Best Live Shows of 2009 (Part 1)

Among the many things that changed when Abby was born was the number of live shows I attended.  However, looking back on the year (I keep a log of what I do see) I must say I saw more than I would've expected to and having a wee one acted as a quality control for those shows I did see.  Here is Part 1 of the best shows I saw in 2009.

Naked Raygun - House of Blues - January - Any year in which there's a Raygun show is a good one, give the decade or so in which that wasn't an option.  You never get a lot of banter but there is always that opportunity for "Free Shit", which you either know all about or you don't and that's what separates those who have seen a Raygun show from those who haven't.

Tinted Windows - Double Door - April - For a band featuring members that (in other bands) have sold close to 60 million albums in their respective careers, I was surprised at the lack of hype behind Tinted Windows and amazed that they chose to make their Chicago bow at Double Door.  Then again, the Stones famously played the DD, so why not Tinted Windows?  You could pretty easily pick out whose fans were who: pudgy 30-60 males (like me) were primarily Cheap Trick/Fountains of Wayne fans, aging goth/hipsters were the Pumpkins contingent and all women aged 20-40 were there for Taylor Hanson, of Hanson.  It was that last faction who made all the noise when they killed the house lights and PA and Tinted Windows took the stage; it was like The Beatles on Ed Sullivan.  With only one album to draw from, the show wasn't much longer than the running time of their debut, with a Buzzcocks cover thrown in for good measure.  A great show indeed. (Photo credit: Sean Hughes)

Buddy Guy - Legends - January - One of the few highlights of any January living in Chicago is Buddy's annual  residency at his namesake club.  Sure, you'll get the trademark Buddy crowd pleasers: going with his wireless into both bathrooms, walking out to Wabash to stunned passers-by but you also never know what he'll play, neither does he.  And as he has been for the past few years, he was in spellbinding mode the night I saw him.  His current residency (2010) going on now is the last (for real this time) at the current location, don't miss it.

Datarock - Double Door - September - The matching red tracksuits, the manic energy and the surprisingly consistent songwriting keep me coming back.  I remember there being another hotly-attended show that night and that a lot of my live music-loving friends were at that show, not Double Door but of course cannot remember who it was.  I had no regrets, Datarock shows are funny and fun and that's a pretty rare quality at rock shows these days.

Poster Children - Bottom Lounge - October - It had been probably six years since I had last seen Poster Children but like me, they are now a family affair and don't get up to Chicago as much as they used to. Kids have that effect of making you want to put away every spare dollar and spend every idle night at home with them instead of going out to rock.  In my case, Carla and Abby went up to Wisconsin for the Halloween weekend, so I was free to rock that night, just as Rick & Rose were free of their progeny. I'm not sure that I could've hand-picked a better setlist nor could I have imagined that the band still rocked just as hard as in their 90s glory era.  

Dinosaur Jr./Lou Barlow - The Vic - October - You could never accuse J. Mascis of having stage presence. However, to see the original lineup at a venue much better suited for loud music than their last Chicago appearance in support of a great new record was a revelation.  Lou also opened up and showcased his wonderful new solo album and the headliner followed up with a blistering attack that spanned their entire career.  It was kind of nice to see them all getting along again and rocking together and sounding better than ever.  Too bad J. never bothered to take his custom-designed purple Fender Jazzmaster off its stand all night.

Part Two, soon enough.  Maybe this week, likely next.  Chime in with your faves of 2009.

Comments

[Scotty]

I can't believe I was at two of those shows seeing as I only went to three shows this year. (Which is a record for me these days.) I don't know if I saw Naked Raygun the same night as you but I was impressed. Of course you know how I loved the Datarock show. I also got to take my oldest kid to see the Pixies at the Aragon Brawlroom. They were very tight that night.

[drcastrato]

Still bummed I missed the Posterkids. But I loved the Dinosaur Jr show.

[jeff w.]

You really need to start a permanent sidebar or something called "Shows I'm eyin'" because I would like to have a mainline to your knowledge of upcoming shows.

[HESS]

Naked Raygun made my list too - but I saw them at the tiny AAA Club. I noticed that they'd throw in a slow number every few songs... probably trying to pace themselves now that we're all a little older. The two new songs were a treat.

I agree with Scotty - The Pixies brought it. I had so much fun that night.