{"id":8799,"date":"2013-01-01T23:34:30","date_gmt":"2013-01-02T04:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bostonsurvivalguide.net\/wordpress\/?p=8799"},"modified":"2016-02-17T10:55:36","modified_gmt":"2016-02-17T15:55:36","slug":"seeing-out-the-year-that-was-my-12-favorite-shows-of-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bostonsurvivalguide.net\/wordpress\/2013\/01\/seeing-out-the-year-that-was-my-12-favorite-shows-of-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeing Out The Year That Was: My 12 Favorite Shows of 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A last minute addition: The Magnetic Fields at Symphony Hall for First Night (last night)<\/p><\/div>\n

It’s a good thing I held off posting this, because I’ve just made it an even dozen in honor of the year that just flew by, 2012. The last one? A band I had the immense pleasure of seeing for the first time, on First Night just last night at the majestic Symphony Hall. [Why do they call it “First Night”? Shouldn’t it be “Last Night”?]<\/em><\/p>\n

I saw a total of 24 shows this year. Not a whole lot for a music blogger, but I’ll tell you—nearly all of them were spectacular. That’s damn good odds. I’ve heard some people say that 2012 was an awful year. What I’ll say, from my personal perspective, is this: 2012 was a year of massive challenges and difficulties, but the rewards, if you were prepared to step up, and I mean step up in a major way<\/em>, were equally impressive. It was most definitely not a year for lightweights. But it’s all moving forward, and it’s moving forward quickly. Hold on to something sturdy, because I have a feeling 2013 is going to be just as intense. Remember, with challenge comes opportunity. Happy New Year, everyone. <\/p>\n

My 12 favorite shows of 2012…<\/p>\n

\"Mugison

Mugison (promo shot)<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

\n

A Taste Of Iceland: Reykjavik Calling at the Paradise Rock Club
\nMarch 3<\/strong>
\nfeaturing:<\/em>
\nMugison<\/a> & Eli “Paperboy” Reed
\nPétur Ben<\/a> & Will Dailey
\nLay Low<\/a> & Amory Sivertson
\nSóley Stefánsdóttir<\/a> & Munro<\/p>\n

This was a ridiculously great free<\/em> concert to celebrate Icelandic artists, in a unique setting, paired with their Boston-based counterparts for quickly thrown together collaborations that sounded anything but.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


<\/p>\n

It was the first time I’d seen any of them, and I fell in hopeless love with everyone, in particular the irresistible Lay Low and the irrepressible Mugison (who performed an impromptu acoustic set of Icelandic folk songs after the show in the ladies’ bathroom).<\/p>\n

\"Nneka

Nneka at T.T. the Bear's<\/p><\/div>\n

Nneka at T.T. the Bear’s Place, March 26<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nigerian-German songstress and activist Nneka Elise Egbuna<\/a> left in her wake a room of dropped jaws at TT’s with her infectious blend of hip-hop, reggae, African pop, tribal rhythms and deliciously authentic 60s\/70s soul. Small in physical stature, enormous personality. Mind blown.<\/p>\n

\"Of

Of Monsters and Men at the House of Blues, Boston<\/p><\/div>\n

Of Monsters and Men with Lay Low at the House of Blues, April 7<\/strong><\/p>\n

This was the year I discovered Iceland. Seriously. Believe it or not, I originally wanted to see this show so I could experience the witchcraft magic of Lay Low<\/a> again. I knew Of Monsters and Men<\/a> were bound to be pretty good, since they had just taken the world by storm. But I was not prepared for the epic grandeur and orchestral artistry that lifted the roof off the House of Blues and left everyone with their hearts in their throats. Theirs is a timeless sound that brought the ancient seafarers of Iceland to Lansdowne Street on one glorious spring night. And as for Lay Low? I’ll just repeat the exchange of the evening—(yelled out by an enthusiastic and breathless young man in the audience): “MARRY ME!!” (to which Lay Low responded): “Carry you? I’ll carry anyone!” Indeed she will.<\/p>\n