Craig Hlavaty:
Lady Gaga, Toyota Center, July: Lady Gaga was my summer obsession. OK, a 2010 obsession. I began the year hating her and not getting it, but by mid-year I was a full-fledged little monster. Maybe it was the copious amounts of blood in her stage show, the Marilyn Manson-type imagery, or the Prince-like keyboards that sold me. There was something about hearing Mama Monster scream that made me feel all hot and sweaty too.
Ted Nugent, Pasadena Fairgrounds, July: It was at once a classic rock hootenanny and a venomous Tea Party rally, complete with fire, guns, Obama Hate, and a healthy dose of Nugent classics. Sure I was offended by some of his stage banter, but I still bought a shirt. Entertainment trumped all the hand-wringing.
The Dead Weather, House of Blues, May: I didn't know what was sexier, Alison Mosshart or Jack White that Saturday night in May. As far as White bands go, this is probably the best he will do away from the Stripes. The band's cover of Them's "You Just Can't Win" was one of the most brutally amazing moments this year for me, musically.
Jef With One F:
Unfortunately, I spent most nights this year at home watching the Pajaminals in a desperate attempt to get a toddler to fall asleep. So concerts were really not on the menu. I did manage to make it out to most of the good goth shows, though. First and foremost on that list was catching VNV Nation.
The band, like many of great goth acts, is rediscovering exactly how much fun a show in Houston can be. Add that to the fact that I spent an hour backstage with the guys while two incredible local artists, Bret and Rachel Harmeyer, did Ronan and Mark's portraits, and you end up with the only time thus far that I have felt like I was actually living out the Almost Famous life.
It was also a treat to meet our newest spooky pop princess La Catrin, and get to watch her marry the audience at Etro in a small concert. The former Heist at Hand singer is really carving a niche for herself as the half-Lohan, half-Siouxsie poster child for the Hot Topic generation, and it was great to be able to witness the genesis of it.
One of the greatest concerts in Houston we got to see by proxy. Faith and the Muse decided Numbers would be the best place to film a live DVD, and Marc Moorash of Seraphemera did such an exquisite job doing so that I felt like I was actually there. Except of course I smelled 90% less like urine than I would have if I'd actually been to Numbers.
