As we’ve entered the new year, I’ve been reflecting a lot on some of the concerts of 2024. It was extremely intense. Unlike most of the year, the intensity of shows was not in a negative way though. I learned and loved a lot while pushing myself to my limits and living my life to the fullest. In terms of live music, I’ve attended the most shows I’ve ever had in a single year. That’s 102 shows, including 3 in Mexico, and several in 7 different states. While I’m looking forward to the adventures 2025 will bring, it’s been nice to think back and remember just how epic really 2024 was. This includes all the epic shows I attended.
It was tough to narrow it down but here are my top 10 concerts of 2024:
10. HANABIE. at Reggie’s (August 3, 2024)
Part of the Lollapalooza aftershows, HANABIE. took the stage late at night after an intense third day. The group’s intense yet cute energy was matched by the crowd’s crazy moshing. Their stage presence was infectious. Reggie’s very intimate nature made for an even better performance. I was drenched in sweat and completely depleted of energy after the show. In a world where metalcore is getting beaten to death by uninspired music, HANABIE. sticks out in their creative approach to the genre. They are a must-see live show!
9. Mon Laferte at Rosemont Theatre (May 2, 2024)
I don’t really like seated venues, especially when I’m subject to the nosebleeds, but Mon Laferte’s live shows are the stuff of legends. Her exquisite songwriting combined with flamboyant theatrics had me in tears at several points. She went through her career discography and didn’t once let up. The backup dancers were great as were her backup musicians. If I could time travel I’d go back to this show just to experience the heart-wrenching harmonica solo during “Flaco.”Definitely an emotional force to be reckoned with.
Full show review with photos, here
8. Justice at Radius (October 23, 2024)
I’m not one for going to electronic concerts often, but Justice has always stuck out to me. For 90 minutes, Justice fiercely activated the senses in my body. The feeling of bass coursing through my veins as trance-inducing melodies played. I couldn’t stand still the entire show! Their blinding lighting rigs had moved throughout the whole night, at times feeling like they would crush me. At this Justice concert, that honestly would’ve been a wonderful way to go out.
7. Son Rompe Pera at Reggie’s (November 20, 2024)
Back to Reggie’s with another wildly intimate night with Naucalpan’s psychedelic cumbia punk group Son Rompe Pera. It was a crazy night of dancing, moshing, and sweating with a crowd matching the energy! Mexico City came to Chicago that night as the marimba played the most infectious cumbia licks. Cumbia is indeed the new punk!
6. Deftones at Metro (August 1, 2024)
Announced just two days before the show, this epic Lollapalooza aftershow helped close out night one of Chicago’s juggernaut weekend. In the cramped, intimate room that is Metro, Deftones took the stage in fury, shattering eardrums and creating furious mosh pits. The crowd was ready for murder that night, keeping the energy up from the opening notes of “Feiticeira” to the final screams of “7 Words.” I might’ve lost my voice after this show, but for Deftones, it’s always worth it.
5. Slayer at Riot Fest (September 22, 2024)
Five years off did wonders for Slayer! Tom Araya sounded amazing and the band seemed to enjoy themselves the whole performance. The energy leading up to this reunion was electric, all coming to a head the second the opening notes to “South of Heaven” began. With fiery pyrotechnics, nonstop crowd surfers, constant rain, and evil lyrics, this was an unforgettable Slayer show. Riot Fest was blessed with an epic conclusion to the three-day weekend.
Full festival review with photos here
4. LCD Soundsystem at Aragon Ballroom (May 26, 2024)
I attended 4 LCD Soundsystem shows in 4 days this summer. In all honesty, I could put all of them on this list, but the one that easily sticks out was night 3. Call it corny but it felt like something was in the air that night. While the setlist remained, for the most part, similar to that of the other three shows the unusual precision and energy is what made it stand out. As if they weren’t already one of the best live acts around, LCD Soundsystem performed this night as if their life depended on it! Most importantly, they played “Yeah,” a song they rarely perform live blowing everything they played that weekend away.
Full show review with photos here
3. Knocked Loose at The Salt Shed (May 23, 2024)
To those who have read my concert reviews, it’s no secret that I love a violent crowd. But none of them were as violent and feral as the crowd at The Salt Shed for Knocked Loose! If I wasn’t fighting for my life in the sweaty crowd, I was throwing spin kicks and moshing my ass off. Knocked Loose had an incredibly impressive year, including an album release, two very successful U.S. tours, and an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Their unique mix of hardcore and metal has always made for unique shows. But with the release of their new album,, they had a lot to live up to. Knocked Loose exceeded those expectations. The new singles sounded phenomenal live, and the crowd was more than happy to partake in the chaos. Closing out the night with a venue-wide wall of death during “Everything is Quiet Now,” the joy felt by colliding together was unmatched by most metal shows this year.
2. Lamb of God at Riot Fest (September 22, 2024)
Every year, there is a set at Riot Fest that beats me into oblivion. This year, it was Lamb of God. The band took the stage of the famed Chicago festival for the first time and took no prisoners. The very moment the opening notes to “Laid to Rest” started, the biggest circle pit formed, creating the wildest crowd surge possible. The mud caused by the early morning’s pouring rain triumphantly flew through the air as crazy metalheads headbanged to the chugging riffs. It’s impressive how tight the group has remained with over 20 years as a band. If you thought their riffs and drums sounded impressive, just see them live! Their fans are rowdy, and their pyro is epic. Frontman Randy Blythe really knows how to command the stage. As the biggest circle pit of the night formed during “Redneck,” the show concluded in a blaze of glory. Very few metal bands are on the level of Lamb of God.
1. Café Tacvba at Estadio GNP Seguros (12.5.2024)
This show was one of the most important experiences of my life. If you’ve read my work before, you’ll know how much rock en español and Latin American music mean to me. It’s always been a dream of mine to visit Mexico City and see Café Tacvba live there. So when I saw they announced a 35th-anniversary show there, it wasn’t a question; I had to be there! Roughly 65,000 Café Tacvba fans packed Estadio GNP Seguros to witness a three-hour celebration of their eclectic career. Hits from their first album were played, along with instrumentals from their lesser-known record Revés/Yo Soy, to the punk and metal tracks they rarely perform. For three hours, the band kept the audience engaged. As a Mexican-American going to CDMX for the first time to witness this, what struck me was the insane audience participation. Sure, Café Tacvba fans here in the U.S. sing along to their music live, but 65,000 people singing along to “Maria” will always be a cherished memory. As someone who always hates stadium shows, this is one I will hold dear forever.
