A record year of Live Shows. Part 1

I set a new record for myself….at the start of the year I never thought I’d hit FORTY TWO (42) live shows this year.  For some it pales in comparison, for others its 42 more than they saw..i realize that.

I saw a lot of diverse acts but decided to share my favorite shows of the year.  I might at the end disclose the top 2-3 here they are in order only based off the month/date they occurred.  The cool part…EIGHT of them were seeing them for the first time.

1. U2 at (the)Sphere in Las Vegas.  A few months before this show went down, I looked in to it and could have got tickets but then wrestled with the “who will go, who will spend this $$, who will travel etc”.  A few weeks later I got a text from my oldest brother with simply “Pack your bags and figure it out”.  It was spectacular.  What an “experience”.  I was hardly in Vegas (few on a Friday evening, in uber back to airport Sunday at 730am Vegas time).  A friend went a few weeks before I went and wrote the line that I’ve stolen since “I hope your favorite band plays there”.  If you get a chance to go, it really is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced live.  The videos etc. hardly do it justice.  Figure out a way, and go.

Show Highlight(s) – the whole experience really
Set list that night:here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip:With or Without You Live

2. The English Beat at the Met in Pawtucket April 4, 2024
I went to this show solo and stood at the side of the stage.  Very fun and tight band, Dave wearing loafers on stage just smiling ear to ear.  Hopefully we left an impression for them to come back.  Its always a walk down memory lane with them and its impossible to leave a show without having a smile on your face.
Show Highlight(s): Just the sheer joy of Dave's face really
Set list that night:here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: Fan shot live clip

3. The New Mastersounds at Sinclair April 10, 2024 (1^st time)
I’ve been chasing this band for years it seems and finally saw them.  File them under can’t miss/won’t miss.  I knew I wanted to see them, glad I did and hopefully have fixed my missing em again issue.  Incredibly tight band. Fun to watch perform even though its not like they are bounding around the stage.  They find the groove, lock it down and get to it. 

Show Highlight(s): This was a bucket list show for me.  Meeting them in lobby was also a plus.
Set list that night:here
Artist Website:here
Cool Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUlq2zGSWHw&t=1324s

4. Swans at the Paradise May 14, 2024 (1^st time)

It was a packed Paradise, and I was off to the side.  I had read and heard of their live shows.  Michael Gira does sit for the shows but don’t let that fool you with what assault your ears will then be released to/with.  Six songs, but over two hours of music.  Swans can be a challenging listen and at times it was, but I also left feeling I had seen something really special and that doesn’t happen a ton.

Show Highlights: really one of those things you need to experience.  In reading I am not alone with that thought.
Set list that night: here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: Full show from the Paradise

5. King Buffalo May 18, 2024 at the Middle East (Downstairs)

Huge huge HUGE fan of these guys.  They were part of a “festival” which kept their set to about 60 minutes, but they continue to be accessible to fans before and after the show.  I decided to brave it and head to about 3^rd person off the stage for most of the show (being tall I always feel bad, I really do).  I moved back.

Show Highlight(s): They were part of a "Festival" and how casual they were just hanging out before, then giving a killer live set.
Set list that night:here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: Clip from the show

6. A Place to Bury Strangers -May 29^th Alchemy Providence (1^st time)

Ho-lee smokes.  This was an undersold show.  Terrible for a band to come back perhaps but a huge win for the few that showed up.  They have long been heralded as “New York City’s Loudest band”.  They were freaking loud. The the jam in the center of the room made the evening even more special.  I 100% want to see them again.

Show Highlight(s): The on the floor jam.
Set list that night:here
Artist Website: here
Cool Clip: a live show that is awesome

Part 2 is here