2024 Recap
So this is the time of the year where I remember I have a blog section to my website, and so I will use it to do a giant dump of what the year had in store. Well, it was certainly busy! With the loss of DigBoston I got to less big shows, but the arena and stadium shows don't hold a lot of appeal for me in general so it's not like I didn't see a ton of amazing shows. By my count, it ended up around 334 different performances, in 59 different venues, scattered over four countries and 16 different cities. (For the sake of argument i didn't differentiate cities in Massachusetts, aside from Solid Sound tucked up in the far corner of MA in North Adams).
Before I forget, I want to thank Jack at The Big Takeover and Rob at Culture Beat for letting me do my thing and covering bands I am interested in. Also big thanks to Sarika and the team at Desertfest London and NYC, I always have a great time at each event and and happy to be part of the team. So many great bands, awesome fans and good times every weekend they hold it. And a shout out to Ryan at Widowmaker too, Hopsmoker is a super good time! Lastly, the publicists and band management deserve kudos for approving me for press credentials most of the time, and thanks for kicking in a +1 when you can as well, much appreciated.
My day job didn't bring me back to Amsterdam like last year, but I can't complain as I squeezed in a three week jaunt to Melbourne and that was amazing. Saw some great shows and a bunch of cool nature stuff too.
Like last year, I'll do a dump of some of my favorite gigs and photos from them and add an appendix of all the reviews I wrote up as well. 2024 was a pretty strong year! I hope I have an equal thrill next year, like when Tony Iommi shared a photo of mine on his Instagram account... that was pretty wild and unexpected.
I had written up little blurbs for specific gigs that stood out and ended up losing that draft... so here's the list with re-assembled content.
Deathchant at Desertfest NYC. Last run of shows w/ Joe behind the drums... met these guys a few years ago at one of the Psycho Las Vegas events (can everyone toss a penny into a nearby well and wish for that festival to be resurrected?) and they completely rule, on and off stage. It takes a lot to skip out on watching an entire Amenra set for me but this time that decision was easy.
The Chameleons at Fairmount Theatre. Having Reg back in the lineup is one thing but I couldn't miss not hearing "Caution" played so I drove to Montreal as I couldn't make the Boston show.
Orsak:Oslo at Desertfest London Every once in a while a completely unknown band bowls you over, and Orsak:Oslo was that band for me this year. Essential guitar-fueled instrumental rock, and they sent me down a Discogs rabbit hole to get all their releases that weren't at the merch table.
Unwound at the Paradise Even though i really dislike this venue, there was no way I was skipping this show, especially as I played the long game and patiently waited for Unwound to book a local show.
AIR at MGM Music Hall. The French duo have each been busy doing their own solo work but got together to wish Moon Safari a happy 20th birthday. The detached Gallic cool factor was off the charts.
The Saints at Northcote Theatre. Sometimes life hands you unexpected gifts. Not only was I fortunate enough to have my day job send me to Melbourne for three weeks, it coincided with Ed and Ivor recruiting some friends (Mick Harvey and Mark Arm!) to bang out essential songs from The Saints' first three records.
IDLES at Roadrunner. Though TANGK landed on a lot of best-of year lists, it didn't really resonate too strongly with me. But skip a live show from them? Never.
The Jesus Lizard at Roadrunner. The Jesus Lizard have NEVER mailed in a show and Yow still subjects his body to the whims of the crowd, even at age 64. Simply incredible band.
Grails at Crystal Ballroom. It had been 11 years since they played town and as all five members live scattered over the US and even Europe, tours are pretty sporadic. "Sad & Illegal" was my favorite song of last year, what do you think?
Guided By Voices at Bearsville Theatre. I saw GBV a lot this year (8 times!), mainly since Pollard gave strong hints that this would be the last year of any sort of significant touring. Nothing beats a beery, sweaty show and the Bearsville (Beersville?) show was way up there, strengthened also by having Winged Wheel open. Classic Pollard banter - "We're happy to be playing near Woodstock. You know the baby who was on the cover of that Woodstock record? That was Bobby Bare Jr."
Horse Lords at Solid Sound Festival. A late show (they got on around midnight, after Wilco's headlining set but Tweedy made sure he caught their set) and their intricately built songs were a special reward for those who held out for it.
Poison Ruin at The Tote. The Tote is a long-running legendary venue in Melbourne and the crowd was ready to throw down for the five band bill, with Poison Ruin headlining.
Civic at Fairfield Lawn Bowling Club. Another band that I knew nothing about until seeing them this year. They start with a well-tested premise (I think everyone can agree that Radio Birdman is an essential band) and then give it a sharper edge without losing any of the songwriting craft.
Summoner at Widowmaker's Hopsmoker Fest. I wasn't expecting a Summoner reunion but got it anyway; what a great set, everyone in the building with giant grins.
The Damned at Big Night Live. I've seen this band a lot but never with Rat Scabies and Paul Gray both in the lineup. Essential stuff, not just punk rock.
2024 in pictures, continued:
