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Gothamist's Year in Rock 2008

Surprise of the Year: All Points West is a SuccessNobody expected much out of the inaugural All Points West festival across the river in Liberty Park late this summer. The New York metro area hasn't had much luck in getting these types of festivals off the ground as many Field Day hopefuls know too well, and with the Vineland Festival getting canned before ever getting off the ground, it was only more evidence of how tough it is to pull off. The enormity of setting up a multi-day, outdoor festival for the first time in a new location made it seem like a disaster waiting to happen. But with the combination of a double night headliner of Radiohead, and the experienced team that has made Coachella such a unique success, they pulled it off. The setting was perfect and the crowds, stages and concessions were all well managed. Most impressively, perhaps, was how easily they were able to get everyone in and out of the fairgrounds, with a ferry system and light rail connection that ran about as smoothly as anyone could have hoped. While there are always improvements to be made, there is little argument that All Points West was a success, and hopefully will be around for years to come. Our recaps from the weekend can be found here and here. — Gothamist

Published Dec 31, 2008

Modified Dec 31, 2008

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Was 2008 a ground-breaking year for music? Probably not. But the past 365 days did bring us many sonic surprises, some good and some bad. Here are a few highlights, as well as our Top 3 Bands of the Year (all, incidentally, from New York).