Big year: Bruce unplugs and lots more

The year 2012 was another big one in the annals of Charlottesville music history. It would have been news enough to have "The Boss," Bruce Springsteen in town, but it's what he did with his time in town that created an everlasting glow. Appearing here just a few days before the election, in addition to his evening performance at John Paul Jones Arena, he gave a free afternoon acoustic show at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion.

One of the biggest bits of musical news was a brand new weekend of tunes held at off-the-beaten-track locations called the Tom Tom Founders Festival, which happened in mid-May. And the Jefferson Theater had its centennial celebration exactly 100 years after it opened on October 21.

Some other bands that came to town in 2012 include They Might Be Giants (February at the Jefferson), This Will Destroy You (February at the Southern), hometowners Parachute (March and November at the Jefferson), hometowners The Hackensaw Boys (August and November at the Jefferson), indie faves Darwin's Award (November at the Southern), Riverdance (May at John Paul Jones Arena), returning folkie John McCutcheon (May at the PVCC), virtuoso comedian/banjo player Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers (June at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion), venerable rocker Kris Kristofferson (July at the Paramount), moody friend o' Dave David Gray (September at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion), classic crooners The Temptations (November at the Paramount), and nerd superstar Darwin Deez (November at the Southern). And let's not forget moody hearthrobs A Fine Frenzy and Joshua Radin, brought together for a special double-bill in early November at the Paramount.

The Boss and other highlights are shown here.