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December 12 2012 – We recently presented our top 10 Albums of 2012 and now we set our sights on the Top 10 Concerts of 2012. T-Mak World primarily focuses on Classic Rock so it should be no surprise that almost all our favorite concerts of the year are in that genre. Selecting the best concerts of the year is a very subjective thing and can depend on many things such as seat location, if the band was “on” that night, or even if you had a tough day at work that day. We present this list simply to get word out on great live acts in the hope that you catch any one of them next time they play your town. Each concert on this list will have a full review associated with it that a T-Mak World editor wrote up. Here are the concerts that we rocked out to the most in 2012! |
10. Little Foot Long Foot/ Diemonds/ White Cowbell Oklahoma – September 28 2012 at Lee’s Palace
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| Diemonds |
The one and only bar show on our list and for good reason. Whoever put this bill together is a genius. Not only do you get a Toronto indie band that rocks big time, you get three of them in one night. We have seen over 150 bar acts in 2012 and there was not a night that featured such a strong bill as this night. Here is what we said about the show “Tonight was a rock and roll party – plain and simple. This is a rare case of the whole outperforming the sum of its parts. If you notice we gave each band’s performance a 9 out of 10, but the overall magic of the night and the combination of 3 incredible bands easily provided T-Mak World with one of the best bar concert experiences for all four of our editors in attendance…. As it stands what we saw on Friday September 28th goes down as T-Mak World’s Best Bar Show Of All Time” Full review here.
9. Motley Crue/ KISS – September 14 2012 at the Molson Amphitheater
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| KISS |
Two of hard rock’s juggernauts shared the bill at Molson Amphitheater on warm late summer evening for a sold out show of pyrotechnics, lasers and head banging. Here is what we said about this one: “This show delivered EXACTLY what we expected. High testosterone anthems and party rock that looked spectacular with all the smoke machines, lasers and fireballs. Neither Motley Crue nor KISS are high on any musicianship polls, but they sure know how to switch on people’s party instincts.” Full review here.
8. Brit Floyd – March 1 2012 at the Sony Center
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| Brit Floyd |
The only cover band on our list. As major Pink Floyd fans this show totally blew us away. “The band bills themselves as “The World’s Greatest Pink Floyd Tribute Show” and although I haven’t seen every single Floyd tribute band in the world, I would find it very hard to believe that anyone can do it better than these guys. I am not a music critic but a critical music fan and as someone who will have seen Waters current The Wall tour 9 times before it’s over, I am fully endorsing Brit Floyd as kick ass! Tonight in Toronto we experienced our favorite music and witnessed a show that is as good as any we have ever seen. Kudos guys (and gals)! ” Full review here.
7. Deep Purple – February 12 2012 at Massey Hall
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| Deep Purple |
“Here’s a game for you, what is the first thing you think of when I say Deep Purple….fast! I am certain you said Smoke On the Water, if there has ever been a career defining song for a band this is it (right up there with The Eagles and Hotel California). It’s not that Deep Purple don’t have a slew of hits to present in concert (they have sold 100 million albums worldwide after all) but the universal familiarity of that riff transcends the band and epitomizes the early 70’s hard rock sound. In fact Gibson.com named it the number 2 guitar riff of all time.” When Deep Purple hit Massey Hall the sold out venue shook to its foundations with one of the originators of riff based rock with major keyboard infusions. Read the full review here.
6. Neil Young and Crazy Horse – November 19 2012 at The Air Canada Center
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| Neil Young and Crazy Horse |
On any given tour Neil Young embarks on you might get a different vibe from him. His last tour was the mellow and solo Le Noise tour, but this year he brought his Crazy Horse buddies out and rocked 20 minute songs with electric feedback the highlight of the night. If I wasn’t sitting 3 rows from the ceiling of the Air Canada Center this concert would have been in my top 3 of the year. “Young delivered a hard rock set right of the mid 70’s with the energy and excitement that bands in their 20’s can only dream of having these days. Truly a momentous concert for the riff rock crowd that was made even more special by being right here in Ontario the beautiful. Thanks Uncle Neil.”Full review here.
5. The Who – November 23 2012 at The Air Canada Center
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The Who |
Last year Roger Daltrey presented Tommy at the Sony Center and the only thing missing was Pete Townsend. This year that shortcoming was fixed as The Who toured Quadrophenia in the much bigger Air Canada Center. The duo were in top shape as Daltrey showed he still has the voice and Townsend still has the riffs! “The concert performance at the ACC was incredible with both Pete and Roger in fine form. On stage, they were joined by Pete’s brother Simon on guitar and backing vocals, (Simon also sang lead vocals on The Dirty Jobs), Pino Palladino on bass, Zak Starkey on drums, Chris Stainton on keyboards, Loren Gold on keyboards and backing vocals and Frank Simes on keyboards and backing vocals.”
4. Rik Emmett – August 23 2012 at The Sound Academy
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| Dave Dunlop and Rik Emmett |
Triumph was and is one of my favorite bands. The Toronto trio would sell out arenas in the 70’s and 80’s and put on a major spectacle with lasers, smoke machines, and pyrotechnics. The driving force behind the band was guitarist and co-vocalist Rik Emmett. Since the band broke up 25 years ago Emmett has been releasing many records of various styles in his solo efforts. However the Sound Academy was packed this night to hear the hard rock of Triumph and Emmett more than delivered. “The very full Sound Academy saw a level of musicianship that is very rare these days. We had very high expectations for this show when we walked into the venue – not only were they met they were blown away. My only disappointment was not being able to convey my appreciation to Emmett and Dunlop after the show – if you are reading this guys – thank you for taking me on a euphoric musical journey!” Detailed review here.
3. Rush October 15 and 17 2012 at The Air Canada Center
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| Rush |
We named Rush’s Clockwork Angels as our number one album of 2012 so there was no doubt that the accompanying tour would equally rock. “It doesn’t take a genius to realize that a Rush concert in Toronto is magical. Although tonight’s choice of set list would be difficult to digest for casual Rush fans the concert felt like it was presented in three acts – “The 80’s”, “Clockwork Angels”, and “The Hits”. Since we are NOT just casual Rush fans, we loved every minute of it.” Full review here.
2. My Morning Jacket – August 15 2012 at Echo Beach
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| My Morning Jacket |
My Morning Jacket had our number one album of 2011 and we got to see them again this year at Echo Beach. “If you don’t think that My Morning Jacket delivers the best live rock shows, you have never seen them yet. Toronto thanks you for yesterdays legendary show at Echo Beach. Jim James has the energy of Ozzy Osborne and Jim Morrison; the sing chops of some of the best like Robert Plant, Mick Jagger and Johnny Cash; the mastery of creating music like Roger Waters, all rolled into one person. He also is very under-rated as a guitarist and when combined with the other excellent musicians in the band they are a band that should please audiences for years to come. MMJ offer something for everyone as their influences draw from rock, country and folk with a dash of reggae al ’a the Clash. The stage show has overtones of classic rock al’ a Pink Floyd and Zeppelin done in the modern alternative music style. What more could one ask for.” Full review here.
1. Roger Waters at Multiple Locations
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| Roger Waters |
After seeing Roger Waters The Wall 6 times in 2011 our editors saw it 5 more times in 2012 at various locations. Wereviewed the tour in Austin, Buffalo, Toronto, Charlotte and, Quebec City in what is clearly an obsession with this tour. Our conclusion of the Toronto says it all – Verdict: 5+ out of 5! The best concert of all time. Period. Roger Waters has come full circle. What started off in 1976 with him being a self confessed dark, miserable and f*ed up individual, who wrote The Wall because of his disgust at rock audiences and which eventually tore apart Pink Floyd culminates in his current 3 year swan song that has sold over 2 million tickets and establishes The Wall as one of the most impactful works of art the human race has ever created. I have seen this show 9 times so far and would easily see it 99 more times in my lifetime if I could.
Verdict: Classic Rock is alive and well – perhaps not in terms of CD sales but with sell out arenas and stadiums all over Toronto. 2012 was a remarkable year for music and 2013 promises to be just as good with tours expected from Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, and (fingers crossed) Jimmy Page. Oh and Roger Waters is continuing his Wall tour for yet another year.
Article by Terry Makedon
T-Mak World: Toronto’s Site For Music, Movies and Culture
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Surprised you didn't mention Slash with Myles Kennedy. Guess they were number 11, eh?