Photo Credit: Wendy Hu

I’ve seen many intriguing stage setups over the years, but never witnessed one with lamps surrounding the singer onstage. For Joshua Radin, the dim lighting only added to the atmosphere and his softer vocal style. Read my complete review of his Terminal 5 performance with The Script, on Venus Zine.

Have to be honest, it doesn’t feel great to be back home when the weather is seriously 40 degrees colder than it was in Texas! While I’m working on typing up my 3eb review and Meiko interview, I thought I’d post a few pictures I took with my cell phone while attending South By Southwest. Everything from the plane shot (above), to my first taco and some bands I saw.

My first Texas taco platter at this cute little joint cleverly called Taco Shack. If you’re thinking about planning a trip to SXSW next year this is a must eat.

Anya Marina playing at the Filter showcase a short while after my interview with her.

One of the guys from Virginia based band Parachute rocking Stubb’s Saturday afternoon.

More of Parachute. For some reason my cell phone pictures came out a lot better than my digital camera . . . I think I need a new camera.

White Lies’ set Saturday afternoon at Stubb’s right after Parachute. Again, ditto on the cell pics.

White Lies again.

Stephan Jenkins of Third Eye Blind ending the festival Saturday at Stubb’s around 2 a.m.

If that’s not enough for you, be sure to read the rest of my blog as well as MarieClaire.com for my SXSW adventures and I’ll type up these interviews as fast as my fingers will let me so stay tuned for more in the upcoming days!

Yesterday I introduced you to Hellogoodbye in my interview with frontman Forrest Kline during their nation-wide BBQ tour. An extremely diverse line-up, Hellogoodbye and Ace Enders and a Million Different People drew packed crowds to their fall tour and left concertgoers who went to see one band walk away avid fans of the other.

Both had extremely energetic and fun sets when I saw them in New York. Rather than give you my take on it, I figured I’d post Wendy’s photos of the show below so you get a feel of each performance. After all, a picture is worth a thousand words right? Did you get a chance to see the BBQ tour? I’d love to hear your reviews of it! Be sure to tune in next week for my interview with Ace Enders!

The end of the year is approaching and it’s that time when we all tend to look back and assess the year that was 2008 and prepare our “best of” lists. I’ll probably compile a few of my favorite albums of the year at some point, but in the meantime I wanted to give credit where credit is due, specifically the amazing photos on the blog.

From accompanying me on the “Get a Life” tour, including interviewing bassist Jeph of The Used on their tour bus, to assisting and photographing my interview with frontman Kris Roe of The Ataris in the basement of Maxwell’s, Wendy was there for it all. Not to mention her pictures — have you seen them? All the super clear, up-close concert photos on my blog are courtesy of Wendy. I don’t know what I’d do without her!

Sure, I write the reviews, but as they say, “A picture is worth a thousand words” and I have to agree. I try to be overly descriptive in my concert reviews, but seeing a photo as a musician performs, leaning closer and closer to the edge of the stage while every hand is in the air in hopes to shake the hand of their favorite band (see photo above) is priceless. So thank you Wendy for contributing to my blog this year and as a special feature I figured I’d compile a “Year in Photos” post featuring some of my favorite shots from Wendy this past year. What do you think? Here‘s her Flickr account, did I leave out a photo I should have included? Enjoy!

As promised, here are some photos that recap last Saturday night at Maxwell’s. Thanks again to everyone who made it out! With such success, I’m already thinking of ideas for next year . . . maybe I’ll hold the concert in New York and get even more bands to play. Suggestions always welcome. Special thanks to Wendy Hu, Dan Ng and Pauline Karakat for the photos! You can view more of Dan’s photos of the night here.