My Favorite South Florida Concerts of 2011: Bruise Cruise, Watch the Throne, and Death to the Sun

Photo by Ian Witlen

Swans rattled my intestines and made my year.

​Another fine year of live entertainment in South Florida is now in the books. This is an especially bittersweet collection of memories from 2011 since I now know that I'll be writing a year-end wrap in a different part of the country this time next year. Some concerts were impressive for their marathon length, others bordered on postmodern expression, and then there's just the Swans' decibel-defying noise. I think that these shows were even better than my top ten from 2010, come to think of it. Take a look below.

10. SW 3rd Ave Music Festival New Times Stage
With John Ralston, Plains, Young Circles, the Dewars, the New, & Lavola
The Green Room, Fort Lauderdale
Friday, May 6, 2011

Photo by Ian Witlen

​This was a particularly satisfying show because I chose all of the bands who played. The marvelous Beached Miami crew even showed up! Read the review.

9. Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls
With Andrew Jackson Jihad and Into It Over It
Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale
Thursday, September 29, 2011

Frank Turner's England Keep My Bones turned out to be one of my favorite albums of 2011, and this energetic performance basically tattooed that assertion to my forehead. Sometimes it's tough to get the crowd at Culture Room to know how to act, but Turner is that special type of showman who doesn't seem too cool for his audience. Mark Pratt called it "a sense of unpretentious unity to proceedings." Read the review.

8. Band of Horses
With Tyler Ramsey and Woody Chowder
Revolution, Fort Lauderdale
Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Photo by Monica McGivern

​
There were definitely some aspects of this show that I didn't like -- and a Rolling Stone writer raked me over the coals for it in the comments -- but this wins in a lot of categories. First, it was announced impossibly last-minute after tourmates Kings of Leon imploded and still got an impressive turnout. The Revolution staff hustled to get the show to happen, then got the word out fast. Band of Horses was equally invested in making this a special night by taking requests beforehand, and those trees as a backdrop sure helped. Read the review.

7. "The Monster Ball Tour" Starring Lady Gaga
With Semi Precious Weapons
BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise
Tuesday, April 12

Just light your piano on fire and I'm in the palm of your hand. Read the review.

6. Tie - Bruise Cruise Day Two
With Black Lips, Vivian Girls, Strange Boys, Turbo Fruits and DJ Jonathan Toubin.
Senor Frogs, Nassau, Bahamas
Saturday, February 26, 2011
and
Kiss Kruise Day Three
The Palladium Lounge, Carnival Destiny
Saturday, October 15, 2011

Photo by Ian Witlen

​Neither of these shows took place in South Florida, but they originated here! Two wildly surreal experiences that carried the decadent spirit of the mainland onto the high seas. Bruise Cruise review, Kiss Kruise review.