DrBeeper saw a fair amount of live music (35 events) in 2003, these were his favorite shows…
Calexico – Bimbo’s 365 – March 01
  Just a ridiculously rewarding display of warm, friendly virtuosity.  Elements of jazz, folk, mariachi, and atmospheric experimentalism from an extremely talented group of musicians.  Saw them again later in the year (Sept. 19, Fillmore), but I’ll give the nod to the smaller venue.  The fact that the wife was completely blown away is not lost on me either.
White Stripes – The Warfield – April 29
  Jack White is the f-ing man!  The Stripes absolutely ripped through a great set of originals and well-chosen covers.  I normally loathe The Warfield, but we got there early and got up close.  I can’t imagine seeing them in a bigger venue, as the energy is definitely the thing.  And I was raging drunk.
The Black Keys – Bottom of the Hill – July 23
  The Bottom of the Hill is tailor-made for this sound.  Their charging, attacking blues bounces around the room and creates a feverish whorl of raw energy.  The band was red-hot, and the crowd was with them the whole way.  I can say with complete confidence that I won’t miss them next time they’re in town.
The New Pornographers – Bimbo’s 365 – June 10
  ’Bubblegum pop for music geeks’.  The New Pornographers make it seem so easy, yet it’s simply note perfect.  A fantastically rollicking time, but alas no double-dutch.  And please don’t get me started about Neko Case.  She’s just so yummy…
The Kills – Bottom of the Hill – July 28
  The Kills minimalist sound possessed the room, with each note drawing the crowd further in.  They just burned up on stage, feeding off each other until they seemed on the verge of going supernova.  Easily the best show I’ve seen with no drums.  Saw them again a few months later (Sept. 23, GAMH), but again, the smaller venue wins out.
The Dirtbombs/Von Bondies – Great American Music Hall – Feb. 27
  The big, bad Detroit sound comes to conquer SF.  The Dirtbombs are definitely one of my all-time-fave outfits, and they definitely didn’t let me down.  The Von Bondies kicked ass (heh); wait for it, they’re gonna own 2004.  Part of the always-fun Noise Pop festival.
Lyle Lovett/John Hyatt/Joe Ely/Guy Clark – Fox Theatre – Feb. 16
  Four classic songwriters with acoustic guitars, playing in rounds.  It was easy to see that this is what it would be like if they were jamming in a living room, drinking and smoking the night away.  I was pretty much unprepared for John Hyatt to be so damn great.
Flaming Lips/Liz Phair/Starlight Mints – Warfield – May 28
  The Flaming Lips are easily the funnest band I’ve ever seen live.  Alas, I’d seen this set before, which detracted somewhat.  That said, between the confetti, people in animal costumes, singing nun puppet, huge balloons, fake blood and awesome pop-songs the Lips didn’t disappoint.  It’s not exactly a news-flash, but Liz Phair can’t sing a lick.  Why she tried to do an acoustic set is completely beyond me…
The Mountain Goats – Cafe du Nord – Oct. 02
  John Darnielle is just such an interesting character, you can’t help but get drawn in.  Then the songs themselves take over and take you god-knows-where.  Deliciously quirky, you have to love the crowd chanting “Hail Satan” during the chorus of the encore.  Easily the most crowded show of the year, thank god the Fire Marshall didn’t show up.
The Strokes/Kings of Leon – Civic Center – Oct. 21
  The Strokes were tight and sounded (and looked) great.  Unfortunately, after 5 or 6 songs, it all begins to sound exactly the same.  The Kings of Leon stole the show, IMHO.  Their brand of southern-rock is so refreshing, and they tore through their set with a vengeance.  The crowd here made me feel older than I’ve felt in years.