2016: concerts of the year

Fuck this year.  With that said …

Radiohead at Secret Solstice

Woooooosh.  There were lots of other amazing bands at Secret Solstice, but the best band of my generation topped them all – all of A Moon Shaped Pool, then hit after hit after hit – for certain (Everything In Its Right Place, Idioteque) values of hits.

Mahler 9 at NY Phil

Some pieces of music are designed for youth.  Some are designed for old people.  And some are pretty much about death.  The NY Phil, led by the 87 year old Bernard Haitink, did this most eternity-focused of symphonies proud.  As Lenny said, ” … but in letting go, we have gained everything”

Julia Holter & Mary Lattimore at Bowery Ballroom

Holter remains a magician of the highest order – seeing her do her magic with a piano and a few backing members is only more impressive.  Lattimore’s harp pieces are likewise otherworldly.

Honorable mentions to Tim Hecker’s minimalist light show at Warsaw, Steve Reich’s 80th birthday at Carnegie Hall, Mantra Percussion & Gideon Alorwoyie covering Drumming (and Four Organs!, Mary Lattimore & Julianna Barwick at Trans-Pecos, and Glenn Branca’s monumental Symphonies at the  Masonic Hall.