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This section contains a variety of live stuff. All photos taken by Nancy Puyn unless otherwise stated.

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Best concerts of 2005 (Only concerts taken into account that I actually reviewed):

 

Copyright Malleus

  1. On Trial - Sojo, Leuven (02/19/05): a band that transcended its expectations and itself while you were watching. A miasma of concrete riffs, heavy psychedelic effects and 200% intensity.
  2. Mike Watt & The Secondmen - AB, Brussels (05/09/05): a punk rock opera about a disease. A punk opera without guitar. Punk is whatever you want it to be.
  3. Pere Ubu - Palace, Brussels (09/15/05): angular, awkward, abrasive. A hulking giant goes hysterical backed by hypnotizing motorik grooves and an intoxicated rock & roll syntax.
  4. Bettye Lavette - AB, Brussels (11/02/05): the Queen of Soul putting her life on the line. More emotion than most people can muster after a nervous breakdown that left them jobless, homeless and alone. The voice as a knife.
  5. Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3 - AB, Brussels (12/18/05): right at the end of 2005, Wynn & Co. top off their tour with a no-holds-barred guitarfest that once and for all sets the record straight.
  6. Peter & Caspar Brötzmann - Luchtbal, Antwerpen (11/24/05): father and son merging inhuman force and esoteric beauty. Tripping on the sound of cracking steel and humming bass drones. The eye of the storm remains calm.
  7. Futureheads - Pukkelpop Festival, Hasselt (08/19/05): bookkeepers of the world unite! Jittery pop channeled through punk's affirming energy, played at breakneck speed and a spectacular cover of Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love." Also winner of the "ask the public to join without making an ass of yourself"-prize.
  8. Buddy Miller - Handelsbeurs, Ghent (01/29/05): Classy Songwriting 101. A musician whose experience and talent have resulted in a catalogue that's becoming immense.
  9. Arcade Fire - Pukkelpop Festival, Hasselt (08/19/05): experts at doing the unthinkable. Baroque meets pure pop, ecstasy with an insane grin, helmets become percussion, loss wrapped up in victorious anthems.
  10. Drive-By Truckers - De Warande, Turnhout (05/02/05): a triple guitar attack, three songwriters, while the contributions of only one would already make 'em a worthwhile band. One of today's most dependable acts. A backbone.

Runners-up: High on Fire (say what?), Therapy? (still going strong), The Dirtbombs (party band par excellence), Yawning Man (surfing in the desert) and The Hackensaw Boys (damn right).

If you insist on knowing the best non-reviewed concert: Johnny Dowd at Grassroots Festival (07/23/05), Trumansburg, NY. The high priest of demented C&W lo-fi on acid, playing an entire set of new songs, most of which seem to suggest a new masterpiece is on its way.

 

 

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