2016. The year too many iconic artists left this earth and “Grab ’em by the p*ssy.” ingrained itself into America’s vernacular. A more universally difficult year, we cannot recall but throughout the past 12 long months, live music and those who live it were there for our relief and our release and to be captured…by the camera. Selecting only 10 shows to spotlight was a challenge but here are some of the top shots (definitely not ranked) from our live shows in 2016:
10. Fleetwood Mac Fest (The Fonda)
The beauty of Best Fests is the assemblage of random performers gathered under the umbrella of helping good causes while honoring a legendary artist. The charities supported are Sweet Relief and Sweet Stuff and this night was an homage to Fleetwood Mac. Below: Juliette Lewis.
See the full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
9. Emarosa (The Echo)
This Kentucky band knows how to connect with their audience, especially on a physical level as Emarosa frontman Bradley Scott Walden seemed to spend almost as much time in the audience as on stage.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: ZB Images
8. Brenna Whitaker (Vibrato Grill Jazz Club)
“John Mayer!?! What the shit?!?” That sounds like the proper response when Mayer pops in to see you perform then sits in on a few songs. It’s what happens when you’re a stunning and soulful jazz angel named Brenna Whitaker.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
7. The Record Company (The Grammy Museum)
If there’s one band that 2016 was particularly good to it’s the LA trio and favorite sons, The Record Company. Signed to a label, debut album released, massive touring, sold out shows, playing the illustrious Grammy Museum (and getting it’s seated crowd up on its feet)…and ultimately nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: ZB Images
6. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Terminal 5)
We can never see or shoot this stalwart bearer of rock and roll enough. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club holds a special place in our hearts because they are all and always about the music. Period.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
6. Anderson East (The Troubadour)
Anderson East may be a young man in his 20s but the Alabama native’s musical soul is decades older with Southern comfort (the feeling, not the libation) running through his veins. Was a beautiful night at the sold out Troubadour.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
5. Against Me! (Irving Plaza)
It doesn’t get more punk rock than Laura Jane Grace and Against Me! and their seventh album, Shape Shift With Me.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
4. X Ambassadors (The Wiltern)
They’ve toured hard these past two years and all of that work shows in how tight yet full bodied (and, apparently, elevated) an X Ambassadors show is.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
3. Nothing But Thieves (The Troubadour)
The Troubadour is such a good and intimate room to showcase oversized talent like English rockers, Nothing But Thieves.
See full gallery HERE.Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
2. The Wild Feathers (The Troubadour)
Easily one of – if not the – best live shows of the year, The Wild Feathers put on a master class of musicianship.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: ZB Images
1. Plague Vendor (Rough Trade)
The photo pretty much says it all.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
You can check out all of 2016’s Photo Galleries and beyond HERE.