See also: Ten of August's best music photos

This summer's musical choices have been made. Our thighs have been chafed from festivals, our livers raked over the fiery coals, our eardrums gently caressed. And now, as we drift into the last quarter of the year, we're taking one look back at some of our favorite summer shows.

Father John Misty, Sons of Hermann Hall The show began with the performers fully clothed. Har Mar Superstar, who had a thunderous performance of dance-funk-pop, was the first to get down to his underwear. OK, he was the only one, but the show's tone was instantly set: This was not going to be a night of doom folk. Former Fleet Foxes drummer Josh Tillman's old stuff is macabre, spiritually contemplative. Tillman's new persona, Father John Misty, spent the night on the Sons stage churning out a handful of Harry Nilsson-esque pop-rock. And he was funny. And weird. It was just over an hour, and probably one of the best dance parties that has come from a prolific folk writer to date. - Nick Rallo

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings, Majestic Theatre My review from that night says it all, really. Oh, wait. It doesn't address the fact that months later, after seeing many other shows, I still have thoughts of pure awe when thinking back to that night. The sparse scene of two master craftsmen huddled close together on stage, playing a pure form of American music, is one that resonates within me still and reminds that regardless of the changes in the music industry, the power of a transcendent live show is something that can never be sullied by corporate conglomerates and focus groups. - Kelly Dearmore