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Roger Waters Presents The Wall
The Sprint Center, October 30
"Are there any paranoids in Kansas City tonight?" Roger Waters yelled. The Sprint Center was packed with fans who hadn't updated their shirts (or their mustaches) since Pink Floyd was a touring enterprise. Kids in costumes — it was Halloween, after all — cheered next to 40-something guys in Dockers, loafers and faceless student masks. At an arena as smoky as a high-schooler's bedroom, The Wall took on operatic grandeur and celebrated its own rich history, in rock and in the lives of its fans.
— Elke Mermis
Xiu Xiu with Tune-Yards
Jackpot Music Hall, March 29
It's one thing to listen at home to heartbreaking songs about depression, sexual abuse and suicide relayed through Jamie Stewart's about-to-fall-apart quaver. In a live setting, it's — actually, it's fucking brilliant. Onstage, Xiu Xiu distilled its everything-but-the-kitchen-sink instrumentation into a wash of sound constructed with clattering cymbals, distorted synthesizers and a Nintendo DS. The result was something akin to eavesdropping on someone having an intensely personal conversation, and being able to dance to it.
— Ian Hrabe
Girl Talk
Crossroads KC, September 10
There's no question that this year's best rain-soaked dance orgy was courtesy of Gregg Gillis, better known as the mash-up genius Girl Talk. Hundreds of people packed in tightly at the muddy, soggy Crossroads KC, took off their shirts and shoes, and grinded madly as Gillis' sound system thumped and bumped out the best (and the hilarious worst) of popular dance music.
— Jenny Kratz
RecordBar's Fifth-Birthday Bash
RecordBar, October 1–3
This year, RecordBar turned five, and it celebrated with three days of live music. Local darlings Soft Reeds opened for Field Music on Friday, and Sunday's crowd thrashed to the metal-rific lineup of Hammerlord and Valient Thorr. But the highlight of the weekend was the return of KC rock royalty the Republic Tigers, which debuted new music.
— Jenny Kratz
Thee Oh Sees
Scion Garage Fest, October 2
Thee Oh Sees wasted no time getting down to its absurd, scrappy, scary brand of psychedelic garage rock. Singer John Dwyer howled and screamed, and the Bottleneck fumed with the collective heat of its overpacked crowd. Some songs were fast — nearing speed-metal velocity — and some, like the 14-minute "Warm Slime," were epic cool-downs.
— Chance Dibben
The Budos Band with Superwolf
RecordBar, August 25
The Budos Band prides itself on having a little something for everyone, which is why those of us who don't crack 5 feet 5 inches had to get up on tippy-toes to catch a glimpse of the Staten Island funk stars at RecordBar. You don't need a good view to dance, and nobody had trouble getting down to warm horns, driving drums and head-bobbing bass. It broke the sweat barrier and the Kansas City record for "Most Beards in One Room."
— Nadia Pflaum
Black Friday
Crosstown Station, November 26
In a strong year for live jazz collaboration at the talented hands of local pianist Mark Lowrey, Black Friday's jazz versus hip-hop showcase at Crosstown Station was the highlight. Featuring Les Izmore, Reach and Schelli Tolliver, the night paid homage to hip-hop superstars Common, J Dilla and Notorious B.I.G., with Kansas City's best jazz musicians holding down the rhythm. Legendary grooves by Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis effortlessly backed hip-hop lyrics, and a packed crowd was treated to Kansas City's rich musical history — and a glimpse of its future.
— Jenny Kratz
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