Favorite Baltimore Shows of 2009

We went to a lot of shows in 2009, covering as much live music as humanly possible. I decided to list 10 sets that stand out in my mind, only qualifier being that it had to have been covered on bmoremusic.net.

This left out a few sets that would have surely made it, but I still think this is a solid representation of how much fun I had in Baltimore this year. I didn't rank these, because well... who cares. They were all fantastic, and here's to many more.

Extra Golden at Floristree

Floristree was nice and sticky that night, as this collaboration of musicians from both DC and Kenya took it by storm. I believe the singer's feet in this photo never actually touched the ground throughout the entire set, tons of energy.

Animal Collective at the Ottobar

Animal Collective were once just a couple dudes that went to The Park School of Baltimore. In 2009 Merriweather Post Pavilion jump-started their voyage of world domination, and this was their first night of a massive tour. This was easily one of the biggest shows at the Ottobar this year.

Sick Weapons at Hampdenfest

While this may not have even been Sick Weapon's best set I saw this year, this set was priceless. Seeing toddlers dance around to Sick Weapons was pretty much the coolest thing I saw all year, and Ellie honking the horn instead of cursing appeared to be an epic test of will on her part.

No Deachunter at Sonar

When Dan Deacon, Deerhunter, and No Age all started playing a unified song at once from different ends of the room at Sonar to start this show, it pretty much sealed the deal of making it to this post. This Round Robin style show was a whole mess of fun.

Celebration at Load of Fun

This was the "Earth" show for their element series, a string of shows here in Baltimore that took place throughout the year and included some great ones. You can still download the full set audio right here.

The Jesus Lizard at Sonar

A kick ass performance by a legendary band, enough said.

Sri Aurobindo at the Metro Gallery

This was the album release party for Return into Earth, an epic 30 minute journey of a track. This set captured what that release was all about, and was easily one of the best improvs I witnessed all year.

Ponytail at the Ottobar

Another mind blowing set from Baltimore's favorite pixie dust-infused rock band. New material was played, and showed sure signs of the next album being just as good as Ice Cream Spiritual.

Future Islands at Floristree

This was quite possibly my favorite Future Islands set ever. The energy was fierce, the sound was booming, and the trio was tighter than ever. Look for gigantic things to come from these guys in 2010.

Dan Deacon w/Ensemble at Whartscape

This set managed to embody all that is right with music here in Baltimore, and package it in a one hour chunk of music and fun. This was one of the many highlights of Whartscape 2009, a festival that truly represents how it feels to be a part of community like Baltimore. Every single person in that North Avenue parking lot that night left the show smiling, and with good reason.

Photo Review: Extra Golden @ Floristree

Photos by Chrissy

DC/Kenyan hybrid Extra Golden lit up Floristree on Friday. In a night jam-packed with shows, I can't imagine there were too many better ways to cap off your evening.

I have not attended a show with this much dancing in a good while, and this was mostly not the obnoxious kind either. It was the feel good shake-your-body in any which way Otieno Jagwasi's vocals swayed or Onyango Wuod Omari's drums rocked you. Positive vibes all around, the D.C. contigent of Extra Golden also proved they were just as tight as ever.

Ian Eaglson's guitar wizardry flowed effortlessly with Alex Minoff'ss chops, who is also part of Ian Svenious's D.C. project Weird War. The Kenyan Benga tracks permeated with rock and roll that have often frequented my iPod, proved even more vibrant live. With jam after jam of tunes that were impossible to stand still to, each band member's ridiculous skills weaved together seemlessly to craft each and every song performed.

Highly enjoyable show all around and, I'd suggest picking up Thank You Very Quickly, Hera Ma Nono, or Ok-Oyot System immediately. Grabbing all three woudn't hurt either. 

Tonight: Extra Golden @ Floristree

Hailing from DC, Kenya, and maybe beyond, Extra Golden are making an exotic stop on their tour. The multi-national ensemble is bringing its good vibes to Floristree tonight, right here in Baltimore.

Their latest release Thank You Very Quickly has been in my heavy rotation as of late, as I often can't seem to shake its afro-infused jams from my head. Two of the band members still reside in Kenya, and once needed Obama's help to get work visas to tour the states. To say that their sound is African influenced is clearly an understatement.

However, they are mainly a rock band. While other artists have eluded to African song structures and rhythms and claim influence, Extra Golden's sound is simply half straight up rock and roll, and half a Kenyan worldly vibe. The album leaves nothing hidden, and its sound is instantaneously recognizable upon first listen. Their latest LP was released via Thrill Jockey a few weeks ago.

I can only imagine these guys soundtrack a pretty fun party, which probably makes tonight a must. The bill also features Matthew Papich, Ami Dang, and Audrey Chen with Jeff Carey. Show starts around 8:30.