The best live shows of 2012

Glen Campbell at the Uptown Theater

The year 2012 brought plenty of stardom to Kansas City’s live music scene. In March at the Sprint Center, the British rock band Radiohead performed in Kansas City for the first time. In October, Madonna performed at the Sprint Center, also her first-ever appearance in Kansas City. A few weeks later, Bruce Springsteen performed at the arena, his first performance in Kansas City since August 2008 and his first with his bigger, horn-fortified E Street Band.

All three were among the best shows to come to town this year. There were plenty more, some in large venues, others in smaller ones.

 

Bruce Springsteen (left) and Steven Van Zandt at the Sprint Center

Top five shows of 2012

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Sprint Center: He played for more than three hours and delivered what some of his longtime fans have called one of his best shows ever. Of the five I’ve seen (including the past four in Kansas City), it was by far his best: teeming with energy, passion and spiritual release. And the set list was almost perfect.

One fan, a front-office executive with the Chicago Bulls, flew in to see the show. A few days later, he wrote me an email: “I was there Saturday night (my 97th overall Springsteen show since 1978) and without a doubt Saturday’s show ranks in my top five of all time. What a night!”

Thom Yorke of Radiohead at the Sprint Center

Radiohead at the Sprint Center: I had seen them in St. Louis two days earlier. That Friday-night show was much livelier. And it was and better, but not by much. Their Sunday-evening show here was mellower, more ambient but still transcendent, visually and aurally. The Sprint Center rarely feels as intimate as it did that night.

Hall and Oates at Starlight Theatre: The only complaint is that even at 90 minutes, the show comprised only 14 songs, so it felt brief. Otherwise they delivered a great-sounding set filled with their hits and best-known songs.

Glen Campbell at the Uptown Theatre: His Goodbye Tour stopped in Kansas City in April. The effects of his Alzheimer’s disease were apparent, but they didn’t interfere with the music. It was a moving and memorable valediction, filled with love and warmth, tinged with sadness.

Swans at Beaumont Club: It was as brutal as it was beautiful, as loud and punishing as it was spellbinding. It was their first time here, too.

Hall and Oates at Starlight Theatre 

The rest

• Madonna at the Sprint Center
• Glen Hansard at Liberty Hall
• The Middle of the Map Fest
• Crosby Stills and Nash at Starlight Theatre
• The Night the Buzz Stole XXmas: Grouplove, Of Monsters and Men, the Joy Formidable
• Vicente Fernandez at the Sprint Center
• Noel Gallagher and His High Flying Birds at the Midland
• ZZ Top at the Midland
• Nick Lowe at Knuckleheads
• Lyle Lovett and his Big Band at Yardley Hall
• Phish at Starlight
• Fiona Apple at the Midland
• Avett Brothers at Crossroads KC
• Aretha Franklin at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
• My Morning Jacket, Band of Horses and Blind Pilot at Starlight Theatre
• Out of town shows/events
• Radiohead at the Scott Trade Center, St. Louis
• Wilco on Ninth Street, Columbia, Mo.
• The Mid-Coast Takeover at South by Southwest, Austin, Texas
• Bruce Springsteen’s keynote address at South by Southwest

Shows by local artists

• Grisly Hand at the Plaza Art Festival
• Starhaven Rounders at the Brick, Crossroads Music Fest
• Architects with Hipshot Killer and Radkey at RecordBar
• Ghosty, Beautiful Bodies at Gusto, Middle of the Map Fest
• The Caves at RecordBar
• Hearts of Darkness, Making Movies and Diverse with DJs at Crossroads KC
• Making Movies at RecordBar
• Murder Ballad Ball at Davey’s Uptown Rambler’s Club
• Mr. Marco’s V7 at the Brick
• She’s a Keeper at RecordBar

Chris Haghirian / Ink magazine, Middle of the Map Fest

• M83 and Break Horses at the Granada
• Purity Ring at the Jackpot Music Hall
• Zola Jesus at the Granada
• Hooray for Earth at Middle of the Map
• Beach House at Liberty Hall
• Glen Hansard at Liberty Hall
• Madonna at the Sprint Center
• Two Gallants at Riot Room
• Hearts of Darkness, Making Movies and Diverse with DJs at Crossroads KC
• Radiohead at the Sprint Center

Mike Dillon / The Mike Dillon Band, Mike Dillon’s Go-Go Jungle

• Marco Benevento at the Rex Theater in Pittsburgh
• Matt Chamberlin at the Mint in Los Angeles
• Quixotic Fusion at Art Outside in Apache Pass, Texas

Jeff Fortier / Mammoth Productions

• Radiohead at Coachella in California
• Radiohead at the Sprint Center
• Emancipator at Crossroads KC
• Jack White at Sasquatch in Washington
• Jimmy Cliff at Crossroads KC
• Ill Gates at the Union
• Tech N9ne in Amsterdam
• Beautiful Bodies at the Warped Tour
• Tenacious D at the Uptown Theater
• Flaming Lips at Liberty Hall

Brandon Draper / Percussionist, Quixotic Fusion, Organic Proof

• Tinariwen at Wakarusa in Arkansas
• Mike Morena at the Blue Room
• Barnaby Bright at the Grassroots Music Festival
• Red Molly at the Tumbleweed Fest, Garden City, Kan.
• Flamenco Mio at the Lawrence Arts Center
• Miles Bonny at Take 5 Coffee and Bar
• Steep Canyon Rangers at the Smoky Hill River Festival, Salina, Kan.
• DCI Brass Impact at Olathe Stadium
• Organic Proof at the Grassroots Music Festival
• The Atlantic at Rock 4 Hope

Enrique Chi / Guitarist, lead singer, Making Movies

• My Morning Jacket at Starlight Theatre
• Los Lobos at Knuckleheads
• Mariachi El Bronx at Riot Room
• Radiohead at Sprint Center
• Supernauts at RecordBar

Vi Tran / Vi Tran Band

• Ryan Adams at Music Hall
• Radiohead at Sprint Center
• Mid-Coast Takeover at South by Southwest
• My Morning Jacket at Starlight Theatre
• Cameron Carpenter at the Kauffman Center

Jeff Porter / The Rainmakers

• Cameron Carpenter at the Kauffman Center
• Jimmy Webb at Knuckleheads
• Wanda Jackson at Knuckleheads
• Band of Heathens at Knuckleheads
• Making Movies, “several times”

Kyle Dahlquist / Mr. Marco’s V7, Alacartoona

• Radiohead at the Sprint Center
• Swans at the Beaumont Club
• Cher UK at Davey’s Uptown Rambler’s Club

Joe Miquelon / The Elders

• Esperanza Spalding at the Kauffman Center
• Avett Brothers at Crossroads KC
• People’s Liberation Big Band at RecordBar

Chuck Mead / Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys

• Ringo Starr at Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
• Paul Thorn at the Americana Festival, Nashville

Kliph Scurlock / Drummer, Flaming Lips

• Deerhoof at Liberty Hall
• Neil Young and Crazy Horse at the Tulsa Convention Center
• Yo La Tengo at the Primavera Festival, Porto, Portugal
• Devo at the Zoo Amphitheatre, Oklahoma City
• Skating Polly at the Conservatory, Oklahoma City
• Wilco at the Primavera Festival in Porto, Portugal
• Red Fang at the Dour Festival, Dour, Belgium
• Mike Watt at the Conservatory, Oklahoma City
• R. Stevie Moore at RecordBar
• Shiner at Replay Lounge

Hermon Mehari / Jazz trumpeter, Diverse

• Kendrick Lamar at the Midland
• Erykah Badu at South by Southwest

John Velghe / Guitarist, lead singer, John Velghe & the Prodigal Sons

• Kid Congo Powers and the Pink Monkey Birds at the Continental Club, Austin, Texas
• The Ghost Wolves at the Yellow Bird, Fort Wayne, Ind.
• Alejandro Escovedo and the Sensitive Boys at the Birchmere Music Hall, Washington, D.C.

Les Izmore / Hearts of Darkness, Heartfelt Anarchy

• Erykah Badu, South by Southwest
• Kendrick Lamar at the Midland

Joe Heyen / Filmmaker, music documentarian

• Delbert McClinton, Boz Scaggs, Jimmie Vaughan, Steve Earle and Dave Alvin: A Tribute to Doug Sahm, Golden Gate Park in San Francisco
• Patti Smith Band at Golden Gate Park
• Jimmy Webb at Knuckleheads
• Glen Campbell at the Uptown Theater
• Marty Stuart and Connie Smith at Knuckleheads
• Soul Rebels at Golden Gate Park
• The Wilders, farewell show at Knuckleheads
• Making Movies at Knuckleheads
• The BoDeans at Knuckleheads
• Kenny Neal and Carolyn Wonderland at Knuckleheads

Tim Gutschenritter / Co-owner Riot Room and Czar Bar

• Cloud Nothings at the Riot Room
• Sons of Great Dane, Radkey and Dead Girls at the Brick
• Noel Gallagher and His High Flying Birds at the Midland
• Paul McCartney at the Scott Trade Center, St. Louis
• Mariachi El Bronx at the Riot Room
• Ben Kweller and Pete Yorn at VooDoo Lounge

Comments

[LiveMusicFan]

The best live show that I saw in 2012 was Allen Stone at The Granada, and I only went because of the preview written by Bill and because someone in the comments said that they were driving to see him in either Omaha or Lincoln. Not only was Allen Stone amazing, he brought along two equally amazing opening acts from Europe (Magnus Tingsek and Selah Sue). There weren't very many people at the show, but luckily there was a taper there to record that fantastic night of music.

http://archive.org/details/allenstone2012-11-04

[wadkc]

The most ENTERTAINING shows I saw in 2012. No particular order. I hope 2013 is this good.

Shelby Lynne
Chris Isaak
Brian Setzer
Gardens and Villa
Allen Stone
Glen Campbell
Tedeschi Trucks
Tenacious D
Phish
JD McPherson
Grace Potter
Aerosmith/Cheap Trick
Bryan Adams
Josh Turner

[wadkc]

Dang, I forgot SXSW!

Ed Sheeran
Lionel Richie (hell yes)
Eve 6
J Roddy Walston & the Business
Nikka Costa
Brendan Benson
John Doe
Gary Clark Jr.
The Cult

[Kurt]

I only went to 1 show in 2012. It was Trans-Siberian Orchestra and it was an awesome show. The music, lights, lasers, pyro, LED video and other effects were immense. I've seen TSO in 2009, 2010, 2011 and the 2012 tour was the best. The production is different each year. They changed the show this year and did The Lost Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Eve & Other Stories. I hope that they do favorites from every album in 2013. TSO seems to always do an entire album and haven't figured out why they do that.

Perhaps I need to start going to the smaller venue shows and wanted to go to Gary Numan a few years ago. I got tickets for Bon Jovi and got the $17.50 tickets plus a $2.00 venue fee. It's upper level behind the stage. They have a 360 degree end stage set up again like the 2010-2011 Circle tour.

[Buddy]

correction-
"Best live shows of 2012 limited to live shows which the KC Star choose to send a reviewer to attend".

Not much lamer than lists like this. They are so skewed to personal tastes but they appear as some kind of official thing, which they are not.

Hell as far as this blog is concerned some of the best shows did not even happen ( i.e. shows which were not deemed worthy of even sending a reviewer).

We understand you cant send a reviewer to every show, but dont you dare say a show you didnt even attend was unworthy of your BEST OF list, unless you qualify the list as such.

Im not even going to ask who wrote this lame list, it does not even matter.... it is SOP BTR mellow crap fest.

e.g. Hall and Oats?? YEAH RIGHT!!!!

It continues to be HILARIOUS what/who you deem as oldies acts and OK to make fun of (and skip even reviewing), and which crap acts you deem as SHOW OF THE YEAR!! lmao Hall and fkg Oats, yeah.

[Buddy]

btw- Looking forwrd to the kiddies in January kicking off the year by saying such and such is SHOW OF THE YEAR!!! ...then haggy gaggy will come in Feb and she will be called that, until the next BARF!!!

[Dave]

The purpose of these lists is to invite discussion. Who am I to criicize if someone likes Trans-Siberian Orchestra or Hall and Oates? And many times in this space, people will post their reviews of shows they went to that the official reviewers didn't attend. That's why I read this blog, and why we are all allowed to comment and put our two cents in.

My favorite shows this year were Ryan Adams at the Music Hall, Avett Brothers at Crossroads, Middle of the Map Fest (every act I saw was awesome, but F*cked Up at the Riot Room was unbelievable), Wilco in Columbia, The Shins at the Pagaent in STL, Red Hot Chili Peppers at Sprint, Dropkick Murphys at the Uptown, My Morning Jacket at Starlight, Craig Finn at Record Bar, Jane's Addiction at the Uptown, and The Kills at the Midland. And I missed a TON of shows. So 2012 was a very good year in live music around Ol' KC. No Jack White, bummed about that, but keeping fingers crossed for 2013. I am flying to Austin to see Alejandro Escovedo in a couple days, so THAT will probably top my list for 2012.

[Hamster]

Still kicking myself for not going to the F'd Up and Craig Finn shows...

[John]

Dave, great feedback. Enjoy that show on the 29th. Wish I could be there.

[Green]

Sitting at 48 shows right now, guess I need to rank them, high on the list would be Ryan Adams, the Urge, Flaming Lips, Hanni El Khatib, Glen Hansard, Sharon Van Etten and Dawes.

[GB]

Outside Lands SF,CA: Neil Young, Metallica, Stevie Wonder, Foo Fighters, Jack White, Regina Spektor, Norah Jones, Fun, Franz Ferdinand, Beck . . . . . .

Deluna Fest on Pensacola weach : Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Florence and the Machine

Barry Manilow at Starlight

[lilskins]

CHRIS ROBINSON BROTHERHOOD at Knucks this summer. Two sets of mistic music from blues to shuffle to boogie woogie to country to ROCK! Even did a neat version of Never Been To Spain. Great night, great band, all for 20 bucks.(same night as baseball allstar game. 200-2000 bucks) To all the other great live shows, out of town or local, keep on TRUCKIN'

[Mojo Nixon]

I never drank the Springsteen kool-aid, just can't figure out the mass appeal of the guy. A few good songs for sure, but I could count 100 artists I would rather see. To each their own, I guess.

[corky]

To 'Dave' and any other folks that may be interested.....

The great artist Alejandro Escavido is returning to Knuckleheads in March.

http://www.calendarwiz.com/calendars/popup.php?op=view&id=55035744&crd=knuckleheadssaloon&

I'm new at adding links, not sure if that one works or not.

But the show's just $18.50 advance.

He's a fairly new artist to me, but one I won't miss. A real nice guy too. Kind to the fans.
(He actually interrupted a show to say hello to my pal Mike W)

So, the blog didn't contact ME for my fave shows of the year. But like so many folks, I too traveled for shows & saw a great many.

Locally, the shows at Knucks were just killer. Los Lobos, Merle Haggard, a killer set by Lucas Nelson, the great show by Chris Robinson, Nick Lowe's set, so many!

My pal & I hit the road for a few as well. Saw Todd Rundgren in a few locations, caught Dylan & Knopler in Omaha, and saw an excellent set by Ringo & the All-Starr band at the Ryman.

I look forward to 2013, and THANK YOU to Tim & Bill for this blog!!

Happy New Year, brothers & sisters.

Corky

[pellboy]

Springsteen's show topped my favorite list as well and while I'm closer to a dozen shows than his 97, I agree with the Bulls exec that it was as good as I've seen him, second only to the very first time back in '81.

Others...

Chris Robinson Brotherhood @ Knuckleheads - As mentioned already several times, when factoring in length, stellar musicianship and atmosphere, this was perhaps the VALUE show of the year.

Royal Southern Brotherhood - Free show @ Frontier Park in Olathe. All-star lineup rocked (w/ an assist from Samantha Fish even), but Devon Allman still stood out. He was amazing!

Chuck Prophet @ Davey's - Played most of my top album of 2012, Temple Beautiful along w/ a killer cover of Alice Cooper's Eighteen. Excellent, highly energetic show as always from Mr.Prophet

Band of Heathens @ Knuckleheads - I believe someone mentioned this show in one of the above lists...these guys were great. I'm not sure there's a working band today that mixes genres so expertly and effortlessly as these guys do live. Make a point of seeing them next time thru this area.

Tower of Power @ Trails West in St.Joe - Basically the same exact show as the previous summer at the Paola Roots Festival, but I don't care, they were soulful and fun and I think the setting at Trails West as been vastly undersold over the years by our local media.

Other good shows here and there, but these stood out for me. Also, nice nod by TF to that Grisly Hand set at the Plaza Art Fair, proof that that band has really come a long way in just a short time. And yes, I dug the hell out of Hall & Oates too.

[Dave]

Every time I see someone's list, I kick myself for shows that I missed. I had a chance to drive up to Sioux City to see Wilco, Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Gary Clark Jr. play at a free festival and I am still sitting here wondering why I didn't go. I also would have loved to see Chuck Prophet. Corky, thanks for the heads up on the Alejandro show at Knuckleheads. That one will be a "can't miss." I am jealous you saw Ringo at the Ryman. I drove to the Ryman a couple years ago to see Wilco and just seeing those old wooden pews was worth the trip. Anyone know when the Middle of the Map Fest lineup will be announced? Not sure how they will top last year!

[fogdog]

Going to the Ryman for the Old Crow Medicine Show's NYE show Monday night. Can't wait, I love that hallowed place.

[Musicgal]

Bruce, John Hiatt at the Uptown, Chuck Prophet at Davey's, Avett Brothers. I'm looking forward to 2013.

[Mike Snell]

I only got out to a handful of shows this last year and a few of them are on the above lists. So, I'm dutifully impressed with myself. However, One of the shows I still think about did not seem to appear anywhere on these lists. The local tribute show to Alejandro Escovedo with Mr. Escovedo in full participation. Excellent sound and the vibe was joyful. Wonderful show!

[pellboy]

Yeah, would have really liked to have seen that Escovedo (birthday?) show, but as I recall, it was announced with very little warning and I believe I was already locked into another show (Wishbone Ash? Chris Robinson? BoH?...heck, don't remember) at Knuckleheads that same night. Will definitely hit that upcoming Knuckleheads show though as his Record Bar "Street Songs of Love" tour performance from a couple of years ago was outstanding.

[Dee Wiener]

Dave wins.

I am not sure what he wins, but he wins (pretty much for mentioning one the REAL best show of the year).

Righ on Dave, and dont say Dave's not here man, because i know he is, and he won.

2nd runner up, Corky.

[rhonda]

Dave,
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news if you haven't heard already, but just saw this on Alejandro's Facebook:

Due to an unexpected illness the show on Dec 29th at ACL Live @ The Moody Theater will have to be rescheduled for Saturday January 12th. All tickets for the original December 29th concert will be honored for the new date. We really hope you can still make it out and appreciate all your support.

[Country Jesus]

My concert statistics for 2012: 208 concerts thus far –This included: 11 Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and 2 Country Music Hall of Famers, 71 shows at Knuckleheads (thanks Frank!), 22 at Record Bar, 11 at Davey’s, 10 at Riot Room, 8 each at Sprint, Uptown, and Midland, 7 at Folly and less than 5 at a host of other places. I might see Mary Bridget Davies on Friday and Orgone on Saturday plus the possibility of whatever’s happening on New Years Eve so I think I’ll make it to 210.

There were a lot that I couldn’t make i.e. the Ruthie Foster, Teri Clark, KD Lang, Polyphonic Spree, Paola Roots Fest, Nick Lowe, St. Vitus, 2 Cow Garage, Swans, Crosby Stills & Nash, Brian Setzer to name a few.

My top 40:
1. Blitzen Trapper at Riot Room 5/31 & at Mojo’s Columbia 7/31. I witnessed a band at the height of their stage prowess. It was so good I drove to Columbia 2 months later to make sure I wasn’t seeing an illusion. They were that good! My new favorite band and now I’m a lifetime fan.
2. Peter Case & Paul Collins at Record Bar 3/19 played a variety of music from their days in the Nerves, Plimsouls, the Beat, and the Breakaways – a 37 year catalog – the opening band sound checked for what seemed like 30 minutes. Case & Collins plugged-in, tested their gear for what seemed like less than 5 minutes, said let’s do it, and tore into an amazing set. Pure punk rock professionals. Barry Lee told me they broke up a few days after this show. I wish I’d recorded this one.
3. Tie: F#$cked Up & Coalesce 4/7 Riot Room & the Spits 10/31 at Record Bar. I hadn’t seen Coalesce since the mid-90’s at some all ages club next to a tattoo parlor on Troost – They brought their A game to the middle of the Map Fest and I thought there was no way F’d up would be able to top their set. I knew nothing about F’d Up except that Magnet Magazine voted their 2011 release album of the year and everyone I talked to told me this was a must see band – they were right – it was a stage diving punk mosh pit of intensity.
The Spits are a cross between Devo & the Ramones and opened for the much anticipated Off! and blew them away. Same as F’d Up, a stage diving punk mosh pit of intensity. This is the first time I remember them playing in KC and I hope they make it back.
4. The Stone Foxes 12/16 at Record Bar – possibly the next Blitzen Trapper
5. Springsteen at Sprint – 3rd time for me and he’s always good. It’s a rock n roll church revival. All performers should study his game.
6. Delbert McClinton 5/12 Knuckleheads – this was the first time I’ve seen him and hopefully it won’t be my last. I didn’t realize the guy’s 72 years old.
7. Shemekia Copeland 10/19 Knuckleheads
8. Southern Culture on the Skids 5/25 Knuckleheads – a perfect venue for them.
9. Marty Stuart w/Connie Smith 8/24 Knuckleheads – he makes my list every time I see him but this time we got his legendary wife too.
10. The Wilders farewell show 6/30 Knuckleheads
11. Taj Mahal 5/16 Knuckleheads – it was his 70th birthday!
12. Glen Campbell 4/26 Uptown
13. Nellie McKay 9/28 Yardley Hall
14. Wussy/the Sundresses/Whiskey Daredevils/Oh Me My 3/10 Davey’s – one of the benefits of SXSW is that a lot of package shows roll through town on their way down and back. This was an awesome lineup.
15. Dirty Dozen Brass Band/Oregone/Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars – one of the best lineups all year.
16. Aerosmith & Cheap Trick 11/14 Sprint. Aerosmith opened with Mama Kin and played Movin’ Out/Walking the Dog – this was worth the price of admission to me. Tyler’s in his 60’s and pulls it off – not sure how he does it. Would rather see Cheap Trick in a smaller venue and a longer set.
17. Red Hot Chili Peppers at Sprint
18. G Love & Special Sauce at KC Live at Power and Light
19. Grant Hart 9/1 at Record Bar – he took request from the audience and played mine “Evergreen Memorial Drive” plus a bunch of Husker Du classics.
20. Shelby Lynn 1/13 Folly
21. Bottle Rockets 6/15 Knuckleheads
22. Blues Traveler 9/29 Crossroads – there lineup has remained virtually intact since their inception 25 years ago. They’re a great band.
23. Chris Isaak 12/1 Uptown
24. Jimmy Cliff 6/15 Crossroads
25. Dr. John & Blind Boys of Alabama 10/21 Yardley Hall
26. Skatalites 10/18 at Davey’s
27. Elizabeth Cook 5/30 Knuckleheads
28. Fred Eaglesmith 3/7 Knuckleheads
29. Eisley 7/3 Record Bar
30. Ray Wylie Hubbard & Hayes Carll 4/27 at Knuckleheads
31. Hanni El Kahtib 4/16 Riot Room
32. Marshall Crenshaw 5/5 Knuckleheads
33. Hugh Cornwell, Glen Matlock, & Clem Burke 2/28 Knuckleheads
34. Jon Dee Graham, Freedy Johnson, & Susan Cowsill 4/6 Knuckleheads
35. Ryan Adams 2/1 Music Hall
36. Acid Mothers Temple 4/7 The Union
37. Mariachi El Bronx 5/18 Riot Room
38. Quintron & Miss Pussy Cat 7/13 Record Bar
39. Mission of Burma 4/6 Record Bar
40. Royal Southern Brotherhood 6/8 Frontier Park

[Green]

And I thought I saw a lot of shows, well done Country Jesus. Couple on your list I wanted to make but for whatever reason didnt make it. I will say with all my shows this year, I can't think of many that I regretted, although I was kinda bored at Radiohead, for some reason that show didnt work for me like it did so well in 2008.

[Country Jesus]

Yeah Green I'm not much of a Radiohead fan but kind of wish I'd had gone just to see the hype. Maybe they would have won me over. I would have gladly traded that show for that lame excuse of a show that Madonna put on. By my count she had 1 drummer and 2 keyboardist/programmers and 50 dancers. A Vegas act not a musical concert. Worst show of the year by far.
BTW, I had written down on my calendar that Ravi Shankar was playing in Cleveland on 4/6 and was seriously considering a road trip. Instead I stayed in town and saw Mission of Burma & Freedy Johnson, Susan Cowsill, and Jon Dee Graham...both good shows but I missed a legend. RIP Ravi.

[Dave]

Yes, my Alejandro show in Austin got rescheduled, totally bummed, probably can't make the rescheduled date, "heavy sigh." And Country Jesus, holy moley, I envy the long list of shows you were able to attend. Maybe I should sell my kids! I should also mention that I saw Teenage Bottlerocket open for Dropkick Murphys and they put on a very high energy show with quite the free-wheeling mosh pit. Well I am bummed that my Austin trip got blown up, but I guess I will drown my sorrows at recordBar Saturday night.

[Dave]

Oh and that Alejandro "tribute" show was in November 2011 so I didn't include it on my 2012 list. I was there, awesome show, got my picture taken with Al, but the bar it was at is closed now. I think it was open a month, managed to have one of the best shows of 2011, then closed.

[onthemark]

Best anniversary show: Jason & The Scorchers, Knuckleheads

Loudest inside show: Glen Matlock and Hugh Cornwell, Knuckleheads

Loudest outdoor show: My Morning Jacket, Starlight

Best new band debut: Quiet Corral, Crossroads

Best stand up show: Chuck Prophet, Daveys

Most raucous time by a band: JJ Grey & Mofro, Knuckleheads

Best back to back shows: Paul Thorn, Knuckleheads

Most intimate show: Cassie Taylor, Living Room Session, Knuckleheads

Best 2 man band performance; Ray Wylie Hubbard, Knuckleheads

Most unexpected excellent performance: local musicians playing side 2 of Abbey Road, Beatles tribute/KKFI fund raiser

Most amusing performance: Todd Snider, Knuckleheads

Shortest performance: Lindsey Buckingham, JCCC

Sweatiest performance: Blackberry Smoke, Knuckleheads

Most improved performer: Samantha Fish, Trouser Mouse

Best blues guitar performance: Joanne Shaw Taylor, Living Room Session, Knuckleheads

Best high energy performance: Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Uptown

Concert of the year: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band, Sprint Center

[pellboy]

Great lists Country Jesus and otm and thanks for reminding me of a few other stellar shows (Scorchers, Matlock/Cornwell, G.Love) that slipped my mind and now thanks to Dave, I remember my Alejandro tribute show conflict...first time seeing North Mississippi Allstars @ Knuckleheads, great show as well so no regrets there.

[Bubba Brown]

Best shows of 2012 for me were:

VAN HALEN - Sprint Center

SHOOTING STAR / MARK FARNER / PAT TRAVERS / BLACK OAK ARKANSAS - Sandstone

ZZ TOP - Midland

MEGADETH - Midland

PRIMUS - Uptown Theater

[Endtro]

My favorite shows of the year:

Radiohead @ Sprint Center
Murder By Death @ Beaumont (Middle of the map)
Fucked Up @ Riot Room (Middle of the map)
M83 @ The Granada
My Morning Jacket/Band Of Horses @ Starlight
Sharon Van Etten @ Riot Room
Guided By Voices @ The Granada
Merle Haggard @ Knuckleheads
Bruce Springsteen @ Sprint Center

[who-fan]

My top 10 shows of 2012:
10 - Joe Bonamassa - Music Hall
9 - Van Halen - Sprint Center
8 - Tenacious D - Uptown Theatre
7 - MMJ - Starlight
6 - Slash - Midland
5 - RHCP - Sprint Center
4 - Aerosmith - Sprint Center
3 - Todd Snider - Knuckleheads
2 - Iron Maiden - Chicago, IL
and #1 Springsteen at Sprint Center

[Rick]

FINALLY, someone mentioned GBV's awesome show at the Granada last September.

As usual, a lot of the best shows happened in Lawrence, including Real Estate who headlined a great triple bill at the Bottleneck (w/the Twerps and Ghosty) and Ringo Deathstarr at the Jackpot.

[Bubba Brown]

I didn't even know that GUIDED BY VOICES were back together. Did they disband a few years ago? Plus, didn't this area have a GUIDED BY VOICES-tribute band that resided in the area at one time?

[Rick]

GBV did hang it up a group about a decade ago, but you know how these things go. They're back with, if not the original then the classic 90's lineup with Tobin Sprout, and already have two CDs out.

Apropos of nothing, a pox on the Record Bar for scheduling Big Dipper at exactly the same time as the KU-American U. game.

[gsp]

KU-American should be over after about 10 minutes.

[Green]

Crazy that I saw upwards of 50 shows this year and so many of these lists dont include any of those shows. So much music missed this year but a lot seen as well. Lets hope 2013 brings a great year for live music!

[Troy]

Best show I saw, hands down, Sir Paul McCartney in St. Louis! Similar to his Sprint Center show in 2010 was on for over three hours, totally rocked the sold out house, voice was perfect, band perfect, nothing could compare. Locally Van Halen was good but didn't seem to be in it that much, Red Hot Chili Peppers were amazing!

[Sherri Just]

MY 2012 LIST, THOUGHTS AND OPIONIONS:
(Dedicated to my grams who passed New Year's Day--Age 94. (I know the Elvis was blasting all the way to Heaven.)
1-Frankie Valli-KPAC-Waited 50 years to hear him sing my song.
2-Brian Setzer Orchestra--Christmas Rocks!...and it did with a 18 piece orchestra. Uptown
3-Glen Campbell-Uptown
4-Bryan Adams,"The Bare Bones Tour", Just Bryan and a piantist.Sometimes less is more. Uptown
6-Juan Diego Florez(tenor)KPAC-A show that was not reviewed and should have been.
7-Aerosmith-Sprint Center
8-Red Hot Chili Peppers-Sprint Center
9-Chris Isaak-Uptown
10-Crosby,Stills & Nash-Starlight
11-Daryl Hall & John Oates--Short but sweet. They needed to get to the BBQ joints before they closed. Starlight
12-Shemekia Copeland at Knucks with Sam Fish
13-Internat'l Stones-Knucks
14-Phish-Starlight
15-Cuban Nat'l Orchestra-KPAC
16-Aretha Franklin-KPAC
17-Forklorico de Mexico-KPAC
18-Royal Southern Brotherhood with Sam Fish-Frontier Park
19-G Love and Special Sauce-KC Live
20-Making Movies w/Mark Lowry--Tribute to Santanna Knucks

Regrets for not going to Omaha to see Bonnie Raitt. Jesus said she would come here but she didn't...yet.

Biggest let down by far was MaDonna. Her vocals didn't do it for me. It was a Broadway production not a concert.
Fiona Apple comes in on the let down list a close second. Both artists were literally rolling around on the stage. Stand up or don't tour. That's not what fans pay to see.

Like it or leave it. Everybody gets their opinion here. There are no rights or wrongs. Here's to more great music in 2013. And I'm still waiting for Bonnie Raitt...Jesus, you are in big trouble! xox