Some of my favorite live shows of 2025

(Image is mine take at the elbow show)

I was lucky to get to 34 shows in 2025.  Here are some notes on some of my favorite shows (by date) in 2025

Jason Isbell at PPAC Feb 18th  - a live album needs to be released, easily the best “sounding” show of the year.  Jason continues to be held in that “I really can’t miss him” live, but I am ticketless for the two upcoming Boston shows.  He returns to Boston for two nights Feb 27 and 28th at Boch Center

Fantastic Cat – May 7^th at the MET.  I have no idea why I can’t sway more people on this band, especially live so I am going to stop.  More room for me up front.  They did a few shows near end of 2025 but nothing slated as of this post.

Pelican – July 21^st at Sinclair.  One of my favorite records of 2025 and I was able to get up pretty close.  Glacier was one of the support bands and they might have been the loudest show I went to if it were not for Swans later in the year.  No local shows slated.

Truck fighters – August 10^th at Sonia.  If I had to choose the most “this is why I love going to concerts” show the win hands down.  To hear Desert Cruiser live is to have lived man.  Just such a blast of a show.  No local shows slated.

James – September 9^th at HOB.  Touring to support their biggest record in the USA 30 years later.  They are so very energetic live, your head needs to be on a swivel because there is so much to watch, and Tim likes to come see you in the audience. No local shows slated.

Elbow – October 2^nd at Roadrunner.  I’d say this was the best show of the year.  Spectacular.  This band cannot be missed live.  The most “sing along, holy cow this is magic” live band  I was lucky to see some of my favorites in 2025, but I can say without hesitation this was the one for the year.  No local shows slated, but 50% off in their merch store currently.

Caspian November 29^th at Sonia – Shocker.  This show from them was one of their best I’ve seen.  Electric right from the start, we got a “new song” which brings hope into the new year.  Also, the guys were just smiling…. the entire time.  They love what they do, and we know it.  All bias aside they are still one of the best kept secrets for live bands that I know of.  The best bang for your buck band period.  It’s a hill I will die on.  Nothing slated.



Other observations

Rowdiest – Dreadnoughts at the Met and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets at Royal.  Dreadnaughts need to be applauded for getting the audience to do what is asked.  Giant pit, to a “conga” line that went outside the venue and back in.  A band member crowd surfed, not once but TWICE to the bar for a beer.  Psychedelic Porn Crumpets for just the not stop stage diving.  It was 1993 all over for that.  Dreadnoughts have a show in RI on Jan 30th (CT as well on the 31st)

Biggest Surprise – Surfrajettes at Alchemy on March 10th.  All female, instrumental surf rock?  If they come around again, we are going.  Anytime I tell people about them they always perk up and say “let me know”.  Your move.  Also, I’ll add in Lake Street Dive.  My wife is a big fan and we went.  They are very good.  Surfrajettes don't have stuff planned, but Lake St plays Mohegan sun on April 10th

Best Opening Act – Slomosa, March 20^th at the Paradise.  Opening for Helmet.  So excited for the headline US tour in 2026.  The Paradise, despite many memories is starting to wear thin though sadly for places to see a show.  Glad Slomosa is playing a different venue.  See you down front for that one!!

Quietest Show – Earth at Machines with Magnets.  The quietest heavy band reigns supreme.  They performed the album Hex  in full an done new song giving us a taste of what’s coming in 2026.  Read up on that record, its quite the story.  Maybe after the new album is out?

Biggest Nostalgia gigs -  The Ocean Blue at Arts that Armory doing their first two records in full, and James doing “Laid” at House of Blues with Tim Booth seemingly “Everywhere”.  All three of those records are foundational in my music journey.  Ocean Blue plays the Bull Run in Shirley MA on March 6th.  I need to mention the Ace Frehley show.  It ended up being his final live performance before his passing.


Here is all the shows/acts I saw in 2025 (in order)

January - 1 show, 3 acts.
HR of Bad Brains as well as Natural Element and one other band that eludes me at Alchemy in Providence

February - 2 shows,  3 acts
Jack White with Pink Lids at Roadrunner
Jason Isbell at PPAC in RI

March - 4 shows, 11 acts
Surfragettes with Black Widow at Alchemy in Providence
Brant Bjork Trio and the Saunce at Alchemy in Providence
Helmet, Slomosa and The War on Women - Paradise
Weedeater with Mollusk, Cloakroom and Bask at Alchemy in Providence

April - 1 show,  1 act
Terry Chambers EXTC at the Met in Pawtucket RI

May - 2 shows, 4 acts
Fantastic Cat with Jake Thistle at the Met in Pawtucket
Lake Street Dive with Katie Tupper at PPAC in RI

June 5 shows, 12 acts
Cloud Nothings with Landowner and Minikin at Alchemy Providence
The Ocean Blue and Brian Tighe at Arts at the Armory in Somerville
Queens of the Stone Age with the Kills at MGM Fenway
This Will Destroy You with The Burning Paris and Jesse Beaman, Sonia Cambridge
Godspeed You! Black Emperor with Marissa Anderson at Roadrunner

July 3 shows, 7 acts
Surprise Chef with Kendra Morris Brighton Music Hall
Pelican with Glacier and Porcelain at Sinclair T
TV On The Radio with Model/Actriz at Roadrunner

August  3 shows 8 acts
Volbeat with Halestorm and The Ghost Inside - xfinity Center
Truck fighters with Restless Spirit at Sonia
The Dreadnoughts with Consuelo's Revenge and Apes of the State, Met Pawtucket

September 4 shows, 6 acts
Ace Frehley - Uptown Theater Providence (some local band opened)
James - House of Blues
Wet Leg with Mary in the Junkyard at Roadrunner
Geordie Greep at the Met

October  5 shows, 9 acts
elbow with Ravi at Roadrunner
Swans with Little Annie Bandez & Paul Wallfisch
Frankie and the Witch Fingers with Population II at Brighton Music Hall
Lightning Bolt with Kill Alters at the Met
Hannah Miller in a buddies living room

November  4 shows, 7 acts.
Earth with Steve Moore at Machines with Magnets in Providence
LOCASH (1/2 time show at Patriots Game)
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets with Ghost Funk Orchestra at Royale Boston
Caspian with Aisha Burns, Sonia

Shows: 34
Acts: 71

Happy Holidays

 It was quite a good year for music, both recorded and in a live setting.  Deciding if I want to toss down some of my favorites.  I was actually cleaning off my phone of some concert photos (back them up elsewhere) and thought..maybe people want to see these crappy images.  The night might have been awesome, images not so much....

Its on on the brain.

Brian Dunne - new music and tour!!

 

There is no secret I am a BIG fan of Fantastic Cat.  The cool part is all the guys are always busy, and here/now is Brian Dunne’s turn once more!

This week, Brian Dunne shares "Max's Kansas City," a stream-of-consciousness track about the unseriousness of a serious world. The song comes just before releasing his new album Clams Casino this Friday, September 5 on Missing Piece Records. 

Dunne writes: “lyrical madness about all the things that drive me nuts,” Dunne explains. “I truly wrote it for myself. I was completely alone on a hellish tour of Europe, and it rained like 17 days I was there. I was like, 'What does it all mean?!' I wrote this song to be like, 'It means nothing.' Loosen up! Have a beer. Talk to some strangers. So your fate has been predetermined, and you aren’t the bourgeoisie? That’s alright." 

Clams Casino is getting some great early press as well.  Rolling Stone even called the album “an indie-rock Paul Simo evoking gem of a record”

Self-produced at his home in Red Hook, Brooklyn, Dunne's fourth solo album follows his 2023 release Loser on the Ropes.  Dunne performs almost all the instruments.

Clams Casino Tracklist
1. Clams Casino 
2. Rockland County 
3. Graveyard
4. Play The Hits 
5. Fake Version Of The Real Thing 
6. Some Room Left 
7. Gracie Mansion 
8. I Watched The Light 
9. Max's Kansas City 
10. Living It Backwards


To add, Dunne will be hitting the road.  He has an album release show Friday at the Mercury Lounge in NYC on Sept 5^th, but then hits the road.  We have a localish show on the 23^rd of October.  Lets get out there!

Brian Dunne 2025 Tour Dates
September 5 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge
October 8 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin' Java
October 9 – Durham, NC @ Rubie's on Five Points
October 10 – Charlotte, NC @ Evening Muse
October 12 – Atlanta, GA @ Eddie's Attic
October 13 – Nashville, TN @ The East Room
October 15 – Indianapolis, IN @ Duke's / Freeform Series
October 16 – Columbus, OH @ Woodlands Tavern
October 17 – Pittsburgh, PA @ The Warhol
October 18 – Lake Orion, MI @ 20 Front St
October 19 – Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen
October 21 – Northampton, MA @ Parlor Room
October 22 – Portsmouth, NH @ Press Room
October 23 – Boston, MA @ Rockwell  (HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!)
October 24 – Philadelphia, PA @ WCL Upstairs
October 25 – Hudson, NY @ Park Theater


Follow Brian!
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter – YouTube

TruckFighters live in Cambridge, MA

TruckFighters
Sonia, Cambridge MA
Wednesday August 20 ,2025

Support Bands:  Restless Spirit, Earthlore

Wednesday night was one for the ages.  I've been lucky to have the ability to see a lot of shows.  This fall I will hit my 40th year of attending shows.  I will always find something to like about the live events I do attend, but now and again and event really stands out.

This was one of them.

An all timer.

Sweden band Truckfighters kicked off their US Tour, albeit a short tour Wednesday to a ravenous crowd.  Ozo (Oskar Cedermalm)  is the bassist in the band, one of the founding  members and guitarist Dango (Niklas Källgren) the other.  They have swapped out drummers but the ferocity of their live shows does not begin to tell the story.

Having been around since 2001 and releasing five studio albums the band has rolled members, taken a hiatus and even at the start of this tour noted it was the  last batch of shows on their current visa.  Touring in the US is getting harder and harder.

The show began with a full recorded version of "Alterd State" before Dango arrived on stage, getting everyone riled up before tossing his shirt in to the audience.

We were underway.

Three songs came from the debut, but it ran through their discography.  

This show was everything you'd want.  A ravenous (and respectful) fan base.  Dango hardly standing still...he gives any/all guitar players a run for their money with enthusiasm.  He was in the crowd even.  It was such an electric show, you could not stop watching them.  Here are a few shots I took:

The full set:
Atomic
Momentum
Monte Gargano
Gain Speed
Helium 28
Manhattan Project
The Chariman
Mexico
Encore:
The 1
Desert Cruiser


If you can get out there, go seem em..or buy their stuff.  Its awesome
The bands website
A Wiki page

Wow. ..just wow

  Caught the Swedish band Truckfighters earlier this week.  It was a show for the ages.  I need to put keys to keyboard to gush more...

Okay...its done   

A little note on the passing of Mike Peters.

 

This might be a little long…but it must be done.

Tuesday April 29^th was like any other day.  I got in to work, turned on computer and set up for another day.

Then I got a text from a buddy with an article… “Mike Peters: The Alarm singer dies aged 66”.

I didn’t even click it.  I did not need to.  The wind was taken out of my sails.  Mike, and the band have been a part of my life for over 40 years. 

Decided to put down a little history to help me both cope and memorialize a band and person that shaped my music direction that stands to this day.

To begin I am the youngest of three.  My oldest brother was the one that introduced me to the Alarm.  I was starting to get in to U2 and the Alarm was gaining traction, as a poorly labeled “poor mans U2”.  With the wild hair, and acoustic guitars it wasn’t like anything I had been listening to, or been exposed to at the time.

I was able to see the Alarm live a few times and that is where I want to go for the bulk of this eulogy.

The beginning:  A lot had to do with MTV.  If you are of a certain age, you realize the importance of this cable channel.  My first memory of is “The Stand”  video.  Also, for those local to Boston I am pretty sure I saw the video a few times on the short lived V66.

Slowly started to noticed some kids in school “knew who they were” and celebrated the video alongside me.

At some point, being only slightly artistic, I decided I wanted to put the poppy flower logo on the back of my jean jacket.  Thank to my mom for being into sewing/fabric etc I got got  a piece of fabric slightly larger than the large area on the back of the jacket (was better to fold under to sew don’t you know).  So I had that together and mom sewed it on and off I went.  I wonder where that coat ended up?  I am sure I’d be the “fat guy in a little coat” these days but I still can see it vividly in my mind.

Was able to see them five times.  The first was May 6, 1986 at the Orpheum Theater.  Still to this day one of my all-time favorite shows.  Have a look at the set list and tell me I am off on this…

April 26, 1988 the band played the Wang Theater.  It was broadcast on WBCN and later released as “Electric Folklore Live”.  Once again, stunning show and during Rescue Me Mike went in to the audience for an absolutely stunning version.  Setlist is here.

Third time was back at the Orpheum.  This was December 16, 1989.  The setlist is not super available it seems, but the band had taken to doing a cover of Neil Youngs “Rockin in the Free World” as well as “War is Over” from John Lennon.

We went shockingly “smaller” the next time with two night at the Paradise Rock Club.  This was on the “Raw” tour and the band was close to coming apart.  This was May 1, 1991.  I wasn’t even 21 yet, but I recall two things.  One, being VERY close to the stage.  The closest I had been to the Alarm up to that point.  I also was wearing my jean jacket with the alarm logo on the back and had a few people comment on it.  That was a thrill.

September 16, 2010 this new (to me) version of the Alarm played Showcase Live in Foxboro MA.  It had been a LONG time since I had seen the band live, and Mike was doing various projects at the time, including keeping the Alarm “relevant”.  It was a terrific show and shot them back in to the “can’t miss” segment for me.  I was happy I got to meet Mike after the show.  He signed my CD and posed for a picture.  Gracious…and a total thrill.  Here is one of the many shots I took that evening.





The final time I saw Mike was at Firehouse 13 in Providence RI on September 16, 2016.    On this tour Mike was doing the Alarms famous UCLA show from 1986 that was shown on MTV.  It was Mike with a guitar, a kickdrum and some backing track.  Now before you get worked up….it 100% worked.  They even did the Martha Quinn intro.  It was an absolute blast.  I mean watch the show to give you an idea…the SAME ENGERY in about a 150 capacity venue.  Watch the MTV segment  

There was going to be that “one more time”. Some high school friends and I were going to go see them at a small club in Boston.  It was going to be a celebration in more ways that one. As we get older, schedules change and availability is precious, but we were all locked in.  We even made it a point to “get in the city early to have dinner to extend the time together”.  Sadly, Mike fell ill and the tour was postponed, then cancelled.

Mikes wife Jules provided dozens of updates on Mike via Facebook posts.  All the while Mike was positive as possible, despite being visibly exhausted.

Thank you for the music, the memories, the friendships formed.  You touched me personally and I am forever grateful.

Love, Hope, Strength indeed Mike.

Pigs x7 new album and tour news.

 The Newcastle, UK based bangs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (or Pigs7) released a video for Glib Tongued (featured EL-P).  This is the 3rd song released from their forthcoming 5th studio album "Death Hilarious" that is due out on April 4th!  It will be released via Missing Pieces records in North America and Rocket Recordings across the rest of the world.

In other exciting news WE HAVE A TOUR!.  Kicks off June 18th in New York and you Boston area people get ready for June 29th and Brighton Music Hall (dates down below).

You can preorder the album here

North American Tour: 6/18 – New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge 6/19 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts 6/20 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club 6/21 – Pittsburgh, PA – Thunderbird 6/23 – Cleveland, OH – Grog Shop 6/24 – Detroit, MI – Magic Bag 6/25 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall 6/27 – Toronto, ON – The Concert Hall 6/28 – Montreal, QC – Bar Le Ritz 6/29 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall 8/14 – Santa Ana, CA – Constellation Room 8/15 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room 8/16 – San Francisco, CA – The Chapel 8/18 – Portland, OR – Mississippi Studios 8/19 – Vancouver, BC – The Pearl 8/20 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern 8/22 – Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room 8/23 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theatre 8/25 – Dallas, TX – Club Dada 8/26 – Houston, TX – White Oak Upstairs 8/27 – Austin, TX – The Parish

Keep up with Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs: WEBSITE - FACEBOOK - INSTAGRAM - TWITTER - YOUTUBE - SPOTIFY Oh, here is the album cover art: