This last post of 2011 marks the first year anniversary of my personal blogsite and I can think of no better way to celebrate than to finish this year the same way as I did last year: with a list of my favorite concerts!
For reasons known by a few of you (and which I won’t bore the rest of you with) I haven’t been able to see as many concerts as I maybe would have liked, but then again, I’ve seen well over a 100 bands play with almost too many highlights to mention. That’s why, contrary to last year, I’ve made a top 10 instead of a top 5. But before doing so I want to thank you all for your feedback on my photography this past year and for visiting my site! Thanks a lot everybody!
Here’s the top 10 (with links included to the original posts and full galleries):
1. Daníel Bjarnason and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra @ Harpa October 13th
As if Harpa itself wasn’t already magical enough, the performance of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra conducted by and playing compositions of Daníel Bjarnason was the absolute musical highlight of 2011 and actually one of the most impressive concerts I’ve ever had the pleasure of attending.
2. Low @ Catharinakerk May 24th 2011
As a huge fan of Low I’ve seen them quite often over the past few years, but I don’t think any of the previous concerts come close to the one in the majestic Catherina church in Eindhoven this year. So much drive and energy… Amazing!
3. Efterklang + Daníel Bjarnason and their Messing Orchestra @ Effenaar February 18th 2011
If I had to name one experience in 2011 which influenced me as a photographer, musicgeek and person, then it would be the week with Efterklang, Daníel Bjarnason and their Messing Orchestra. I had the time of my life during the three days of rehearsals and four days of performing at the Cross-linx festival (of which I attended three), but the performance that really stood out in my opinion was the one in Eindhoven. Maybe the magic there was stonger because all the rehearsals took place there as well?
Oh and please also don’t forget to have a look at the post about the rehearsals if you haven’t already…
4. Peter Broderick – Music Mining @ Muziekcentrum Frits Philips February 18th 2011
Treasures are often found when you’re not looking for them and that’s basically the story behind seeing Peter Broderick’s backstage Music Mining session in Eindhoven. In what looked like an unused office or storage space Peter managed to steal the hearts of a handful of very lucky people with a short but very touching and intimate gig.
5. tUnE-yArDs @ NASA October 13th 2011
What can I say? Merrill Garbus is a genius! And she’s fun! Period.
No #6 to #10 after the break…
6. Gillian Welch @ Paradiso November 7th 2011
I had to wait many, many years to finally get the chance to see Gillian and Dave live, but what a joy it was!
7. The Long Count @ Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ June 1st 2011
The Holland Festival is truly special for it’s daring and eclectic mix of contemporary music. The performance of The Long Count at the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ certainly was a good example of that and it was such a joy and honour to be able to photograph this showcase of musical talent, modern art and sense of recent and ancient history all packed in to one. Awe inspiring!
8. James Blake @ Haldern Pop August 13th 2011
His self titled album is one of my favorite ones of this year, so his live performance at the Haldern Pop festival was highly anticipated by me. But can you believe that it actually topped the album? Well it did and it was the absolute highlight of the festival for me…
9. Owen Pallett @ Kaffibarinn October 13th 2011
The Kaffibarinn was one of the tiniest venues of the Iceland Airwaves festival and upon trying to enter it with over half an hour to go before the start of Owen Pallett’s gig, it soon became apparent that there basically wasn’t any way to reach the bar space where he would perform, that’s how full it was. But I’m extremely happy that I managed to (literally) squeeze myself in there anyway. Amazing gig by an amazingly talented musician!
And in case you didn’t notice: there’s three gigs of the Airwaves festival in this top 10, so I probably don’t have to explain how much I enjoyed my time on Iceland do I?
10. Les Savy Fav @ Metropolis July 3rd 2011
One to remember and for me the photo above says it all… Crazy stuff!
This was my last post of 2011… Here’s to a wonderful 2012 for all of you!
