This week, the Times Colonist's Arts writers look back at the most memorable moments from the past year.
The ongoing plight of a music critic is being forced to balance real life with work commitments. Such a juggling act means you're destined to miss a few shows that will haunt you until the end of time, and this year was no different.
We saw plenty of shows that were nowhere near
our best-of list (an underwhelming Sam Roberts; an off-their game New Kids on the Block; a downright stinky Marilyn Manson), but we still can't seem to shake two of the ones we missed: JJ Cale at the Alix Goolden Performance Hall (April 11) and John Prine at the Farquhar Auditorium (Oct. 17).
There's always next year. Until then, here are the ones we remember most fondly.
1. Bryan Adams
Feb. 7, McPherson Playhouse
Having grown up on the music of Bryan Adams,
I've always associated him with large concert halls lacking in atmosphere. So it was a refreshing treat to see him in the comfy confines of McPherson Playhouse, with only piano player Gary Breit for accompaniment. The tale of the tape -- two hours, two encores and 26 songs, one of which saw him duet with surprise guest Jim Vallance, his longtime co-writer -- is only part of the story. Perhaps you had to be there. Those who were saw a master showman at the top of his game.
-- Mike Devlin
2. Leonard Cohen, April 21, Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre
This was one of the year's unforgettable concerts. Cohen, 74, impressed with his regal bearing, his resonant, rumbling voice and all those wonderful songs. Backed by a crack nine-piece band, he sang such favourites as Dance Me to the End of Love, Tower of Song, Marianne and Bird on a Wire. Yes, I'm still smarting from a volley of letters from readers who thought my four-star review ill-informed and insufficiently reverential.
("Bravo to Leonard Cohen, and zero stars for Adrian Chamberlain," wrote one.) Yet overall, I recall with fondness this wonderful evening with a gracious and gentle troubadour.
-- Adrian Chamberlain
3. The Killers, April 23, Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre
It has been argued that arena act the Killers are a little transparent in their desire to be the next U2, from their messianic frontman to their roof-rattling singalong choruses. There could be worse titles to be tagged with.
I've yet to find someone who was unfazed by the Las Vegas act's blitz of glitz at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. The band was in superb shape, and its singer, Brandon Flowers, played the part of a wannabe Bono with note-perfect grandeur. By the time the Killers unveiled All These Things That I've Done, with its epic chorus, "I got soul, but I'm not a soldier," it was to a crowd full of converts.
-- MD
4. Champion and His G-Strings Sept. 24, Market Square
The opening night headliner for the second annual Rifflandia festival was a hypnotic tonic courtesy of Maxim Morin, the long-haired brains behind epic dance-rock combo Champion. While the majority of Morin's recorded music carries with it a sameness, his live concerts are otherworldly. Watching the Montreal maestro manning the decks at Market Square, while simultaneously instructing his stable of four guitarists (a.k.a. the G-Strings) exactly what and precisely when to play, was one of the highlights of the weekend. -- MD
5. Tegan and Sara, Sept. 25, Alix Goolden Performance Hall
Tegan and Sara's new album, Sainthood, arrived in stores in late October, a full month after its sneak-peek debut on stage at Rifflandia. The twin sister-led quintet balanced its bevy of new songs with material from their jam-packed back catalogue, all of which was peppered with sharpened stage banter, the duo's stock-in-trade. This was, by far, the single toughest gig to get into during Rifflandia, thanks to Tegan and Sara's devout audience of followers. It was well worth the hassle. -- MD
6. Holy F--- Sept. 26, Element
These elusive Torontonians make difficult-sounding electro rock seem like a walk in the park, and during their sweat-soaked set at Element the frustratingly named Holy F--- were wickedly on-point. It wasn't one of the best attended sets at Rifflandia, but the group's extended jams were crushingly unique and overwhelmingly memorable.
-- MD
7. Cage the Elephant, Aug. 17, Royal Theatre
Kentucky butt-kickers Cage the Elephant were the first band up on this night, but they killed the competition. And what competition it was: Silversun Pickups and Manchester Orchestra, indie rockers with hits aplenty. Both were without the raw and ragged glory of Cage the Elephant. The group's frontman, Matt Shultz, was everywhere, from in the orchestra pit to atop one of the stage speakers, at one point joining the crowd in their seats. His antics earned the group a rare set-opening standing ovation. -- MD
8. Tony Bennett. Oct. 7, Royal Theatre
This was my favourite concert in 2009. Tony Bennett has long been known as a top interpreter of the American songbook.
I confess my hopes weren't particularly high, though, just because Tony's now 83 years old. So it was thrilling -- and inspiring -- to hear Bennett still singing with considerable power and enthusiasm. In recent years his voice has taken on a husky timbre, which I prefer to the sleek, supple instrument of his glory days. Of course, this is a matter of taste. At the end of the concert, Bennett sang Fly Me to the Moon. Backed only by his guitarist, he sang it off-microphone. It was a tremendously moving moment -- life-affirming in the way all great art can be. -- AC
9. U2, Oct. 28, B.C. Place
We're quite aware that B.C. Place is well outside the Victoria city limits.
But given the absolute nightmare that was the B.C. Ferries leading up to and following the concert -- i.e. five sailing waits in each direction -- thousands of Islanders obviously made the trip to see Ireland's best hypnotize a crowd of 55,000 fans. The last stop on the band's 2009 tour had everything, from birthday wishes to Bill Gates (who was in the house) to a brief but fantastically vital rendition of Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Two Tribes. Excessive but amazing all the same. -- MD
10. Kelly Clarkson
Nov. 18, Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre
Who would have thought that one of the best concerts of the year would come from a starlet who got her start on a reality TV talent show? Clarkson, who can clearly sing her derriere off, and her 11-piece band had no problem winning over the crowd, but it's worth noting she did it the old-school way: With charisma, heaps of good songs, and a beatific stage presence. Win, win and win.
-- MD
