Top 5 Shows of 2011 (and I went to a lot...)

(In Descending Order)

5. Deftones & Dillinger Escape Plan- The Fillmore Detroit: As a massive Deftones fan over the years, I am hyper critical when it comes to this band’s live shows. And quite frankly, the past few times I had seen them had been a bit disappointing. But the band was on fire during their packed show at the Fillmore in early May, kicking out the classics as well as the cuts from “Diamond Eyes”. For at least one show, the Deftones made me feel like I was back in the old State Theater in the late 90’s, raging out to one of their sets.

4. Volbeat- St. Andrew’s Hall: This is a band that is criminally undervalued band in the American market. The Danish band has a unique style of rockabilly, metal, and blues that had the fans at the sweaty St. Andrew’s in late March. Sure, fans might have seen them open for Metallica before, but on their own- the band put together a great 90 minute set. The tour paved the way for the band to play the States more and perhaps not have to rely on Nickelback and Shinedown for arena rock shows in the future.

3. Jay Z/Kanye West- Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia): Say what you will about modern hip-hop (and I’ll agree with most of the negative comments), this was a minimal frills affair. No opening acts, no DJ in between, and no egos- at least on stage. Jay-Z and Kanye came out together an put on a two hour set that had the rappers bouncing back and forth between their biggest songs. People went nuts one song after another, as the hits kept coming the entire night. It will be a while before a new rapper can put together a show like this on this grand of a scale.

2. Soundgarden- UIC Pavilion (Chicago): Even if the band let the foot off the gas for the last few songs, it was amazing to see one of the biggest names of the grunge era back in full force. Chris Cornell proved he still had the voice and the ability to get from behind that acoustic guitar that’s seemed lodged to his hand the past few years and delivered a powerful set. With Pearl Jam toiling in some pseudo-hippie nomadic experience and Alice in Chains taking the year off, Soundgarden was your best chance to see a grunge god in 2011.

1. Rammstein- Allstate Arena (Chicago): The last time I saw Rammstein was a 45 minute set the Family Values tour in 1998, so it was a little taste of the madness this band brings to stage every night. In their nearly two hour performance, Rammstein proved that just about every single American band needs to take some pointers from these guys and fans got the full experience. Let’s face it, most rock bands’ show are not that entertaining and powerful and Rammstein proved that you can still bring out the big guns and give the fans a hugely visceral experience. Can’t wait to see them again in May right here in Detroit.

Other Shows That Received Consideration: Identity Festival (DTE), Pixies (Fox Theater), Avenged Sevenfold (Palace), Various Artists- Maryland Deathfest, Anthrax & Testament (House of Blues- Cleveland).