Year in Review: The Best Concerts of 2016

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Kristen Fisher 
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Artist: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Venue: The Showbox SoDo
City: Seattle
Date: October 20

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club continue to produce shows otherworldly with a spectacular light cosmos. Yet this Seattle stuck out for a few reasons.

A distinct rush of a adrenaline was in the air, the red lighting lit up the crowd at one point… as if crowded with demons (or everyone had bloodshot eyes). Even better was the moment the entire front row knew to bring the hell or hath no fury as the bassist jumped into the crowd.

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Artist: Savages
Venue: The Wonder Ballroom
City: Portland
Date: May 28

Savages….there may not be the right formation of words to properly talk about Savages. After completely missing the train once Adore Life came out.

Ending up at a live show of their’s was a blessing in disguise. Witnessing Adore Life brought to the forefront of a stage, one simple line kept running through my head ‘This very may well have been the album Joan of Arc rode in on towards battle’.

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Artist: Motion City Soundtrack
Venue: Roseland Theater
City: Portland
Date: May 5

Here is the one show I wanted to attend but could not for unknown reasons because Motion City Soundtrack have been a grand part of those teenage years.

Hearing from a friend that this may be the last tour ever for Motion City Soundtrack. But the show was simply magnificent as well as full of nostalgia…made my heart skip a few beats.

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Artist: Leon Bridges
Venue: Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
City: Portland
Date: May 28

Oh what could have been. Leon Bridges not only holds a special place but Bridges’ live shows are pure magic. Nothing could make this essential punk kid cry like a great singer who bares his soul each and every night.

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Artist: Kaleo
Venue: Mississippi Studios
City: Portland
Date: May 30

May was the month where I did not attend a single concert, for that not only am I sadden by that fact but hopefully they will come back around.

Kaleo have never had a bad show review…ever. Given that Kaleo already possess a ridiculous catalog of melody induced music. Some of their songs flutter from blues to punk roots, ready for action at any given second.