when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be than in the moment of magic occurring spontaneously from the stage.

Live Music Has No Equal!

Taken By The Fantastic Megan Donohue

While obviously we can't see every show that is out there, we try to get out often to catch live music. Sure there are a few left in the calendar year, but for now, here is a listing of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have caught in 2021 (THANK GOD LIVE MUSIC IS BACK!).

There are links to show reviews in the titles, also because who doesn't love arbitrary rankings, one show at the bottom took the top prize as RtBE's 2021 Favorite Live Show. We also make mention of a few live streams we enjoyed as the beginning of 2021 was still locked down for live music, but we made up for it at the end of the year seeing quite a few great ones safely in person.

Live Review: Jack White NYC, MSG 1/30/15

Hey all got a new review up @glidemag which you can read Right C'here!!!

It is of the amazing Jack White show from last Friday at MSG. 2015 isn't even a month old and we already got a solid contender for show of the year.

Before he even came out Run The Jewels put on a great set, with DJ Trackstar actually being a DJ and guests like Boots and the killer Zack De La Rocha providing more flavor.

We really love the duo's disk as we stated in our review and reiterated in the year end rankings so it was mind-blowingly-awesome to catch two of or favorite 2014 artists live from only a few feet away on the floor of the worlds most famous arena...with a surprise from a favorite artist of ours from say...1991, Q-Tip.

Unreal, and he did "Excursions" it doesn't get more Boosh then that. Well we don't want to rehash the whole review...go read it here. Also through the magic of the interwebs you can check out the full show (probably for a limited time) right here streaming on Pandora.  What an amazing night of music, thanks to all involved.

Year In Review 2014- Favorite Live Show of 2014

The live show is a slippery thing. There are lots of variables at play most having little to do with the performance itself.  Does the venue have enough bathrooms?  Is it going to rain?  What day of the week is it on?  Did I have a shitty day at work before hand?  Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this effects one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason, but when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be then in the moment of magic occurring spontaneously from the stage.

Live Music Has No Equal.   

While we can't see every show that is out there, we try our hardest to see as many as we can (and more then most) here at RtBE.  Sure there are a few left in the calendar year, but for now here is a listing of of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have seen in 2014. Also because who doesn't love arbitrary rankings, one show at the bottom that took the top prize as RtBE's 2014 Show of the Year. To continue our Best of 2014 just click that Read More button and get started

Live Review: Jack White Chicago Theater Chicago, IL 7/23/14

Jack White 
Chicago Theater 
Chicago, IL 
7/23/14

Wow.  If there hadn't been another life altering performance earlier this year, this would clearly be the show of the year. It might still be when all is said in done with 2014 as Jack White and crew put on an amazing performance that ran almost 3 full hours of music. I have waited so long to review it because I have nothing negative to say about it.

The beautiful thing is you can listen to the whole thing yourself and get a small sense of what it was like to be in the gorgeous Chicago Theater on this hot summer night as Jack gave musical shout outs to blues legends, country folk, guitar gods, hip-hop heroes and fans in the first row. 

His new album is top notch, his back catalog is deep and his love of all sorts of music make him a must see in the live arena. Shows can go in any direction and on this night everything clicked from the opening notes of "Highball Stepper" as Jack referencing his recent ballgame experience came out wearing a 'Kick Me' sign and his Cubs jersey. 

Clearly playful, White changed into a black t-shirt and then plunged into things not letting up until he brought a fan on stage to play "Seven Nation Army" to close the night out. There were so many high points it wouldn't do justice to single out a few but "I Cut Like A Buffalo" will go down as our favorite on the night as White dropped in lines from two A Tribe Called Quest jams a Muddy Waters track and still got angular/groovy/funky on his own for about 10 minutes.  

Amazing, superb, unreal, and the next night was fantastic too, but it was impossible to top this one. The crowd was electric as was his crack backing band including whirl wind drummer Daru Jones and fiddle player Lillie Mae Rische. 

Here are some video but do yourself a favor and get the full show as it is worth it.  Even more importantly see him live when he plays.

Year In Review 2013- Favorite Live Show of 2013

The live show is a slippery thing.  There are lots of variables at play most having little to do with the performance itself.  Does the venue have enough bathrooms?  Is it going to rain?  What day of the week is it on?  Did I have a shitty day at work before hand?  Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this effects one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason, but when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be then in the moment of magic occurring spontaneously from the stage.

Live Music Has No Equal.   

While we can't see every show that is out there we try our hardest to see as many as we can (and more then most) here at RtBE.  Sure there are a few left, we may catch Phish at the Garden, but for now here is a listing of of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have seen in 2013, and one show at the bottom that took the top prize as this RtBE's 2013 Show of the Year. To continue our Best of 2013 just click that Read More button and get started

Year In Review 2012- Favorite Live Show of 2012

The live show is a slippery thing.  There are lots of variables at play most having little to do with the performance itself.  Does the venue have enough bathrooms?  Is it going to rain?  What day of the week is it on?  Did I have a shitty day at work before hand?  Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this effects one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason, but when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be then in the moment of magic occurring spontaneously from the stage.

Live Music Has No Equal.   

RtBE and Friends actually at a Live Show

While we can't see every show that is out there we try our hardest to see as many as we can (and more then most) here at RtBE.  Sure there are a few left, we have Phish at the Garden, but for now here is a listing of of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have seen in 2012, and one show at the bottom that took the top prize as this RtBE's 2012 Show of the Year. To continue our Best of 2012 just click that Read More button and get started

Live Review: Dinosaur Jr. 12-1-12 YLAOM 25th Anniversary Concert

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sheilinhaprocopio

Hey all,

Got a new review up on Glide

Read it right c'here!!!!

It is on the great Dinosaur Jr's 12-1-12 Concert at Terminal 5 to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the amazing You're Living All Over Me album. 

We here at RtBE have praised Dinosaur Jr. to no end, as they are one of our all time favorites, which we seem to express each time we write about them.

We have also gone on official record with our affection for You're Living All Over Me, having written about it this summer for NYPL's Popular Music blog channel.  It is our favorite album of Dino's, and this was one of our favorite shows we have ever seen...

That is really all we have to say (not really but we need to stop now or we won't ever), read the review, read our take on YLAOM and watch the videos below...here's hoping they officially release this in the near future, it was pure boosh from the opening to closing notes. 
"Little Fury Things" with Lee Ranaldo on vocals

"Tame" Pixies Cover with Frank Black

"Alone" with Kyle Spence, Al Cisneros and Kurt Vile

"Don't" with Kim Gordon fucking killing it one of the most emotional/symbolic outings I have seen.  Everyone was thinking of her divorce and it made it even more amazing....

Jack White Live 5/22/12 Roseland Ballroom, NYC Review

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rockcousteau

Hey all,

Got a new review up on Glide

Peep it right C'here!!!!

It is of RtBE man crush Jack White's live show from Tuesday night at Roseland in NYC. 

Wow. 

Really, Wow.  We see a lot of shows every month, and this one outshines most of them dating back a few years.  Jack White is the perfect storm of talent, energy, style, showman, and all around superstar.  This night was a magical journey through his catalog of songs, showcasing just how deep it can go. 

By switching backing bands on each show he is keeping it fresh for himself, while keeping the audience in suspense as too who will play.  I am stoked we got The Peacocks to back him up as the ladies add a different twist to songs, less "rawk" more textures.  Also it needs to be mentioned again, Carla Azar was simply an amazing site/sound/discovery to behold.  Regardless of gender she is one of my favorite drummers now and I am searching back through Autolux's catalog to find more of her work. 

Quick editorial note, I originally opened my review by saying Jack White was a "damn sexy superstar" and editors changed that.  I got no problems with the switch, and none with the original, that man was sexy, I am comfortable saying it.

I talked a ton about the show in my review, so go read it!  You can also listen to the FULL SHOW below, I am not sure how long it stays up on youtube, but Jesus this is awesome...pure Boosh!

RtBE - Favorite Live Shows of 2011

The live show is a slippery thing.  There are lots of variables at play most having little to do with the performance itself.  Does the venue have enough bathrooms?  Is it going to rain?  What day of the week is it on?  Did I have a shitty day at work before hand?  Did tickets cost waaay too much? All of this effects one's opinion of a live show before the band even tunes up and with reason, but when the stars align, there is no place RtBE would rather be then in the moment of magic occuring spontaneously from the stage.

Live Music Has No Equal.     

While we can't see every show that is out there we try our hardest to see as many as we can (and more then most) here at RtBE.  Sure there are a few left, we have Phish and a possible NYE show, but for now here is a listing of of the best concerts we were fortunate enough to have seen in 2011, and one show at the bottom that took the top prize as this RtBE's 2011 Show of the Year:

Glide Review - The Rough Seven Live 5-8-11 Checkpoint Charlies, NOLA

Got a new review up on Glide.


Read it right c'here!!!

It is from The Rough Seven's Live set early on the morning of 5/8/11 (late on the 7th?) down in New Orleans at Checkpoint Charlie's.

The band took the stage late, and almost made me miss my flight...they were that good.  As I so casually mentioned in my Sazerwrap-up of this years fest, this was the show of the year for me...The bands were both fantastic with The Rok Boms surprising and The Rough Seven confirming their greatness. 

I can not hype this band enough, I was really moved by their set and wish I lived in town so I can see them play whenever they do.  Talking briefly with the members was a thrill and I hope you all go and grab their album as it will undoubtedly brighten up your life. 

Here they were playing the big stage at the fairgrounds the morning before this amazing late night set:

Keep up the great work ladies and gents!