Best concerts of 2008

I tend to visit a lot of live concerts, since most bands manage to create something special on stage that make them come alive, in a way never achieved by the flat compact discs. Here are some of my favorite concerts during 2008.

Thåström in the sunset.

• Yazoo in Glasgow – Their debut album “Upstairs at Eric’s” from 1982 was one of the very first vinyl records I got. In those early days I would never have guessed that I would see Vince Clarke and Alison Moyet at the Clyde Auditorium over two decades later. (Read more about the the Yazoo concert and the Scotland trip)
• Thåström in Gothenburg – Semi-acoustic versions of his best songs, ranging from Imperiet to present day, accompanied by the last rays of the dying summer sun.
• Suicide Commando at Arvikafestivalen – The sound was infinitely better than the last time I saw them and the raw energy of Johan van Roy in the opening act was energizing. (Read more about Arvikafestivalen 2008)
• Tom McRae in Gothenburg – He delivered a delicate and subtle performance just as expected, and brought along his friends from Hotel Café which provided a lot of variety on stage. (Read more about the concert)
• Grinderman at Way Out West – It’s definitely not The Bad Seeds and the Grinderman songs are a bit dull, but Nick Cave is Nick Cave and sometimes that’s all we need. (Read more about Way Out West 2008)

Vince Clarke, Yazoo in Glasgow.

I also had a look at Thermostatic, Sigur Ros, Kent, Cryo, Broder Daniel, The Flaming Lips, VNV Nation, And One, Combichrist, In Strict Confidence, Cut Copy, Rotersand, Ladytron, Aimee Mann, Sista Mannen På Jorden, S.P.O.C.K., The Crüxshadows, System and lots more.

A bunch of bands seen in 2008.

Next year is looking very promising and I already got tickets to Front 242, Depeche Mode, Jean-Michel Jarre, Morrissey and other fossils. Stay tuned!