CREAM OF THE CROP :: The 15 Best Tours To Come Through DC

CREAM OF THE CROP :: The 15 Best Tours To Come Through DC - bryanb

Posted by bryanb

I will the first to admit that I don’t live in the biggest city in the world, but over the last couple of years there has been an increasingly amazing roster of live acts come through our town. So, here’s my list of best 15 live acts I had the opportunity to see this year. Click on their respective links to see if they are coming through your neck of the woods. They are not to be missed.

LADYHAWKE :: I was so glad that Ladyhawke finally came to the states and even more happy that the show was filled with grade A quality production and her seemingly timeless brand of pop music.

TICKLEY FEATHER :: Eclectic ToriBjorkette performed songs filled with unique stories. Her stage presence was undeniable.

THE ANTLERS :: I didn’t expect the show to be so quiet, yet so voluminous. They filled the room with their whispers. Impressive.

OTHER LIVES :: A complete surprise for me. I predict big things for this act in the near future.

KURT VILE :: His show seemed like it was constantly on the edge of completely falling apart, which explained why the small packed house was transfixed on his immense talent.

DEVENDRA BANHART :: A little rock, jazz, indie, latin and barbershop quartet all wrapped up in one show. I’ve never seen so many age groups so into one man.

MAYER HAWTHORNE :: Though he was coming down with a cold, he and his crew put on the best retro soul show I saw all year and the crowd ATE. HIM. UP.

PATRICK WOLF :: He’s a pop tart with an ego to prove it, but he’s also incredibly talented and his show exhibited both in spades.

AU REVOIR SIMONE :: The trio put on an adorable and witty performance complete with the only between song banter I enjoyed all year.

ATLAS SOUND :: Watching Bradford Cox perform is something everyone should experience at least once in their life. Period.

MIKA MIKO :: A small, sweaty room full of teen moshers and punks. This band may have broken up, but I will always remember the blood, sweat and beers.

BROADCAST :: Hazy visuals set the mood for the duo, cloaked in darkness, mysterious and yet familiar.

THE XX :: Restrained and heartbreaking. I usually hate kids “older than their age”, but this group gets nothing but praise from me.

BAT FOR LASHES :: A backdrop of wolves howling at the moon, thumping dance-alongs and intimate solo moments. Not to mention Natasha’s voice was in perfect form.