Noise Floor’s 2019 Year in Review

Beach House at Psycho Las Vegas in August

Noise Floor looks back on the year’s live music highlights in Boston and beyond.

By the numbers: 590 sets, 147 shows, 7 festivals behind the lens. Or somewhere thereabouts, without counting the Riot Fest I attended but only kind of photographed. Indeed, another busy and adventurous year which saw me shooting Dolly Parton, flying to Vegas for four days of heavy metal, finally seeing Jawbreaker (twice!) and doing a lot of work I’m really proud of. Scroll through my personal, chronological 2019 best-of below, and scope out my top 50(ish) records of the year in a convenient playlist format, too.

Bethlehem Steel at The Sinclair – 1/4

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/01/04 - The Sheila Divine &emdash;

Noname at Royale – 1/10

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/01/10 - Noname &emdash;

Jerry’s Kids at Paradise – 1/11

Noise Floor Photography: Jerry's Kids &emdash;

Big Ups at Great Scott – 1/12

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/01/12 - Big Ups &emdash;

Kacey Musgraves at the Wang Theatre – 1/19

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/01/19 - Kacey Musgraves &emdash;

Jon Spencer ands the Hitmakers at Great Scott – 2/1

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/01 - Jon Spencer &emdash;

John Maus at Brighton Music Hall – 2/5

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/05 - John Maus &emdash;

JPEGMAFIA at afterHours – 2/10

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/10 - JPEGMAFIA &emdash;

Adrianne Lenker at The Sinclair – 2/13

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/13 - Adrianne Lenker &emdash;

Car Seat Headrest at Royale – 2/14

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/14 - Car Seat Headrest &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/14 - Car Seat Headrest &emdash;

Peter Murphy and David J at the Palladium – 2/15

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/15 - Peter Murphy and David J &emdash;

Deerhunter at Royale – 2/24

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/24 - Deerhunter &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/24 - Deerhunter &emdash;

Vince Staples at House of Blues – 2/25

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/25 - Vince Staples &emdash;

Ty Segall and White Fence at The Sinclair – 2/28

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/02/28 - Ty Segall and White Fence &emdash;

Cold Cave at The Sinclair – 3/2

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/02 - Cold Cave &emdash;

Mike Krol at Great Scott – 3/3

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/03 - Mike Krol &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/03 - Mike Krol &emdash;

Blood Incantation / Necrot at the Palladium – 3/9

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/09 - Morbid Angel &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/09 - Morbid Angel &emdash;

Daughters at The Sinclair – 3/12

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/12 - Daughters &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/12 - Daughters &emdash;

Black Midi at Great Scott – 3/18

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/18 - Black Midi &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/18 - Black Midi &emdash;

Show Me The Body / Priests at afterHours – 3/21

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/21 - Show Me The Body / Priests &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/21 - Show Me The Body / Priests &emdash;

Jawbreaker / War on Women at House of Blues – 3/22

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/22 - Jawbreaker &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/22 - Jawbreaker &emdash;

The Antlers at The Sinclair – 3/26

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/26 - The Antlers &emdash;

Swervedriver at Paradise – 3/27

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/27 - Swervedriver / Failure &emdash;

Spiral Stairs at O’Brien’s – 3/28

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/28 - Spiral Stairs &emdash;

Better Oblivion Community Center at Columbus Theatre – 3/31

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/03/31 - Better Oblivion Community Center &emdash;

Viagra Boys / Birthday Ass at Great Scott – 4/2

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/02 - Viagra Boys &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/02 - Viagra Boys &emdash;

Yob / Voivod / Amenra at Royale – 4/3

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/03 - Yob &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/03 - Yob &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/03 - Yob &emdash;

Lady Pills at the Lilypad – 4/4

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/04 - Lady Pills &emdash;

Thou at MassArt – 4/5

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/05 - Thou / Emma Ruth Rundle &emdash;

Aphex Twin at Avant Gardner – 4/11

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/11 - Aphex Twin &emdash;

Spiritualized at The Wilbur – 4/14

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/14 - Spiritualized &emdash;

Death / Minibeast at ONCE – 4/18

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/18 - Death &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/18 - Death &emdash;

Sleep at State Theatre – 4/20 / 4/21

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/20 - Sleep &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/21 - Sleep &emdash;

Orville Peck at Great Scott – 4/23

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/23 - Orville Peck &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/23 - Orville Peck &emdash;

PUP / Diet Cig at Royale – 4/25

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/25 - Pup &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/25 - Pup &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/25 - Pup &emdash;

Sunn O))) at College Street Music Hall – 4/26

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/26 - Sunn O))) &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/26 - Sunn O))) &emdash;

Foxing at Royale – 4/27

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/27 - Foxing &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/04/27 - Foxing &emdash;

Twin Peaks / Tune-Yards / CUP / Sunflower Bean / Guerilla Toss / Rough Francis / Gurr / Boston Cream / Cindy Cane / Brass Balagan at Waking Windows – 5/3 / 5/4 / 5/5

Death Pesos at Somerville Porchfest – 5/11

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/11 - Death Pesos &emdash;

mewithoutYou at Paradise – 5/14

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/14 - Cursive / mewithoutYou &emdash;

Chromatics at Royale – 5/17

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/17 - Chromatics &emdash;

Oneida at Landry’s Bicycles – 5/18

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/18 - Oneida &emdash;

Lizzo at House of Blues – 5/22

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/22 - Lizzo &emdash;

Peter Buck with Filthy Friends at The Sinclair – 5/23

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/23 - Filthy Friends &emdash;

Pile at Great Scott – 5/24

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/24 - Pile &emdash;

Tame Impala / Lil Nas X / Shame / Pile / SOB X RBE / Travis Scott at Boston Calling – 5/25 / 5/26

Noise Floor Photography: Tame Impala &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Tame Impala &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Lil Nas X &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Shame &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Pile &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: SOB X RBE &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Travis Scott &emdash;

Weyes Blood at The Sinclair – 5/28

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/28 - Weyes Blood &emdash;

The 1975 at Agganis Arena – 5/30

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/30 - The 1975 &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/05/30 - The 1975 &emdash;

Oozing Wound at O’Brien’s – 6/5

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/05 - Oozing Wound &emdash;

George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion – 6/5

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/05 - George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic &emdash;

High Command at Great Scott – 6/8

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/08 - Spirit Adrift &emdash;

Modern Life Is War / Krimewatch at Great Scott – 6/9

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/09 - Modern Life Is War &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/09 - Modern Life Is War &emdash;

Jawbox at The Sinclair – 6/14

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/14 - Jawbox &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/14 - Jawbox &emdash;

Earth at ONCE – 6/19

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/19 - Earth &emdash;

Pelican at Great Scott – 6/23

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/23 - Pelican &emdash;

Glacier at Hong Kong – 6/27

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/06/27 - Big|Brave / Dreadnought &emdash;

Wilco (with Courtney Barnett) / The Minus Five / Mdou Moctar / Jonathan Richman / Rough Francis / Lakou Mizik at Solid Sound – 6/28 / 6/29 / 6/30

Noise Floor Photography: Wilco &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Wilco &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Wilco &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: The Minus Five &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Mdou Moctar &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Jonathan Richman &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Rough Francis &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Lakou Mizik &emdash;

Stef Chura at Great Scott – 7/9

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/07/09 - Stef Chura &emdash;

Bill Callahan at The Sinclair – 7/10

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/07/10 - Bill Callahan &emdash;

The Messthetics at Great Scott – 7/14

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/07/14 - The Messthetics &emdash;

Haim / Low / Mavis Staples / Pusha T / Parquet Courts / Bell & Sebastian / The Isley Brothers / JPEGMAFIA / Charli XCX / Robyn at Pitchfork Music Festival – 7/19 / 7/20 / 7/21

Lukas Nelson / Maggie Rogers / Sheryl Crow and Brandie Carlile / Lucy Dacus / Dolly Parton at Newport Folk Festival – 7/26 / 7/27

Noise Floor Photography: Lukas Nelson and The Promise of the Real &emdash; stas_28newport_arts

Noise Floor Photography: Maggie Rogers &emdash; stas_29newport_arts

Noise Floor Photography: Sheryl Crow &emdash; stas_28newport_arts

Noise Floor Photography: Lucy Dacus &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: The Collaboration &emdash; stas_29newport_arts

Duster at The Sinclair – 7/30

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/07/30 - Duster &emdash;

Iron Maiden at Xfinity Center – 8/1

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/01 - Iron Maiden &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/01 - Iron Maiden &emdash;

Howlin’ Rain / Major Stars at ONCE – 8/8

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/08 - Howlin' Rain &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/08 - Howlin' Rain &emdash;

Waveform at Black Lodge – 8/10

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/10 - Waveform / Melaina Kol / Puppy Problems / E.R. Yan &emdash;

Neurosis / Deafkids at Paradise – 8/13

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/13 - Neurosis &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/13 - Neurosis &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/13 - Neurosis &emdash;

Idle Hands / Corrosion of Conformity / The Crazy World of Arthur Brown / Yob / Goatwhore / Electric Wizard / Tomb Mold / Carcass / Clutch / Weedeater / Beach House / Deafheaven / Power Trip at Psycho Las Vegas – 8/16 / 8/17 / 8/18 / 8/19

Oso Oso / The Sidekicks / Future Teens at Brighton Music Hall – 8/22

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/22 - Oso Oso &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/22 - Oso Oso &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/22 - Oso Oso &emdash;

Have a Nice Life at Great Scott – 8/30

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/30 - Have A Nice Life &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/08/30 - Have A Nice Life &emdash;

Zac Brown Band at Fenway Park – 9/1

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/01 - Zac Brown Band &emdash;

Vampire Weekend at Agganis Arena – 9/3

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/03 - Vampire Weekend &emdash;

Ceremony at The Sinclair – 9/5

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/05 - Ceremony &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/05 - Ceremony &emdash;

Culture Abuse / Fiddlehead / Gouge Away at Warehouse XI – 9/6

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/06 - Culture Abuse / Fiddlehead / Gouge Away &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/06 - Culture Abuse / Fiddlehead / Gouge Away &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/06 - Culture Abuse / Fiddlehead / Gouge Away &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/06 - Culture Abuse / Fiddlehead / Gouge Away &emdash;

Fontaines D.C. at Great Scott – 9/8

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/08 - Fontaines D.C. &emdash;

Boris / Uniform at the Paradise – 9/11

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/11 - Boris &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/11 - Boris &emdash;

Patti Smith / The Flaming Lips at Riot Fest – 9/13 / 9/14 / 9/15

Noise Floor Photography: No One Rioted! &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: No One Rioted! &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: No One Rioted! &emdash;

Free Throw / Chris Farren at Great Scott – 9/17

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/17 - Free Throw &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/17 - Free Throw &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/17 - Free Throw &emdash;

Tropical Fuck Storm at Great Scott – 9/19

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/19 - Tropical Fuck Storm &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/19 - Tropical Fuck Storm &emdash;

Massive Attack at the Wang Theatre – 9/21

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/21 - Massive Attack &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/21 - Massive Attack &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/21 - Massive Attack &emdash;

Built to Spill / Prism Bitch at The Sinclair – 9/26

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/26 - Built to Spill &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/26 - Built to Spill &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/26 - Built to Spill &emdash;

Stereolab at Royale – 9/29

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/09/29 - Stereolab &emdash;

The Number Twelve Looks Like You / God Mother at ONCE – 10/3

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/03 - The Number Twelve Looks Like You &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/03 - The Number Twelve Looks Like You &emdash;

Billy Bragg at The Sinclair – 10/4

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/04 - Billy Bragg &emdash;

Girl Band at Great Scott – 10/4

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/04 - Girl Band &emdash;

The Black Keys at TD Garden – 10/11

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/11 - The Black Keys &emdash;

Oranssi Pazuzu – 10/14

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/14 - Oranssi Pazuzu &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/14 - Oranssi Pazuzu &emdash;

Idles at Royale – 10/16

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/16 - Idles &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/16 - Idles &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/16 - Idles &emdash;

Parquet Courts / Iceage / Empath at Octfest – 10/19

Noise Floor Photography: Parquet Courts &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Parquet Courts &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Iceage &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Iceage &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: Empath &emdash;

Cave In at Great Scott – 10/21

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/21 - Cave In &emdash;

Against Me / Cursive at Royale – 10/22

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/22 - Against Me &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/22 - Against Me &emdash;

The National at Agganis Arena – 10/24

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/24 - The National &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/24 - The National &emdash;

Sleater-Kinney at House of Blues – 10/29

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/29 - Sleater-Kinney &emdash;

Nice Guys as Devo at O’Brien’s – 10/31

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/10/31 - Halloween at O'Brien's &emdash;

White Reaper at The Sinclair – 11/2

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/11/02 - White Reaper &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/11/02 - White Reaper &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/11/02 - White Reaper &emdash;

 

Superchunk (acoustic) at Columbus Theatre – 11/6

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/11/06 - Superchunk &emdash;

Exhumed at ONCE – 11/13

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/11/13 - Exhumed / Gatecreeper &emdash;

Angel Olsen at Royale – 11/19

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/11/19 - Angel Olsen &emdash;

Beach Bunny at Great Scott – 11/20

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/11/20 - Beach Bunny &emdash;

Cattle Decapitation / Atheist / Author and Punisher at Brighton Music Hall – 12/2

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/02 - Cattle Decapitation &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/02 - Cattle Decapitation &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/02 - Cattle Decapitation &emdash;

Lightning Bolt / Baby; Baby at The Sinclair – 12/4

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/04 - Lightning Bolt &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/04 - Lightning Bolt &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/04 - Lightning Bolt &emdash;

Mother Iron Horse at Club Bohemia – 12/6

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/06 - Death Pesos &emdash;

Pile at The Sinclair – 12/10

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/10 - Pile &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/10 - Pile &emdash;

Lord Felix at the Boston Music Awards – 12/11

Noise Floor Photography: Van Buren &emdash;

Mount Eerie and Julie Doiron at Arts at the Armory – 12/13

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/13 - Mount Eerie and Julie Doiron &emdash;

Hallelujah the Hills / Major Stars at Great Scott – 12/19

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/19 - Hallelujah the Hills &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/19 - Hallelujah the Hills &emdash;

Daughter at Paradise – 12/21

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/21 - Daughters / Health &emdash;

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/21 - Daughters / Health &emdash;

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones at House of Blues – 12/27

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/27 - The Mighty Mighty Bosstones &emdash;

Ryley Walker / Chris Forsyth / Garcia Peoples at Great Scott – 12/27

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/27 - Ryley Walker / Chris Forsyth / Garcia Peoples &emdash;

Yo La Tengo at Bowery Ballroom – 12/28

Noise Floor Photography: 2019/12/28 - Yo La Tengo &emdash;