Efterklang HITEC, Auditorium, October 1
Few people in Hong Kong had heard of Danish post-pop band Efterklang prior to their arrival for the NOTCH festival. That likely explained why such a wicked band was playing to only a couple of hundred people in the auditorium at HITEC. With two drum kits – one played by the lead singer while standing up – multiple vocals, a violin, synths, trumpet, and guitars, the band generated a vibrant orchestral pop that transcended all other performances this year. Sounding like a clash of Animal Collective, the Arcade Fire, and compatriots Slaraffenland, Efterklang brought a musical aesthetic to Hong Kong that is rarely seen. They invigorated a crowd that was literally asleep during the previous set (by Tape, an experimental ambient noise group from Sweden), and enlivened the stage with much instrument-switching, drumming on the floorboards, and plenty of playful interaction. If you get the chance to see them live, grab it with both hands and two feet.

Runner-up: Kraftwerk AsiaWorld-Expo, December 5
Though the four aging German men of Kraftwerk barely moved on stage, so stoic were they in keeping to their minimalist aesthetic, the impressive reel of electronic master works – Man Machine, Vitamin, Autobahn, Radioactivity, and a load more – were brought to full life with a massive display of visuals that meshed vintage footage of Tour de France races with kitschy calculators and bold, dated typefaces that imbued the blast-from-the-past show with a splendid sense of retro. By the time the custom-made robots came on stage towards the end of the show, the static but loudly appreciative crowd were in full fawn mode, building up to the show’s climax as the only-slightly paunchy foursome finished the night bedecked in glo-tards with the track Music Non Stop. Heil to that.
 

Second runner-up: Toe Grappa’s Cellar, August 2
In Japan, instrumental rock group Toe have a devout cult following and have played to thousands at the hella cool Fuji Rock Festival. Thanks to MySpace, that following has spread to all corners of Asia and – whaddya know – even Hong Kong. So it was a privilege to see them at Grappa’s Cellar for their first-ever show outside their home country. An appreciative crowd of 400 packed the venue as the five-piece performed one of the tightest, most intricate rock sets you could hope to see.

Honourable mentions:

Björk AsiaWorld-Arena, February 28
With a huge troupe of dancers, some of the best lighting we’ve seen at an AsiaWorld-Arena show, and funky frocks, Björk proved beyond doubt that she’s not only a studio artist. Her distinctive voice-shriek was at its powerful best as she charged through all the classics, such as Human Behaviour, Jóga, and the high-energy highlight, Army of Me.

Ornette Coleman Cultural Centre, February 28 & 29
The master of free jazz, in his late seventies, proved he is still as fluid as he was in his hey-day. A pity that the venue, the Cultural Centre, lacked the intimacy required for a truly special jazz show.