2012 was an amazing year for music. Not only did some amazing albums come out, but I had the chance to attend and interview so many of my favorite musicians out there right now. My top 5 concerts below are not only some of my most memorable experiences, but 4 out of the 5 were the best interviews I did for CONFRONT Magazine this year.
I know I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again- I love that magazine. It started off as a neat side project to get me involved in music and writing more often, and it has now become something that I could see myself pursuing for a long time. Writing about music- combining two of my passions in one- is literally a dream come true. Interviewing some of the biggest names in the industry? That is just a really, really awesome job perk.
This week on CONFRONT, I’m sharing my top 5 albums of 2012, so I thought it was fitting to share my favorite concerts over here on the same day. 2012 was definitely one of the best in terms of working and enjoying music, and 2013 is already gearing up to be really great too. Seriously, what is life without music but a quiet existence?
#5 Of Monsters and Men
I don’t even know where to start with this band- I first heard of them a couple years ago thanks to blogger friend Dana, and from the moment I put their album on, it hasn’t left my ‘repeat’ playlist on iTunes. I can’t get enough of their music, and their live shows are just stellar. I got to interview them for CONFRONT when they were in Montreal the first time (last April) and was completely smitten over them- since then, I’ve only fallen more in love. I can’t WAIT for a second record- I hope it’ll be in 2013!
#4 The Rocket Summer
It was the first time I could ever remember TRS headlining a show in Montreal and I left the venue SO SAD that it was over. Another artist I got to interview for CONFRONT before the set, he was just as down to earth in person as he seemed- and his live performance? Beyond amazing. It’s no wonder his album made it to my top 5 of 2012.
#3 Snow Patrol
One of my all-time favorite bands, SP came back to Montreal for the first time in YEARS, and they brought Ed Sheeran along. I got to interview one of the founding members of the group beforehand for CONFRONT, and then I enjoyed hours of an absolutely amazing live show. Snow Patrol have literally never disappointed me in all the times I have seen them in concert.
#2 Bon Iver
Not only did I get to road trip to New York City for a weekend with three people who love music as much as me, but I got to attend one of the final Bon Iver concerts for the next few years at Radio City Music Hall. I always enjoyed Justin Vernon’s music, but this show just set the whole thing in stone. Absolutely mind blowing.
#1 Ed Sheeran
If this is a surprise to anyone reading this, you don’t know me well enough yet. This 22 year old musician stole my heart nearly two years ago, and his headlining show in Montreal in September was just the cherry on top of it all… Not to mention that I got to interview him for CONFRONT Magazine. And I’m still listening to his music every single day. Definitely earned the number 1 spot!
Any great 2012 musical moments in your life?
I sadly did not take in any concerts in 2012! Which is just ridiculous. My friends aren’t as into seeing live music, so I would have to go alone, which I should really make a point to do! I also fell in love with Ed Sheeran this year! And I will always always adore Snow Patrol! I have not seen them live but hope to some day!!
I remember you telling me that you didn’t have many friends who like seeing live music… I swear it’s a shame we don’t live closer to one another, I’d be dragging you to shows every month!! I’m SO happy (am I writing this on every comment to you?) that you started listening to Ed Sheeran… He’s the love of my musical life! Snow Patrol is a show that you absolutely cannot miss- you’ll DEFINITELY have to go alone if you have it, it’ll be SO worth it! Some of the best concerts in my life were theirs.
I used to absolutely love Snow Patrol in high school. I could listen to Chasing Cars all day long and into the night. Bon Iver is a musician I’m just starting to get into. His style is different, but I kind of like that about him. He has pleasantly obscure music.
That Snow Patrol album, the one with Chasing Cars, is still my favorite one because it’s when I fell in love with them too. It’s their more mainstream record but honestly I got SO much more into all their other stuff after that album and also after seeing them live. They’re just SO good in concert it’s not even normal.
Bon Iver is also a singer that I *enjoyed* but never appreciated as I properly should before I saw him in NYC. Seriously, his show completely blew me away. I only knew a few of his songs- I went for the experience of a show in NYC- and I left there as a complete Bon Iver convert. His music can be kinda slow and too mellow, but a few songs really stand out to me. ‘Towers’ is one of my favorites these days, as well as Michicant, Perth, and Minnesota WI. You should check ‘em out