2014: Year in Review

My total attendance for 2014 was 36 events, a significant increase as compared to my 2013 total attendance of 23 and a new annual record overall. The 36 events included 29 concerts, 2 single day festivals, 2 multiday festivals in which I only attended one day, and 2 multiday festivals in which I attended each day. This averaged an event about every 10 days. As far as I can confirm, fifteen of those events were sold out.

I attended more events in Chicago (34) than anywhere else, all of which were within the city limits itself. I visited a total of 20 separate venues in Chicago this year, of which I only visited the Riviera Theatre (6) and Lincoln Hall (4) more than twice. I saw additional shows in Bahrain and Montreal, Québec, Canada, the first calendar year which has included two international shows. Coincidentally, the show in Montreal was at the same venue that hosted the only other international show I can recall attending.

I saw at least two shows on every day of the week. Saturday (10) was the leader, followed by Friday (6) and Sunday (6). The year was again weighted with a lot of shows in the latter part of the year, such that over seventy percent of the events took place in the second half of the year including four or five each month except for December. Every month in the first half of the year had only one or two, except for April which had four. I was away for much of May and June, partially explaining why those relatively warm months were a bit barren.

Including all the artists that I specifically wrote about, I saw a total of 87 performances by 82 artists, seeing Damien Rice, Delta Rae, The Head & the Heart, James Vincent McMorrow, and The National twice each. Of the 87, 25 were artists that I have seen before; the remaining 62 were artists that I was seeing for the first time. The includes counting solo performances by Neil Young, Glen Hansard, and St. Vincent a new acts, even though I have already seen each on stage with Crazy Horse/Buffalo Springfield, Marketa Irglova, and David Byrne, respectively. It also includes two cover bands, One More Time (A Tribute to Daft Punk) and Tripping Billies (Dave Matthews Band Tribute). Of all these performances, I saw 35 at single concerts, another 52 at various festivals.

Though I’m starting to branch out a bit, Lindsey (19) attended more concerts with me than any other person. Sarah (13) and Blair (8) also attended quite a few with me; Seth (3) as well considering we only met in October. I also attended six events on my own.

Total ticket cost was $1,705, an average and median of $47 and $37 per event, respectively.

Only one of my favorite sets was at a festival; half (including Damien Rice) were artists I saw for the first time.

1. Damien Rice (Métropolis) – The anticipation of this show combined with his nearly four hour set made this the clear winner
2. Weezer (Riot Fest) – Seeing a live performance of The Blue Album was incredible
3. The National (Chicago Theatre) – Another highly anticipated show that delivered
4. Owl John (Bottom Lounge) – A complete surprise; I’m now a dedicated fan
5. Paul Simon & Sting (United Center) – Perhaps a bit of a cheat combining the two, but the two legends could be on here independently
6. Robert Plant (Riviera Theatre) – Another legend to cross of the bucket list, backed by a talented new band
7. Alt-J (∆) [Riviera Theatre] – Seeing them a second time in a club setting brought a new view of their music and live performance
8. One More Time (A Tribute to Daft Punk) [House of Blues] – Considering the duo and their music, perhaps an indistinguishable imitation; still can’t wait to see the real thing
9. Dave Matthews Band (FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island) – Wonderful as always, why did I wait four years to see them again?
10. O.A.R. (Wrigley Field Parking Lots) – Like DMB, but even more surprising to remember how much I enjoy their lives shows.

Honorable mentions: James Vincent McMorrow (Lincoln Hall), The Get Up Kids (Riot Fest), Delta Rae (Lincoln Hall), Neil Young (Chicago Theatre).

This is now my 149th post about 142 events, going back to June 2009 with consistent entries since September of that year. I have since written about 396 performances by 298 artists. I was able to tally an additional 70 artists that I have seen prior to when I started writing this blog; there are certainly more. Since my writing began, I have seen only three artists five or more times including Phish (6), Trombone Shorty (& Orleans Avenue) [6], and Club Scout (5). Arcade Fire, The Avett Brothers, The Flaming Lips, Guster, and The Head & the Heart are all at four. I have seen a further 16 acts three times, 35 acts twice, and 236 a single time. I have visited 71 separate venues in 28 cities. Of those venues, I've only been to four more than five times including 9:30 Club (23), Merriweather Post Pavilion (9), Riviera Theatre (8), and Lincoln Hall (6).

Joanna Connor & Big James & the Chicago Playboys, Kingston Mines, Chicago, Illinois

Kingston Mines is one of Chicago's oldest, largest and most famous blues joints. Opening in 1968 in a former machine shop, the venue started as coffeehouse featuring mostly plays rather than blues. However, it soon morphed into all Chicago-style blues format. Though it has moved a few times in the interim, by 1982, Kingston Mines found it current home at the corner of North Halsted and West Wrightwood.

Today, Kingston Mines attracts visitors of all types: locals, tourists, regulars, one-off visitors, old, young, black, and white. It features two rooms, each with a stage with a backdrop reminiscent of the front porch of a shanty in the Mississippi Delta. The rooms are decorated with southern influenced artworks included murals depicting New Orleans street scenes. Seating is available on a first-come, first-serve basis at long, narrow wooden tables.

The first band of the evening typically begins about 9:30pm in the main room, with alternating sets between the main and second stages all night, often till 4 or 5am. Most of the bands are part of the local Chicago blues scene. This particular Saturday night would feature Big James & the Chicago Playboys on the main stage and Joanna Connor on the second stage. Big James & the Chicago Playboys featured half a dozen blues musicians playing mostly original music including Big James on vocals and trombone and additional musicians on trumpet, guitar, bass, keyboard, and drums. Guitarist and singer Joanna Connor performed with a backing back of three additional musicians on rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. She was a very talented guitarist playing some of her own songs and some covers, including what I considered an ambitious cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Ramble On.” An single guy emceed for both stages, hocked overpriced CD’s during the shows ($20 for a local band’s CD?), and even performed a few songs with Joanna Conner.

The whole even was a lot of fun. Lots of high quality, high energy live music at reasonable prices. We resolved that we would make visits to Kingston Mines a more regular activity in 2015.

The Head & the Heart, Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois

It was another relatively warm Chicago night at the Aragon Ballroom. The Head & the Heart’s show was sold out but I was able to pick up a ticket at the last minute from a friend who could no longer attend. As before, we killed a bit of time at the Green Mill while waiting for the long line to subside. Despite being sold out, there was plenty of room throughout the main hall, so we slid into a comfy spot less than halfway back. The band consists of six performers: Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar, percussion), Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar, percussion), Charity Rose Thielen (violin, vocals), Chris Zasche (bass), Kenny Hensley (piano), and Tyler Williams (drums). I had a good idea of what to expect since I have seen the Head & the Heart several times before, going back to their opening up the Other Stage on Sunday afternoon at Bonnaroo 2011. The show wasn't too surprising but certainly a fun time and a great way to spend a Saturday evening, including a setlist that covered much of their catalogue.  Other than a few lights, the theatrics where pretty stripped down.

Setlist:
Cats and Dogs
Coeur d'Alene

Homecoming Heroes
Ghosts
Honey Come Home
Josh McBride
Cruel
Another Story
Lost in My Mind
Shake
10,000 Weight in Gold
Winter Song
Let's Be Still
Sounds Like Hallelujah
Rivers and Roads
Encore:
No One to Let You Down
Springtime
Summertime
Down in the Valley