2011 was apparently the year of the live show. I somehow managed to attend 27 shows this year, which is a new record for me. I saw some artists for the first time, like Rihanna, Goo Goo Dolls, and Keith Urban. I also tallied up more shows from some of my favorites, like Gavin DeGraw, Kris Allen, and David Cook.
Whether it was a local musician’s event, a radio show, or an over the top production; I’ve never had more fun in one year. So stick around and check out some of my favorite concert moments from some of the live shows that I attended throughout 2011!
Panic! At The Disco – “Let’s Kill Tonight” Live at The Warfield
Back in June, I was given the opportunity to go see Panic! for the first time, and holy molasses, what a show! If there was one band that really impressed the heck out of me this year, it would definitely be Panic!. Up and coming bands should attend one their shows and take notes. The band’s show at The Warfield reminded me why I love going to shows and supporting live music. Check out the band’s performance of “Let’s Kill Tonight” below! (Watch it all the way to the end. Seriously.)
Lea Michele, Chris Colfer & Darren Criss – “Happy Days Are Here Again”/ “C’mon Get Happy” & “Teenage Dream” Live at the HP Pavillion
The cast of Glee made a stop in San Jose this past May, and not gonna front, seeing Darren Criss get his Warbler on in front of his hometown crowd was pretty exciting. It’s great to see someone from the Bay Area representing on such a popular show. (Bay Area Pride! What up!)
However, my very favorite moment from the Glee concert was a performance that I still can’t listen to without getting chills – being the duet between Lea Michele and Chris Colfer.
That’s true blue talent, ladies & gentlemen.
Keith Urban thanking the crowd at the HP Pavillion
I know that I mentioned this in my recap of his show, but Keith Urban thanking the audience for buying a ticket to his show during less than ideal economic times is one of the best things I’ve witnessed at a show all year.
Matt Nathanson’s Cee-Lo Sing-a-long at Alice 97.3’s Summerthing 2011
It was a beautiful day out at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Matt Nathanson was onstage at Summerthing 2011 performing “Car Crash,” when he unexpectedly went into a cover of Cee-Lo’s “F— You.” Nathanson’s own amusement was part of the reason that this performance was one of the most hilarious moments of my concert season. Definitely NSFW.
Panic! At The Disco – “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” Live at Ace of Spades
The moment during an amazing P!ATD show, where bassist Dallon Weekes decides to stage-dive.
Patrick Stump – “Just Dance”/”Spotlight (New Regrets)”/”Porcelain” Live at Ace of Spades
I’m very happy that someone took video of the beginning of Patrick’s set, because I’m pretty sure that I was standing in the crowd with a look of shock and disbelief on my face. The difference between the Patrick I saw with Fall Out Boy in 2006, and the Patrick I saw as a confident solo artist this past October is kind of astounding. I love the look, love the swag, and most importantly, I love the music. My musical affair with Soul Punk began a week later and has carried on ever since.
Gavin DeGraw – “Spell It Out” Live in Santa Rosa
I feel like I could go on and on about just how much I love “Spell It Out.” It’s one of my very favorite tracks off of Gavin’s album, Sweeter, and my love for this song increased exponentially after hearing it live. It was such a beautiful and special moment.
Sirk and The Dirty Minds – Live at The Viper Room
My very favorite live show that I attended this year took place back in April at The Viper Room in L.A. Oh yeah, I’m talking about the midnight Sirk and The Dirty Minds Blues Explosion show. I have always wanted to go to a show at The Viper Room, and of course, my first show there is to see the one and only Kris Allen. (And no, we won’t talk about how long it took me to figure out Sirk was just Kris spelled backwards.) One of my favorite people performing in a notorious venue, while surrounded by my kick awesome friends made for quite the night out. And you know, this happened:
Kris debuted “Keep That Devil Out,” and I think we all were like beside ourselves by the time the song ended. Such an amazing show; definitely one of the best nights of my year!
These were my favorite moments from the shows I attended this year; what live shows did y’all attend this year?
Wait...WHAT? 
Great list! The Foo Fighters rocked – was at the same concert. EPIC night. A beacon of light in the darkness that is contemporary Rock music. Also saw the Gavin Degraw/David Cook concert with/for my girlfriend. I went expecting to like Carolina Liar the most. Heh. But I’ve got to honest, though I wasn’t as familiar with his music, David Cook kinda blew CL and Degraw away, both vocally and how hard he rocked. GREAT live act and I’d see him again, with or without the girlfriend.
Ah, Foo Fighters! Definitely want to see them live at some point. I am a longtime fan of Gavin DeGraw, and I also have a lot of love for David Cook, but I thought Gavin killed it. I did enjoy Carolina Liar – love their sound!
I can’t believe David Cook didn’t rate one of these spots, Kristen! ;-) I wasn’t there, but if I had been, seeing him on stage with LIttle Steven and Ryan Star in NYC would have been mine!
oh and agree with Brian..Foo Fighters concert was the best of the year with Dave Grohl coming out in the audience to play acoustic. Hands down.
I saw Foo Fighters at Bridge School, and 1.) I thought I didn’t know any of their songs, but knew all of them, and 2.) they were awesome. If you ever have a chance to see them play an acoustic set (which Bridge School is), go see it.