As a collective, Fishpork attended 15 live shows this year (and there are still two more: Of Montreal tomorrow and Crystal Castles on New Year’s Eve, both at the Music Hall of Williamsburg). Unfortunately, a band does not have complete control over how well received their live performance can be. This was the case with all bands that played in our least favorite venue of 2008: The Electric Factory in Philadelphia. Although Animal Collective managed to overcome the venue’s sound limitations the best, others were not so lucky (The Mars Volta, TV on the Radio, Of Montreal). Unless Jeff Mangum announces a show here, Fishpork will avoid it at all costs in 2009. Highlights of the year included an intoxicating performance by Deerhunter, a sweaty dance party curated by Girl Talk, and a 3am secret show by Modest Mouse. These were our favorite shows of 2008:
- Deerhunter @ The Music Hall of Wiiliamsburg
- Girl Talk @ Starlight Ballroom
- Enon @ Hiro Ballroom
- Modest Mouse @ Music Hall of Williamsburg
- Built to Spill @ Terminal 5
- Animal Collective @ Electric Factory
- Nine Inch Nails @ Wachovia Center
- Radiohead @ APW Festival
- Saul Williams @ The Trocadero
- Battles @ Johnny Brendas
Honorable Mention:
Holy Fuck @ Johnny Brendas
Crystal Castles @ Webster Hall
Health @ House of Blues
TV on the Radio @ Electric Factory
Of Montreal @ Electric Factory
Least Favorite Show of 2008
The Mars Volta @ Electric Factory
Favorite Live Venue of 2008
Johnny Brenda’s, Philadelphia, PA
Least Favorite Venue of 2008
Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA
Bring in 2009 with Ethan Kath and Alice Glass, better known as Crystal Castles, at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn. The Hall will be hosting our favorite electro-thrash Canadians on New Year’s Eve this year and is without a doubt one of the best venues in the NY area to see a show. The 
Holy invites the listener to get swept away in a psychedelic river of guitars and harmonious vocal melodies. The record opens up with the title track, which sets the pace for the remaining tracks. It starts with simple guitar chords underneath Sam Jayne’s quiet vocals, but just over a minute in the band comes on full speed, and Jayne’s thrusting vocals take off. The second track, “Crosseyed Beautiful Youngunz,” is a simple yet beautiful song filled with hand drums that give you the feeling like your sitting around a bonfire on a tropical beach. Isaac Brock’s guitars on the aforementioned “Paul Revere” raise the intensity level and ”Konny and Jim” keep the record on a solid pace.