We’ve all had our fair share of concerts this year, but there will always be that handful of shows that you’ll remember distinctly from 2008. The reason why I chose to do this list is because it feels unique to me; best albums and best singles will always show common denominators, but rarely will the same person have all of the same top shows of the year (unless you and the other person went to all of the same shows). Here, I present to you my list of the most memorable shows of the year.

Plants and Animals @ Harbourfront (July 1, 2008)
Prior to this free show on Canada Day, I had only seen Montreal’s Plants and Animals once at Criminal Records, at a free in-store (random fact: I’ve seen the band three times – never paid a penny. But honestly, they are completely worth paying for and I would have gladly paid all three times), but boy did they leave a strong impression on me. These guys may sound good on record, but their live show is what wins my heart over every time. I chose this show in particular because a) it was a frantic race to get to the tent in time as my friends and I were waiting at the wrong stage, therefore making it memorable in that sense and b) the fog machine. I remember hating that fog machine at first, but after long consideration, that fog machine made that show for me. Its over-the-top craziness (it would go so far as to covering the whole band from the audience’s view) actually worked well in its setting and just added to the grandeur performances that the band is known for. Even though I missed out on the first song or two, the rest of the set easily made up for it, especially with the sing-along, “Mercy” and epically moving closer, “Bye Bye Bye”. Definitely a band that I recommend everyone to see live.

Osheaga @ Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montreal (August 4, 2008)
This is a memorable one for two reasons: it was my first time at Osheaga and it was my first time at any big festival. Osheaga essentially what I dreamed Toronto would do one day with V-Fest (I’ve never been to Toronto’s V-Fest, but I would assume the two things it needs are better bands and a more elaborate setting). Sure, scheduling was a bitch and I ultimately missed a quarter of CSS’s performance because of Broken Social Scene, but the whole day overall was amazing to experience. I only attended the second day, so I unfortunately had to give up Iggy & The Stooges, Cat Power, Metric, Plants and Animals and Sebastien Grainger. But in retrospect, I had no money, give me a break – sorry, Iggy! As for the day I was there, everyone I say was phenomenal. Jamie Lidell was charming, frantic and everything I dreamt a Jamie Lidell set would be, albeit it was a little short due to festival scheduling. That was my only complaint of the fest – timing. Broken Social Scene played one of the best sets of the year, but was cut short due to Jack Johnson’s set on the main stage afterwards – if I ever had a nightmare regarding a Broken Social Scene set, that would be it – Jack Johnson cutting them short. Other than that, The Weakerthans also put on a great show (as usual) and hearing Duffy all the way at the main stage was amusing to say the least (she’s not bad; I just don’t particularly like her. “Mercy” is quite catchy though). Would I go again? I do not know; but it was buckets of fun in the sun!

The Rural Alberta Advantage, Claire Jenkins Avec Band @ Theatre Centre, part of the Summerworks Festival (August 14, 2008)
I can’t say much except for the fact that The RAA are always amazing live and that they will never disappoint. And Claire Jenkins Avec Band were adorable in every sense possible. Simply-put. The only complaint of the night was the time delay, but when you look back at it now, it’s more of a memorable factor rather than an angering fault.

Laura Barrett, Ghost Bees, Dan Werb @ Tranzac, Laura Barrett’s CD Release Party for Victory Garden (September 21, 2008)
There were only two things you needed to tell me in order to get me to this show (well, faster than I would’ve originally gone): Laura Barrett and brunch. Enough said.

Matt and Kim, Best Fwends, Bocce @ Whippersnapper Gallery (November 8, 2008)
I rarely dance at shows, but at this show, I went insane. There’s something about Matt and Kim’s undeniably danceable tunes that makes your feet move uncontrollably and standing still in the middle of that crowd that night would’ve been awkward. Sweaty, dance parties are quite up my ally all the time but I just continued moving even after they finished (primarily because Matt and Kim jumped into the audience and danced afterwards)! Opening acts, Best Fwends and Bocce were equally fun and energetic. Bocce is part Holy Fuck, part fun and scream your lungs out sing-along’s and definitely the best thing I’ve ever heard out of Waterloo, ON. Best Fwends were strange and honestly a group that I would have never listened to or enjoyed otherwise, but live, they are captivatingly amusing to watch. You never knew what they were going to do next, whether it be jumping into the audience and mindlessly marching around, or blowing up inflatable gargoyles mid-set. At the end of the night, I left in a pile of sweat, and though hygienically unattractive, it’s got to be some indication of the amount of fun one’s had. The last time I had a crazy sweaty night was at an Alexisonfire show two years ago – and that was definitely memorable and fun.

Broken Social Scene, Land of Talk @ Sound Academy (November 27, 2008)
There are only a couple of bands that I would trek all the way to the Sound Academy for; Broken Social Scene is clearly one of them. BSS will always have a spot in my heart, with or without Feist, Emily Haines and/or Amy Millan. I will never get sick of them live or on record. To sweeten the deal, Land of Talk opened the night I was there and God knows that I love Land of Talk and Liz Powell, who later on filled in for the aforementioned ladies’ parts in BSS’s set. Not only are these two bands a natural fit nowadays because of Powell’s new role in Social Scene, but they are both amazing live. BSS’s set was well over two hours and even with an upset stomach and a mild case of claustrophobia setting in mid-set (that has never happened – and completely sucked that it just so happened at THAT show), I was able to enjoy the set. The band may be overloaded with hits and short on the ladies that night (Powell does an incredible job at the front woman though, she fits in effortlessly), but they were not short of surprises. Everything from Brendan Canning changing into a sequined suit to Issak Brock’s brief appearance and the cascade of balloons at the finale were more memorable than any show of the year. Broken Social Scene may have moved onto bigger and better (okay, better is questionable – I hate the Sound Academy) venues, but if they keep pulling these stunts at those shows, I have no problem with it at all.

That’s all for now with my adventures of the year. Now what are you waiting for? Go out! Check out some shows, report back to me!

Happy listening!

Musically,
Melody