Tag: best concerts of 2022

Top 25 live shows of 2022: #’s 5 – 1

It was a great year for live music for me, and the top shows were all stunners.

#5: Weird Al Yankovic – Lerner Theatre / Elkhart – July 26th

It’s kind of amazing that it took me so long to see Weird Al and his band in concert. The level of musicianship on display was jaw-dropping. I lost count of how many styles and genres they played, and Yankovic’s ability to remember so many complex lyrics was stunning.

#4: Frankie and the Witch Fingers – Levitation France – June 05th

“They play like their hair is on fire.” is how my friend described this set from Frankie and the Witch Fingers, which blew the minds of everyone at the Levitation France festival that night. People were absolutely bonkers by the end of it.

#3: Elton John – Soldier Field – August 05th

Easily the best sound quality I heard all year, especially in such a large open-air venue, this stop on Elton John’s farewell was humid, but still an amazing performance that cover classic hits and newer tracks. The set was impressive, as was John’s energy as he revved up the crowd the entire time.

#2: Midnight Oil – Riviera / Chicago – June 10th

Speaking of farewell tours, this one from Midnight Oil was a barn-burner. The place was packed, which only gave the band more energy to unleash in what would be their final Chicago performance. They raged harder against every machine than most bands half their age.

#1: Failure – Bottom Lounge / Chicago – July 01st

A powerful performance on all levels, plus those of us who bought VIP tickets got to attend their sound check and meet Failure before the main show. It was like two concerts in one from one of my favorite bands whose music can be life-changing. I don’t use that term lightly. Getting to tell them face-to-face how “Another Space Song” has become even more meaningful to me since my wife’s death was an honor I’ll never forget.

I’ve already started seeing bands this year (Dry Cleaning), so 2023 is off to a good start. Who are you excited to see this year?

Keep your mind open.

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Top 25 live shows of 2022: #’s 15 – 11

We’re almost to the top ten! Let’s get to it!

#15: Primus – Clyde Theatre / Ft. Wayne – May 10th

It’s a bit baffling that it had taken me this long to see Primus. I’ve been listening to them since 1991. I caught them on their “A Tribute to Kings” tour, in which they played Rush‘s entire “A Farewell to Kings” album as the second set. It was a mind-altering show that mixed Rush’s material with Primus’ own stuff.

#14: Gary Numan – Park West / Chicago – March 21st

This was a loud, powerful set in a smaller venue than the last place I saw Gary Numan (Chicago’s Thalia Hall), so it felt more visceral. It was a jam-packed crowd, too, with everyone anxious to finally be out of the house and seeing live music again. Numan played a great mix of new and old material that had everyone buzzing.

#13: The Black Angels – Levitation Austin / Stubb’s – October 30th

The Black Angels never disappoint, and this hometown / home festival set was another solid one. Coming on stage in matching “Black Angels” jackets, they got down to business and killed it with a lot of excellent material from their new album, Wilderness of Mirrors, and classic material.

#12: Frankie and the Witch Fingers – Levitation Austin / Stubb’s – October 30th

One of the bands opening for The Black Angels that night was Frankie and The Witch Fingers, who were dressed for the Halloween weekend in zombie makeup and ready to tear into us like a pack of ghouls. They had the crowd moshing, throwing stuff, and crowd-surfing before the set was halfway done.

#11: Earthless – Pierre’s / Ft. Wayne – September 13th

Shame on you if you missed this show because it was practically a private concert. A small crowd had gathered to see Earthless unload their cosmic rock in a small space. It was the last show of this leg of their tour, and they held nothing back for the enthusiastic fans who were there.

Who’s in the top ten? Come back tomorrow to learn!

Keep your mind open.

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Top 25 live shows of 2022: #25 – 21

It’s time for a look back at my top live shows of last year. I saw 51 bands last year, some of them multiple times, and a good amount of them at the Levitation Austin and Levitation France music festivals. Here’s the start of the list…

25. The Well – Levitation Austin / Antone’s – October 29th

The Well are one of the best doom bands out there right now, and their live shows never disappoint. They were damn loud in Antone’s and walloped the place with thundering sound. They also played some new material, which bodes well for a new album from them in the future.

24. The Psychedelic Furs – Andrew J. Bird Music Center / Cincinnati – July 20th

My friend described the venue as “the Borg Cube of music venues,” but the Furs filled the place with gorgeous sound, playing a good mix of old and new material. Richard Butler sounded as good as ever and everyone on the band was clicking.

#23. The Brian Jonestown Massacre – Levitation France – June 05th

“You don’t need more drugs, sir, you need better drugs. If you had better drugs, you’d be mellowed out and not yelling.” Those words from band leader Anton Newcombe pretty much summed up the trippy feel of their set to close the 2022 Levitation France music festival.

#22. La Femme – Levitation Austin / Stubb’s – October 30th

Sexy, sweaty, sizzling, and super, this set from the French quintet had the Stubb’s crowd go from, “What is happening?” to “Wow! This is amazing!” by the end. The whole place was bouncing and even yelling back French lyrics they didn’t understand.

#21: Pelada – Levitation France – June 04th

Booked somewhat at the last minute for the 2022 Levitation France music festival, Pelada closed the Scène Elevation (Elevation Stage) one night to a gobsmacked crowd who was bowled over by their fierce industrial-tinged electro. Everyone was in their hands for the entire set, and everyone left with a crush on singer Chris Vargas.

Who makes the top 20? Come back tomorrow to find out!

Keep your mind open.

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