As I age, I find myself inclined to categorize every exceptional recent concert as "One of the Best". To avoid this bias, I have decided to exclude any concert experiences from over two decades ago in this post. These memories are too distant for me to accurately assess if my current perception matches the reality of what I witnessed back then.
That means I'm leaving out my 1st ever concert experience as an 18 year old, Guns n Roses in 1992. It also means skipping over a memorable Radiohead show at Alpine Valley in 2003. Those were truly unforgettable shows!
With that being said, I would like to delve into a handful of shows I've been to in the last 5 or so years that have left a lasting impression. You'll see some big, renowned bands here and I wanted to make a specific point about this. The music business is grueling and a tough roller coaster to manage. Artists and groups that can successfully navigate through unexpected tragedies (deaths, addiction, excessive partying) and internal conflicts often reach a level of excellence that sets them apart. They evolve into experienced professionals, functioning like well-oiled machines or high-performance vehicles, to draw a comparison.
Groups such as Green Day and Red Hot Chili Peppers, along with numerous others, have remained intact for more than three decades, retaining most of their original members. This level of longevity has made them masters of their craft. They possess an innate understanding of each other's abilities, effortlessly delivering radio-worthy performances with flawless synchronization. Their ability to improvise and innovate in perfect harmony with one another results in exceptional live music experiences. These seasoned musicians have surpassed the 10,000-hour mark, a concept popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers, which signifies the attainment of genius-level expertise. Alright, let's get to some noteworthy concert experiences. I touched on Green Day (Wrigley Field 2017 and 2024) and the Chile Peppers (Lollapalooza 2023) above, but here are some others.
Jack White @ Aragon Ballroom - Complete musical genius with his singing, unfathomable guitar work and he ain't too shabby on the keyboard. I can count on one hand the musicians I've seen with the level of talent of the man that created White Stripes, The Raconteurs and now just plays under his own title.
The Lumineers @ Wrigley Field in Chicago, Tampa and the American Family Amphitheater in Milwaukee - The band's energizing folk Americana rock style never fails to captivate the crowd, leaving me in awe at every show. Their seamless instrument switching showcases their remarkable talent as musicians.
Foofighters @ Wrigley Field and Lollapalooza - Dave Grohl is like music royalty to me, and this band operates like a finely tuned machine. The guitar and drums are exceptional, the lyrics are powerful, and the energy is incredible. Their passion for performing live is palpable. I was just a casual fan until I saw them perform live, which completely transformed my perspective.
The Revivalists @ Metro - When you see a band that is too big for a venue pop up on Songkick or Bandcamp or whatever you use to get alerts on upcoming shows, just buy the tickets if you can afford them. I'm a big fan of this band, their synthesizer vibe, and the touch of classic rock in their sound. Their performance in a cozy venue was awesome.
Caamp @ The Vic - Another band too big to be playing this venue. They will probably never play a venue this small again given that they played at Wrigley opening for the Lumineers (see above) a few months earlier. Great show by a great alternative country/folk band.
Muse @ United Center Chicago - Muse creates extremely loud electronic stadium rock music. If their music was playing in 1990, you would likely find yourself in a mosh pit. Their technical prowess and the sheer volume of their sound require a sound system like those found in venues that have hosted numerous NBA and NHL professional championship series.
Wilco @ Pritzker Pavilion - The sound system at the Pritzker Pavilion in downtown Chicago, located in the picturesque Millennium Park, is excellent. As a devoted Wilco fan for a long time, I believe the instrumental aspect of their music is somewhat underappreciated. This venue provided the ideal setting for them to showcase their full range, including a memorable performance of "Impossible Germany" that left a lasting impression on me.
Black Pumas @ Thalia Hall - This really cool "newish" venue in the heart of the Pilsen neighborhood is a favorite of mine. After hearing the song Colors by Black Pumas in 2019, I had to double-check to see if Marvin Gaye had been resurrected and ran to my wallet to grab my credit card when this show was announced for 2020. After being postponed twice due to Covid, we finally got to see the show in October 2021. At that point, the band had exploded in popularity to the point that they will probably never play a venue the size of Thalia Hall again. We were treated to a historic and powerful performance by a band that has a small biography of music with some really big hits. We got so close to the stage that we could make direct eye contact with the singer and we're able to witness his incredible talent as close to the stage as I've ever been and probably ever will be again.
Rolling Stones @ Soldier Field Chicago - The Stones can still bring it and the incredible energy of the band and Mick Jagger doing what he's doing at 80 with the same swagger is inspiring at a level hard to describe. I somehow ended up in the close pit with my 10 year old son at a 2024 show. Unbelievably grateful for this concert experience I will never forget.
John Fogerty @ Aurora RiverEdge Park - Credence Clearwater Revival is part of my music band Mt. Rushmore and I couldn't let this golden opportunity to see their iconic songwriter, guitarist and vocalist pass by. Seeing 79-year-old John Fogerty still perform at such a remarkable level was truly rewarding. It makes me feel content that I will never have to say "What If?" and have any regrets about missing out on this experience as I continue to listen to CCR songs throughout the remainder of my time on this earth.
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