2013: Janelle Monáe, THE ELECTRIC LADY

Let’s not bury the lead: last year I saw the best concert I’ve ever seen and may ever see, and the woman responsible was Janelle Monáe. I never guessed when I first heard her that I would become such a huge fan. A friend had…

2010: Vampire Weekend, CONTRA

Fun fact: of the past 36 entries (37 if you count the bonus), 23 were about bands from the UK or Australia. Most of the music I’ve really liked has been imported. Another fun fact: of the 5 remaining entries, 4 are from the US…

2008: Cut Copy, IN GHOST COLOURS

I don’t like crowds. As a rule I stay away from music festivals and huge concerts whenever I can — anything where the odds are high of getting stuck in a long conga line of cars inching their way out of a parking lot, or…