Artists’ Favorites: Best Live Shows of 2024

John Coyle – Outspoken

Favorite 3 shows of 2024

1.Have Heart, Sound & Fury, Los Angeles, CA

It was incredible to see what the HC community has become. To see Pat and Have Heart just completely engage @6,000 people was incredible. I cannot be more stoked about bands like Have Heart and Fiddlehead having the influence over the new generation. It’s such a positive and strong force, it was remarkably inspiring.

2. Nails at the Belasco, Los Angeles, CA 11/15/2024

I Love Todd Jones. I love how his vision with Nails is perfectly executed. This was my first time seeing them. Watching Todd and crew in full Viking mode destroying LA left me speechless. “Give Me The Painkiller” is the real deal. It’s an incredible song. Nails are pure and utter devastation.

3. Silenced and Stand Tall at Programme, Fullerton, CA 8/30/2024

This show brought me back to when I first started playing shows. So much passion and enthusiasm. Watching Cole – AKA Koops – there in full support of the bands was remarkable. Hardcore is in great hands. These kids fucking have it. Every band brought it that night and it was for nothing more than the love of playing music with friends.

Sorry, I cannot leave it with three. These are honorable mentions:

Idles – The Hollywood Palladium. Not much to say other than the most punk rock and engaging show I’ve seen in a while.

Sunny Day Real Estate – House of Blues, Anaheim. I have wanted to see them forever. They were solid, sounded great and brought me back to when I first heard Diary and fell in love with them

Fiddlehead – The Observatory, Santa Ana. Just absolutely incredible….every time. The entire band just shreds.

Cal Graham – The Chisel

1. Home Front – Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY in January, 2024

First time we played with Home Front and the first time I got to knock out ‘Nation’ with them. To see this band live is a biblical experience, one of, if not the best current band to do it.

2. B​é​ton Armé – Badalona, Spain in August, 2024

Their first time at Beach Beer Chaos and I haven’t seen a crowd at this festival move like it did when they played, feel like it was a gig people will talk about for years.

3. Meryl Streek – London, England in November, 2024

A one man punk project, hard electronics with honest lyrics, tore London apart, a real treat to see.

4. Biohazard – Baltimore, MD in January, 2024

First band I was ever allowed to go and see without parental supervision in Glasgow. Was an absolute honour to share the stage with them 25 or so years later and they were fucking amazing.

5. The Oppressed – Newport, Wales in November, 2024

First time seeing the Welsh legends and they didn’t disappoint.

Rob Moran – Unbroken

1. Pulp at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, CA

2. The Exploited at Revolution Calling Festival

3. Hope Con, Violencia, Crashing Forward at Soda Bar in San Diego, CA

4. Negative Approach/Terror at Brick by Brick, San Diego, CA

5. Bane/Stick To Your Guns at Brick By Brick, San Diego, CA

6. High Vis at Soma, San Diego, CA

7. Hellscape, Rifle, Deaf Club, Shooting Daggers at The Dome, London, UK

8. Johnny Marr/James at The Orpheum, Los Angeles, CA

9. Clique/Luster/Field Of Flames/Minus Numbers at Gilman Street, Berkeley, CA

Christina Michelle – Gouge Away

1. Feb 24, 2024 Ceremony at The Hollywood Palladium – Los Angeles, CA

I have seen Ceremony many times over the years, from floor shows to festivals with crowds absolutely popping off. They’re a band I admire for many reasons, and it was special to see Rohnert Park celebrated by a sold out Hollywood Palladium. They deserve it.

2. May 7, 2024 Metz and Gouge Away at Neumos – Seattle, WA

Touring with Metz was a bucket list item for our whole band. But the Neumos show felt extra special on a personal level. The only other time we played Neumos was in 2016 for Rain Fest when we felt like very little fish in a huge hardcore pond. I was intimidated and unsure if I deserved to be there. But playing there this time felt reassuring because we were playing music we loved, we were having fun doing it, and I felt in my bones that we were exactly where we needed to be.

3. Nov 3, 2024 Gouge Away, Initiate, Cold Gawd at Polaris Hall – Portland, OR

I have lived in Portland for a little over 3 years and I see great shows at Polaris Hall all the time. I have never seen one like this, though. Portland showed up, sold it out, and that was one thing. But the energy in the room was something else. People don’t see all the time and hard work I put into this band in private, and that’s okay, but a night like this is the biggest most meaningful reward I could ask for.

Thomas Cantwell – Gouge Away

Live shows 2024

1. Bar Italia at Mississippi Studios Portland, OR April 8, 2024

They were late to the show and loaded in directly onto the stage and they looked really tired and worn out. Despite that, it was such a great show with so much energy from them on stage and the crowd. They were really tight, and their drummer was playing everything a little bit more heavy in the best way. The live version of “Nurse!” was super intense and really badass.

2. Unwound at Rev Hall Portland, OR October 19, 2024

This was my second time seeing the legendary Unwound, and this time it was their 30 year anniversary show for New Plastic Ideas. “All Souls Day” was the first song I heard from them, so it felt really special to see them play that set list. Sara Lund is also a great drummer and definitely a big influence on my drumming.

3. Live Gouge Away session at Maida Vale Studios, BBC, London, England July 15, 2024

Doing a live BBC session has always been on my bucket list and to finally be able to cross that off is very satisfying. The Maida Vale studio building has so much history and recording in the same live room as the old Peel Sessions was the coolest. Gouge Away recorded 4 songs and I’m hoping they can see the light of day sometime soon.

Mike Bingham – Spiritual Cramp

1. Bad Nerves – Reading Festival, UK – This is a band I’d been listening to for a bit and when I figured out we were playing the same stage as them at Reading Festival I was excited to watch the set and hopefully meet them.

Needless to say when our bands met we got along great and their performance was truly my favorite of the year. Really high energy. The band played razor sharp with an incredible stage presence. Really cool people, too. Excited for the time when our bands get the opportunity to tour together (spring?).

2. Ben Gibbard – Reiner Burchill House, Los Angeles, CA – if you know me well you know how much I love the band Death Cab for Cutie. I saw the Transatlantacism / Postal Service tour three times this year. I’ve seen them/him many times but I think this was my favorite.

It’s not every day you get to see your favorite artist play your favorite songs to a crowd of 150 people in a 15 million dollar mansion overlooking Los Angeles. I spend a lot of time talking shit about how much I hate living in LA but am thankful for opportunities like this. One more highlight of the night was Jenny Lewis performing a few postal service songs with Ben and getting to catch up with her after. It’s exciting when you get to meet someone’s whose art you love, and they’re even cooler than you could hope.

3. Saves The Day – Wiltern, Los Angeles, CA – If you saw me and my friend at this show singing like teenagers, no you didn’t. Honestly, I think this was the most FUN I’ve had at a show all year. I knew every word to every song. This band rocks so hard. They played Through Being Cool in its entirety as well as ALL of their big hits and they sounded incredible.

I spend a lot of time searching for inspiration and after a month of exclusively listening to the album Stay What You Are while my band was on tour – I realized the thing that makes me connect to Saves The Day is the brutal authenticity in which Chris writes. It comes across in the live show as well. It’s not a gimmick. It’s just a band playing really good songs and doing it with true excitement. It was bad ass.

Honorable mentions:
Sharon Van Etten – Hollywood Bowl
Sour Widows – Lodge Room
The Hives – OC Observatory
Interpol – Kia Forum
Trauma Ray – The Roxy

Nikki – Today Forever

1. The Hope Conspiracy at The Meadows, Brooklyn, New York – June 8th, 2024
Seeing The Hope Conspiracy rise from nearly a decade of silence with new music (my AOTY, but that’s a different story) and then subsequently play some of the tightest, most intense sets of the entire year was incredible. Hitting harder than a freight train, the legends burned through their set with a ferocious intensity that left my heart pounding long after the last notes rang out. It was perfect.

2. Have Heart headlining Sound & Fury Day 2, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA – July 14th, 2024
Any chance you have to see Have Heart live, I highly suggest you take it, and watching an audience of thousands scream “watch me rise” in unison and swarm the stage on a hot summer night in the middle of downtown Los Angeles was about as perfect a moment as I think I’ll ever experience.

3. Ceremony at The Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA, – February 24, 2024
The first time I saw Ceremony play was almost two decades ago at a VFW Hall in Orangevale, CA, and at the time I don’t think I could have ever imagined any of us even stepping foot in The Hollywood Palladium. To see those ‘kids from Rohnert Park’ sell it out and deliver the show of a lifetime was a night I’ll never forget.

4. Twitchfits Halloween Show at 1720, Los Angeles, CA – October 25, 2024
The most fun I had at a show all year. Shout out Human Garbage (Negative Approach/the cast of Shrek) and Upon Stone (Metallica) for two of my absolute favorite sets of the year, and Twitchfits for always bringing out the best of Halloween in Los Angeles. We are 818.

5. Touché Amoré at The Regent Theater, Los Angeles, CA – October 9, 2024
Another band that is always incredible live, Touché has a special place in my heart and it was awesome to see them kick off their national tour to a hometown crowd. Few bands resonate more with me lyrically than Touché, and to hear the honesty of those well chosen words sung out in the dark to a sold out theater of adoring friends and fans was truly incredible.

Ian Fidance – Comedian

It’s so hard to nail down a top three in a year filled with so many great performances, but I’m gonna try!

1. Desmadre – Sound & Fury, Los Angeles, CA

I think seeing Desmadre open up Sound and Fury was one of the best performances I’ve seen all year. I mean, it was like noon or 1 PM and kids were going off so hard you thought they were the closing band. It set a tone for the day and raised the bar so high every band had to put their boosters on just to match the energy and output on what those dudes were doing on stage.

2. Haywire

Anytime I’ve seen Haywire this year I’ve been blown away. Austin is such a dynamic singer no matter if there’s 15 kids in the crowd or a packed room, he’s on the floor with them making it an experience that they’re not gonna get anywhere else, and that to me is what hardcore and live music is all about.

3. KoRn

I think I have to say my third, or possibly top live show experience this year, was getting to see KoRn. I know it strays from the genre a bit, but I’ve been a lifelong fan of theirs so seeing them live on their 30th anniversary tour was really special for me. I even saw a guy dressed like Santa get knocked out in the pit, and just when I thought Christmas was cancelled, he came back from EMS to rock out to their last couple songs!

Mike Bifolco – Scowl

1. Aqua at The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA

On January 5th, 2024, in the dead winter of Philadelphia, I got to finally see one of my favorite artists of all time. The 90s Europop group from Denmark known as Aqua. They do that “Barbie Girl” song, but honestly the deep cuts smoke that one. I have been obsessed with them since the 1st grade so seeing them was a bucket list item I never thought I would have checked off. Before we left for the show, my roommate Tj and I decided this was the perfect night to eat the bag of mushrooms we had been saving for a special occasion. After I had gotten finished accidentally puking in front of the Fillmore because of the Mushrooms/ Tequila comboI I had consumed, we then proceeded to the show where we sang and danced our hearts out.. I had such a good time that I didn’t even hesitate to purchase the $80 bright pink hoodie at the merch table that I have maybe worn 6 times since. When the show ended we ran into the one dude from Aqua and even got a pic with him. He introduced himself to us as “Ken from the Barbie Girl song” and then signed the hood of someone’s car with a sharpie. This was one of the greatest nights of my life. I love music.

2. Scowl at Hellfest, Clisson, France

On June 30th, 2024 Scowl got to play Hellfest in Clisson, France. I had always heard about this fest and knew it was a “big fest” but was absolutely blown away when I saw how many people we were about to play in front of. It was just a sea of people as far as I could see. On top of the pre-set jitters I was having, I was also going through something I never thought I would ever have to go through on tour. That day I had found out my Grandfather was very sick at home and I was not going to make it home fast enough to say my goodbyes. The constant thoughts of being so tired and helpless away from home were torturing my brain, so I dealt with it the only way I knew how. I poured every single ounce of energy, frustration, and sadness I had into playing that set. It is still to this day one of the craziest sets I have ever played and I will never forget that day. The energy between the stage and the crowd was just so perfect. I walked off that stage feeling absolutely exhausted but also a little bit better in the head. Music has and always will be my greatest outlet, so I am forever thankful every time I get to play. I love music.

3. Slant at Foto Club Philadelphia, PA

On November 7th, 2024 I finally got to see the Hardcore Punk band Slant from South Korea. It was their FIRST U.S. show ever and what better place to have that than in the greatest city on earth, Philadelphia! If you didn’t already know, Slant put out one of the greatest HC Punk LPs in 2021, and it has been in constant rotation in almost every tour van I have been in since. Their set was incredible. As soon as the first note rang out, the room was just an immediate constant side-to-side over the disco tiles at Foto Club. They played fast as shit for maybe 16 minutes. Short and sweet. A perfect set. It also made my heart very happy to see a bunch of friends who I have not seen in a while. I’m not home in Philly a lot these days, so it’s just a really great feeling to come back to a scene that I have been a part of for half of my life. I love Philly. I love music.

4. Blitzkid at The Whiskey, Los Angeles, CA

On Saturday, June 1st, 2024 I finally got to see one of my favorite horror punk bands, Blitzkid. They’re like the Michael Graves era of The Misfits but way better. Just trust me. They’re another band I have worshipped since the 7th grade but have never seen live. I found out that they were gonna be playing at the famous Whiskey A Go Go in Los Angeles the same night I landed in LA after a 12+ hour flight. My mission was laid out in front of me…I had to make it to the gig on time. After the longest, most miserable flight of my life I took a 30 minute car ride to my dear friend Sam Velde’s house where I threw my luggage and then sprinted down the street to catch some bus my phone told me I had to get on. I’ve lived in a city for over 10 years and still have never taken a bus anywhere, so this was an obstacle I was determined to overcome. Conveniently for me, the bus driver for some reason decided he only wanted to drive half of the way, forcing me to power walk 35 minutes the rest of the way to the venue. An ideal situation for someone who just spent the last year or so in a leg brace. I made it to the show just on time before they played and it was totally worth it. I knew as soon as I got there and saw the coffins along with a packed room filled with strange lookin LA Goths that I had, yet again, made an excellent life decision. I was having so much fun by myself singing all these songs I remember listening to on the school bus that I forgot I had not slept in like 3 days. After the show I got invited to go out to the diner with some people I had met at that show who I still keep in contact with today. Thank you again Jose for the ride back!!! I love music.

Donny Ruckdeschel – Mindforce

It’s actually pretty hard to recap all of the shows I’ve seen this year. I usually like to make a distinction between shows I’ve played versus simply attending because there is indeed a difference but I did far more playing than attending this year (I’m not mad about it).

However, I’m fortunate enough to be playing a ton of the shows I would be going to anyway.

As of now here’s my top (3, prob more) shows/sets of 2024

1. Godskin Peeler at the Ephyra Records Showcase, The Beeracks, New Haven, CT

My first mention definitely has to be Godskin Peeler at the Ephyra Records Showcase. I walked in as their set was starting and it was 30 minutes of pure chaos, and that was the vibe. Garbage cans and other shit being launched across the room, incredibly hard mosh and the band themselves sounding incredibly tight. Kevin, their singer, is completely insane. Motherfucker was doing penguin slides off these giant floor subwoofers, and, at one point, picked up a floor monitor and had it on his shoulder like an 80’s boombox. If you have an opportunity to catch them just do yourself the favor.

2. Obituary at LDB, Triple Crown Pavilion, Louisville, KY

Getting to watch such an incredibly seasoned and influential band up close was nuts. Those motherfuckers are hitting and playing harder than kids in their early twenties while being twice their age. It was definitely one of those moments where, [when] they took the stage, it was a “watch and learn” moment.

3. Twitching Tongues at The Metro, Chicago, IL

This show was part of the crazy Drain tour this past spring. I love TT in general, but they’re one of the few bands I’ll still pit incredibly hard for since they don’t play very often. Seeing them is kinda special these days. They sounded fucking HUGE that night. Anyway, in a moment of instant karma, I was pitting and kicked some dude in the ribs and then immediately got elbowed in the eye. Had I been like an inch closer my orbital socket would’ve been shattered. My eye was swollen shut within minutes and I had to play the following night with one eye and I couldn’t have cared less.

4. Drain at the Santa Cruz Civic Center, Santa Cruz, CA

This one was hard to rank because it was such an incredible day overall. The energy in the room when Drain played was insane. Not only were they a machine after being on the road for a month or longer, but seeing them in their home town surrounded by family and friends who fully love and support them was really something special. Also, Tim is the best drummer in hardcore and you can’t change my mind.

5. Honorable mention is Terror literally every time I’ve seen them this year. Talk about well oiled machines – I think I could watch a terror set every single day and never get tired of them because they’re just that goddamn good. Their energy is unmatched. Getting to see and hang with them for a week straight in Japan was something I’ll never forget as long as I live.

Other mentions/listen to these bands- Gigan Animal Thugs, Cross of Disbelief, Crush Your Soul, Fatal Realm, Pitch Black Tomb, Merciless, Wretched Rite, Servant of Sorrow, Big Shot.

Noah Perkins – Ruin OC

I’m going to give a top five, because for multiple reasons, this year was just too jam packed with awesome shows. I would have to probably search within my memory for the best shows, as those will probably stick out the most.

1. Terror at the Locker Room, Garden Amphitheater, Garden Grove, CA

Terror at the Locker Room was absolutely insane. Seeing my favorite band of all time in the same room where I saw my first hardcore show, just minutes away from where I live, was amazing. It was even better than playing with them by filling in for Big Ass Truck the day before in LA, this show was unforgettable. Scott Vogel giving me the opportunity to sing on my favorite song from my favorite band is truly a moment I’ll never forget.

2. Crowbar at Chain Reaction, Anaheim, CA

Crowbar at Chain Reaction was absolutely insane for many reasons. The main reason was how many of our friends and fellow hardcore kids showed up, making it a super mosh-friendly show—which, in the grand scheme of things, is unreal. Also, Crowbar rocks.

3. Sound & Fury, Los Angeles, CA

It’s difficult to include this as just one show since it’s an entire fest, but Sound and Fury, per usual, was an amazing time. I had so much fun with my friends, completely destroying my body and mind. It’s a little unfair to rank it amongst the gigs of the year, so we’ll put it at #3.

4. Dying Wish/Pain of Truth at The Observatory, Santa Ana, CA

Personally, the Dying Wish/Pain of Truth gig at The Observatory was one of my favorites. An absolutely stacked bill of mosh in a room I’ve been going to for many years, and there was a good amount of space to mosh—it felt great to represent like that on home turf.

5. Cel Damage, Smoked 909, God Awful, Provoke, Ruin OC, Broken Mouth at Pharmacy Boardshop, Hesperia, CA (June 8th, 2024)

The Pharmacy Boardshop gig in Hesperia that I played in June was definitely one of our first really fun and lively shows. The vibe and layout of that venue are so welcoming to hardcore—a great place to kick it in general, run by people we love and respect. Shoutout to DJ.

Andrew Kline – Strife, Berthold City

(In no particular order.)

1. 7 Seconds / Judge at 1720, Los Angeles, CA

Night one of Rev weekend. 7 Second and Judge [played] with support from two of the area’s best up and comers, Firestarter and Major Pain. I was lucky enough to catch Judge in the early 90s, played with them on their first reunion in NY, and have played with or seen them at least 20 times since they have reunited. This was definitely in my top three Judge shows of all time! Amazing turnout, great crowd, and just tons of sing alongs and stage dives. Judge really hits the hardest as a five piece, and it’s great to see Matt Pincus doing his thing on bass. 7 Seconds closed the show, and it was my second time seeing them with Sammy Siegler on drums. Amazing set filled top to bottom with the classics.

2. Youth of Today / Side By Side at 1720, Los Angeles, CA

Night two of Rev Weekend with support from More to Pride and Wise. I love that More to Pride is back, and it’s always great seeing them in L.A. This is the style of hardcore that I love, and I really wish new kids would take notice and start more fast hardcore bands. I was lucky enough to catch Side By Side’s first reunion show at Revolution Calling Fest in Eindhoven, but this L.A. show was next level. They ironed out the kinks in their set and shook the nerves off and delivered the set that everyone was hoping for! Jules proclaimed this was their last show, and what a way to go out! You’re Only Young Once, So Do It Right!!! Youth of Today delivered a great set as always. You don’t want to miss this classic lineup of Ray, Porcell, Walter, and Sammy. I have seen YOT many times in the past, but it did not hold a candle to the shows that I have seen them with this line up.

3. Knocked Loose / Twitching Tongues at Midnight Hour, San Fernando, CA

Midnight Hour is one of the best new venues in town. It doesn’t hurt that it is less than a 20 minute drive from my house. Knocked Loose is one of the biggest hardcore bands around, and I I love the fact that they did this underplay and hand picked every band that played. I have seen Knocked Loose a few times before, but this show really cemented why they are as big as they are!

4. Drain / Terror / Mindforce and more at The Palladium, Los Angeles, CA

I don’t normally love shows this size, and to be honest I watched the entire show from a table in the balcony. Seeing a top to bottom hardcore bill at The Palladium was incredible and really shows how big hardcore is and how big (and respected) hardcore should be. I just wish that half of these kids came out to support some of the less hyped bands!

5. Seed of Pain / Wreckage / Collateral / Affliction at The CFF, Oxnard, CA

Wreckage put out one of my favorite releases in 2023, and I have been waiting to see them. I often drive down to Oxnard and Ventura to see bands instead of going to the L.A. or O.C. show because there is just a cooler vibe. Young, excited kids going off in small rooms… Such a cool thing to see. Every band ripped and it was great to catch Affliction’s last show!

6. Terror / Downpressor / Minus at the Ojai Women’s Center, Ojai, CA

This was actually the first show I went to in 2024. It was great to see hardcore back at a historic venue, and Terror never disappoints.

7. Broken Vow / Anklebiter at Gilmore Music, Long Beach

Broken Vow released another one of my favorite records back in 2023. This is 90s style hardcore the way it should be played. Broken Vow did not disappoint… Inspiring set, and in true 90s fashion, the singer had some great things to say between songs. Take notes kids!

8. Gorilla Biscuits / Berthold City / Dry Socket at the Hawthorne Theatre,Portland, OR

These last shows are gonna be some of the ones that I played. This show would have been on my list either way… A sold out GB show is gonna be amazing! Dry Socket tore it up, and truly blew all of our minds. Our set was one of the most fun sets that we played, even if our friend Thomas gave himself a concussion during our first song! GB is always incredible… They are truly the band that captures the true spirit of hardcore and it’s incredible to see multiple generations of hardcore kids singing along – all with smiles on their faces. I don’t think any [other] HC band has aged this gracefully and continued to grow year after year! Biscuit Power!

9. Alcatraz / Berthold City / Dislocation in Mexico City, Mexico

Shout out to Alcatraz and Dislocation! I met some of my favorite people on this tour we did in Mexico… We hardly slept, the drives were insane, but we played some awesome shows and made some incredible memories! Mexico City was the last show on this tour, and it seemed like the whole venue was booby trapped with multiple ways you could die while playing. Whether you fell off the stage down a flight of concrete stairs, got tetanus from a nail, or broke an ankle on the weird tile floor with multiple levels… Everything was out to get us, and we all came out unscathed! Victory!

10. Berthold City / Odd Man Out / Brave Out at Hello Village, Arroyo Grande, CA

There are a few things that made this show extremely memorable… It was incredible to see a band like Brave Out come here from Japan, and play a bunch of rad shows, and also get an amazing reaction every night! They played an amazing set and they were just so appreciative and happy to be here. Hello Village was one of my favorite places to play. We played there three times, and this show was one of the last handful of shows before they closed their doors. Such an amazing and inspiring place, and I cannot wait to see what they do next! Our set was super fun, as well!

Ray Lee – End It

1. Morrissey at Lyric, Baltimore, MD

2. Terror, Cro-Mags, Haywire, Hold My Own at Ottobar,  Baltimore, MD

3. Sound and Fury, Los Angeles, CA