TageRyche
Senior Member
MY TOP 5 CONCERTS OF 2024
It is that time of year again. Like numerous others I'm putting together all my best of 2024 lists. While I still have work to do on the other lists I'll be writing, my concert ranking is pretty short and sweet this year.
So why just a Top 5 list for concerts this year? Well, to be honest, it is because I only saw 5 shows this year in total. Due to a combination of outrageous ticket prices I had to pass on shows such as Judas Priest / Sabaton and Iron Maiden. And when Metal Church cancelled their tour, that was another show off the list. Sickness saw another show go by the wayside. And the final reason for such a short slate of shows: General laziness. It's not that there was a lack of shows to go to. But I found I just didn't have the UMPH to drive to some of them even when I had the cash to afford a ticket.
Maybe 2025 will change things and I'll see more shows but until then, here's a relatively brief article on the shows I did see in 2024.
#5 - ILLUSORY - In the interest of full disclosure, the only reason this show is coming in at #5 is because it was a show I watched via a livestream. Illusory is a fantastic metal band from Greece and the show I saw was them playing a hometown show in Moschato to mark the 10th anniversary of the release of their first album The Ivory Tower. Singer Dee Theodoru was kind enough to send me the setlist in advance so I knew what was planned to be played that night. While the show was cut a little short due to illness, I loved seeing the band play live even if I couldn't be there in person. And with the passing of bassist Niki Danos later in 2024, it was my last chance to see him in the lineup as well. I didn't write up an official review of the show, but I did get the chance to review the 10th anniversary reissue edition of The Ivory Tower album. You can check that out HERE!
#4 - RONNY MUNROE'S HOLY DIO - While I normally wouldn't include a tribute act show in my reviews or a Best of List, when that tribute act combines the music of Ronnie James Dio with former Metal Church vocalist Ronny Munroe, you can imagine how stoked I'm going to be. The opening tribute act Judas Rising was pretty good but I was definitely there for the headliner.
I saw this show at The Vault in New Bedford, MA and while there were some noticeable sound issues during the set, overall the show was pretty entertaining. Plus I got to meet Ronny Munroe and get albums signed after the show so double the fun! You can read my full review HERE!
#3 - STYX / FOREIGNER / JOHN WAITE - Since I originally didn't plan to see this show, the fact I not only ended up going thanks to a buddy of mine who had an extra pass and got to see a highly entertaining show, this show at what I still call Great Woods in Mansfield, MA would've been on my best of list no matter how many shows I saw this year.
I was really excited to see John Waite because I'm a huge fan of his work. And since I'd never seen Foreigner or Styx, seeing them put on such fantastic sets, it was pure electrifying joy to finally witness both bands put on rocking sets that brought about a full throated roar of approval from the audience. You can read my review HERE!
#2 - U.D.O. / MIDNITE HELLION / POWER THEORY - Patience paid off in spades when I finally got to see U.D.O.'s Touchdown tour in September. They played the Vault in New Bedford but the reason I stress patience was because the show was originally supposed to be in 2023 but it got pushed nearly a year instead.
But that wait sure paid off handsomely. The opening acts Midnite Hellion and Power Theory were very welcoming as I hung out with them before and after their sets. The sets themselves were amazing! Midnite Hellion was brutal, heavy and powerful while Power Theory had such a powerful presentation and perfectly cast set list that I had a huge grin on my face by the time they left the stage.
All that was a precursor to seeing U.D.O. conquer the stage during their set. Fully supporting the Touchdown album with four songs from the release in the set, the band thundered through songs representing 9 albums in all plus 3 Accept songs. It was a hell of a night that fans lapped up in feverish delight. You can read my full review HERE!
#1 - BLIND GUARDIAN / NIGHT DEMON - This show was undoubtedly my favorite of the year and would've been even if I'd seen 100 shows. The Worcester Palladium was packed and after an eye-opening set from Night Demon that gave me a real appreciation for their music, I was at last able to witness a bucket list band in concert for the first time. The band's set list seemed to pass by in the blind of an eye but damn I was so into the show. And the other part of that bucket list line being crossed off was getting to be part of a crowd at a Blind Guardian show that sang "The Bard's Song (In the Forest)". Finally seeing the band performing some of my favorite songs had my arms raised in triumph and just rocking out for the entirety of their set. There's a ton of clips on Youtube from the show including one that is just the full audio of the entire set. It was just a great night and the best show I saw this year. You can read my full review HERE!
As I said, I don't know what 2025 holds in store for me going to concerts but I do hope I get to see a bunch of shows to say the least. But having looked back now at my 2024 concert slate, I saw plenty of great live music packed into these 5 shows so the year gets a big metal thumbs up for me!
Last edited:
