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
02. 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. Jack White at Radio City Music Hall, either two great small shows or one great long one, September 29th and 30th.
7.. Pissed Jeans at Le Poisson Rouge blew a lot of great bands off stage on February 4th, 2012.
8 . 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 brightly on Mat 26th, 2012
10. Killer Mike At CMJ Showcase, rapped for half an hour on one of the best vibed and most communal hip hop shows I have ever seen on October 18th, there was nothing I didn't love about this set except, wait, he didn't perform "RAP Music" and it was over way too soon.
11. Amanda Palmer and the Grand Theft Orchestra caused the sort of controversy they should keep to, are they better than the Dresden Dolls? AT Webster Hall September 11th, 2012.
12. . Barbra Streisand at Barclay Center on October 11th, a little too chatty and I wasn't insane about song selection. On the other hand, it was Barbra Streisand
13.. Salt N Peppa at Summerstage, were easily the best thing at the WBLS Fest, and there were a lot of great things there. They look hotter, act smarter, flow stronger, I loved them more than I did in their prime on August 12th, 2012. Plus? Peppa is hot.
14. Sleigh Bells opening for RHCP at the Prudential center blew a hole thru the ceiling on May 5th, 2012
15. Morrissey at Radio City took awhile to get cooking but the last half hour was brilliant.
16. 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.
17. Chic at Hammerstein Ballroom on March 31 – Niles Rodgers playing a mean guitar
18. Van Halen at MSG, March 1st – This is nostalgia? Didn't sound like it to me.
19. Dirty Projectors at MHOW, July 9th, 2012 – A revelatory concert introducing a great album.
20.. 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".
21.. The Corin Tucker Band found the leader rocking with a singleminded professionalism between stints behind the Merch table, Mercury Lounge, September 27th.
22. Mickey Dolenz at BB King showed how a real pro woos an audience, October 19th.
23. Johnny Halliday at Beacon Theater was, as we say in French, "Formidable" on October 7th, 2012.
24. Chris Owens I have dismissed live twice ina row with his band Girls, but at Le Poisson Rouge on November 14th, 2012, he performed his unreleased album from one end to another and made believers of everyone lucky enough to see him do it.