The long silence is ending today - and nothing seems more appropriate than picking up where it ended exactly 1 year ago; with the Top 10 list of live shows!
Before I get on with it I'd like to add that 2013 will be a year of dramatic personal change. To me it seems more and more important to practice what you preach, so therefore I'm taking the next step. Inspired by an event I was involved in earlier this year, 1-DAY HARDCORE SHOWDOWN, as well as our donation policy in Screaming Records, I will set up a foundation in the new year. As I write I'm finalizing the entire foundation concept and will naturally announce it here on this blog when it's ready to launch.
But back to the Top 10 list! Just like last year it was incredily difficult nailing the final Top 10 so it's in every aspect the little things that made the difference. For that reason I've decided to add a few notes to each of the shows in and just outside of the Top 10 list.
Some of the shows that didn't make the final Top 10 include -
VOLBEAT @ Wacken Open Air - I simply couldn't look past the appalling level of security and the over the top light 'design'. When a band is so solid and has songs with impeccable melodic flair and power, there is no need to cover them up in more colours than you can count and blinders. The´lack of front barriers at this (huge!) festival is literally scary. The actual performance and the set list was close to perfect and having Barney from Napalm Death as a special guest for "Evelyn" was fantastic - OUTPUUUUUT!
TRAPPED UNDER ICE @ 1-DAY HARDCORE SHOWDOWN, Copenhagen - TUI is one of my favourite hardcore bands in recent years and their "Big Kiss Goodnight" is one of the best HC albums I've heard in a very long time. The show was great, the pit was decent but the set list could have included just a couple of bangers more. The little things.
REIGN SUPREME @ KB18, Copenhagen - I've waited about 3 years seeing this amazing hardcore band from the US and in no way did they disappoint me. The fact that only 30-40 people decided to show up is not surprising in Copenhagen but it still reflects on a HC show that lives off the energy from the crowd. That energy wasn't there this night. However, that didn't matter to RGNSUP who came across as not only the fantastic band their releases also confirm but also as extremely sympathetic guys.
THE UNDERTONES @ Docks, Hamburg - I was at the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, saw in the festival programme that THE UNDERTONES were scheduled to play on the friday and naturally figured it was another band! But it was the original alright (of course not with Feargal Sharkey) and they truely delivered! The Docks is a fairly large hall and playing a music business festival can be tricky but they sawed it in half.
THERAPY? @ Pumpehuset, Copenhagen - I saw this fantastic band from Northern Ireland at the exact same venue in December 1999 when the biggest hurricane i over 100 years hit Denmark and basically paralized the entire country. Being a fearless (and stupid) stubborn idiot I forced my way through the chaos and saw then play in front of 8-10 other people that also made it through the hurricane. Seeing them again 13 years later was both a trip down memory lane but also a perfect display of how musicianship can get better and better over the course of years. Truely impressive!
With these honorable mentions I can proceed to the actual Top 10 --->
01. COCK SPARRER (UK) - 25th of November 2012 @ Amager Bio, Copenhagen, Denmark
-> It's one of my favourite bands of all time and being there to celebrate their 40th anniversary was amazing. I've chosen this show over their 40th year anniversary show in London in December.
Even though the show was not sold out the band delivered the most intense show I've seen them play, had some surprises on the set list and seemed more thankful than ever to be able to do what they're doing. COCK SPARRER is the class A example of genuine ethics and good style!
02. SANTIGOLD (US) - 8th of July 2012 @ Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark
-> Expectations were very, very high which, for me at least, usually results in disappointment. But my oh my was this worth the wait (missed her performance at Roskilde a few years back). She has everything and also in a live setting. The impeccably cathcy songs, strong vocals, style, back up dancers/singers, tight band, production and charm. The show was absolutely perfect and an amazing crowd from start to finnish!
03. L.O.C. (DK) - 30th of November 2012 @ SCC, Aarhus, Denmark
-> Not much to say really - it's the strongest Danish artist I have ever seen. Professional beyond, dedicated to the extreme and frightingly intense. I saw 6 shows on this fall tour and had very little trouble picking the best one although they were all close to being flawless. Seeing the tour end on his old home turf in front of 3500 people was just pure magic.
04. NIGHT FEVER (DK) - 21st of July 2012 @ 1-DAY HARDCORE SHOWDOWN, Copenhagen, Denmark
-> Admittedly I have a soft spot for this K-Town hardcore punk band. But what's not to like really? They take the best they know from the past, mashes it all together and out comes this irrevocably great sound. I've seen them half a dozen times and this was the very best one to date! A packed hall, although still early during the night, as if everyone knew this one had to be seen! Regular melodic slaughter for 30 minutes!
05. NIKLAS (DK) - 7th of July 2012 @ Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark
-> A regular surprise to say the least. This YouTube and Spotify phenomenon had, prior to Roskilde Festival, played just 1 show with the backing band he had with him. So it wasn't really in the cards that this would be much more than surviving to be honest. But it turned out the other way around - one 60 minute high. The best morning party as a review read the following day. Ever changing in between extrovert and introvert, equally playful and, on a day like this, able to hold 10.000 people in a firm grip!
06. BY THE RIVERS (UK) - 23rd of April 2012 @ BETA, Copenhagen, Denmark
-> The biggest surprise this year! This young UK duo were supporting The Slackers on their European tour and really made the best of it. BY THE RIVERS is normally a 6-piece reggae/ska band but on this run - in order to fit on the bus I guess - they played acoustically as a duo and in my opinion that's where the magic is. Finely selected covers of reggae songs and own material and so much charm!
07. REFUSED (S) - 30th of March 2012 @ Debaser Medis, Stockholm, Sweden
-> To be honest the REFUSED didn't do it for me when they were around in 1990's. I was much more into the US hardcore scene and would prefer Snapcase, SOIA, etc. any day of the week. The more experimental stuff the REFUSED sent out during the latter stages of their run didn't appeal to me much either. So little to no expectations before this partly secret show in Stockholm!
But it didn't take more than a couple of minutes before I got it - throughly I might add. The band's material is so strong, regardless which of their phases we're talking about, and they carry it out with so much conviction it's frightening. Sure, they've borrowed from their predecessors, especially early on, but you know what? I don't think they would have a problem admitting that! Au contraire. They would fucking send out odes to them all! Respect!
08. BABYLOVE & THE VAN DANGOS (DK) - 5th of May 2012 @ Katapult, Aarhus, Denmark
-> Danish soldiers of ska & rocksteady! Indeed! I've seen the band perform countless times and they never ever disappoints. But this show was magical from start to finnish. The venue was small and completely packed as it was SPOT Festival in Aarhus - part music business / showcase type deal. The show was the second to last show on the band's spring tour so their form was startling. The fact that music professionals were there must have raised the bar even more because every beat, cry, strum and brass note were delivered with so much ferosity and intensity.
09. TIMBER TIMBRE (CAN) - 21st of March @ Huset I Magstræde, Copenhagen, Denmark
-> I figured this Canadian sensation would perform as a band, so I was sceptic when I saw Tayler Kirk enter the stage alone only accompanied by his battered guitar. But for the most part it was plentyful with just him, his voice and his arrangements. I caught myself drift away several times (the right way!) and the fact that everyone was sitting down served to increase the intensity. For those who don't know what TIMBER TIMBRE is it's rightfully described in a review as "an aesthetic rooted in swampy, ragged blues".
10. RANCID (US) - 14th of December 2012 @ The Forum, London, UK
-> Never really a fan and one of the reasons why RANCID make it to the Top 10 with this, their 20 year anniversary show in London (co-headlines with Cock Sparrer), is because of their peculiar approach that really impresses me. Despite swopping drummers long ago, the band is still in original line-up and both Lars Frederiksen, Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman are all, perhaps rightfully, modern punk rock icons. I've never had the desire to see the band live so this was my very first time - in celebration of their 20 years as a band!
What immediately hit me is that Tim Armstrong barely plays guitar live and is more often than not removed from the mix! It looks like his incapable of playing and he spends the majority of the time delivering his signature moves and looking like an extra from a slasher movie. There to cover it all up musically is Lars Frederiksen with his stunning rhythm guitar work. He holds it together and is truely an amazing guitar player. With Matt Freman's noteworthy basslines and Branden Steineckert's superply tight drumming you have a very impressive trio with an additional member placed front and center! But it doesn't matter - it more than likely wouldn't work any other way!
Seeing the show I'm reminded how many great tunes the band has penned and just how well it actually works live - and also how well they're received. Someone told me after the show that they're 'like a machine'. I actually think it's very, very organic and I'm utterly impressed with the way they've decided to work around their weaknesses and compensate with great song writing and musicianship. I may just decide to see them again if I get the chance!
Before I get on with it I'd like to add that 2013 will be a year of dramatic personal change. To me it seems more and more important to practice what you preach, so therefore I'm taking the next step. Inspired by an event I was involved in earlier this year, 1-DAY HARDCORE SHOWDOWN, as well as our donation policy in Screaming Records, I will set up a foundation in the new year. As I write I'm finalizing the entire foundation concept and will naturally announce it here on this blog when it's ready to launch.
But back to the Top 10 list! Just like last year it was incredily difficult nailing the final Top 10 so it's in every aspect the little things that made the difference. For that reason I've decided to add a few notes to each of the shows in and just outside of the Top 10 list.
Some of the shows that didn't make the final Top 10 include -
VOLBEAT @ Wacken Open Air - I simply couldn't look past the appalling level of security and the over the top light 'design'. When a band is so solid and has songs with impeccable melodic flair and power, there is no need to cover them up in more colours than you can count and blinders. The´lack of front barriers at this (huge!) festival is literally scary. The actual performance and the set list was close to perfect and having Barney from Napalm Death as a special guest for "Evelyn" was fantastic - OUTPUUUUUT!
TRAPPED UNDER ICE @ 1-DAY HARDCORE SHOWDOWN, Copenhagen - TUI is one of my favourite hardcore bands in recent years and their "Big Kiss Goodnight" is one of the best HC albums I've heard in a very long time. The show was great, the pit was decent but the set list could have included just a couple of bangers more. The little things.
REIGN SUPREME @ KB18, Copenhagen - I've waited about 3 years seeing this amazing hardcore band from the US and in no way did they disappoint me. The fact that only 30-40 people decided to show up is not surprising in Copenhagen but it still reflects on a HC show that lives off the energy from the crowd. That energy wasn't there this night. However, that didn't matter to RGNSUP who came across as not only the fantastic band their releases also confirm but also as extremely sympathetic guys.
THE UNDERTONES @ Docks, Hamburg - I was at the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, saw in the festival programme that THE UNDERTONES were scheduled to play on the friday and naturally figured it was another band! But it was the original alright (of course not with Feargal Sharkey) and they truely delivered! The Docks is a fairly large hall and playing a music business festival can be tricky but they sawed it in half.
THERAPY? @ Pumpehuset, Copenhagen - I saw this fantastic band from Northern Ireland at the exact same venue in December 1999 when the biggest hurricane i over 100 years hit Denmark and basically paralized the entire country. Being a fearless (and stupid) stubborn idiot I forced my way through the chaos and saw then play in front of 8-10 other people that also made it through the hurricane. Seeing them again 13 years later was both a trip down memory lane but also a perfect display of how musicianship can get better and better over the course of years. Truely impressive!
With these honorable mentions I can proceed to the actual Top 10 --->
01. COCK SPARRER (UK) - 25th of November 2012 @ Amager Bio, Copenhagen, Denmark
-> It's one of my favourite bands of all time and being there to celebrate their 40th anniversary was amazing. I've chosen this show over their 40th year anniversary show in London in December.
Even though the show was not sold out the band delivered the most intense show I've seen them play, had some surprises on the set list and seemed more thankful than ever to be able to do what they're doing. COCK SPARRER is the class A example of genuine ethics and good style!
02. SANTIGOLD (US) - 8th of July 2012 @ Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark
-> Expectations were very, very high which, for me at least, usually results in disappointment. But my oh my was this worth the wait (missed her performance at Roskilde a few years back). She has everything and also in a live setting. The impeccably cathcy songs, strong vocals, style, back up dancers/singers, tight band, production and charm. The show was absolutely perfect and an amazing crowd from start to finnish!
03. L.O.C. (DK) - 30th of November 2012 @ SCC, Aarhus, Denmark
-> Not much to say really - it's the strongest Danish artist I have ever seen. Professional beyond, dedicated to the extreme and frightingly intense. I saw 6 shows on this fall tour and had very little trouble picking the best one although they were all close to being flawless. Seeing the tour end on his old home turf in front of 3500 people was just pure magic.
04. NIGHT FEVER (DK) - 21st of July 2012 @ 1-DAY HARDCORE SHOWDOWN, Copenhagen, Denmark
-> Admittedly I have a soft spot for this K-Town hardcore punk band. But what's not to like really? They take the best they know from the past, mashes it all together and out comes this irrevocably great sound. I've seen them half a dozen times and this was the very best one to date! A packed hall, although still early during the night, as if everyone knew this one had to be seen! Regular melodic slaughter for 30 minutes!
05. NIKLAS (DK) - 7th of July 2012 @ Roskilde Festival, Roskilde, Denmark
-> A regular surprise to say the least. This YouTube and Spotify phenomenon had, prior to Roskilde Festival, played just 1 show with the backing band he had with him. So it wasn't really in the cards that this would be much more than surviving to be honest. But it turned out the other way around - one 60 minute high. The best morning party as a review read the following day. Ever changing in between extrovert and introvert, equally playful and, on a day like this, able to hold 10.000 people in a firm grip!
06. BY THE RIVERS (UK) - 23rd of April 2012 @ BETA, Copenhagen, Denmark
-> The biggest surprise this year! This young UK duo were supporting The Slackers on their European tour and really made the best of it. BY THE RIVERS is normally a 6-piece reggae/ska band but on this run - in order to fit on the bus I guess - they played acoustically as a duo and in my opinion that's where the magic is. Finely selected covers of reggae songs and own material and so much charm!
07. REFUSED (S) - 30th of March 2012 @ Debaser Medis, Stockholm, Sweden
-> To be honest the REFUSED didn't do it for me when they were around in 1990's. I was much more into the US hardcore scene and would prefer Snapcase, SOIA, etc. any day of the week. The more experimental stuff the REFUSED sent out during the latter stages of their run didn't appeal to me much either. So little to no expectations before this partly secret show in Stockholm!
But it didn't take more than a couple of minutes before I got it - throughly I might add. The band's material is so strong, regardless which of their phases we're talking about, and they carry it out with so much conviction it's frightening. Sure, they've borrowed from their predecessors, especially early on, but you know what? I don't think they would have a problem admitting that! Au contraire. They would fucking send out odes to them all! Respect!
08. BABYLOVE & THE VAN DANGOS (DK) - 5th of May 2012 @ Katapult, Aarhus, Denmark
-> Danish soldiers of ska & rocksteady! Indeed! I've seen the band perform countless times and they never ever disappoints. But this show was magical from start to finnish. The venue was small and completely packed as it was SPOT Festival in Aarhus - part music business / showcase type deal. The show was the second to last show on the band's spring tour so their form was startling. The fact that music professionals were there must have raised the bar even more because every beat, cry, strum and brass note were delivered with so much ferosity and intensity.
09. TIMBER TIMBRE (CAN) - 21st of March @ Huset I Magstræde, Copenhagen, Denmark
-> I figured this Canadian sensation would perform as a band, so I was sceptic when I saw Tayler Kirk enter the stage alone only accompanied by his battered guitar. But for the most part it was plentyful with just him, his voice and his arrangements. I caught myself drift away several times (the right way!) and the fact that everyone was sitting down served to increase the intensity. For those who don't know what TIMBER TIMBRE is it's rightfully described in a review as "an aesthetic rooted in swampy, ragged blues".
10. RANCID (US) - 14th of December 2012 @ The Forum, London, UK
-> Never really a fan and one of the reasons why RANCID make it to the Top 10 with this, their 20 year anniversary show in London (co-headlines with Cock Sparrer), is because of their peculiar approach that really impresses me. Despite swopping drummers long ago, the band is still in original line-up and both Lars Frederiksen, Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman are all, perhaps rightfully, modern punk rock icons. I've never had the desire to see the band live so this was my very first time - in celebration of their 20 years as a band!
What immediately hit me is that Tim Armstrong barely plays guitar live and is more often than not removed from the mix! It looks like his incapable of playing and he spends the majority of the time delivering his signature moves and looking like an extra from a slasher movie. There to cover it all up musically is Lars Frederiksen with his stunning rhythm guitar work. He holds it together and is truely an amazing guitar player. With Matt Freman's noteworthy basslines and Branden Steineckert's superply tight drumming you have a very impressive trio with an additional member placed front and center! But it doesn't matter - it more than likely wouldn't work any other way!
Seeing the show I'm reminded how many great tunes the band has penned and just how well it actually works live - and also how well they're received. Someone told me after the show that they're 'like a machine'. I actually think it's very, very organic and I'm utterly impressed with the way they've decided to work around their weaknesses and compensate with great song writing and musicianship. I may just decide to see them again if I get the chance!
