'08 WAS GREAT!: Top 5 Shows

By Sarah Pesin on 12/29/2008

Another day, another dollar. Does that phrase work for the whole year? Another year, another $365. Doesn't have the same ring to it. Ah well, another year has come and gone and probably most of us don't even have $365 to show for it. But with the bad comes the good. Let's not forget all the awesome things that happened in 2008.

My personal favorite was of course the summer Olympics. While it may not seem that I would be into sports, I'm obsessed with the Olympics. So much so that when I was younger and able to stay up late--because I didn't need to wake up early for work--I'd watch them in the afternoon and then again when they re-aired in the later evening hours. And of course there was that little Presidential election that occurred in the first week of November. This could go on forever, so to avoid going too far on this tangent, you can see the rest of what happened in '08 on Wikipedia, but I warn you, it's mostly depressing.

As this is the Indie Ear, what's a discussion about 2008 without music? Useless, I say. So, without further ado, here are my Top-5 shows of 2008. I considered doing eight, to be kitsch, but decided to stand my ground and be selective!

1. June 17 & 18, 2008 - The Futureheads - Bowery and Pianos
The Futureheads are truly one of my favorite bands, and have been so for quite some time. Unfortunately, they were testing my fandom as they decided against coming to the States for nearly two years, so these intimate gigs were really a treat. Not to mention, their junior effort, This is Not the World, is without question, the best album of '08 for me.

2. February 13, 2008 - Foals - Silent Barn
Foals played a show at Bowery the night before, but this D.I.Y. show was far superior. Silent Barn's makeshift feel is really the perfect setting for a band like Foals, who enjoy interacting with their audience and making every show unique.

3. September 19, 2008 - The Rifles - Mercury Lounge
Because The Rifles have been on heavy "rotation" on my iPod for years and I was never afforded the luxury of seeing them since they never tour the States, I had high expectations for this show! Having played a week prior with Paul Weller at the larger Highline Ballroom, it was nice seeing them in a far more intimate setting. The Rifles did not disappoint; my only wish was that they would have played a longer set and never left New York.

4. March 20, 2008 - The Cribs - Music Hall of Williamsburg
After an incredible appearance in Austin at South by Southwest, The Cribs decided to treat the East coast with a very raucous performance at the recently renamed North 6. The crowd was filled with Brits and a mosh pit ensued. Also, Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth joined The Cribs onstage for their collaboration on "Be Safe," and personally, that was one of the coolest moments in rock 'n' roll for me in 2008.

5. June 9, 2008 - The Young Knives - Mercury Lounge
Not only do The Young Knives make incredibly catchy songs but they are also ridiculously funny. The onstage banter between the two brothers (Henry Dartnall and The House of Lords) is hilarious and you're really getting two shows for the price of one!

Unsurprisingly, my list is comprised entirely of British bands and I can't really say I'm too upset about that. While 2008 was a year of fantastic music, I can't wait to see what 2009 brings us!