I did something different in 2013. Turns out, I forgot how much I actually enjoy shows when I’m not covering them for this here website. I know that sounds bad – but hear me out: instead of getting into every show free, writing reviews and taking photos, I (and sunbear too, more so than myself) made it a point to get out to more shows as a FAN, instead of a critic. Sure enough, it was extremely gratifying. So instead of linking to most of the reviews I did, I’ll include a small blurb and what not.

More lists coming soon. Hit the jump.

-grizzly


photo credit: afireinside.net

Honorable Mentions:

Deafheaven – Sunbather US Tour
June 23, 2013
Mango’s Cafe, Houston, Texas

AFI – US Tour
October 18, 2013
Warehouse Live, Houston, Texas

RX Bandits – The Resignation 10th Anniversary Tour
July 12, 2013
Emo’s East, Austin, Texas

These were three very good shows, but had little outside of the headliner to offer to boost it up into the top 10. Deafheaven released the best metal album this year, and their intensity translated well live. It was easy to get lost in their skimpy 45 minute set (I think there were only four songs, too), but god damn, it was mesmerizing. While AFI’s Burials wasn’t a great album and missed my personal top 50 list, their live set was impeccable and one of the most fun shows I’ve seen all year. Plenty of Art of Drowning and Sing the Sorrow jams carried that setlist, and I left pretty happy. Lastly, the RX Bandits show in Austin was a good one — they had a 10th anniversary show for my favorite album of theirs a few days before my birthday. Good times were had by all…I think.

photo credit: paramore.net

10. Paramore – US Tour with Metric and hellogoodbye
October 27, 2013
Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, The Woodlands, Texas

It’s been years since I’ve seen Paramore, and I noticed a few things: they’ve tightened up a live show that was pretty tight as it is (just watch The Final Riot), and Hayley Williams is a certified rock star. She carried this show, and considering two of the band’s most talented members are no longer there, she did a fine job at it. Oh and it was cool seeing Aaron Gillespie play drums again.

photo credit: read the horn

9. Savages – ACL Afterparty
October 11, 2013
The Parish, Austin, Texas

At the behest of Sunbear, we trekked up to Austin to see Savages play a small, intimate venue before they undoubtedly get bigger in the next year or so. Playing basically all of their debut, Silence Yourself, to a bunch of late 20 to mid 30 somethings, these gals kicked all of our asses well into 1 AM at this ACL afterparty. Oh, and we ran into Danielle Haim and had a grand old time.

photo credit: matthew cooper

8. Alkaline Trio/New Found Glory
October 31, 2013
House of Blues, Houston, Texas

In the wake of Steve Klein leaving, I’m glad we spent our Halloween watching these two aging bands from our adolescence. Having a bunch of your friends with you and getting plenty drunk on a weeknight also factors in for plenty of great times. One of the most fun shows I’ve been to in some time.

photo credit: grizzly’s instagram

7. Kvelertak/Cancer Bats/Black Tusk
May 11, 2013
Fitzgerald’s (Downstairs), Houston, Texas

Went to this show on a whim, didn’t regret it one bit. We first saw Kvelertak open for Converge last year, so why the hell not, right? Cancer Bats brought the party, and Kvelertak made us realize that we don’t even need our lyrics in English to give a fuck about metal.

photo credit: MTV

6. MTVu Woodies Awards
March 15, 2013
SXSW, Austin, Texas

This one’s kind of a cheat code to include on this list. At this “festival,” we received 30 minute sets from a whole bunch of acts – the variety of acts that makes a website like ours really tick. Here’s the lineup: Pusha T, Alt-J, Joey Badass, Travis Scott (with T.I.), Atlas Genius, Trinidad James, Tegan and Sara, Zedd, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and HAIM. Oh and HAIM was the best band we saw at SXSW this year, so there’s that.

photo credit: weworemasks

5. Portugal. The Man – Evil Friends US Tour
June 27, 2013
House of Blues, Houston, Texas

Coming off the heels of their best album in years was a rejuvenated Portugal. the Man. They played a hell of a set and just reminded me why they’ve been one of my favorite bands for years. And after the show? Headed to Dirt Bar across the street for a nightcap, only to find a full on Maylene and the Sons of Disaster sets. Totally random, but I’m including that experience as a part of this show. Tough shit.

photo credit: Marco Torres, Houston Press

4. Chance the Rapper – The Social Experiment Tour
November 23, 2013
Warehouse Live, Houston, Texas

Chance the Rapper is a complete star. Not only did he release one of the best albums all year in Acid Rap, but the kid knows how to make rap performances enjoyable. Over the past few years, rap shows have gotten pretty unbearable. But Chance, his full band and all the youthful energy in the world made this one of the best shows I’ve seen all year. Oh yeah, and shout out to everyone for getting me the most second-hand high I’ve ever been in my life.

photo credit: Marco Torres, Houston Press

3. Underoath (Farewell Tour) with As Cities Burn, mewithoutYou, letlive.
January 23, 2013
House of Blues, Houston, Texas

Pretty ‘scene,’ I know. But hey, it was the last show of one of my favorite heavy bands who’ve really come into their own over the past few albums, as well as a reunion of As Cities Burn (whose entire set came from Son, I Loved You…), and an equally blistering set from those ridiculously talented letlive. fellas. Top to bottom, a fantastic show.

photo credit: vibe magazine

2. Kanye West – Yeezus US Tour
December 7, 2013
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

Kanye West is no stranger to the #1 spot on my year-end lists, especially for live shows. The man is a mastermind. And the Yeezus tour? No exception whatsoever. The visuals were most impressive, reigniting memories of 2007’s Glow in the Dark Tour, with an over the top and overzealous storyline, characters, a very large illuminated structure, fuckin’ “White Jesus,” interpretive dancers, live bands and the rest of the whole 9. One small thing I’d change: cut a few of the Yeezus tracks off the setlist, throw in a few more Late Registrations.

photo credit: STLtoday.

1. Justin Timberlake – The 20/20 Experience Tour
December 5, 2013
Toyota Center, Houston, Texas

Justin Timberlake released one of my favorite albums of the year. He also put on the most incredible live set of the year as well. The thing began at 9 p.m., and his set didn’t send us off until 12:00 a.m. 3 hours, 33 songs, a Tom Ford wardrobe, and completely overpriced (and aftermarket) StubHub purchases really all factored into this experience for me. But also – the professionalism, the showmanship and the all around talent the guy possesses. I mean, did I know he played guitar? Not really. He also threw down some piano chops, too. Oh yeah – and he can sing and dance too. Oh yeah, and peep the tour setlist.

photo credit: weworemasks

Best Festival:

Free Press Summer Fest – I excluded festivals from this list because it felt unfair. The Free Press folks put together one of the strongest lineups (including a reunion show on The Postal Service’s round) to date. 2 full days of stuff I actually wanted to see.

Fun Fun Fun Fest is a close runner up, because I got to see Slayer — but yeah.

Here’s to plenty more good ones in 2014!

-grizzly