Best Live Performances

[PuddysJacket]

I caught Brotzmann in 2009 with two very good jazz players, Eric Revis and Nasheet Waits, and though I enjoyed it quite a bit, I also caught myself wondering a few times if Brotzmann was playing us all the fools.  Making a career out of blowing his brains out, occasionally acting like he knew what he was doing, like with changing the reeds a few times in a short performance, and then going right back to not listening to anything the other players were doing and continuing with his brain blowout.  It was probably just me, but he didn't seem all that interested in anything, going through his character's motions.  I felt cynical in those thoughts, but I also don't think they're out of the realm of possibility or completely unwarranted.  I'm a sucker.  I enjoy his shtick, but it could be just that, a shtick.

funny how great art polarizes. i was at the show w graves/parker and remember walking to my car afterwards, realizing i'd likely never see anything like it again..i was right

https://milfordgraves-blackeditionsarchive.bandcamp.com/album/historic-music-past-tense-future

[W.K.]

I've looked for a similar thread but found nothing. I though it would be worth having a discussion of the best live performances witnessed, outside of the context of the "Best of" year end threads. Obviously there's a certain amount of subjectivity discussing the "best" live performances, but I'm thinking of those shows which feel like life-changing, ego-smashing or soul-shaking events. bands or artists who are at the height of their powers, even if just for one tour or even one night! Or at the very least are exceptionally good. Not just the usual good set from a good night type of stuff.

Autechre @ the Black Cat, Washington DC, 4-18-08 - this was on their tour for "Quaristice". I saw them again in support of "Exai" and it's hard to decide which was better. While the "Exai" show was 2+hrs of digital sculptures being smashed into your brain, the first time was an awesome balance of extremely detailed electronic onslaught with a backing beat you could dance to it. there was zero visual component, as Sean Brown and Rob Booth stood behind their wall of gear in a pitch dark concert hall. it was all about the music, and the music was so good it was all you needed. (and the stupid amounts of DXM pumping through my system added to the experience).

Going to see Xanopticon next weekend. Fucking can't wait. I know no one of my friends can't stand the music so I try to get them with me calling it regular techno.

Witnessed Christoph de Babalon last Saturday. Maybe not the best of the best I've seen but wow, still, that was something else on a different level. Difficult and experimental, disorientating loud, weirdly unpredictable at times, broodingly dark and very very good.

It's been a while, I should send you an update soon about how things are going here.