It’s certainly a busy, busy time of year, but there’s definitely time to recollect the highs and lows our local music scene has seen in ‘09. Here’s what comes to mind. We’d love to hear your thoughts!
1) iS Venue calls it quits after barely a year in operation, and while some great acts came through to play the joint, the crowd size and sound generally left people wanting.
**Best or Worst?**
2) Holy Smokes Booking: Jacob Wolf came to town and hit the ground running last spring, booking and promoting awesome, refreshing music for Twisted Branch Tea Bazaar, The Bridge PAI, The Garage & 12 Street Taphouse. I think this town owes a thank you to him for helping fight the good fight against jam bands and bluegrass.
**I’m going with BEST for this one**
3) Gravity Lounge Mighty Morphes into The Southern: Sure, everyone misses Gravity’s laid back, folky bar/library and the years of amazing shows that it gave us, but at least the Southern is booking actual rock bands!
** I could go either way on this one**
4) The loss of Johnny Gilmore: A man that this town will never forget. I wish i could’ve met him myself.
**Definitely one of the WORST**
5) Outback Lodge finally takes a dying gasp (or has it?): Where do you go to see a punk/metal/goth show in this town now?
**WORST: this town needs a new rock & roll dive bar**
6) The Smoking Ban: As C’ville pulls the plug on public displays of tobacco, I’m at least thankful there’s another excuse to bail on a bad show.
**WORST?**
7) The Jefferson Theatre brings hope to town: but hope for what? Personally, I’m optimistic.
**BEST**
8 ) Metallica disappearance of Morgan Harrington. C’ville certainly saw their share of big name juggernaut acts come through town this year, but at what price?
**Worst**
9) Bel Rio adds an angle to Belmont: Yea I know it was technically late ‘08, but I am counting it anyway. Good food+good bands+movie nights!
**you tell me**
10) I’m leaving number 10 blank so the people can tell US about the best/worst of Charlottesville’s music scene 2009. Also let’s leave you with this question: Whats to come in 2010? [Photo Credits]
Related posts:
- 10 Acts To Catch This Weekend At Crozet Music Festival
- Have you been missing the Cville Music Showcase?
- Hit me with the music!
I vote that this article is the best example of the worst review of the Charlottesville music scene.Discuss.
Aren’t Floozies supposed to be seen and not heard? I guess he did ask for it around these here parts though.
@Floozy:
I second this. Way to write like a 10th grader, buddy. I especially like the asterisks, really a slick touch.
XSV, Pitada, Mega Mike, Stroud, Frank Rivera, Deep Sea, Western Front… just off the top of my head. This little town has a thriving dj scene – with a little something for any type of person’s taste, yet it gets very little love. You think indie music is overlooked?
**wrong**
Look, that play button aint gonna push itself.
Can someone let me know what great acts played IS? I forgot. Oh wait…Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers. Yeah. Great band, if you’re a 20 year old college student.
How about JPJ/UVA booking acts that only played major, major cities? I had friends in big cities shut out of tickets that were pretty easy to get here. These days, every time a big artist announces some epic tour, I feel as though a Charlottesville show is inevitable.
We’re so lucky to have a thriving local music scene, but we’re also so lucky that we’ve become a stop for major, national touring acts.
The Features played an amazing show at IS and I was very lucky to have seen them in such an intimate venue. They have opened for Kings of Leon in the past so you can imagine the large venues that they typically play. Those Darlins also played that night, and although they’re not my cup of tea, that have such accolades as being in Rolling stone and have performed at Bonnaroo and SXSW. Another band played that night although I don’t recall the name…my apologies. Nonetheless, this was a “great act” for me.
as a side note, Those Darlins are coming back to town Jan. 30 at The Southern. I might check them out again. Nikki is a local gal.
Worst…the loss of RS Hornsby
BEST: duh…..naked guy onstage at Phish
yea i was trying not to name specific acts. more power to djs as well, but playing other people’s music doesnt warrent being a part of the music scene in my opinion.
thanks for posting input people. thats what lists are for!
but playing other people’s music doesnt warrent being a part of the music scene in my opinion
I really don’t have the energy to debate this one again, so I will just say that Steinski, Shadow, QBert, Thin Man, Vindane, Mix Master Mike, Jam Master Jay, Z-Trip, RJD2, Kid Koala and about a hundred bajillion other dj’s would disagree.
Are they “musicians”, par se? I would say yes, but could see how the point would be debatable, especially if what they create isn’t your cup of tea. Part of the “music scene”? Well, its music isn’t it? Are people dancing? Is there choice, composition and technical skill involved? Where would you put it then, cupcake, part of the equestrian scene?
But I think I see the problem here. You and your ilk put to much emphasis on the “scene” portion of that adorable little phrase, however you define it, and not enough on the “music”. That makes for a rather narrow and dismissive viewpoint, and if you are to be the “music review guy” here well then, that doesn’t seem to me to be asset. But thats just my opinion.
/your favorite band sucks.
what about artists who sample other artist’s work
Dang, you could go either way on Gravity having morphed into The Southern? Ouch.
How on earth could The Southern opening in place of a shuttered music venue be anything but good for the Cville music scene???
I don’t think it was your replacement of an empty venue that Nate was targeting, it was more fondness for Gravity from back in the day.
The Southern rocks! Don’t listen to these bozos.
i had no beef with gravity, thats all i’m saying.
btw, i love being blog beaten,
Nate: The most judgmental musical hack I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet.
It’s still opposite day & mungday right?
Did flog on the blog? My bad. You shouldn’t let me post when I’m sober.
see? already omitting words. lock me up!.
/garcon, more wine!
Yay for the Jefferson and their seemingly neverending stream of tribute bands…
The promise of more bullshit. Thanks, Danny Shea, you fucking cunt.
Hi Not a Tribute,
Funny to call someone out by their full name while you hide behind a very clever alias.
While you are out hurting feelings, remember this:
The pretend version is always better, always.
i will beat you up.
@21 – 3 tribute bands = seemingly never ending stream?
Zoso used to play Starr Hill so it’s not a surprise to see them. The Pink Floyd and MJ tribute bands do well, so why shouldn’t the Jefferson book them?
There are way more ridiculously good shows on the Jeff’s calendar than not good.
And your personal attack on Danny Shea makes you a real douchebag.