The 2016 TQ Music Awards

music related tweets of the year

Welcome to my 6th annual Music Awards / year in review post. I’ve also embedded my Spotify playlist of my favorite tracks at the post along with my Instagram log of shows I’ve attended. [Previous Year End Reviews: 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011]

Song of the Year:
"Eye to Eye” by VARSITY

 Full disclosure: I personally know the people in this group and have high personal opinions of each bandmate. Because of that, I gave this band a chance – but the reason why I keep listening to them is because of their quality. “Eye to Eye” was a song I loved when I first heard it released on Spotify and have loved it ever since. I’ve had the pleasure of hearing this song live in my favorite venue (Lincoln Hall), a crappy basement (that goes by “Flood House” as an apt nickname), and cool places I rank between the two (Schubas and Empty Bottle). It is eternally catchy.
[Runner up: “Here In Spirit” by Jim James]


Album of the Year:
Eternally Even by Jim James

The second album is better than the first solo effort by Jim James, which was an accomplishment in its own right (the first solo album includes my 2013 Song of the Year). The timing worked out perfectly as I was able to give the album a solid month of listens before seeing it performed live last month. Jim James is one of my favorite people in all of music.
[Runner up: Escapements by Beacon]

Concert of the Year:
My Morning Jacket at Red Rocks Amphitheater

2016 was packed with concerts from my all-time favorites including Radiohead and multiple Broken Social Scene performances. However, the pairing of the band that I’ve seen more than any other and an iconic venue I’ve wanted to visit my entire life makes this an easy choice. I went to Colorado over Memorial Day weekend and saw a two night concert event that was in effect a 5 hour long concert in the most beautiful venue I’ve ever experienced.
[Runner up: Radiohead at Lollapalooza]

Song of the Summer:
"All Night" by Chance The Rapper

This whole album was the summer. It was the sound you wanted to hear at any cookout you attended and everyone in Chicago hoped that Chance would make a surprise appearance at whatever fest you were attending.[Runner up: "No Problem" by Chance The Rapper]

Cover of the Year (seen live):
"Pump Up The Jam" by El Vy (covering Technotronic)
I don't think I've been more happily surprised or danced more drunkenly in years.
[Runner up: "Closer" by Father John Misty (covering Nine Inch Nails)]

Becoming Too Big To Not Easily See Again:
Carly Rae Jepsen
I think the next time our Continental Treasure returns to town it will be in an arena. She certainly deserves it (there’s no “maybe” about it). 
[Runner up: Bully]

Must Now See Every Time They’re In Town:
Tame Impala
After years of barely missing tour stop after tour stop, I was in jeopardy of over-hyping the experience. Thankfully, Tame Impala met all my expectations and I can’t wait to see them again.[Runner up: Explosions in the Sky]

Regret of the Year:
Wasted tickets to Foals
Not only did I attend more shows than any other year, but it was also the year I ended up throwing away unused tickets to shows for multiple reasons. I think I pushed too hard this year, and don’t expect to go to as many shows in 2017 as a result.
[Runner up: Wasted tickets to Daughter / Special Mention: Not going to Beacon at Schubas]

Most Disappointing Album:
22, A Million by Bon Iver
Sorry gang, but I just couldn’t get into the sound that isn’t too different from the first two albums, but just not what I was hoping to hear at all. 
[Runner up: Junk by M83 / Special Mention: Any album released only on Tidal]

Most Disappointing Concert:
Eagulls at Subterranean
I will have to really love this band’s next album to get me out to see them again.  Their stage presence was nearly nonexistent. 
[Runner up: Wicker Park Fest (storm cancelled)]

Guilty Pleasure Track of the Year:
"Panda" by Desiigner
Had way too much fun with this song this year. 
[Runner up: "Juju On That Beat" by Zay Hilfigerrr]

Best Decision I made in 2016:
Trip to Red Rocks

Who’s going with me to Red Rocks next time? This is going to be an every-other-year vacation for me.
[Runner up: Finally buying fancy Bose headphones]

"TQ's Best of 2016" playlist (from Spotify):


Thank you very much for reading. To close, here are the concert collages / showlog from 2016: