Best Concerts of the Year 2013

It's the time of the season for... LISTS! We begin our end-of-the-year best-of with our favourite concerts. A very special 2013 has been in this regard, not only because the fantastic amount of live music seen this year, but for the places where we have seen the bands. Anyway, a great top ten, hope you like it!

Josh Rouse in Barcelona
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

10. Josh Rouse (Music Hall, Barcelona, March 8th)
One of my first tasks at Indienauta, and a complete surprise. An artist I thought it was "gone" (for me) "reappeared" (for me) in full form, because his latest album bring us back the melodic talents of the Nebraska's singer-songwriter while his charms on stage remain intact. Welcome back Josh. 
9. Savages (Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona, May 24th)
I told you. This is not your average band. Despite the troubles lead guitarist Gemma Thompson had with her guitar halfway to their gig, which unfortunately killed the momentum afterwards, Savages proved at Primavera the mind-blowing quartet they are, with singer Jehnny Beth confirming her staggering stage presence. More coming soon in 2014, can't wait.
8. Adam Green and Binki Shapiro (Primavera Sound Festival, Barcelona, May 26th)
Hipsters doesn't go to massified Festivals like Primavera Sound until "the big names" are playing, so one of the best things a person that loves music can do is go as early as possible to enjoy the first performances of the day, under the sun and without hordes of "posers". That way we were able to fall under the very particular spell of one of our favourite "weirdos": Adam Green in his new, vintage incarnation. Showing his awkward, goofy charisma (how you can't love his dumb, crazy dances), his chemistry with "partner on crime" Binki Shapiro and his undeniable talent for creating a perfect pop pill was wonderful. What a fun thing to do is seeing Mr. Green live.
7. Jane Joyd (Music Hall, Barcelona, April 20th)
Please listen to Jane Joyd. Please do yourself a favour and discover what an amazing artist she is, you'll thank me, granted. She's not just a pretty, gifted voice. She's a musician with a purpose, with an ambitious scope and determination to arrive there. Surrounded by a fantastic band (still got puzzled when I remember the masterful drummer), at Music Hall she swallowed us into her particular, extremely intense and rich world. Don't miss her.
6. Beach House (Sala Apolo, Barcelona, March 13th)
I don't think Beach House will ever play again in such an intimate venue in Spain. Victoria and Alex are "too big" (and too attractive for "posers") so enjoying them in place where you can hear all the subtleties and experiment all the feelings their songs can provoke to the listener is a gift. Their music was made to became the soundtrack of your life, and at Apolo there was plenty of moments to be remembered. Now I can say at least once I saw Beach House as their music deserves.  
5. The Very Most (The Crux, Idaho, August 31st)
I know my dear friend and TVM's mastermind Jeremy Jensen won't agree with me. And truth is that some sounding little issues and a short setlist made the gig imperfect. But you cannot imagine what it meant being there, in front of him and his band, in Idaho, after crossing three States and sharing a weekend with him and his lovely family. If you follow this blog (if not, welcome!) you already know how much I love the music of the The Very Most. But this was much more than a gig. It's a friendship.
4. Camera Obscura (Regency Ballroom, San Francisco, June 19th)

Ready for "Desire Lines" in SF
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Not really adjusted to the American time-zone and I'm able to watch one of my favourite bands, at the front row, with an audience willing to enjoy their music (my two previous experiences with them were so-so). An exciting day through touring the swinging city of San Francisco ended in a marvelous way, with Tracyanne Campbell and Co. showing all their indiepop mastery. Finally I saw Camera Obscura the way I dreamt of. Now to make it even better I just need to hear them in Scotland and meet Tracyanne after the gig. Easy, right?
3. Local Natives (Primavera Sound, Barcelona, May 25th)
A big surprise this year (look for "Hummingbird" among the best records of 2013 on the forthcoming list), so it was a very attractive bet for me at Primavera Sound, high expectations indeed. But I wasn't expecting them to be that amazing live! What an extraordinary performance, passionate and contagious. What a way to certify here's a band to follow.
2. Eleanor Friedberger (La [2] de Apolo, Barcelona, October 5th)
Pretty similar to Local Natives. Liked her previous disk, but not to the extent of expecting such a wonder like "Personal Record". Few things as genuinely addictive as this album have come out this year. So seeing her was mandatory. The night started promisingly with an acoustic show for a dozen of lucky guests. Then I had the chance to chat briefly with Eleanor, and finally, like everyone at Apolo, I felt in love with this woman after a stunning show: sweet, energetic, dynamic, vibrant. 2013 has been her year.

1. The National (Hollywood Forever Cemetery, L.A., August 11th)

Soundcheck with The National, L.A.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

MY band. In LA..Front row. No fights. No massification. No fakers. The National full of confidence, relaxed and amused, making a miracle: transforming a cemetery into a place for celebration. The celebration of a band that, since 2005, is (un)arguably being the best around. Sound was terrific, performances were intense and I believe the audience had the feeling we were very close to them. Then the encore arrived. "About Today" was breathtaking. And the singalong version of "Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks" completely teared me down. I stop here or I'll get emotional again. One of the best music experiences in my life.

Want to check last year's best concerts? Just click here
And 2011s? Then check here

Best Songs of the Year 2013 so far

And following past week's records/Eps of the year so far, here's the second list, now with our favourite tunes of the six months of 2013 to date. Like we did on previous years,  we have prepared a playlist with the best 30 songs on a selection based on two criteria: songs released during 2013, and just 1 song per group/artist, so I could include different proposals. They are not in order of preference, just trying to combine them in a good playlist. Hope you enjoy!

Next Stop- Bleached 
Lose The Reason- The Primitives
Heavy Feet- Local Natives
This Is the Last Time- The National
Julie (Come Out of the Rain)- Josh Rouse
If You Still Want Me- Veronica Falls 
When It Happens- Wax Idols
Separator- Ex Cops
San Francisco- Foxygen
A New Life- Jim James
Can You Keep A Secret?- The Birthday Kiss
Little Games- The Adelines 
Dyed in the Wool- Widowspeak
El Caminar- Wiggum
A Ton of Love- Editors 
Water Damage- Dick Diver
When You Start- Khushi
2am- Northern Spies 
Jean's Waving- Amor de Días 
Relevé- Pauline en la Playa
Send Them Away- Beaches
She Will- Savages
Honey- Torres
Through the Deep, Dark Wood- The Veils
Nothing Arrived- Villagers
Let Them All In- I Am Kloot
London Bound- Just Handshakes (We’re British)
Nothin But Nice- Free Time
After Your- Pulp 
Morning Sun- Big Summer

My People's List: Best Albums 1996-2011

Pitchfork is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a participative proposal: a top albums' list, from 1996 to 2011, but made by us. It has been a really really hard & challenging (therefore interesting) thing to do, so here's Bloodbuzzed's contribution. See you all next week (off for holidays until Sunday!!).

1

TOP PICK

High Violet

The National

• 
  

  2

  Boxer

  The National
• 
  

  3

  If You're Feeling Sinister

  Belle And Sebastian

4. Trailer Park- Beth Orton
5. The Bright Carvings- Monkey Swallows the Universe
6. The Back Room- Editors
7. Alligator- The National
8. Let England Shake- PJ Harvey
9. You Are Free- Cat Power
10. OK Computer- Radiohead

11. This Has Been the Death Of Us- Saint Judes Infirmary 

12. Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea- PJ Harvey
13. The Last Broadcast- Doves
14. Central Reservation- Beth Orton
15. Antics- Interpol
16. Teen Dream- Beach House
17. All That You Can't Leave Behind- U2
18. Reservoir- Fanfarlo
19. While You Were Sleeping- Angelou
20. In Colour- The Concretes
21. What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood- The Mynabirds
22. Turn On the Bright Lights- Interpol
23. Underachievers Please Try Harder- Camera Obscura
24. Hopeless Unbeliever- The School
25. It's Never Been Like That- Phoenix
26. The Suburbs- Arcade Fire
27. Happy Healthy Lucky Month- Saint Judes Infirmary
28. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart- The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
29. A Rush of Blood to the Head- Coldplay
30. Lost Souls- Doves
31. An End Has a Start- Editors
32. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix- Phoenix

33. This Is Hardcore - Pulp
34. The Seldom Seen Kid- Elbow
35. Transatlanticism- Death Cab for Cutie
36. Deserter's Songs- Mercury Rev
37. No Shouts, No Calls- Electrelane
38. Suck It and See- Arctic Monkeys
39. Show Your Bones- Yeah Yeah Yeahs

40. Coming Up- Suede
41. Days- Real Estate
42. Collapse Into Now- R.E.M.
43. Heart of My Own- Basia Bulat
44. Biggest Bluest Hi-Fi- Camera Obscura
45. 1972- Josh Rouse
46. To Be Still- Alela Diane
47. Grab That Gun- The Organ
48. Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not- Arctic Monkeys
49. Befriended- The Innocence Mission
50. Submarine OST- Alex Turner
51. Funeral- Arcade Fire
52. Nashville- Josh Rouse
53. Motherland- Natalie Merchant
54. Cast of Thousands- Elbow
55. Up- R.E.M.
56. Seven Swans- Sufjan Stevens
57. Lisbon- The Walkmen
58. Holiday in Rhode Island- The Softies
59. Veronica Falls- Veronica Falls
60. Volume Two- She & Him
61. Reveal- R.E.M.
62. Daybreaker- Beth Orton
63. Songs About You- Language of Flowers
64. Loss- Mull Historical Society
65. The King Is Dead- The Decemberists
66. Scottish Fiction: The Best of Idlewild, 1997-2007- Idlewild
67. Blue Is the Colour- The Beautiful South
68. Dear Catastrophe Waitress- Belle and Sebastian
69. A Year With The Very Most- The Very Most
70. Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
71. Say Yes!- The Hi-Life Companion
72. Different Stars- Trespassers William
73. Some Cities- Doves
74. It's Blitz!- Yeah Yeah Yeahs
75. Bang Goes the Knighthood- The Divine Comedy
76. Would You Let Me Play This EP 10 Times A Day?- Hello Saferide
77. Dirty Birds- Kat Flint
78. Broken Record Prayers- Comet Gain
79. The Casket Letters- Monkey Swallows the Universe
80. In and Out of Control- The Raveonettes
81. Meet the Eels: Essential Eels Vol. I- Eels
82. Gulag Orkestar- Beirut
83. I Will Be- Dum Dum Girls
84. Wild Flag- Wild Flag
85. A Temporary Dive- Ane Brun
86. Saltbreakers- Laura Veirs
87. Volume One- She & Him
88. Our Earthly Pleasures- Maximo Park
89. Night On My Side- Gemma Hayes
90. Pretty in Black- The Raveonettes
91. Ongiara- Great Lake Swimmers
92. Neptune- The Duke Spirit
93. Challengers- The New Pornographers
94. The Crane Wife- The Decemberists
95. Oh, My Darling- Basia Bulat
96. The Fool- Warpaint
97. I Am Kloot- I Am Kloot
98. Absent Friends- The Divine Comedy
99. OH (ohio)- Lambchop
100. Criminal Art Lovers- Northern Portrait

Check the full list, with all the Pitchfork's visuals/format at http://peopleslist.pitchfork.com/list/372a3a41/

And have your say!!