1. Monsters of Folk - Cardiff Coal Exchange, 16 November
This extraordinary supergroup of Conor Oberst, M. Ward, Mike Mogis and Jim James made absolute no pretensions to modesty: they delivered a 3-hour set spanning all members' back catalogues, with plenty of inter-band in-jokes and rock posing. But the four of them are so ridiculously talented, the pomp is instantly forgiven. For fans of any of the three bands making up tonight's feast, it was excellent. For a fan of all of them, it was unforgettable. (review)
2. The Mountain Goats - London Queen Elizabeth Hall, 10 October
John Darnielle is one of the most captivating, enigmatic and inspiring performers in indie-rock. he's friendly and frequently hilarious, but the energy and passion when he sings and attacks his guitar makes him almost intimidating. This was a long and emotional show, climaxing with a clutch of intensely personal songs from his latest, 'The Life Of The World To Come'. Just him and a guitar or piano - though the immortal line, "Hi, we're The Mountain Goats" remains - Darnielle made this large show as intimate and beautiful as ever.
3. Animal Collecitve - Bristol Trinity, Sunday 22 March
The omens weren't good. The support band is a tiresome semi-ironic ukelele act, and Animal Collective's set is interrupted by a power shortage during first song 'Guys Eyes'. But everyone trusts them to deliver, and they turn their fortunes around effortlessly. The sound is perfect, and allows them to fill the Trinity with blissful waves of noise. And there's none of the standing-with-arms folded you might expect: 'Brothersport' sends everyone into dancing fits. Yep, even the hipsters. (photo from their previous show in Bristol, 2007)
4. St. Vincent - Bristol Thekla, Monday 6 July
St Vincent's magnificent 2009 album 'Actor' made its impact through its dramatic, unusual and frequently beautiful arrangements, and when Annie clark is joined by a full band, she somehow translates them perefctly to a live setting. And that voice loses absolutely none of its deceptive prettiness and power.
5. Bill Callahan - Bristol Thekla, Wednesday 26 August
Bill Callahan is one of an elite group (alongside Low and Mark Kozelek) who has earnt the right to be professionally miserable. This show, which focused mostly on devastating new album 'Sometimes I Wish We Were An Eagle' alongside some Smog classics and his knockout, tearjerking Kath Bloom cover 'The Breeze', was only further proof of his unmistakeable knack for getting us all down.
6. Grizzly Bear - Bristol Anson Rooms, 6 November
'Veckatimest' was one of the most impeccably detailed, meticulously-pieced-together albums of 2009, and Grizzly Bear's live show managed to live up to this reputation. This show in Bristol's Anson Rooms was enchanting - their ultra-close harmonies instantly wiped away any negative vibes from the usually-sterile venue.
7. Dirty Projectors - Bestival, Saturday 12 September
Much like Grizzly Bear, Dirty Projectors are unabashedly fussy both on record and live. The girls' backing vocals, the intricately off-kilter guitar lines were all present and correct in this cosy mid-afternoon slot, and they were matched with an impressive energy and, in Dave Longstreth, an almost scarily intense stage presence. (photos)
8. múm - Brighton Loop Festival, Sunday 12 July
múm's latest album lacked the boundless originality which made 2007's 'Go Go Smear The Poison Ivy', but their live show was an absolute revelation. Cute and quirky but technically impressive, they radiate a unique type of cosy warmth. They look like they're having the time of their lives on stage too, which is refreshing when the standard for bands of their quiet ilk is strictly static poses and concentrated-looking frowns. (photos)
9. Kraftwerk - Bestival, Saturday 12 September
Whatever it is, Kraftwerk still have it. Only one original member remains, but what the hey, this is pure retro-futurist escapism. The awesome robotics and projections of crappy '80s computers may suggest a resort to gimmickry and nostalgia, but the songs remain stunning and - for a band whose vision of the future should have been oudated a long, long time ago - timeless. (photos)
10. Wild Beasts - Bristol Louisiana, Thursday 19 February
A very quick turnaround for these guys. After a solid debut album in 2008, this show was the first we got to hear of this year's 'Two Dancers'. Looking already more confident, tight and focused, this intimate show whetted appetites a treat. (photos)
More dewey-eyed end-of-year reminiscing:
Top 10 albums of 2009
Top 10 gigs of 2008
Top 10 gigs of 2007
