By Kara Warner
For the lucky music-loving Los Angelenos who managed to snag tickets to KROQ's annual Almost Acoustic Christmas concert, the experience was likely one for the record books. For this writer, who does not leave her desk or home nearly enough to take part in musical performances, night two of the 2010 Christmas event has inspired a resolution to go support more musicians and their live shows. The lineup for the second night included Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Broken Bells, Temper Trap, Neon Trees, Florence & the Machine, the Black Keys, Brandon Flowers, Vampire Weekend and Phoenix all on the same bill — truly an all-star cast of envelope-pushing rockers.
But for me, the breakout story of the show was Neon Trees. I knew a few of their songs before going in, but they were by far the standout performance of the entire evening. If there was an award handed out for most enthusiastic and engaging entertainer, lead singer Tyler Glenn (who arrived onstage by popping out of a large wrapped present, swung the mic around his head and his neck and wandered into the audience) would've won it. Their set list included "Love and Affection," "1983," "In the Next Room" and "Sins of My Youth," which Glenn dedicated to anyone who has ever been pushed around or felt out of place. "There is hope. Stop the bullying," Glenn said, before adding, "And have a great holiday!" By the end of their set, Glenn had the audience eating out of his hands.
MTV News was lucky enough to chat with the energetic group, who equated their breakout success this year to living in a dream.
"It's been extremely surreal. It's very dreamlike," guitarist Chris Allen said of the band's recent success. "It's been cool."
"I'm just glad people like quirky rock and roll bands," Glenn said. "I love pop and I love hip-hop, I love all kinds of music, but I think rock and roll is important to music and I want it to be around. I hope that we're contributing to something quirky and interesting," he added.
The group went on to say that they’re considering 2010 as the pre-show to a kick-ass 2011. "Hopefully we'll have chance to reach more people and take it to another level," bassist Branden Campbell said.
And while they blew me away in the most profound way, they weren't the only game in town. Shout-outs also go out to Temper Trap's live version of "Love Lost" (the use of hand clapping in songs is totally underrated), the face-melting sound of the Black Keys and the catchy, folksy euphoric fun of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
What band do you think will break out big in 2011? Let us know in the comments!