If you managed to make it through the snow for the zillionth time on Tuesday night, Black Violin put on quite a show at the Lied Center.

The duo gained notoriety after appearing on Apollo Amateur Night in 2005. For Wil B and Kev Marcus, it's been all good from there. They've played with the likes of Alicia Keys and worked with Kanye West and P. Diddy. But on this night, they belonged to Lawrence.

They kicked it into high gear right off the bat, playing pop and hip hop covers and getting folks out of their seats. I kept spotting people out of the corner of my eye dancing in the aisles, waving their hands in the air. These guys were like rock stars for the crowd, but instead of throwing a drumstick up in the air, Kev Marcus threw his bow, and caught it just as good as any drummer.

It's not all hip hop covers and jazzy violin pieces. Black Violin spent as much time onstage telling jokes and talking with the crowd as they did actually playing their instruments. This works well for them, because by the end of the night most folks in the audience built up a connection with Black Violin. Even the nerdiest of concert-goers with no rhythm got a lesson in hip hop that night. Black Violin stripped down the average hip hop songs, dissecting it with flair (or as they called it, "stank").

The duo even threw down in a violin battle. It got pretty intense as their fingers plucked feverishly at the strings and flew up and down the neck. They went head to head, Kev Marcus armed with a violin and Wil B armed with his Viola that he lovingly calls "Tiffany." The battle was full of attitude, and at the end Kev Marcus threw his bow at Wil B. It reminded me of the movie "Drumline," when the main character throws his sticks down.

The music was so good it got into your bones. The set was short (most likely because it was a family friendly event), but ended full of energy. At the beginning of the night, they announced "Rule number one, this is a Black Violin Show, this is a party," and they weren't kidding. They packed as much of a party as you could into an hour and a half, and left us all feeling a little glad that we told the snow to shove it and headed out to the Lied Center that night.

Listen to the audience sing along at the end of this Fugees cover:

If you went to the Jackpot on Friday night, you got a giant dose of Topeka. I really don't think I've been to a party this year as loud and crazy as Jockin My Fresh 2.

I'm not sure if it was the party bus full of Topekans that showed up, or if it was the fact that Sneakhype, Bear Club and oh!mr just know how to throw a good party, but this event was out of sight.

We arrived just in time to see Ebony Tusks take the stage. We're all used to seeing Marty in Cowboy Indian Bear, but under Ebony Tusks he's a completely different performer. He's very strong and commanding, and when he demanded everyone come to the front, they did it immediately without batting an eye. One of the songs, "Everybody Run," was about Topeka and excited Marty's hometown crowd. The set was short but energetic.

Da Skeptics continued the Topeka hometown pride with their set, constantly throwing out "Top City!" or "Top Town!" chants all night. By this point the party was getting bigger and crazier with every passing minute, and it didn't take long before we were pressed up against the wall, only able to give friendly glances and nods to our friends passing through. There were about 8 girls for every guy, and everybody looked good. This is how Bear Club throws a party. Get used to it.

Da Skeptics kept the party good and rolling, but the true Belle of the Ball was Stik Figa. I haven't been this entertained in ages. Everything out of this guy's mouth was so clever and hysterical. Talk about someone who makes a connection with the crowd! He was constantly cracking jokes and throwing out the one-liners to keep everyone going.

I thought the other two acts had hometown pride, but this guy left them all behind in that category. Stik Figa is the ultimate good natured kid, and after being treated to some serious beat boxing and incredibly snappy lyrics, I can tell you that this guy is pure talent through and through.

If you get a chance to see Stik Figa, go. You won't regret it. In fact, if you get the chance to go to a Sneakhype/Bear Club/oh!mr party, go. You're pretty much guaranteed to have a good time.

Don't we all deserve a little bit of fun after a messy blizzard? The Hips sure thought so, and after one of the most hyped shows this season, they delivered right on target.

For about a week all folks could talk about in the scene was this new supergroup of a local band that was emerging. Comprised of members from Fourth of July and Drakkar Sauna, The Hips exploded onto the scene Thursday night at the taproom with a fun and upbeat number.

It was so nice and refreshing to see these guys break away from their usual sounds and come together for this, and I think (judging by the looks on their faces) they felt the same way. They just looked like they were having so much fun, and isn't that all you can ask for after a massive winter storm that kept half the town indoors?

They played some upbeat songs, twangy ballads and always left us with a jazzy taste of the Midwest. After each song, they were met with a happy round of applause, and rightly so. They played with enthusiasm and heart, but most of all they were just having a good time and taking us along for the ride.

If you missed the show, you can catch them at the Replay again on February 19th. Now please enjoy the poorly lit video (curse you, romantic Taproom lighting!) down below.

Dana Halferty is a bit of a traveler. When I caught up with the lead singer of Parlours, she had just flown in from Guatemala, stopped in Chicago and was en route to Iowa. Her next stop? Lawrence.

Parlours is set to take the stage at the Jackpot on Superbowl Sunday with a host of other acts including Sam Billen, Canby and Seafarer. She's toured with fellow bandmate Scott Yoshimura before, but this time the full band is heading out on tour. "I just like the full band dynamic," said Halferty. "I think our songs are at their best in the full form. It's just a fun dynamic to have everyone there."

Although this will be the Iowa band's first time playing in Lawrence, the town isn't foreign to Halferty. It's held a soft spot in her heart when it comes to music. "One of my favorite bands is The Appleseed Cast," said Halferty. "So I've always respected Lawrence's music scene." She also noted another area band she used to listen to nonstop, The Belles. "It's just fun to go somewhere where you're actually somewhat aware of what's going on musically."

For Halferty, Lawrence also plays a role in how she connects with other people, which is good for her songwriting. "Most of my songs are very relationally inspired," said Halferty of her wistful and romantic music. "I'd say about 80 percent of the time they're about somebody specific in a situation I encountered." Such was the case for the band's most popular song 'I Dream of Chicago,' which Halferty wrote while on a train to Chicago.

Don't expect Parlours to stick around for too long. After the Lawrence show, they have seven more cities to hit up in their tour. Of course, with Halferty, hitting the road is almost expected now, what with the 32 states she visited last year. "I kind of have a travel bug, so I never stay still for too long."

To catch Parlours while you still can, head to the Jackpot on Superbowl Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Oh, and bring your appetite. Because they're also hosting a potluck.

Sometimes there's no better place to see a local show than Love Garden. Lawrencians huddled into the record store on Friday as part of Final Fridays. Along with the art opening (some lovely pieces from Amber Hanson and Nicholas Ward), we were treated to a couple of performances.

Colony Collapse was the main act on this night. By the time they started playing we were all packed in like sardines, happily mingling throughout every nook and cranny of the store.

I like this band for the simple fact that they are learning to master the art of the build up. Each song introduces you to a slow and steady pace that becomes more energized with every passing second.

They very much are creating that Lawrence sound that I love so much, and it's always nice when a band incorporates a trumpet into the mix. The lead singer doesn't introduce you to his vocals too often, but he doesn't have to. The music is beautiful and fantastic either way.

Before Colony Collapse went on, Jordan Geiger (of Hospital Ships and Minus Story fame) performed solo. It was quiet, intimate and the store hadn't become quite so claustrophobic yet. We gathered around the performer, propped up against racks of CDs and records and enjoyed the melodic start to the night. He played some new songs, old songs and a Daniel Johnston cover.

At one point Jordan, who recently spent quite a bit of time on the road, peered out into the sea of friendly faces and talked about why it was nice to come back to Lawrence. "Thank you, for just being yourself."

Not a bad homecoming, if I do say so myself.

I don't know if you've noticed, but something happened during this past year of shows. Bands became a little more respectful and polite. I used to see a lot of musicians who just "expected" you to come out to see them play. But this year, they were actually grateful you were there.

The attitude started with a couple of bands, and then it spread. By the end of the year I could go to a show and find smiles as far as they eye could see.

The camaraderie has been fantastic, and held steady all year long. In turn, I am grateful. I am grateful for every single musician in Lawrence. You guys really picked yourselves up, dusted yourselves off and got to work. Every sound that came off of the stage at the Jackpot/Replay/Bottleneck/Granada/Taproom/Liberty Hall meant a little more to me this year. And it's because the attitude in Lawrence was so amazing.

Here are my top ten favorite shows I was lucky to attend in Lawrence and Kansas City this year.

10. Boris

In August Boris came in all their Japanese glory to the Granada to melt my face with experimental rock. Two things made this show fantastic: 1. The drummer was bizarre (see the sparkly vest / gloves) and hilarious. 2. The band placed you in an entirely different universe, they created an atmosphere consisting of a wall of sound and a fog machine that never shut off. For a couple of hours, I was so immersed in the show, I forgot I lived in Lawrence.

Read about the show here.

9. Paul Van Dyk

What was easily the worst show I had ever been to in my life suddenly made the Top Ten list this year. In 2009, I traveled to Chicago to see Paul Van Dyk only to discover (to my horror) the disgusting world of club kids. I was used to Kansas City ravers, who are sweet and cuddly. The show in Chicago was a hot mess of spoiled brats too inebriated to even hear the music.

I begged the husband to give Paul Van Dyk a second chance when he announced a Kansas City show this year. It paid off. Everything, from the crowd to the venue and even the security staff, was a complete 180. It was everything you could ask for when you go see a DJ, especially that magic moment where a DJ is completely in tune with the crowd, and rewards the fans who are really, truly there for the music.

You can read all about the magic from that night here.

8. The Belles

The Belles released a gorgeous new album this year, and they treated the fans to a performance at Love Garden. Love Garden just makes you feel all good inside anyway, and this year the store did a fantastic job at getting in-store performances on a regular basis.

Despite a room full of people and cats, you could almost hear a pin drop. The duo created some of the most beautiful music a two-person band can make, and they had the audience in the palm of their hands. It had been a while since I attended a show that got a group of Lawrencians to shut up and pay attention like that. Bravo, Belles.

Read about the rest of the show here.

7. Extra Classic

There is no better way to spend your Summer than at an Extra Classic show. Scores of Lawrencians dressed to the nines packed into a hot, sweaty Taproom and cut a rug. Fans had patiently waited all Summer for Dri to come back with her new band, and she didn't disappoint. The band brought a high-energy performance and some of the finest dub you can get out here in the Midwest, and the crowd rewarded them with a fantastic night of partying.

See more clips from the show here.

6. Julian Casablancas

I got to relive my younger years and indulge in full nostalgia when Julian Casablancas came to Kansas City this year. He was on a solo tour, but he performed some Strokes classics and even indulged us with a little Christmas music (in April). Armed with his new sobriety, he really came out of his shell and belted out song after song to a surprisingly small crowd. But because so few people were there, I got to experience the full power of his voice. I was pleasantly surprised and left the show a bigger fan.

What really made me feel valuable was even though he was Mr. Hot Shot in little old Kansas, he was ultra friendly to his crowd and catered to their wants and needs. Very classy.

More about the show here.

5. Beach House

"Is it getting romantic yet, God d*$#it?"

That was the guitarist. And he's right. It was pretty darn romantic. Extremely romantic. I literally saw folks at this show holding hands, putting their arms around each other and swaying to the music. The cutest group was about five or six guys, all with their arms on each other's shoulders. They were tipsy, smiling, leaning on each other and just having a heck of a night. That was pretty much the mood of the show for everyone.

Beach House was in the middle of skyrocketing to popularity, and came to Lawrence in the middle of a severe thunderstorm. Scores of happy/tipsy/adorable fans took shelter from the storm in the Granada and were treated to a warm, cozy night of music.

You can read more about how the adorable crowd felt the love here.

4. Anvil

I was eight months pregnant when the husband took me to go see Anvil in Kansas City. I had a baby shower in the morning, then took off the pretty dress and drove three hours to go party with Anvil.

The Heavy Metal band was recently the subject of a documentary, which brought them into a new era of popularity. Therefore, the crowd was split into two different types of fans: the old school metal heads and the film buffs. They got along remarkably well, and we were all just elated to see the band play.

Steve "Lips" Kudlow was also elated, and rocked a guitar solo in the middle of the crowd at the start of the show. The crowd constantly broke out into "Anvil! Anvil!" chants and were rewarded with one of the most unique shows they would see that year.

You can read about some of the other tricks Anvil pulled out here.

3. Cowboy Indian Bear CD Release Show with Ghosty and the Noise FM

Here are some of finest musicians in all of Lawrence, packed into one venue. I (along with everyone else within a 100 mile radius) had become increasingly fond of Cowboy Indian Bear, and I have always had a soft spot for Ghosty. The Noise FM always bring a fantastic energy to their shows. Here were all three of those bands under one roof.

It was at this show that I started noticing a more positive attitude in the music scene. That combined with an unbelievably low cover charge made me feel a little spoiled this year. I got to consistently see great bands with great attitudes for next to nothing. I truly started feeling grateful and pledged to see more local music on a consistent basis.

I am particularly fond of the clip below because Cowboy Indian Bear recruited drummers from other bands for assistance, and that's exactly the kind of camaraderie that lingered in Lawrence throughout the year and made me happy as a clam.

Watch all the bands play here.

2. The Walkmen

The moment I waited YEARS for finally arrived in October. I kicked myself a few years ago when I didn't see them play in Lawrence, and it wasn't until a couple of albums later that they finally made their triumphant return.

I was on Cloud 9. They kept the mood calm, laid back, smooth. Almost as though they were saying "Hey, relax for just a bit....here, we'll unbutton the top button on our shirts and let's all take it easy the rest of the night."

The played the new stuff and the old favorites, but all with a new spin. It was like hearing their music for the first time again. They absolutely, without a doubt, made my heart melt. Every album they've put out felt like they were predicting the next five years of my life. So watching them play all the favorites was like listening to the highlights of my existence so far.

Read more about the nostalgic night here.

1. Scion Garage Fest

Prior to the night, I had the nastiest attitude about this show. For one, I was peeved that during what was advertised as a showcase of garage rock, only ONE band was local (Rooftop Vigilantes). Also, I didn't like the name of the event. I thought "Who are these corporate jerks telling us what to listen to? What do THEY know about garage rock? Meh!"

The bottom line is, this was the event of the year. If you can ignore the title of the show, the evidence is there when you look at the lineup. Four local venues were packed with hours of the most energetic bands out there. The Clean, The Gories, The Raveonettes, King Khan and the Shrines....this festival had it all. It was like watching a glorious mixtape come to life right before your very eyes.

Downtown Lawrence was alive. Fans rushed from venue to venue to catch glimpses of their favorite bands, and I wouldn't be surprised if they high-fived each other in passing.

Ever since that night, I have gone over it again and again and again and just CANNOT find a more magical night. This was hands down the most extraordinary experience of the year. Things happened on this night that I cannot explain. Friends who I hadn't seen in five years were suddenly at this show. The shows were FREE, therefore making it a true "music for the masses" event.

The true belles of the ball were Best Coast. By the time they took the stage in all their adorable glory, the crowd was deliriously happy. I sat clutching one of my best friend's hands, starry eyed and in happy shock over what was happening. The band pulled a little girl out of the crowd, gave her a tambourine, and played a song with her. Can you imagine being that little girl? Your favorite band pulls you onstage and serenades you? Isn't that every nine year-old's dream?! And here we are, a crowd of hard, seasoned concert-goers, our ears blasted from the hours of garage rock....and our hearts melted as we let out a big "Awwwwww....."

And then there were all the other amazing moments. The rowdiness, the crazy drunk antics of the fans, the three-ring circus from King Khan, the glamor from The Raveonettes, and (one of my favorite moments) our local boys from Rooftop Vigilantes blowing the roof off of Liberty Hall with their set.

I am smitten. What a night. It left me high on life and out of breath, and it will probably be a while before I ever experience anything that wonderful again.

You can see videos of some of those amazing moments from the night here.

*There are definitely some shows I missed this year, and some that I will never forgive myself for missing (I'm looking at you, Jónsi). I'm sure if I had made it to more, this list would be a little different. I want to hear what your favorite shows of the year were, so please share them in the comments section.

What an incredible sight I ran into on Friday night. We are so lucky to have an institution like Americana Music Academy.

On this clear, mild and beautiful night the good folks at Americana decided to do a little caroling. But first they played some holiday music live on Channel 6 (check out the video below).

What really hit me right in the heart is this: you look at everyone in the group playing and notice some are young, some are old, some just learned to walk but all are bonded together by music. Age is nothing but a number when you all speak the universal language of music.

Also, I'm particularly fond of Americana Music Academy because they're always up for a little silly. Here they are donning hats with little elf ears attached, and sometimes they'll even play the kazoo. You can also expect to see a lot of folk culture integrated whenever possible. Even the little tyke in the video is playing the spoons on a washboard.

They now have a Topeka location open (they're expanding!) and I wish them the very best. Merry Christmas!

If you were one of the many who braved the cold and packed the Jackpot on Monday night (a school night!), you were part of something pretty special.

When I arrived to help a friend record the show, there was an electricity in the air. Folks were packed in there, huddled for warmth, excited to see Tame Impala. I heard much of the crowd had come up from Tulsa thanks to Stardeath and White Dwarfs. You could tell who wasn't a Lawrencian because there was a lack of beards in the audience.

Now I'm not into psychedelic music. Like I said, I was only there to help a friend shoot the show (which is why I have no video or photos of the show for you today). But this was a stellar lineup. These bands are all fantastic, and so are their fans.

Then I started noticing a slight frenzy around the audio board, where a small gathering of tiny t-shirt-clad men with long hair and beards had started forming. Something was amiss, and "sound guys" had come from near and far to work out a problem. Whatever the problem was, the crowd didn't seem to mind. Glasses clanked, friends hugged and bands played. The atmosphere was wonderful, and everyone was just glad to be there.

Then the poor doorman (who is wonderful, and many of you know him on a first name basis) got up on stage and told everyone they were canceling the show. Up went the lights and the Jackpot started refunding tickets.

Folks started to boo, but it wasn't really convincing me. They were upset, but not TOO upset. And here's the reason why they probably weren't too bummed.

The band was still going to play, but it wasn't going to be their usual set. It turned into a few 10-20 minute jams. Yup, they became a jam band for the night, which makes me believe that something was amiss with the microphones.

Now here's why I think fans shouldn't complain, and should instead be happy that they were part of something special. They could have just canceled the show altogether, but they didn't. They could have NOT refunded your ticket, but instead they paid back anyone who paid cash that night. And finally, you got a very unique performance out of the band.

A few years ago, I went to go see Depeche Mode in KC. I was a giddy schoolgirl and had waited a long time to see them. They took the stage, played about 3 songs, then the lead singer ran off due to an illness, and the rest of the band awkwardly fumbled some piano ballads for just a few more minutes before they canceled the show. It was a major letdown. Don't get me wrong, I was concerned and worried after the singer ran off stage a couple of times, but they could have at least refunded our tickets.

That wasn't the only time I've seen a band play a couple of songs, then run offstage due to some catastrophe, and was left without a refund.

At least on Monday night, fans got a special performance that was unique to them. They still drank, had fun, took photos and did all the great things that go along with seeing a show. The band was in good spirits as well. They ended their set by saying "We're only going to play one more, and then we're going to get out of here....so you can go home and forget this all happened." Then the band, and everyone else, had a good chuckle. Not so bad for dragging ourselves out in the cold on a school night, in my opinion.

On Friday night I went to the Wolf Parade show and became so fed up with the crowd that I wanted to leave early.

At first I mistook these people for "fun" and "rowdy." But soon it became clear that they were more "drunk" and "disorderly."

It wasn't all terrible. I was actually pleasantly surprised by the opener, Ogre you Asshole. They're Japanese. And adorable! About a minute into their set they got my attention. Here were four young, polite men in oversized comfy sweaters, singing a little more high pitched and playing a little faster than what I expected. My friend and I commented that had they sung in English, I probably wouldn't have liked them so much. But for some reason, what they were doing worked for me.

This was their first time touring the U.S., and they often paused between songs to say "thank you" many times in a row. Awwww, aren't they the sweetest?

Simply put, Ogre you Asshole is adorable and fun. And don't we all need just a little bit of fun every now and then? Try not to read too much into it and lighten up.

Then the mood turned sour when Wolf Parade took the stage. The band was fine, but the crowd? Whooping and hollering, even during the quiet moments of the show. I don't mind rowdy crowds at all, but I do mind drunk and obnoxious crowds. From the moment I arrived at the Granada, most folks were already tanked, pushing and shoving. So by the middle of the set they were borderline annoying.

But you have to hand it to the band. They really tamed the crowd. They didn't miss a beat and kept the party rolling all night with their momentum and energy. I've never seen someone play the keyboard like that, hopping around with one leg propped up on a stool. They tried to tell jokes and did a little jig every now and then. They knew how to handle their ridiculous fans. For a band that's been touring nonstop for nearly a year, they had absolutely no shortage of energy.

Until about the end of the show. A mentioning of KU basketball didn't sit well with their fans (they got some boos). Then, right before the encore, one of them said "I might as well say this right now, we're all pretty drunk."

Yeah, you and everybody else buddy.

The bottom line: if you are a big Wolf Parade fan, you probably had a good time. Otherwise, the night sucked. But at least it got out early enough for you to catch a show at the Replay or Jackpot.

David Supica has to admit, Lawrence is a pretty intimidating town. The Delta Saints bassist just moved down to Nashville with his bandmates, where he says folks are constantly judging bands and their music. But when the band comes to Lawrence he can't help but feel a few of those same butterflies in his stomach. "I was actually really scared when I first played there, but it's gone surprisingly well each time."

He's being a little bit modest. While Lawrence fans are fairly snobby about the music scene (and we like it that way!), the last time I went to a Delta Saints Show it was packed with rowdy and excitable fans. This came even as a surprise to me, I didn't think Lawrencians really enjoyed the Southern Rock that the Delta Saints tend to conjure up. The band knows this, and that's why they've been changing it just a bit. "While people are generally opposed to Southern Rock, I think a lot of us are coming more from Motown, Delta Blues background," says Supica. "And that sort of thing I think Lawrence is pretty hip to."

Despite the judgemental and intense music scene, the Delta Saints don't see themselves disappearing from Lawrence anytime soon. You can usually find them playing here about every three or four months, craving that criticism. "Everyone's so art and music conscious, people are actually very critical of your music," says Supica. "So you pretty much have to be on your game and give them something new each time."

To see what they'll be bringing to Lawrence this week, check them out at the Granada on Thursday, November 18. Doors open at 8:00 p.m., Tickets are $5 in advance, $7 at the door.

They'll also be playing with local lovelies Arthur Dodge and the Horsefeathers, Seafarer, and Tyler Gregory.