Day 1: Top 5 Shows of 2017
To preface this year-end series: I think we've been really lucky this year. The blog has progressed in ways that we never could have imagined. We were able to see tons of our favorite artists live, and we even got to work close and personally with some of them. We found so many new bands to love, so many new venues to explore, and so many new opportunities to carry into 2018. To kick off the first of seven posts to reflect back on this amazing year of music, we're going to recap five of our favorite shows.
1. In January, Circa Survive brought their On Letting Go 10 Year Anniversary Tour to The Fillmore, and after seeing this band three times, I can easily say that this show was the best. Circa always has ups and downs when it comes to their live performances, but I think we got so lucky. Anthony Green's vocals were mesmerizing and he brought songs to life that I'd never heard live in a way that sent chills through my body. It was such a stunning show. On Letting Go is my favorite album of their's to date, and I am so, so happy that I didn't miss that leg of the tour. Of all the shows of Circa's that I've seen, that was the one that was worth it.
2. As if January wasn't packed enough, Twenty One Pilots began the end of their Emotional Roadshow at Allentown's PPL Center. That was Dylan's sixth time seeing TOP, and my second, and that show was absolutely the most jam-packed show I've probably seen all year. They literally played all of their best songs, and the show seemed endless in the best way. It's hard to believe that the ERS era is over, and the band is on a much-needed hiatus, but I can't wait for whatever chapter Twenty One Pilots has in store next.
Image courtesy of Last.fm
3. Great Good Fine Ok played The Foundry at The Fillmore in February, and this band took me completely by surprise. I remember dragging my feet on going, but Dylan convinced me with two magic words: photo pass. Needless to say, this show was so much fun, and I left with a new obsession for Great Good Fine Ok's techno soundscape and swirling falsetto vocals. These guys are not one to miss, and I can't wait until they visit Philly again.
4. In May, The Walters, our favorite basement discovery, his Union Transfer in May, and I forgot how much I missed Luke Olson's crazy stage presence until I saw him again. Unfortunately, the band has since broken up, but Luke has his own solo project in the works, so don't worry. The crooning, swoon-worthy lyrics are back in the form of L. Martin, and The Walters still live on through Songs for Dads.
5. Lastly, our favorite John Mayer played BB&T Pavilion at the end of the summer, and, just as I thought it would, my heart broke and put itself back together over and over as he played all of our favorite songs. It was a show to fall in love to. He played mesmerizing songs that I had fallen in love to. The Search for Everything is one of my favorite albums, and finally hearing it live was life-changing. I can't wait until he comes back.
Photo courtesy of John Mayer on Instagram
As difficult as it was to come up with five shows out of countless from this last year, these were the ones that made the cut. Each show that we attended holds a special place in my heart, because with each one it means that this small project of ours means something. Tomorrow, we'll recap our top 5 albums of 2017.