Sadly, the rest of my semester will be mostly devoted to finishing up final projects instead of attending potentially awesome shows in the Champaign-Urbana area (like Islands at the IMC this past Friday). Therefore, to satisfy those who demand a live performance fix, I bring you the Late Nite Delight Awards!

As you might have guessed from the title, these honors will be a celebration of those often-bland, frequently-awkward late night talk show performances that always end with the host walking over, shaking everyone’s hand and saying “Wow, that was really great!”

Even though this is usually a lie (I think Conan O’Brien secretly only likes The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players), sometimes this scripted one-liner hits the mark. And to prove it, here is the first nominee:

Date: 9/19/2007
Artist: Mute Math
Show: Jimmy Kimmel Live
Synopsis: Although the song’s name is “Typical” — this performance is definitely anything but. Watch how alternative rock band Mute Math amazingly re-creates its backwards music video in front of a live studio audience. (Or did they??)