Best Twin Cities concerts 2012

Photo by Steve Cohen

15. The Revolution reunion at First Avenue, 2/19/12 (Slideshow)

A fully recovered Bobby Z got the band back together for a gathering to celebrate life, and the Roots' ?uestlove closed out the night on the decks.

Photo by Anna Gulbrandsen

14. Amon Tobin at Orpheum Theatre, 9/6/12 (Slideshow)

Pat O'Brien: "So many electronic artists fall flat live, but Tobin could have presented the visuals to the tune of an Emergency Broadcast System test pattern and nobody would have minded."

Photo by Erik Hess

13. Japandroids at 7th Street Entry, 7/03/12 (Slideshow)

Erik Thompson writes: "King then exclaimed, 'We're going to get weird now, I hope you don't mind. You're from Minneapolis, of course you like to get weird.' He went on to introduce "Continuous Thunder" as a slow song, but a slow song for Japandroids is still rowdy, and the simmering track still slayed. King even brought up the band's disastrous, whiskey-filled Minnesota debut at the Turf Club in 2009, joking about how one day they will play a free show there and it will be their 'Redemption at the Turf Club.'"

Photo by Stacy Schwartz

12. Alabama Shakes at First Avenue, 8/2/12 (Slideshow)

Natalie Gallagher writes: "Sometimes I don't know what to say. It doesn't mean I don't love you," said a breathless Brittany Howard to the audience last night, as the Alabama Shakes were winding down their marathon show. "It just means I love you too much. So I come out here, and I sing to you, and I spit on you, but I'm just trying to express myself."

Photo by Erik Hess

11. El-P and Killer Mike at Fine Line, 7/5/12 (Slideshow)

Jack Spencer writes: "The seasoned rapper's aura is kind of astounding; he seemed remarkably genuine and excited to be performing. A good chunk of R.A.P. Music was played, along with some classics from the rapper's previous albums and guest spots. His style is very focused on conveying his message, and every word he rapped seemed enunciated, projected, and felt by listeners. 'I never thought nine years into my career,' Killer Mike said at one point, 'that I'd be just beginning;' these words summed up his set well, showcasing years of experience but the heart of an upstart."