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Top 10 Concerts of 2010
By Dave Miller X
This year tested my hearing. I attended 42 concerts at which I watched more than 100 performances, both personal highs. It wasn't just quantity, either. I found myself seeing one great show after another. I'm not sure I'll experience another year like it, but I sure enjoyed it. I saw so many great performances that I expanded on last year's list of top 10 concerts to 20. I witnessed some incredible moments: Robert Plant joining Los Lobos at Taste of Chicago; Phil Alvin coming back out for an unplanned encore at FitzGerald's American Music Festival, singing unaccompanied before his fellow Blasters, including brother Dave, plugged back in and gently played behind him; and Ronnie Wood unexpectedly joining Buddy Guy at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival for "Miss You" complete with impromptu lyrics by Guy. Yet those sets all missed the cut. It was that kind of year. Without further ado, here are my top 20 performances of 2010:
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1. Roger Waters: The Wall, September 23 at the United Center - Sure it's like a Broadway show, but it's some show. Beyond the awesome production, Waters' themes of isolation and thought control still resonate.
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2. Patti Smith, Februrary 20 at Park West - The punk godmother not only inspires with her still-burning passion, but covers The O'Jays' "Love Train" to boot.
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3. Buddy Guy, January 17 at Buddy Guy's Legends - The normal set includes guest Syl Johnson and is great in itself, but then the club owner asks for his acoustic guitar for a sit-down, four-song bonus that includes Marvin Gay's "Ain't That Peculiar" and Ray Charles' "What I'd Say."
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4. Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, August 8 at Northalsted Market Days - A career-spanning setlist that stretches all the way back to The Runaways makes a case for a future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
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5. The Wanton Looks, November 3 at Liar's Club - In a small bar before an even smaller crowd, the female foursome rocks like it's ready to rule the world.
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6. Peter Wolf, May 15 at Park West - One of the best frontmen in rock history showcases strong, new material and proves he can still work a stage like few others.
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7. Cathy Richardson and Her San Fran Band with Anne, January 29 at FitzGerald's - The local hero shows she's a bona fide rock goddess in a powerhouse show that charges out of the gate. Oh, what a voice.
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8. Grace Potter & The Nocturnals, September 4 at Union Park - The blonde bombshell hits the North Coast Music Festival stage like a young Tina Tuner and maintains the energy throughout a revelatory performance that's heightened by her spirited band.
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9. Kate Miller-Heidke, July 7 at Schubas - A charming pop performer with smart songs, blindsiding humor and a secret weapon, operatic vocals.
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10. Marah, June 14 at Lincoln Hall - Dave Bielanko continues to be a true believer in rock and roll even with his brother, Serge, no longer at his side.
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11. Devo, August 5 at the Congress Theater - Five old guys sound surprisingly fresh with their still-relevant old material and worthy new songs, and give a performance to match.
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12. Joe Ely Band with Bobby Keys, July 3 at FitzGerald's - Ely's roadhouse rock and dustbowl tales are sweetened not only by the Rolling Stones' legendary sax man, but also by guitarist Rob Gjersoe.
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13. Tommy Emmanuel, September 18 at Park West - The spellbinding master does about all that can be done with an acoustic guitar.
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14. Eric Clapton, June 26 at Toyota Park - Slowhand puts out at his Crossroads Guitar Festival and shares the stage with Steve Winwood and Jeff Beck.
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15. Bob Dylan, October 30 at the Riviera Theatre - After an always-interesting set from rock's poet laureate, he surprises even his band by sending everyone back to their positions for a bonus "Forever Young."
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16. Otis Clay, January 30 at FitzGerald's - The old-school soul singer sends out good vibrations with help from his talented group of musicians who fill the stage.
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17. Willie Nile, July 3 at FitzGerald's - The manic fireball works well past the midnight hour to convert American Music Festival diehards with his overwhelming faith in the power of rock and roll.
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18. The Dead Weather, May 22 at the Marquardt Trucking Company - Jack White meets his onstage equal in lead singer Alison Mosshart during an explosive "secret" show.
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19. Those Darlins, February 11 at Schubas - The snarling, alt-country rockers show their true punk colors in a glorious cover of "Shakin' All Over."
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20. Chuck Berry, June 16 at Blueberry Hill, St. Louis - The man most credited with inventing rock and roll still plays like Johnny B. Goode in the basement of a club. The experience makes me feel like I arrived by a time machine.
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Honorable mention (in order): Steven Page, November 3 at Park West; Tom Morello as The Night Watchman, April 30 at Bottom Lounge; Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby, June 18 at Schubas; Los Lobos, June 29 at Petrillo Music Shell; and Ben Folds, April 19 at the Vic Theatre.
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11. Devo, August 5 at the Congress Theater - Five old guys sound surprisingly fresh with their still-relevant old material and worthy new songs, and give a performance to match.
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12. Joe Ely Band with Bobby Keys, July 3 at FitzGerald's - Ely's roadhouse rock and dustbowl tales are sweetened not only by the Rolling Stones' legendary sax man, but also by guitarist Rob Gjersoe.
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13. Tommy Emmanuel, September 18 at Park West - The spellbinding master does about all that can be done with an acoustic guitar.
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14. Eric Clapton, June 26 at Toyota Park - Slowhand puts out at his Crossroads Guitar Festival and shares the stage with Steve Winwood and Jeff Beck.
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15. Bob Dylan, October 30 at the Riviera Theatre - After an always-interesting set from rock's poet laureate, he surprises even his band by sending everyone back to their positions for a bonus "Forever Young."
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16. Otis Clay, January 30 at FitzGerald's - The old-school soul singer sends out good vibrations with help from his talented group of musicians who fill the stage.
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17. Willie Nile, July 3 at FitzGerald's - The manic fireball works well past the midnight hour to convert American Music Festival diehards with his overwhelming faith in the power of rock and roll.
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18. The Dead Weather, May 22 at the Marquardt Trucking Company - Jack White meets his onstage equal in lead singer Alison Mosshart during an explosive "secret" show.
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19. Those Darlins, February 11 at Schubas - The snarling, alt-country rockers show their true punk colors in a glorious cover of "Shakin' All Over."
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20. Chuck Berry, June 16 at Blueberry Hill, St. Louis - The man most credited with inventing rock and roll still plays like Johnny B. Goode in the basement of a club. The experience makes me feel like I arrived by a time machine.
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Honorable mention (in order): Steven Page, November 3 at Park West; Tom Morello as The Night Watchman, April 30 at Bottom Lounge; Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby, June 18 at Schubas; Los Lobos, June 29 at Petrillo Music Shell; and Ben Folds, April 19 at the Vic Theatre.