The Best of 2009

This post might be coming in a little late in the month, but with all the great shows that we’ve been able to cover this year we decided we wanted to give our readers a recap of out favorites for different reasons…below you’ll find the categories we decided to use:

Best Overall Performance
Best Hard Rock Performance
Best Rap / Hip Hop Performance
Best Middle of the Week Show
Best New Cleveland Artist
Best of Warped Tour

Alright…let’s get right to it.

Best Overall Performance

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Wale back at it with Lady Gaga

Representin’ DC, Wale is making waves in 2009.  With the most recent mixtape “Back to the Feature”, Wale is showing that he can rhyme with the best of them.

The single “Chillin” is smooth and legit.  Sampling the 1969 classic “Na Na Hey Hey Kid Him Goodbye” by Paul Leka, this hit will be on repeat for weeks to come.

If you’re looking for the full mixtape, cruise over to Wale’s homepage.

Ohio Sky

8/4/2009 While their style might be hard to pin down, Ohio Sky can flat-out bring it!  Pounding, aggressive at one moment, then a relaxing, pulsating breakdown the next…it’s all exciting when they hit the stage.

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B.o.B.

7/17/2009 Southern hip-hop sensation B.o.B. brought the groove and smooth beats to Cleveland opening for Asher Roth and Kid Cudi this past month.  In seconds, the crowd was swaying and dancing to the upbeat party vibe!

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Taking Back Sunday – New Again

Known for their catchy hooks yet rough exterior, Taking Back Sunday is one of those acts that never disappoints.  With some band member changes over the course of the last year, many were curious to see how their newest release New Again would drop.

Every album’s mainstay is it’s single.  ”Sink Into Me” is an absolute repetition inducing chorus line of awesome.  Vocalist Adam Lazzara hooks you, seduces you, and never lets up in the least.  These are the songs I love most from TBS.  A mix of emotion and energy set off with a touch of unbridled screaming.

The rest of the album, while not their best, still brings the heat and seduction.  Other great repetitious numbers include “Lonely, Lonely”, “Summer Man”, and “Catholic Knees”.  More than anything, the album as a whole really builds and climbs so well.  The grabbing guitar riffs and juicy basslines will get you twisting and spinning with desire.

To close of the album, don’t rush through “Everything Must Go”…one of those slow ballads that ends in pure noise-packed energy!

Airborne Toxic Event

8/4/2009 Tuesday nights isn’t always  a packed house at venues here in Cleveland, OH.  Off nights can always be a toss up.  Nonetheless, the Airborne Toxic Event got their fans to come out in force and pack in tight for an unforgettable show.

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Underoath

7/9/2009 With precise force and power, Florida’s Underoath tried everything in their power to blow the roof off Tower City Amphitheater at Van’s Warped Tour…

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Asher Roth

7/17/2009 Morrisville, PA, hip-hop sensation Asher Roth rolled into Cleveland to warm the crowd before Kid Cudi put on the lighter fluid…With Asher’s single “I Love College” dominating the airwaves, the audience was singing along throughout the whole set!

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Lost in the water…Barcelona

Filmed in Japan, this music video set to Barcelona’s “Please Don’t Go” is a great piece of simplicity by Jon Rawlinson…I came across it via Facebook and it had me sitting there with my jaw on the floor!

Coming from Seattle, Washington, Barcelona has that excellent combination of light rock and piano…

Soulja Boy

6/13/2009 Making the trip in from Atlanta, GA, DeAndre Way, best known by his stage name Soulja Boy, got the crowd going early at the second coming of Super Jam in St. Louis, MO.

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