Staff Picks: Top 5 Shows of 2009

Damn you lists! So hard to narrow things down, especially shows! There was an abundance of killer shows in 2009 and many did we frequent. Check out our Staff Picks: Top 5 Shows of 2009 (in nor particular order)!

What shows were your favorites this year?

Sandy B.: Editor-in-Chief

• Lykke Li @ Glass House, Pomona, CA
  So bittersweet! “Tonight” still gives me goosebumps …
• Paul McCartney @ Coachella, Indio CA
  The Beatles always reminds me of my besty and I couldn’t pick a better person to experience Sir Paul’s almost three-hour set with.
• The Black Keys @ Terminal 5, NY
  Post meniscus surgery, I still rocked this show! Have love, will travel … mine
• Yeah Yeah Yeah’s @ 94/9 Independence Jam, Oceanside, CA
  Amazing set with an ocean view! Metric and The Black Keys played too!
• Andrew Bird, Wanderlust, Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe
  Breathtaking … vocals, instrumentals and a backdrop of the Sierras.

Kare E. Murphy: Photographer

• Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings @ Wanderlust, Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe
• The Gossip @ Mezzanine, San Francisco
• MSTRKRFT @ Treasure Island Music Festival, San Francisco
• Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ Coachella, Indio CA
• Them Crooked Vultures @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Big Swig: Photographer

• Murder City Devil @ Glass House, Pomona, CA
• Murder City Devils @ Henry Fonda Theatre, Los Angeles
• Slab City fest w/ Los Sweepers, Chango Rey and His Rey-Men, the widows- the Range @ Slab City
• JJ Rad Fest w/ Nobunny, Hunx and His Punx, Boy Toys, Earthmen and Strangers, Half Rats @ Ken Club, San Diego
• Reverend Horton Heat, Nashville Pussy @ House of Blues, Las Vegas

Lori Bartlett: Writer

• Jenny Lewis and Ray Lamontagne @ Hollywood Bowl
• Prodigy @ Hollywood Palladium
• Schuyler Fisk @ Hotel Cafe, Los Angeles
• Adele and Chaka Khan @ Hollywood Bowl

Roxy Roknian: Writer

• Akron/Family @ Hemlock Tavern, San Francisco
• Fleet Foxes with Blitzen Trapper @ The Filmore, San Francisco
• Loch Lomond @ Spaceland, Los Angeles
• Fanfarlo with Freelance Whales @ The Echo, Los Angeles
• The Get Up Kids @ Great American Music Hall, San Francisco
  So much nostalgia!!

Craig Parker: Photographer

• Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros @ El Rey Theatre or
  The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles
• Vetiver @ The Sanctuary Church, Santa Monica, CA
• Miike Snow @ Spaceland, Los Angeles
• The Big Pink @ The Detroit Bar, Costa Mesa, CA
• The Heavy @ The Echo, Los Angeles