Aretha Franklin's performance was, if not the, greatest concert I have ever seen, certainly the one to beat this year. At Radio City Music Hall on February 17th, 2012. And it was only peripherally because of Whitney's death. Whitney was the catalyst for Aretha finding the place where art and life are so closely connected they are one and the same. A masterpiece and a profound spiritual experience
2. For Science at MHOW on Saturday February 11th was a different kind of resurrection. The return of one of the great punk rock bands of our times.
3. Glen Campbell at Town Hall would've have an added emotional fillip due to his Alzheimer disease any way. But also, it was a superb set and THREE OF HIS KIDS WERE IN HIS BAND!
4.. Fiona Apple at Randall's Island wins most improved hands down, playing selections from all four albums, and beaming, smiling, dancing and then singing so intensely. the woman was a joy.
5. Odd Future at The Hammerstein on March 20th – Release party for Volume 2 became a two year retrospective and defined Act II in the continuing story of the Worlds Greatest Hip Hop posse.
6.. Pissed Jeans at Le Poisson Rouge blew a lot of great bands off stage on February 4th, 2012.
7. . Regina Spektor at United Palace, played 50% new material in a cavernous room and still killed even in the cheap seats on May 21st, 2012.
9. David Johansen at Highline Ballroom took us through the past brighly on Mat 26th, 2012
10.. Sleigh Bells opening for RHCP at the Prudential center blew a hole thru the ceiling on May 5th, 2012
11. Kathleen Edwards at Webster Hall gave over share whole new vistas of meeting, she calls her boyfriend Justin Vernon anything she fucking wants to because she has size 12 boots on April 28th.
12. Chic at Hammerstein Ballroom on March 31 – Niles Rodgers playing a mean guitar
13. Van Halen at MSG, March 1st – This is nostalgia? Didn't sound like it to me.
14. Far East Movement opened for LFAO, who were also great, but FEM took me by surprise, especially the MCA tribute, the Justin Bieber sample and "Like A G6".
Out of 104 sets I've seen so far this year!!!