by Lars Gotrich

Let’s keep this simple, shall we? Here are 10 — make that 11 — phenomenal performances that I saw in 2009. Major props to Baltimore and Richmond for bringing some of the most memorable, many of which aren’t listed below.

1. Margarida Garcia, bass; Hans Grusel, electronics; Paul Neidhardt, percussion, friction; Morten Olsen, drums; Raed Yassin, bass @ High Zero Festival, Baltimore, Md. 9/12
(Photo Credit: Michael Muniak)
Download this amazing improvisation and read my full review here.

2. Sunn O))) @ Sonar, Baltimore, Md. 9/23
Photo Credit: tvol via Flickr

3. Wagner’s Götterdämmerung @ Kennedy Center Opera House, Washington, D.C. 11/15
Photo Credit: Guy Flâneur via Flickr

4. Chris Schlarb ‘Twilight & Ghost Stories’ Ensemble @ The Stone, NYC 2/7
Photo Credit: Scott Friedlander
Read more here.

5. Frodus @ Murky Coffee, Arlington, Va. 3/18

6. Down, Melvins @ Sonar, Baltimore, Md. 9/8
(Okay, this is from some festival and not Sonar. Whatever… one of the best tours of 2009, hands down.)

7. Layne Garrett’s ‘Reconstruction of a Monument’ Installation @ Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C. 4/5
Read more here.
Photo Credit: Lars Gotrich
(Thor’s Rubber Hammer will release the field recordings from Layne Garrett’s ‘Reconstruction of a Monument’ on cassette in 2010.)

8. Krallice @ Gallery 5, Richmond, Va. 5/29
Photo Credit: camxoxo via Flickr

9. Hammers of Misfortune/Ludicra @ DC9, Washington, D.C. 8/13
Photo Credit: Brandon Wu Photography

10. Blues Control/Chandeliers/Protect-U @ Kansas House, Arlington, Va. 5/15
Photo Credit: Lars Gotrich

11. Digital Primitives @ Contradance, Takoma Park, Md. 10/4
Photo Credit: Lars Gotrich
Read my review here.