The Shins - great live
The Decemberists - OK

thanks for all the wonderful replies.

well so far here's how it's going:

my girlfriend picked up:
M83 tickets (i know it wasn't even on the list)

she will always pick up:
Books (when they do go on sale)

We may split Decemberists tickets, but anyway you look at it we're going as soon as they go on sale.

i'm undecided about the Shins, although i love 'em and all, it's expensive and all ages.

Autechre, although i'm a huge fan, it's a little too expensive and my girlfriend thinks it may get a little much after a while.

Dead Meadow, well i'm not getting tickets, so that's up to the wife!