Top Five Concerts (or, I just wasted an afternoon writing about music for the first time in forever, and it felt pretty good)

So no promises I'm reviving this (though I've got some great ideas to write about... more of a time thing than anything else), but I did jot down some thoughts based on the comment post made at my favorite movie review site, http://www.pajiba.com, regarding top five concerts of all time, and since its the first piece of music writing I've written for public consumption in some time, I figured I'd post it here for anyone that still has this bookmarked/fed to their LJ.

Enjoy! (and I'd love to hear your own responses about most memorable concerts if you are so inclined)

-JL

1) Wilco: Kalamazoo, MI, February 2005

The first of four eventual times I would see them, and still the best. A Ghost is Born had just won a Grammy, they opened with Via Chicago (it takes balls to have the first words you utter at a show be "I dreamed about killing you again last night, and it felt alright to me"), the fantastically weird Detholz opened, and the encore was amazing cover after amazing cover. Even in the balcony seats we had, it was unbelievable.

2) The Flaming Lips/New Pornographers: Lollapalooza, August 2006

The Lips have a legendary live show that didn't disappoint, complete with santas, aliens, confetti guns, Wayne Coyne in a bubble, giant balloons, and anything else that could result in sensory overload. Entire set was phenomenal with singalongs, jumping, dancing, crowd surfing, et al, but it was made near perfect from the moment the countdown began into "Do You Realize???", which was akin to a religious experience (though my memories may be shaded by the contact high)... the energy led right into the New Pornos' set right clear across Grant Park, which rocked hard despite the lack of Neko Case and Dan Bejar... worked through the crowd high-fiving everyone during "The Slow Descent into Alcoholism" in time to be front and center for "Sing Me Spanish Techno". Definitely the best one-two punch of an amazing weekend.

3) Ted Leo and the Pharmacists: Detroit, MI, April 2007

Makes the list solely based on the fact that it managed to not disappoint in spite of a set clocking in at just about an hour and equipment problems preventing the encore, which would have featured my personal favorite "Walkin To Do". Incredibly energetic show (I can't think of any other band I've seen move quite as much on stage) in a small venue, with great banter to boot. Also notable as my first post 21 show- my friend and I got PBRs to celebrate- as well as having been attended on Monday of finals week with campus an hour away and half of the folks I went with having early morning finals.

4) The White Stripes: Detroit, MI, October 2005

I skipped out on the first UM-MSU game the Spartans had a chance of winning in years for this, and it was well worth it (and not just because MSU lost). Once Jack White got started on the guitar, he didn't stop, making it feel like one continuous medley... save for stopping for Meg to play "Passive Manipulation" on the tymps (twice?!) and to switch to piano for "My Doorbell" and "Forever for Her (Is Over for Me)", the chorus of the latter being belted out by myself and my roommate and possibly nobody else in the theater.

5) The Mountain Goats: Kalamazoo, MI September 2006

Amazing for being one of the most intense "quiet" shows I've ever been at (the crowd literally mouthed along with the songs at some points, which was chilling), but also for so many strange reasons- running into my best friend from kindergarten, having John Darnielle standing literally shoulder to shoulder with us during the opener sipping a beer and spastically rocking out, my friend inexplicably passing out midway through the show and having to be carried out and checked out in the back of an ambulance, getting back in time to chant 'hail satan' in the doorway during the encore and tell John he rocked as he rushed offstage, and finally driving on the wrong side of the road for about a mile on the way home.

Biggest Disappointment: Stars at Lolla 2006. Possibly just not a great outdoor festival band, but "Your Ex-Lover is Dead" completely failed to move me as a heart wrenching breakup anthem should.

Dream to See: Billy Bragg. My life will not be complete until I can stand in a crowd of people screaming the near perfect lyrics to "A New England" right along with the now-middle aged man who wrote them, standing alone on a stage with guitar and amp and still rocking harder than half the bands out there today.