My Favourite Concerts of 2012

There's still a few weeks left before the year 2012 comes to a close but I'm calling it now.   This year's seen some of the world's biggest names drop by Toronto on tour.  This city is actually one of the best in the world when it comes to being able to see live music.  There's at least 3 solid shows on any given week.  Be it in The Horseshoe on a sweaty summer night, the Kool Haus in the middle of January or as the sunsets over lake Ontario in late September at Molson Amphitheatre.  The venues are amazing and the music even better.

I've seen lots of shows over the last 12 months and found it tough to narrow down my top picks.  I actually had to open the shoebox and pull out all my ticket stubs for cross reference.  

Live music is one of the most amazing things a person can experience.  When it's perfect both the crowd and band connect making true magic happen.

I saw some beauties this year and have selected these 5 as my top picks of 2012.

Snow Patrol at Massey Hall on April 17th

This band should be way bigger in Canada than they currently are.  The lyrics and melodies are beautiful and the sound is massive.  This show was in Toronto's finest venue making the sound that much greater.  Ed Sheeran opened and even joined them on stage for a song.  

The Sheepdogs at Echo Beach on September 15th 

This was one of the most amazing nights down by the lake I have ever experienced.  The crowd was ready to party as it was a Saturday night.  The band brought rock n roll and some friends to host this party.  They past the 11pm curfew and could have played all night long.  This was the closer to give you a small glimpse into how great it was.

Of Monsters and Men at Kool Haus on November 16th 

This band will be named as nominees for a Grammy by this time tomorrow.  I hope I'm right because they truly deserve it.  I had seen them earlier this year at The Phoenix but this night, one of 2 sold out shows at Kool Haus, was something special.  I had goosebumps when I watched that crowd smile and sing along to every word of this beautiful album.  

Bruce Springsteen at Rogers Centre (Skydome) on August 24th

I had never seen "The Boss" in concert before this evening.  He lived up to his name and then some under the stars and shadow of the CN Tower in Toronto.  It was the closest thing to a religious experience I have ever witnessed.  The tall boys and excitement with my buddy Scotty may have helped inspire this.  If you can - then you must see this man at least one time before you die.

Kasabian at Kool Haus on March 29th

It's tough to beat a religious experience but this night was truly rock n roll for me.  I went with a few friends from Sony and even got to hang with the band after.  We had a few beers while I witnessed some of the most rock n roll debauchery back stage.  These guys are rock stars in every sense of the word.  From the second they hit the stage they command the audience.  They do it with style, grace and a fuck off amount of swagger.  Off stage they're not even close to doing yoga and drinking Fiji waters.  It's necking bottles of red and listening to their favourite tunes cranked to 11.  I even got the set-list from the band's dressing room after the gig.  I never do that.

Both Tom and Serge (main guys) are the picture perfect role model for any up and coming rockers.  Watch and learn from the best!

Honourable mentions for live concerts in 2012 include...

• Nickelback w Bush at Air Canada Centre
• Sam Roberts Band at Echo Beach
• The Killers at Sound Academy
• Red Hot Chili Peppers at Air Canada Centre
• City and Colour at Molson Amphitheatre and Massey Hall

Still a few shows left on the calendar so here's hoping they too are amazing.

Thanks for reading/listening.

Gregg