10. Foster The People.
Every year there seems to be an act like Foster The People. In the blink of an eye they completely take over the music scene. This group handled their 2011 meteoric rise with style, selling out venues across the world that most other performers can only dream of. Well done guys.
9. Skrillex.
2011 was the year we saw this wobbling, electro sub-genre known as Dubstep make it’s heaviest impact yet on the global consciousness. It was everywhere in pop culture (the video above is faked, but still funny). Artists like Skrillex had much to do with the new awareness, thus earning him this spot. There is something strange and fun about a live dubstep bass. It’s a fascinating sensation to have your entire body shook at that frequency and being right up against the speakers was an exceptionally unusual experience. It almost made me throw up then, and again now just thinking about it. But in a good way. I think. Yes.
8. AraabMuzik.
Fastest hands of 2011. Toured relentlessly. Where a lesser man would look foolish, AraabMuzik is on his game, putting together a high energy, blast of a live performance. Make sure to go check this guy out for yourself.
7. The Sheepdogs.
Sometimes all you need to do is bring it back for people. As long as you do it well enough. The Sheepdogs have the uncanny gift to write brand new songs that would fit seamlessly into the pages of Rock and Roll history. This breakout Canadian 4 piece have become an instant classic, gaining global recognition this year due in part to their Rolling Stone magazine cover story, and a lot of hard work. Their music can send you way back if that’s your thing, and they sound fantastic doing it.
6. Fitz & The Tantrums.
See videos.
5. Shabazz Palaces.
Experimental, for sure. Hip-Hop roots. Check. Shabazz Palaces is an electronic music performance. Part Digable Planets, part from another planet. This is one of those shows I thoroughly enjoyed simply getting lost in the journey. Not really knowing or wanting to know where it was going next. Fully along for the ride.
4. The Glitch Mob.
Always great seeing artists perform their music when they could simply setup a hands-off DJ set and take it on the road. Mad respect for the energy The Glitch Mob brings to the stage. I really want one of those suits now.
3. SBTRKT.
Same thing I said about The Glitch Mob (minus the bit about the suits) can be said about SBTRKT, and then some. I was lucky enough to catch one of the first ever SBTRKT live performances (not just a DJ set) at Vancouver’s Fortune Sound Club and it was legendary. The live drums sounded fantastic!
2. OFWGKTA.
Say what you want about Odd Future. Everybody else has already. The intense love (and hate) alone earns this LA collective a spot on this year’s Top 10 Breakout Acts. Their presence in 2011 was undeniable. But that’s not the only reason they made the list, not by far. The energy that exists at their shows, it’s like nothing I’ve ever seen. I’m talking about on-stage and in the crowd. People were losing their minds and it was happening long before any of the OF members had even been seen or heard from. You’d think it would be impossible for even the most seasoned of professionals to live up to that level of expectation, never mind a group of (mostly) teenagers. But man, they totally did it.
1. Other Lives.
If you see a band multiple times in a year, there’s a few things that might happen. You could easily get sick of them, even if the first time is great maybe the once was enough. I ended up seeing Other Lives more times this year than any other act. It was an absolute blessing. Each performance more powerful than the last. You must experience Other Lives, you simply must. Luckily, with them opening up for Radiohead next year, a lot of you reading this probably will.
Words by: Michael Caswell
