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