This was a very busy year for me! I came in somewhere around 160 performances that I attended and photographed all but 10 of them. I started the blog at the beginning of 2019 and that has shifted my work a bit towards editing and managing (which I kinda like). I also traveled to Ireland and Scotland this year – both trips were amazing. My trip to Scotland was centered around the Glasgow Summer Sessions (which will be described below). With so many shows, it is difficult to select a handful of favorites. However, I will walk through my year and list out my top 10 shows by date! I have been trying to take at least one video at each show I attend so I included videos for each show, if I had them!
Interpol – The Anthem 2/15 and Merriweather 9/5
I was able to see Interpol twice this year. They are amazing live and currently one of my top 10 bands. Their lighting is spectacular and my top photo of 2019 came from their performance at The Anthem in February.
Mike Doughty – U Street Music Hall 2/27
I loved this show! Mike Doughty performed Soul Coughing’s Ruby Vroom in the very intimate venue, U Street Music Hall. This has been a favorite album of mine for many years! It was great to hear every song performed live!
Third Eye Blind – Merriweather 7/19
This show was pretty awesome because my son and I went together, and this was his first show seeing a band from the very front. I remember it was one of the hottest nights of the summer but the band didn’t mind – they powered through an amazing set and it was wonderful! Surprisingly, I didn’t take any video at this show!
Glasgow Summer Sessions – August 16-17
I made a trip to Scotland to see my favorite band perform, The Cure. What made this show particular special was that not only did I get to see The Cure, but several of my other top bands as well: The Joy Formidable, The Twilight Sad, Mogwai, and Foo Fighters. I didn’t take many photos at this show which I am happy about. However, I took a few videos and a couple pics with my cell phone!
Vampire Weekend – Merriweather 8/29
Vampire Weekend put out a new album this year that was a bit different – but I welcomed the different! Their show made me fall in love with their new album and I can’t wait to see them again! Christone Kingfish Ingram opened and I had not heard of him at that point. Very soon thereafter, he exploded onto the music scene! This was another show that I took my son to!
Angels and Airwaves – The Fillmore Silver Spring 9/13
This show was special because it was my birthday weekend and my daughter went with me. We had a great time. This video still gives me chills – what a great moment! It was the perfect birthday gift!
DREAMERS – Union Stage 11/7, Merriweather 7/27, and 930 Club 2/24
This is another band that I’m really into at the moment. I was able to see them three times this year and loved every show. They deliver such energetic performances and at Union Stage they treated us to an amazing cover of “Karma Police” by Radiohead!
Grace Potter – The Forum Auditorium Harrisburg 11/15
This is another show that I didn’t photograph. Instead, I sat this one out and let Matt Ruppert cover the show. It was such an amazing performance – full of new and old songs. This was a pre-tour show which was pretty awesome because she was relaxed and very interactive with the audience. It was also my first time at The Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg and it was spectacular!
The Joy Formidable – Rock and Roll Hotel 11/29
The Joy Formidable celebrated their 10 year anniversary this year, and I am proud to be able to say that I have been following them since the beginning. Not only was I able to see them in Scotland over the summer with The Cure, but I got to interview and spend some time with them prior to this show at Rock and Roll Hotel which made it extra special.
Cold War Kids – Ottobar 12/13
This was such a fun show! It’s not every day that you get to see a major headlining band perform in a small club with only a couple hundred other people. Illiterate Light opened for the evening and together, these two bands rocked the Ottobar! Sadly, I recorded a song (or I thought I did) but only caught 12 seconds of it!
