Top 10 Concerts of 2011

Michelle Malone
July 1, 2011 @ FitzGerald's American Music Festival
By Dave Miller

This was a great year to hear live music in town, but, hey, we live in Chicago, they're all good! The year started rough with Chuck Berry's infamous New Year's Day show at the Congress Theater. Thankfully, Jerry Lee Lewis redeemed that old time rock and roll on the same stage at the end of the year with a performance that was memorable for the right reasons. The image that's stayed with me more than any other is Alto Reed dramatically blowing his saxophone while bathed in a spotlight during Bob Seger's "Turn the Page." You might assume it was cheesy, but it was an honest-to-goodness goosebump moment. Here are my top 10 concerts of 2011:

1. Michelle Malone, July 1 at FitzGerald's American Music Festival - A perfect storm of circumstances conspires to create magic in the midnight hour. The swaggering blues rocker displays a mesmerizing mixture of raging guitar, wailing vocals and sexual current. "Oh my God," someone in the audience gasps. I second that. It's one of the best performances I've seen in my life.

2. Arcade Fire, April 24 at UIC Pavilion - The best band in the world in its prime, touring behind a career achievement album. Energy doesn't get much higher than this.

3. Those Darlins, October 5 at The Empty Bottle - The female Tennessee trio along with its male drummer come out firing from the start and only raise the stakes as their potential turns into reality onstage.

4. Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band, May 14 at Allstate Arena - The old rocker leaves his longtime, loyal fans with a show to remember. Rock and roll never forgets, indeed.

5. Willie Nile, September 23 at FitzGerald's - One of the last of the true believers, Nile plays like his life depends on it.

6. The Wanton Looks, July 22 at LiveWire Lounge - Four badass chicks snarl and rock their way through a blistering set in the dive bar.

7. Otis Clay, January 8 at FitzGerald's - Chicago's very own makes a strong case for being the best living soul man on the planet with a commanding performance backed by a band that's with him every step of the way.

8. U2, July 5 at Soldier Field - The buzz from their last album has long since subsided, but the Irish gang of four shows it can still rock a stadium like few others.

9. Cathy Richardson and the Macrodots, July 1 at FitzGerald's American Music Festival - Pick a song, any song, and Richardson shows why she has the best female voice in rock today. Her band proves worthy of her stunning singing.

10. Jerry Lee Lewis, December 3 at Congress Theater - The Killer still has a surprising amount of fire, barking at the soundman and kicking over his piano chair during a set featuring inspired selections and fiery versions of his classics.

Honorable mention (in order): Tina Dico, February 3 at Schubas; Loretta Lynn, July 1 at Taste of Chicago; White Mystery, June 30 at Taste of Chicago; Buddy Guy, January 16 at Legends; Blondie, September 7 at House of Blues; Harper, March 3 at FitzGerald's; The Handcuffs, September 7 at House of Blues; and Syl Johnson, July 10 at West Fest.

past reviews