We haven't had an open music thread for a while now, so I'm taking the reins.

Most people probably regard the summer as prime concert season, but I find that when the weather is more agreeable, I'd rather just be out in nature doing something. Thus, fall seems to be the ideal season for me: it's darker, we're all busier with whatever's going on in our lives, and a concert is a nice, short respite to stave off whatever manner of monotony we've settled into.

Earlier in the week, David Byrne was in town playing a set with the alluring St. Vincent. I had friends that made it out to that one, and I'd love to see Byrne doing his thing, but most of my income is getting rerouted to the bookstore these days. I did see Dirty Three three weeks back, a set that fulfilled all of my weird expectations for it, as did Refused some months earlier. In the coming weeks I'll be seeing a strangely-cheery incarnation of Cat Power and Leonard Cohen, who is one of those guys that you have to see while he's still around.

Any concerts you've gone to recently that particularly stand out? Any that you're still looking forward to? Just what makes a truly great set anyway?