December 7, 2019

The 21 Best Concerts of the 21st Century

The D Man attended over 100 shows.  Some great ones do not make this list.  Here are my most memorable and thrilling experiences.

(1)  Sufjan (The Trilogy): Phoenix (Illinois Tour), Salt Lake (Age of Adz Tour), Portland (Carrie & Lowell Tour).  Each show indelible, sublime, and cathartic.

(2) Sun Kil Moon: Randy's Backyard 40th Birthday Party (2010).  The D Man introduced his songwriting hero before Mark Kozelek played a wonderful acoustic set.

(3)  Kings of Convenience: Columbus (Riot on an Empty Street Tour) (2005); Los Angeles (Declaration of Dependence Tour).(2011).  Two soft voices blended in perfect.  After the first show, Erlend danced in the crowd.  After the second, Randy and The D Man hung out with Erlend on the top of an L.A. roof.

(4) Midnight Oil: Orem (Capricornia Tour) (2002).  A mesmerizing set during the band's last North American show for more than 15 years.

(5) The Police: Las Vegas (2007).  The giddy fruition of childhood dreams.

(6) The National: Salt Lake (Trouble Will Find Me Tour) (2013).  A flawless setlist and an inspired Matt Berninger made for a heady experience in the masses under the stars.

(7) Mew: Salt Lake (+ - Tour) (2015).  A magically stunning performance; arena-worthy rock in an intimate venue.

(8)  Fleet Foxes: Salt Lake (Helplessness Blues Tour) (2011).  Gorgeous outdoor summer setting met with equally gorgeous harmonies and musicianship.

(9) Bon Iver: Salt Lake (Bon Iver Tour (2012).  Spine-tingling and life-affirming set from one of the decade's most important artists.

(10) Foo Fighters: Orem (One by One Tour) (2003).  The D Man and Rizzo moshed crazy hard to a throttling set from the always-on-their game live band.

(11) Beck & The Flaming Lips: Salt Lake (2002).  The Lips set included furry animals, bouncing balls, and confetti.  Then the Lips backed up Beck's two-part set of Sea Change strummers and dance-bomb groovers.

(12) Sigur Ros: Salt Lake (Kveikur Tour) (2016).  Otherworldly and magnificent.  How can I ever forget hearing Jonsi live?

(13) Sting & Peter Gabriel: Hollywood Bowl (2016).  I still have chills from seeing "In Your Eyes" and other Gabriel numbers live for the first time.

(14) Arcade Fire: The Forum (Reflektor Tour) (2014).  Shelley and The D Man paired an anniversary trip with an explosive set from the indie rock titans.

(15) Vampire Weekend & Beach House (Contra Tour / Teen Dream Tour) (2010).  A splendid double bill from two of the finest American bands this century.

(16) My Morning Jacket: Salt Lake (Z Tour) (2007).  The D Man went solo to this show and got lost in the shredding.

(17) Modest Mouse: Salt Lake (2009).  Two drummers hammered away as Isaac Brock killed his frenetic and varied vocals track after track.

(18) U2: Salt Lake (360 Tour) (2011).  A huge spectacle that delivered all the feels.

(19) Death Cab for Cutie: Columbus (Transatlanticism Tour) (2004).  A wonderful feeling enveloped the room across the street from my law school.

(19) David Byrne: Salt Lake (American Utopia Tour) (2018).  An impeccably choreographed delight featuring a sprightly Byrne in all his art rock glory.  *Two nineteens, my list!

(20) Future Islands: Salt Lake (Singles Tour) (2014).  Sam Herring's banner year delivered crowd-pleasing moment after moment.

(21) Wilco: Columbus (A Ghost Is Born Tour) (2005).  The D Man and Barn Dog caught the Chicago stalwarts at the height of their powers.

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