I'm feeling a bit nostalgic today so I decided to list my favorite shows from 2006 that I attended:
Akron/Family @ the Knitting Factory - January 14th - Insanely good show by this Brooklyn band. I didn't fall in love with their fall 2006 release Meek Warrior like I did for their first album but that's okay...this band is like a marriage of my jamband past to my indie present.
Wolfmother @ Northsix - February 19th - No camera for this one but that's okay; my memories will last forever. The packed Northsix could barely contain the aussie band. You could sense they were destined for bigger venues and brighter praise. They seriously rocked. Hard.
Jose Gonzalez @ Joe's Pub - March 22nd (early show) - This Swedish singer/songwriter had a banner year in 2006. The intimacy of Joe's Pub proved to be the right venue to hear Jose's hushed guitar and enchanting voice. I went through a big phase of only listening to Jose's albums...which coincided nicely with this show.
Gorillaz @ the Apollo Theater - April 6th - My first trip to the storied venue in Harlem was for a live performance by Damon Albarn and company aka the cartoon band, Gorillaz. This show was chock full of guests (De La Soul, Nena Cherry, Dennis Hopper), recorded by MTV, and I also ran into David Gilmour (sweet).
America @ B.B. King's - June 6th - The encore alone from this show gets it on the list. James Iha, Adam Schlesinger, and Ryan Adams joined the America for a version of the band's classic "Horse With No Name". Look for the guests plus Jim James and more on America's new album out January 16th.
Band Of Horses @ The Bowery Ballroom - June 16th - The newest darlings of Sub Pop toured maniacally in 2006 in support of their Everything All The Time album (released in March). The band played to a sold out Bowery - even Rolling Stone wanted to get in on the action that night. In case you were wondering, "The Funeral" IS fucking awesome live.
Magic Numbers @ Joe's Pub - August 30th - Brother/Sister & Brother/Sister from UK perform old and new songs for under 150 people. I am stage side. Excellent.
This show was fantastic. On display were songs from their first album as well as tracks from the upcoming Those The Brokes.
Mountain Goats @ The Bowery Ballroom - September 30th - I was in awe the entire show. You could hear a pin drop during the entire show. John Darnielle performed many tracks off the 2006e Get Lonely release. GL is one of my favorite and most played discs of 2006.
Elvis Perkins @ The Bowery Ballroom - November 1st - Elvis Perkins and band turned out to be the best show from the 2006 CMJ fest for me. Check out their release Ash Wednesday and see them. soon.
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