Normally I'm fine with going to one show a week. MAYBE two in a week if I'm really lucky. These last 8 days though, 4 of my favorite bands came to town, so I had little choice but to go see them all. Here were the best live performances in descending order.

Number 4: Midnight Juggernauts - Maybe it was the fact that it was a Wednesday or that they were following a top tier act ( I saw Ghostland at the Mezzanine just 6 days prior), but the crowd definitely wasn't that into it, and the bass and keyboards didn't really mesh. Good show, number 4 on my list though. Their video.

Side note, I'm going to start referring to this band as the Midnight Jugs, except for when I'm hanging out with Australians, then I'm going to refer to them as the Midnight Juggies.

Number 3: Lotus - There will probably be some people that will disagree with me ranking Lotus as number 3 on the list, and nothing against these guys, but they just don't bring it quite as hard as the next two bands on this list. For an instrumental act, they definitely brought it as hard as you could, but sometimes you need a singer to take it to the next level.

The crowd was great and their energy level continued to build significantly during the whole show. Side note, their keyboardist/guitarist was really into moving his head back and forth.

Number 2: Calvin Harris - Where you born in the 'aighties'? Cuz if you were, this guy's got love for you. He'll also have the ultimate hipster's haircut, and a sick combination of beats, rock, and vocals. This band is like the musical incarnation of Urban Outfitters ( I actually heard one of their tracks in there once). The crowd was young - I saw them at Pop Scene on 330 Rich - but they definitely were there to rage. I think very few people there knew more than 2 of his songs, but that will change in the very near future. I have a feeling that next time he comes to SF, he'll be playing the Mezzanine.

Number 1: Ghostland Observatory - Insane lights, insane volume, insane male pig tails, insane vampire suits, and an insane hangover the next day. My ears were ringing for four days following that show. This was my fourth time seeing them live, and they brought the intensity each time - day or night. I can't think of a better band to see live (Maybe Daft Punk, but few people get that lucky). For your viewing pleasure: their Sad Sad City Video.



Somewhat related to all of this, for show updates and to discuss bands coming to SF, check out the SF music group.

I'm now going to detox for a few days, and probably drink some central coast wines while camping in Big Sur or San Luis Obisbo.