LIVE COMEDY WITNESSED IN 2017

For the first time, I attended more comedy shows than music concerts in a calendar year. It's a trend that I hope to continue going forward. The below list is about 95% accurate - any omissions are not intentional (only the fault of poor note keeping and worse google search skills).

Here are the times I paid (and was honored to buy) for laughs in 2017 (previous years: 2016, 2015) whether it be sketch, improv, stand up, story telling, or [undefined creativity]:

1. Inepi2ude at Stage 773 (Jan 8)
• Sketch revue written and performed by Jennifer Mitchell and Nick Bernardi as a part of the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival
2. Rory Scovel at Up Comedy (Jan 14)
• Hour long stand up headliner set with Alex Kumin opening
3. Sklar Brothers at Lincoln Hall (Feb 11)
• Live recording of stand up special for SeeSo with Daniel Van Kirk opening
4. Myq Kaplan at Schubas (Apr 19)
• Hour long stand up headliner set with Arish Singh opening
5. Neil Hamburger at Lincoln Hall (May 10)
• Hour long stand up headliner set with Major Entertainer Mike H opening
6. Inepi2ude at Judy's Beat Lounge (May 19)
• Sketch revue written and performed by Jennifer Mitchell and Nick Bernardi
7. Eddie Pepitone at The Hideout (May 20)
• Hour long stand up headliner set with Stephanie Weber, Derek Smith, Sarah Sherman, and more
8. Patton Oswalt at Athenaeum Theatre (Jun 2)
• Live recording of a stand up special for Netflix with Shane Torres opening
9. Nathan Fielder at Athenaeum Theatre (Jun 3)
• Special preview of new season of Nathan For You with Q & A session
10. Good Neighbor at Thalia Hall (Jul 12)
• Stand up / sketch / unfortunate casual misogyny with Kyle Mooney, Dave McCary, and Nick Rutherford
11. Variety Top Comics to Watch at some theater that probably has a cool sounding french name  (Jul 28)
• Stand up showcase featuring Rhea Butcher, Esther Povitsky, Liza Treyger, Vir Das, Desus Nice, and Kid Mero at Just For Laughs festival in Montreal
12. John Mulaney at L'Olympia Theatre (Jul 29)
• Hour long stand up headliner set at Just For Laughs festival in Montreal with Max Silvestri opening
13. The Masters at Place des Arts (Jul 29)
• Stand up showcase featuring Todd Barry, Laura Kightlinger, Alonzo Bodden, and more at Just For Laughs festival in Montreal
14. Raised by TV at Now Hear This fest (Sep 8)
• Live podcast hosted by Lauren Lapkus and Jon Gabrus with guest Paul Scheer
15. How Did This Get Made at Now Hear This fest (Sep 8)
• Live podcast hosted by Paul Sheer featuring Jason Mantzoukas, June Diane Raphael, and guest Chris Gethard
16. Black On The Air at Now Hear This fest (Sep 9)
• Live podcast hosted by Larry Wilmore with guest Robin Thede
17. High & Mighty at Now Hear This fest (Sep 9)
•  Live podcast hosted by Jon Gabrus with guest Anthony Atamanuik
18. Who Charted at Now Hear This fest (Sep 9)
• Live podcast hosted by Kulap Vilaysack and Howard Kremmer with guest Ryan Gaul
19. Comedy Bang! Bang! at Now Hear This fest (Sep 9)
• Live podcast hosted by Scott Auckerman featuring Jason Mantzoukas, Paul F. Tompkins, Jessica McKenna, Mary Holland, Ryan Gaul, and Anthony Atamanuik
20. Doughboys at Now Hear This (Sep 10)
•  Live podcast hosted by Nick Wiger and Mike Mitchell with guest Christine Nangle 
21. Asssscat at UCB Chelsea (Sep 10)
• Improv with Sharon O'Neil,  Miriam Tolan, Zach Cherry, Michael Cruz Kanye, and more
22. James Adomian at Under The Gun Theatre (Nov 18)
• Hour long stand up headliner set at Lincoln Lodge with Stephanie Weber, Derek Smith, and Shannon Noll
23. Josh Gondelman at Zanies Chicago (Dec 6)
• Hour long stand up headliner set with Will Miles and Emily Galati
24. Pat Tomasulo at Zanies Rosemont (Dec 21)
• Hour long stand up headliner set with Lisa Curry

TQ's Top 17 IG Posts of '17

I'm @tomqu on Instragram. These aren't the most liked posts, or even the best quality, but they are my favorites.
[past years: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013]


#17

dont talk to me or my son ever again #TheJewels

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Nov 11, 2017 at 9:26am PST

#16

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jun 26, 2017 at 10:02am PDT

#15

I was born & raised in Prospect Heights: a small (less than 5 square miles) Chicago suburb. It has always been a dream to fly in a fancy corporate jet from Palwaukee Municipal Airport, which is owned jointly by my hometown and the bordering village of Wheeling. Today that dream became a reality. The only person more excited about it is my dad, who served as one of the 10 Airport Commissioners (the board was populated with 5 citizens from each Prospect Heights & Wheeling) for 20 years until my parents moved to another town. Last night my dad gave me these wings, which I wore on the flight.

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jan 30, 2017 at 4:24pm PST

#14

#NYCTQ

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Sep 10, 2017 at 3:00pm PDT

#13

CHICAGO, ILL

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jun 4, 2017 at 12:42pm PDT

#12

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jul 23, 2017 at 6:09pm PDT

#11

My 8 year friendship with @clarkisms ended tonight.

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jan 31, 2017 at 4:22pm PST

#10

#JuanJamon

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Oct 22, 2017 at 12:11pm PDT

#9

#U2TheJoshuaTree2017

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jun 4, 2017 at 10:40pm PDT

#8

I really like you, CRJ

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jul 11, 2017 at 7:02pm PDT

#7

#NYCTQ

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Sep 8, 2017 at 10:52am PDT

#6

SOLO-L! I've been waiting years for this moment and I spent it running up and down it and then fell when the train banked but it's okay because NOBODY SAW IT!

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on May 5, 2017 at 4:39pm PDT

#5

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Oct 21, 2017 at 5:30pm PDT

#4

Pretty rough Port-a-Potty experience

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Aug 4, 2017 at 1:09pm PDT

#3

#🇨🇦

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jul 30, 2017 at 7:33am PDT

#2

🌈

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jun 25, 2017 at 7:58am PDT

#1

My sister and I have been getting people to write our dad a letter for his 80th birthday (occurring this month) because he loves getting mail. Thank you to the many who have made this a fun month for him.

A post shared by TQ (@tomqu) on Jul 17, 2017 at 2:46pm PDT

The 2017 TQ Music Awards

Welcome to my 7th annual Music Awards / year in review post. I’ve also embedded my Spotify playlist of my favorite tracks at the bottom of this post along with my Instagram log of shows I’ve attended.
[Previous Year End Reviews: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011]

Song of the Year:
"Cut To The Feeling” by Carly Rae Jepsen

There were many, for lack of a better term, extracurricular, elements that helped me arrive at this song selection. A crazy chain reaction of events and choices led me to attend a free "secret show" blocks away from my apartment, which after waiting in line for three hours with nobody within ten years of my age, featuring a live debut of a song... The result was a visceral reaction of gratitude from an artist not sure how a song would be received.

[Runner up: “Ti Amo” by Phoenix]

Album of the Year:
Mister Mellow by Washed Out

I don't take too much stock in Spotify's analytic account of my listening year, primarily because it will always give too much weight to albums released earlier in the year (allowing a track more plays on my Best Of Playlist). However, they got it right as Washed Out was the artist I listened to most this year. Further proof: I went alone to a venue I don't like to hear the album performed live.

[Runner up: This Old Dog by Mac DeMarco]


Concert of the Year:
Explosions In The Sky at Empty Bottle

2017 was another year packed with concerts from my all-time favorites including U2, Arcade Fire, and multiple Broken Social Scene performances (if you count Feist and Do Make Say Think as BSS-adjacent). Early in the year I saw my first show at Solider Field, which was a powerful throwback set by U2 including my first favorite song of theirs ("In God's Country") that I never thought I would hear live. Walking out of that show, I was already content with seeing my Best Concert of the Year.

As great as that U2 performance was, it was bested by an intense Carly Rae Jepsen event that boasted perhaps the best concert crowd in my lifetime.

The only thing that can top those two - a show that I now rank as the greatest concert I have ever attended: the night I saw Explosions In The Sky at Empty Bottle (one of the venue's special shows celebrating its 25th anniversary). Special note to Holy Fuck as a great and fitting opener for EITS. It was an effort that would've bought tears to Coach Taylor's eyes himself!

[Runner up: Carly Rae Jepsen at Chop Shop]


Song of the Summer / Album of the Summer:
"745" by Vince Staples (Big Fish Theory)

Last year I claimed the entire Coloring Book (album? mixtape?) by Chance The Rapper as the sound of the summer, and this year is similar... The entire album is great.
[Runner up: "Ti Amo" by Phoenix (Ti Amo)]

Regret of the Year:
September 29, 2017
I knew I wouldn't go to as many shows in 2017 as I did in 2016 (which was a record high for me). Next year will likely continue the trend; I'll probably dip below 20 for the first time in a long time. Far too many shows this past year were attended solo, which isn't necessarily a bad thing - but significantly less fun. Ironically, my biggest regret of this year is NOT going alone on a night in late September. At no fault of the music, it was the worst night in my concert loving lifetime and should have gone solo.
[Runner up: October 19, 2017 for a similar "not at all music related" reason]

Guilty Pleasure Track of the Year:
"Chained To The Rhythm" by Katy Perry
Carly Rae Jepsen is the opening act for Katy Perry's 2018 tour in select cities - BUT NOT CHICAGO AND I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT.
[Runner up: "I Feel It Coming" by The Weeknd]

Best Decision I made in 2017:
Creating the Volume Speaker podcast
My podcast isn't about music, but since it is the largest endeavor of my life of the past year, but now that it exists it allows me to record special bonus episodes if needed. For example, the CRJ inspired volume.
[Runner up: Buying expensive Arcade Fire tickets incredibly far in advance knowing that when the show ended I would know I would be glad I did.]

 
Thank you very much for reading. To close, here are the concert collages / showlog from 2017:

My Dad's 80th Birthday Gift

This summer is our dad’s 80th birthday. When the subject of his birthday came up he was very clear in no uncertain terms he only wanted to go out to dinner with us. Our parents have never wanted big birthday or wedding anniversary parties, but as “upstanding members of society” we want a somewhat formal recognition. Our gift to him, with your help, will span the entire summer.

We have been blessed with an absolute treasure of a father. Although we are the only ones with the honor of knowing him as Dad, most people have their own unique way of knowing him (e.g. the man waving to strangers at passing by cars, the gentleman who takes off his hat as he greets any Costco employee, the forceful voice of a lecter, the sympathetic warm soul that brings communion when in need, the popular guy of his McDonald’s “therapy group” each morning). He is the man we love and admire more than anyone on this planet. Dan Quiery takes interest in all around him. He likes a simple handshake, a picture you can hold in your hand, and knowing what is going on in your life. He also has a favorite time of day, one he looks forward to each afternoon…

We tease him about this all the time.  He is a “man about town” but he’s usually home most days when the mail arrives. If not, he gets it within moments of getting home.  In our opinion, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of interesting things arriving in that mailbox, but he loves the act of getting the mail. He loves opening it with an earnest discipline that is often only reserved for spiritual rituals. His trusty letter opener is always at the ready (which he often offers for his children’s use, who instead opt to barbarically rip open letters with fingers). It’s a not a time of day for our dad, it’s a rite.

This year we are asking you to celebrate our father's birthday in the form of writing him a tangible note. His address is at the bottom of this message. You don't have to spend $3.00 on a card, just an "old school" stamp. Grab a piece of paper, write happy birthday, sign your name and stick it in the mail. Even better if you want to write a note or a little update on your life which he would treasure as well. We would love to receive one letter per person (not one letter per household). Forty-nine cents is all it would take to place a smile on our dad's face. If he received these cards throughout this summer we know, without a doubt, that he would get a huge kick out of it. This is the kind of thing Dan Quiery enjoys. Simple yet meaningful acts filled with kindness.

We know it is ironic to send an email to spread the word, but we are delivering some by hand and mailing others. Please feel free to forward this message to someone who knows him. We appreciate you spreading the word! Once he starts getting cards it will not be any great surprise; you don’t have to wait to get started on yours or wait to pass this information along. Thank you in advance for your kindness and your thoughtful consideration.

Love,

Maureen and Tom

ASK ME FOR HIS ADDRESS I AM NOT POSTING MY DAD'S ADDRESS ON A FREAKING BLOG

TQ's Year of TV (2016)

My TV tweet of the year (numbers aided by a retweet by Eric Andre)

MY YEAR OF TV 
(my favorite shows of 2016)
2011's post / 2012's post / 2013's post / 2014's life threatening list / 2014's non life threatening list / 2015's post

This list makes many people fear for the quality of my life, which is why I post it after listing the comedy and music events that I attend to prove to others that I leave my apartment frequently. The list is smaller than last year's, primarily because many of my favorite shows did not air a new episode in 2016. I won't lie to you, next year may return to a ranking list in the sixties, because I recently made a significant life upgrade (in the form of a larger television). Maybe next year I'll get to the list of shows I still want to see.

Also not on this list are shows I watched at the end of 2015 after that list was posted (Making a Murderer), quit entirely (The Walking Dead), or quit mid-season (Designated Survivor). These 50 television programs were watched in their entirely.

Shows are ranked in approximate order of how I would set my DVR series priority. Note that if your favorite show is ranked in the thirties, it means I like it too. If I didn't like a show, I wouldn't watch it and it wouldn't be ranked. There's just TOO MUCH TV... Peak TV creates an embarrassment of riches. 

50. Man Seeking Woman (FX)
The worst show I (continue to) watch.

49. Hard Knocks: Training Camp (HBO)
7-9 (you wish)

48. Mr. Robot (USA)
Its second season was a big drop off in quality (and I may not watch season 3).

47. Bloodline (Netflix)
Its second season was a big drop off in quality (but I will watch season 3, the final season).

46. Quarry (Cinemax)
Really not sure I can recommend it.

45. Last Man on Earth (Fox)

Makes me laugh every week.

44. Superstore (NBC)

Makes me laugh every week.

43. Son of Zorn (Fox)

Makes me laugh every week.

42. Narcos (Netflix)

I can't explain its (relative) low rank beyond my lack of motivation to marathon watch it.

41. Comedy Bang! Bang! (IFC)

Rest In Power.

40. Girls (HBO)

A great finale saved the entire season (and will bring me back to watch its final season in 2017).

39. Easy (Netflix)

Super curious what people outside of Chicago think about it.

38. O.J.: Made in America (ESPN)

A tough, important, watch.

37. Vice Principals (HBO)

We're just getting started with this - and the end has already been planned - can't wait to see where it goes next.

36. Better Things (FX)

If you love Louie, this is a must watch.

35. Love (Netflix)

Loved it for the multiple examples of party etiquette / party politics I've ever seen on a TV show.

34. Togetherness (HBO)

Rest In Peace. Gone... at about the right time (sorry Duplasseseses)

33. Baskets (FX)

Watched the entire season on a plane (best flight I've had all year).

32. Westworld (HBO)

Every week I dropped this show to a worse ranking.

31. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix)
(repeating from last year) The theme song is in your head now, right? You’re welcome.

30. The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail (Comedy Central)
(repeating from last year) The best showcase of stand up comedy I’ve ever seen on television.

29. You're The Worst (FX)
They did for PTSD this year what they did for Depression last year.

28. The Characters (Netflix)

If you already know what "U.C.B." stands for - you will love it.

27. Lady Dynamite (Netflix)

I wish I was as strong as Maria Bamford

26. House of Cards (Netflix)

Better than last year, but still not a show worthy of the praise it gets.

25. The Good Place (NBC)

Please support this show.

24. Inside Amy Schumer (Comedy Central)

Enjoy it while it lasts.

23. The Eric Andre Show (Adult Swim)

For a show that is always hit or miss, this season was all hits.

22. Atlanta (FX)

Donald Glover: an auteur for the new millennium.

21. Shameless (Showtime)

Pay Emmy Rossum whatever she wants and get this show another season. Pay Emmy Rossum whatever she wants and get this show another season. Pay Emmy Rossum whatever she wants and get this show another season.

20. Animals (HBO)

There was a gluttony of "what if animals thought like people" content in 2016. The best version of this concept that nobody knows is an animated show buried on HBO Now.

19. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FX)

Many disagree with me on my opinion of the Gang. I don't think the show has slipped. I hope it keeps going. I want to see the Gang deal with life in their 50s.

18. Broad City (Comedy Central)

Simultaneously beautful, dirty, unbelievable, and real. All the cool kids are already watching it, you know this.

17. Garbage Time with Katie Nolan (FS1)

Katie Nolan is a star that is hidden on FS1. Ten years ago everyone was attempting a "The Daily Show, but for sports!" Garbage Time is that goal. It's a winner.

16. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Still great. Still important. Still a show I fear only preaches to the choir.

15. The Night Of (HBO)

The first episode was the most gut wrenching edge-of-your-seat watching experience all year. Sadly, every episode was just a tad worse than the one before it.

14. Billions (Showtime)

If I thought really hard about this show I'd probably drop it twenty plus spots in these rankings. But I won't; it's a top 15 show for me.

13. The Grinder (Fox)

Rest In Peace. Gone too soon. Self aware and hilarious. I don't understand how this show wasn't an instant hit.

12. BoJack Horseman (Netflix)

Best sight gags since The Simpsons. The underwater (nearly all silent) episode were 30 minutes for the ages. Don't be a "I don't watch cartoons" idiot.

11. Banshee (Cinemax)

Rest In Peace. What a ride. No one can be told about this show, you have to feel the adrenaline for yourself.

10. Stranger Things (Netflix)

Guess it's not cool anymore to like this fun. Get off your high horse and enjoy your life from time to time. And let's make out to its theme song.

09. Brooklyn Nine-Nine (Fox)

Nick Offerman never won an award for playing Ron Swanson, but that wrong can be righted if the Emmys eventually recognize Andre Braugher as Captain Holt.

08. Game of Thrones (HBO)

Sorry book nerds, this show took it to the next level once it was able to get beyond the text. I'll never call out for someone to hold an elevator door the same way again.

07. Silicon Valley (HBO)

I have a "Conjoined Triangles of Success" image on my cubicle wall at work, which wasn't even the season's best joke.

06. Veep (HBO)

JLD is still G.O.A.T. but what do we call Timothy Simons and Sam Richardson? I wish I could vote for Ryan and blog for Splett.

05. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story (FX)

JUICE! This show (JUICE!) deserves every (JUICE!) acting award it gets. We all (JUICE!) knew how it (JUICE!) ended and were still (JUICE!) captivated through it all. JUICE!

04. Full Frontal with Samantha Bee (USA)

I once said that Last Week Tonight with John Oliver was the most important show to watch on television. That title now belongs to Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.

03. Black Mirror (Netflix)

The worst season in Black Mirror history is ranked third. I was late to this party, but it's not too late for you. Watch the first six epiosdes (and the Jon Hamm starring "White Christmas" episode) before the latest season. This season should have also only been three episodes in length ("Nosedive" / "Playtest" / "San Junipero").

02. Better Call Saul (AMC)

Better Call Saul is really ranked 2a and 2b for 2016. It's two excellent shows in one. Anybody who thinks the only the Mike half is exciting and the Saul half is boring needs to get their head out of their ass. We all know the stories will merge soon. It's a dagger than hangs over every minute of the show.

01. The Americans (FX)

The show that spent most of 2015 at the top of my rankings didn't have to fend off any late year Fargo push this year. I'm so happy that we will get two more seasons and a definite, known, end for the show I've been recommending ffirst to all four years running. Don't be a [character name redacted] (and figure it out too late).