1 (by a landslide)...Air. @the Met Philly & Anthem
I've never seen a concert like this one. For me, from start to finish it was like witnessing a majestic, masterful work of art. The light, sound, images and displays, everything about it was elevated art, something that existed purely in the moment and each moment was stunningly beautiful, perfectly executed, and intended. The best concert and tour I've ever seen, and I can't really compare it to anything else. Kraftwerk approaches it, but this was visually as good as anything I've seen in a modern art museum. To combine it with incredible music and sound was genius. A++. A tremendous amount of thought was put into this. Grateful I didn't miss this.
2) Neil Young & Crazy Horse @ the Lube (really special)
3) PJ Harvey @ The Met (Philly) Best PJ tour since 2000, another one that was intended and executed masterfully and beautifully.
4) The Feelies @ Black Cat (crazy fun concert)
5) Real Estate @ 9:30 (thought they did a phenomenal job)
6) Charlatans with Ride @ Union Transfer (both bands sounded incredible)
7) The Jesus Lizard @ Black Cat (David Yow walking out on stage and saying fuck you to everyone was a year highlight)
8 ) The The @ Anthem (first time seeing them, and loved it)
9) The Damned @ Big Night Live (Boston) (first time seeing Rat Scabies, and he can still drum his ass off)
10) Slowdive @ Union Transfer (a band still reaching new heights)
11) Belle and Sebastian @ Union Transfer (watched soundcheck, and they played Fox in the Snow to about 8 of us...stunning)
12) Pixies w/Modest Mouse @ Huntington Bank Pavilion (Chicago)
13) Micheal Shannon & Jason Narducy covering REM @ Black Cat (another crazy fun night)
14) Descendents & Circle Jerks @ Fillmore Silver Spring
Pretty good: Snail Mail, Miki Berenyi Trio with Lol and Budgie opening (one of the most fun nights of 2024, show was good but not stellar), Green Day (sounded great, but stadium shows wear on me)
Not great: Echo & the Bunnymen @ 9:30 (I left after the first set...it was sad), Social Distortion @ MGM (they were phoning it in), Smashing Pumpkins opening for Green Day
Wanted to love it, but it turned into a shitshow: The Pretenders @ Warner. Sounded great, awesome setlist, but Chrissie just hates phones and she lets it get the best of things, including the band's performance. At a certain point she had them turn off almost all the stage lights so they were performing in the dark. I get it, you hate phones. But don't ruin it for those of us paying you money who are not taking pics or video. It's like the whole class getting detention because of 3 idiots who can't behave.
One more show for me this year...Luna.
