Valerie's Favorite Show Photos of 2009

Both Chrissy and Valerie helped build a pretty elaborate portfolio of photo sets from shows in Baltimore this year. Chrissy already shared her top memories, and here are Valerie's top ten favorite photos she took in 2009, with her thoughts on each shot.

I've been shooting for Bmore Musically Informed since April, and I've loved being a part of it. I have met so many awesome people over the past several months. Similar to Chrissy, I chose the following based on the experiences tied to the show and on the photos themselves. 2009 hosted some of the best concerts I've ever been to, I can't wait to see what 2010 will bring

10. The Faint at Sonar

This was the first show I shot for Bmore Musically Informed, and even though I have taken many better pictures since this one, I feel it is an appropriate place to start.

9. What Cheer Brigade at Whartscape 09

Definitely the most fun I've ever had watching a marching band.

8. Carsick Cars at Open Space

I love taking pictures like this. I have no idea if anyone else likes them as much as I do.

7. Dustin Wong at Soft Fest

I really like the tone and composition of this photo, I think it conveys the way everyone felt that night. Soft Fest was a brilliant idea, and one of the singers during the night (although I forget who) put it perfectly: "I have never seen an audience at a show be so quiet, for so long, for such good reasons."

6. Ponytail at the Ottobar

I have no idea how I survived this show, or how my camera survived it. Ponytail fans are dangerous.

5. Abiku at MT6 Fest at the Hexagon

I can never see this band too many times. I'm sure you can see why.

4. Le Loup at the Ottobar

Le Loup is one of my favorite bands, and they played beautifully at this show. I love almost all of the shots from this night.

3. Lightwriting with A.K. Slaughter

Hanging out with Aran and Emily of A.K. Slaughter in a creepy alley, while they figured out a way to vomit light in photographic form. What else can I say?

2. Celebration at Load of Fun

Celebration playing in an ice cave. Everything about this night was fantastic.

1. Future Islands at Floristree

Probably one of the best photos I've ever taken. Sam is so theatrical when he performs, it's easy to get good shots of him.

Clusterf*ck: Shows in Bmore This Weekend

Ever since Fall started, weekends in Baltimore have been stockpiled with stellar shows to attend. Tough choices have been made, and there are more yet to be. I'm sure as heck not complaining about living in a city where choosing between this many shows is sometimes considered a problem.

Yeah, we got other problems too, but this is a music blog. Tonight TAXLO is throwing another one of their mega parties, with Peaches, Ponytail, and Men at Sonar. Now, you won't find too many Peaches tracks on my iTunes, but I'd sure as hell go to check out what their live spectacle is all about.

Ponytail, is a band that needs no more endorsement from me. Their last show at the Ottobar was considered by some to be epic, and I thought they rocked some faces off an eager crowd. Not to mention, I'm not sure I got across off how amazing Dustin Wong was at Soft Fest. Dustin performed guitar compositions similar to what is on Seasons, an album that he had written on the back about how playing the songs live would require at least seven times the sets of hands to perform. Plus, most know Molly Siegel, Jeremy Hyman, and Ken Seeno are going to bring it just as hard.

The Zodiac also hosts a good one tonight, of the more relaxed variety. Lizz King is performing a rare acoustic set, with Andy Abelow and Golden Ghost on support. You can still snag Andy Abelow's excellent set from Soft Fest via MP3 or FLAC.

Tomorrow night the Hexagon's got a pretty kick ass show, as Imperial China, The G, and Compression all play some tunes. I got the chance to speak with Pat from The G last week, in an interview fit for a D.A.R.E. commercial. Dan Auerbach of Black Keys fame is also in town, headlining a big show at Sonar.

Saturday night is yet again stuffed, but MT6 Fest only happens once a year. This year it goes down at the Hexagon, with two stages and the usual cast of misfits. Highlights include Abiku, Bad Liquor Pond, Herioin UK, Newagehillbilly, Needle Gun, and a whole lot more.

Another event on Saturday that is totally worth stopping by is a gallery opening at Open Space. The collection is being dubbed Ordinary Spectacles, which among many others, features the works of Steve Keene. Steve Keene is responsible for a whole mess of album artwork, including some of Pavement's cover art.

Yes, there are more choices on Saturday, with Surfer Blood hitting the Ottobar opening up for Art Brut. Last but not least, Time New Vikings brings its no-fi pop to the Talking Head with Mr. Moccasin running support.