These are in no particular order (except for the first one with good reason) because there is so much good music and moments to capture and look back on in 2010. I know I have forgotten some and welcome your additions but here are some are of my favorites from the past 365 days.
DoYouHearTheMusic.com – simply because I finally did it and started my own blog. For me it was a huge accomplishment and I only hope that if you are reading this you found some new music to listen to. Looking forward to adding and improving the site next year
Temper Trap – the Australians blew up in the US in 2010, headlining tours, “Sweet Disposition” being remixed into one of the best electronic songs, “Fader” taking off on the charts, etc.
Chiddy Bang – “Opposite of Adults” – what can I say, I dig these guys and I just hope more people give them a listen in 2011
Fitz & The Tantrums – the second half of my 2010 was dedicated to this band. I am in love with their sound and can’t wait to see them live
ImWithTheDJ.com – can always count on my friends’ blog for fun, inspiring and another side of music, posts
Tinie Tempah – not only is he one of the hottest artists across the pond but Tinie Tempah is quickly making his way to the US with his hit song, “Miami 2 Ibiza” ft. Swedish House Mafia
Tinchy Stryder – Another UK hip-hop act who should get some crossover into the US in 2011
Laidback Luke – What can I not say about this guy, he’s incredible. Three songs he remixed in 2010 that stick out to me: Calvin Harris – “You Use To Hold Me,” Robyn – “Indestructible” and of course Wynter Gordon – “Dirty Talk” (hands down one of the BEST songs of the year)
Vampire Weekend – if these guys were big before, Contra made them a global brand
Kings of Leon – I’ve been a fan of KoL for as long as they’ve been a band and Come Around Sundown reminds me of their original works. One of my favorite tracks of the year “Back Down South” I hope gains mainstream airplay
Brandon Flowers – went solo in 2010 and wow did he impress. Much more than I ever imagined he would. Bravo
Trombone Shorty – have you heard “Show Me Something Beautiful”
Dave Matthews Band – after announcing that they were taking 2011 off, I knew I had to see DMB as much as I could in 2010 and to me, they sounded incredible. So good it hurts to know they are taking next year off
LCD Soundsystem – wow, these guys rocketed to the top of the charts in 2010 and to be completely honest, the show I saw at the Pearl at Palms in Las Vegas, one of the best concerts of the year
That two DJ friends of mine have opened sneaker boutiques in Las Vegas- DJ Vice’s CRSVR inside the Cosmopolitan and DJ Ikon’s Feature off Spring Mountain/Jones
Bobby Long – getting set for a big release in 2011 and big things to come. He was one of the big surprises for me during Mile High Music Festival
Pepper at HRH – always guarantee a good time when going to see Pepper Live and once again they rocked the Hard Rock Hotel in Vegas poolside to a HUGE crowd.
“One” – Swedish House Mafia – not much to elaborate on this except the BIGGEST song of the Summer 2010
Wolfgang Gartner – with a half filled nightclub, those who made it out to Vanity at the Hard Rock Hotel this summer were treated to one of the best DJ sets
Mark Ronson – “Bang Bang Bang”
Dave Matthews Band – “Write A Song” Live – this has quickly become one of my top DMB songs and hearing it live cemented its place for good
Taio Cruz – “Dynamite” – this song is club gold. The reactions when this song is played is right up there with “I’ve Got a Feeling,” “Just Dance,” “Since You’ve Been Gone” and the likes where people go absolutely insane for it.
DJ Khaled – “All I Do Is Win”
Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP – “We No Speak Americano” – took some time but gained serious momentum in the second half of 2010
Roger Sanchez – “2gether” – what a remix and breath of fresh air
Edward Maya – “Stereo Love”
Michael Franti – Sound of Sunshine – Love me some Michael frantic but his latest disc was a real surprise for me and I am forever grateful to have had this as a soundtrack to my summer
Kanye West – “Power” – forget how good his whole album is, “Power” is my jam
Lupe Fiasco ft John Legend – “Never Forget You” – what a song and definitely some lyrics you should pay attention to
Jimmy Cliff – seeing the legend perform live at Mile High Music Festival was one of the best musical highlights of my life. Man still has it and I could listen to him perform any day
Miike Snow – wow the surge to stardom keeps rising for these guys
Dr. Luke – this guy produces hit after hit after hit. I mean Katy, Perry, Ke$ha, Eminem, etc. all have top hits because of him
Cee Lo – what can’t he do?
B.o.B. – his debut disc is flat out phenomenal
Biffy Clyro – keep an eye out for these Scottish rockers
Graffiti6 – love love love
Good Shoes – English band you have no excuse not to listen to
Duck Sauce – The team of A-Trak and Armand van Helden make you wonder where the musical boundaries are going to be pushed to next
Pirate Radio on DVD – this is one of my favorite movies of all time and definitely a great music flick
The Rolling Stones – Exile on Main St. rerelease – it still amazes me what they are able to do today with remastering original recordings
Treme – what a great job HBO did with this series. Can’t wait for season two
Gorillaz – Plastic Beach
Yeasayer – “Ambling Alp” one of my favorite tracks of the year
D.W. Brandt – “Some Fantasy” another amazing track this year
Drake – what else can you say about this guy and “Over” with the Dead Prez beat SICK
Wavves
The Crookes
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon because of The Roots as the house band – did you see the performances?
Mumford and Sons – my tip of the hat to CC for the good look before these guys struck it big
Maccabees – just check em out
Aerosmith – finally getting to see these guys live and good thing I did since Steven Tyler broke up the band for American Idol
Reel Big Fish and Goldfinger – one of the most fun concerts I’ve ever attended and well worth $31
Friendly Fires – another band you haven’t heard of
Rehab at Hard Rock Hotel
The music program at Wet Republic – just do a search for the recap of all the artists
The Dirty Dutch invasion – DJ Chuckie crushed it
Afrojack – monster year and now has a Vegas residency
David Gray – never lets you down
Aloe Blacc – How To Make It In America on HBO pushed him to mainstream and “I Need A Dollar” isn’t even his best work (did you catch Kid Cudi the actor?!)
David Guetta and Kid Cudi – “Memories”
Discovering Blue King Brown
John Butler Trio – April Uprising – hands down one of the best albums of the year
The Parties- Coast Garde
Donvavon Frankenreiter – “Glow” – I’ve been a Donavon fan since the first time I saw/heard him opening for G. Love at Hob Sunset Strip and anytime he has new music out, I don’t even have to wonder, I just know it’s good music
Subway Sessions – really really cool concept
Chromeo teaming up with Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend on the track “I Could Be Wrong”
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings – if you haven’t listened to her, you are missing out
The Black Keys – finally hit stardom
Elton John and Leon Russell – The Union
The Gaslight Anthem – back with their third LP, the Jersey rockers killed it again
Calvin Harris
Gyptian – “Hold Yuh” – the original is wonderful but the Major Lazer remix is awesome
Hot Chip
Mile High Music Festival – a great two days with an insane amount of top tier bands to see
Do You Hear The Music? 