The Gigs of 2024

In an attempt to break the doom spiral of today, let’s talk about the power of live music. Here are some great sets I saw this year.

I went to 26 gigs this year, plus FEST. I had tickets for nine shows that I did not end up attending for one reason or another, most likely a combination of grief and anxiety that kept me inside more this year than ever before. I also had tickets for two gigs that got cancelled. As always, going to the gig is always the right choice. Feel the music. Build community. Find your people. Buy a t-shirt.

Of those 26 gigs, strangely enough, there were only 3 venues I visited twice: The Sinclair, Deep Cuts, and Royale. Everything else was one and done this year. Four of the gigs were at non-traditional venues: a private loft, a burger shop, a barber shop, and a movie theatre. One of the gigs I missed was at a bowling alley. It’s always nice to see an artist in a unique place, and cut out evil LiveNation whenever possible.

Kevin DevineApril 14 — private loft — Portsmouth, NHApril 15 — Mission Burgers — Middletown, RI

Kevin is truly one of my favorite artists. At this point I have probably seen him over 50 times since first catching him at a memorable 2004 gig opening for Piebald. He booked this run of shows through Undertow, who work to book artists in intimate spaces. Here, it was a private loft in Portsmouth, NH and a burger joint in Middletown, RI. It made for a nice little New England road trip weekend.

Signals Midwest & RestorationsApril 19 — Deep Cuts — Medford, MA

I guess I didn’t get any shots of Restorations. Oops. Signals is truly one of the best, and Restorations put out one of the best records of the year. Two great sets back to back. Just straight up rock and roll baby.

Gatsbys American DreamApril 27 — Gramercy Theatre — New York City, NY

It has been years since I saw Gatsbys. When they announced a few gigs, and there was one in NYC, a friend and I grabbed tickets and booked a hotel and a train. They wrote a lot of great songs and it was awesome to hear them live again. From the literary references to shit talking labels to time changes, their songs may be short but they remain dynamic and full of life. And where’s the fucking chorus?

Gladie & Shit Present & Talking KindMay 20 — Warehouse XI — Somerville, MA

This has to be the best triple bill of the year. This was probably my sixth or seventh time seeing the great Gladie, and they brought two excellent openers in Shit Present and Talking Kind.

Ekko AstralJune 22 — Paradise Rock Club — Boston, MA

Pink Balloons is one of the most powerful pieces of art this year, and it hits even harder live. They opened for Teo Leo who was playing Shake the Sheets, a record that unfortunately still hits home in this fucked up world. Bands like Ekko Astral make the world a better place with their loud, brash, excellent songs, and their members could not be sweeter.

blink-182July 23 — Fenway Park — Boston, MA

2023 was my first Fenway gig ever: Fall Out Boy. I went back again this year for a band that used to be extremely important to me in the Dude Ranch / Enema / TOYPAJ era. They were never the best live band, but despite that it was a fun show. I might get too old one day and forget my own name, but those old songs will live in my brain forever.

PerennialAugust 9 — Faces Brewing — Malden, MA

This was my second time seeing Perennial, this time opening for Annabel. Their live show is top notch. Their energy and sincerity is palpable and fills the room. It looks and feels like the power of their instruments compels them to unleash the rock. They command your full attention in a way that few bands can. Go see them if you get the chance.

The Get Up KidsOctober 3 — Big Night Live — Boston, MA

I have lost count how many times I’ve seen The Kids. I’d have to guess it’s 25 or so by now. Before they broke up, the farewell tour, the welcome back tour, and a whole bunch of other times too. In fact, though it didn’t make this list, I saw Matt Pryor acoustic at a barber shop earlier this year too. This tour was extra special though, as they were playing Something to Write Home About in full, one of my all-time favorites.

The Dreaded LaramieOctober 25 — Civic Media Center — Gainesville, FL (FEST)

A Dreaded Laramie gig is pure joy. MC and Zach radiate joy and it is just not possible to not have a great time watching them shred. On previous tours, they’ve stopped midset to play Hangman. They’re always ready with a cover song you didn’t see coming that has no right to be as good as it is. Come for the great songs, stay for all the other joy they have to share. I really love them as musicians and people, and it filled my heart to see the room full for their set.

Further Seems ForeverOctober 25 — Heartwood Soundstage — Gainesville, FL (FEST)

I literally jumped up and down from excitement multiple times. Hearing The Moon is Down songs live, even with Jason Gleason on vocals, was a FEST highlight for me. Moon is one of my all-time favorite records, and I’ve always longed to see them with Chris Carrabba. This wasn’t that, but it absolutely rocked. I really liked How to Start a Fire, which was Jason’s record with them. They played mostly songs from those two records, and I enjoyed every second.

CombatOctober 26 — Vecino’s — Gainesville, FL (FEST)

Combat’s FEST set was up against Joyce Manor, but you wouldn’t have known it by looking around the room. It was absolutely packed. This set was electric. It feels like one that will be talked about for awhile, as Combat continues their climb from up and comers to scene stalwarts: “remember that year Combat wore Ghostbusters costumes and filled Vecino’s?” There were a bunch of other bands to witness the event. The energy in the crowd was wild. Live music is just so great.

EquipmentOctober 27 — Civic Media Center — Gainesville, FL (FEST)

Equipment is simply one of the best bands in the scene today. Smart, catchy, consistent. I’ve been a fan for awhile but had never seen them until now, and the set delivered.

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P.S. I’ll make a post about it soon, but here’s a link to my songs of the year playlist.