List: Top Live Acts 2010

Of course, music.  We need a list for that too!  This year reaffirmed that as good as music is on speakers or headphones, it's nothing compared to listening to it live and loud.  Really, the only stipulation in this list is that no act can be mentioned more than once (otherwise The Black Keys & The National would be mentioned more than once). 

TOP LIVE ACTS IN 2010

• 10. Punch Brothers, The Variety, Atlanta, GA
• 09. The National, The Fox Theater, Atlanta, GA
• 08. Avett Brothers & Brandi Carlile, Chastain Park, Atlanta, GA
• 07. Metric, Voodoo Festival 2010, New Orleans, LA
• 06. M.I.A., Austin City Limits 2010, Austin, TX
• 05. Ingrid Michaelson, Bonnaroo 2010, Manchester, TN
• 04. Kings of Leon, Bonnaroo 2010, Manchester, TN
• 03. Arcade Fire & Spoon, Verizon Wireless Arena, Alpharetta, GA
• 02. Muse, Voodoo Festival 2010, New Orleans, LA
• 01. The Black Keys, Bonnaroo 2010, Manchester, TN

The Black Keys sound bigger than merely the two band members that make up the outfit and in my opinion, they're the best thing to have come out of Akron, Ohio.  Then, try to contain them under a tent at Bonnaroo at two in the morning, and it's a formula for music ecstasy.  Though I saw them two other times (at Austin City Limits and back in ATL opening for Kings of Leon), and were no less impressive, the setting and timing of their Bonnaroo set puts it over the top. 

I saw Muse on my birthday, post-call, about ten feet from the stage, with a group of strangers.  Musically, we know what they can do, but visually, they put on a show that rivaled my favorites Brad Paisley and Jay-Z.  Matthew Bellamy?  He's certainly one of the top frontmen. 

The ultimate concert sing-a-long happens when you see Arcade Fire.  You know a large band like this will be loud, but, go figure, they're actually louder.  Factor in the anthems where everyone sings and it's one of the most fun concerts I've attended.  "Wake Up" might be one of the best closers ever. 

M.I.A.'s on top of her game.  Ingrid Michaelson: pure joy.  Metric: pure rockin'.  The National: can kick your ass and make you cry.  Punch Brothers and The Avett Brothers: it's hard to find people having more fun doing what they do. 

There are a huge number of honorable mentions: Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, The Dead Weather, Steve Martin, She & Him, Jeff Beck to name a few.  I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store.