John Schroeder's Best of 2011

 

Best Shows of 2011 (based on a sample size of 79):

 

Small Venue (<2000 capacity)

1.) Foster The People, Lykki Li at House Of Blues – Chicago, Chicago, IL – 8/5/11

2.) Jane's Addiction, Aptena Boys at Metro, Chicago, IL – 9/25/11

3.) See a Little Light with Bob Mould at Mercury Theater, Chicago, IL – 6/16/11

 

Medium Venue (2000-5000 capacity)

1.) The Black Keys, The Greenhornes at Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL – 1/1/11

2.) Wilco, Nick Lowe at Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, WI – 12/9/11

3.) Weezer, Urge Overkill, Teenage Bottlerocket, White Mystery at Riot Fest at Congress Theater, Chicago, IL – 10/9/11

*Honorable Mention: Social Distortion, Chuck Ragan, The Sharks at The Rave, Milwaukee, WI – 5/7/11

 

Large Venue (5000+ capacity)

1.) PJ20 at Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI – 9/3/11-9/4/11 (Pearl Jam, The Strokes, Queens of the Stone Age, Mudhoney)

2.) Lollapalooza 2011 at Grant Park, Chicago, IL – 8/5/11-8/7/11 (Foo Fighters, The Joy Formidable, An Horse, more)

3.) Arcade Fire, The National at UIC Pavilion, Chicago, IL 4/24/11

 

Top 10 Albums of 2011

1.) The Joy Formidable – The Big Roar

2.) The Black Keys – El Camino

3.) Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto

4.) Foster The People – Torches

5.) Foo Fighters – Wasting Light

6.) Wilco – The Whole Love

7.) Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds – Noel Gallahger's High Flying Birds

8.) An Horse – Walls

9.) The Decemberists – The King Is Dead

10.) Silversun Pickups – Seasick (EP)

 

Most Anticipated 2012 Release Silversun Pickups – title TBA