As the last few notes were played at my last show of 2024, Zebra, I took a few extra minutes to reflect on the musical year that was now behind me. In my mind, it is literally jaw dropping to look back at the adventures I have experienced this year. I am fortunate beyond my wildest dreams for the opportunity to share my adventures. Memories created this year will last forever for me and I am thankful for the people that helped me create those memories.
Much of what I wrote at the end of an epic 2023 is again true at the end of 2024. Just like last year, I thought it would be difficult to top the record number of sixty shows I went to in 2023. 2024 bestowed me a year of awesomeness, with awesome music, new friends, incredible travel adventures and more credentialed shows than the year prior. Once again, I discovered bands that I was familiar with by name, but not by sound and bands I had no idea they existed before I saw them opening a show I attended. Reunion like times were had and new friends were made as we all shared our passion for live music at shows throughout the year, across the country and on the high seas.
2024 summarized numerically:
- 67 concerts (counting cruise and festival days as one concert per day)
- 224 different bands/275 total band sets
- 5 states
- 10 cities
- 19 venues and 2 cruise ships
- 4 new venues I had never been to
Show #1: Unlike the past two years which had either late January or even February dates as my first show of the year, just five days into 2024 rock legends Styx and .38 Special played the new waterfront amphitheater and got the year off to a great start. It was my first time seeing .38 Special.
Show #2: Axeman extraordinaire Zakk Wylde’s side project Zakk Sabbath paid homage to the legends of heavy metal in a fantastic show. Opening band, The Native Howl, introduced me to my favorite new music of the year early on and gained a new fan of their sound. Sadly, this was one of the few shows this year I did not have camera in hand for.
Show #3: My third show of the year already and the calendar still shows January. Rock legends Tesla blew the roof off of Hard Rock Tampa, my first time at this relatively new venue. Every Tesla show absolutely kicks ass, and this one was no different. It was a sold out crowd, fantastic acoustics, my fifteenth time seeing Tesla.
Show #4: Back to back shows for me a couple of weeks apart at the new Hard Rock venue. Static X, Sevendust and Dope! Talk about a powerhouse energetic lineup! I had never heard Sevendust sound so heavy live and was really surprised when I realized who pulled double duty on stage that night (seriously, I had no idea)! Static X had great visuals with their use of color, lighting and foam bubbles. Another show with no camera, which was fine as I had a big night in store the next night.
Show #5: Lamb of God opening for Pantera!!!! Nothing else needs to be said except holy sh*t I was excited about this show. With an extra wide photo pit to accommodate seventeen other photographers (and security guards) and my first exposure to opening band, Frozen Soul, this one is definitely a candidate for show of the year! Check out photos from the show here.
Show #6: With only the headliner (Beartooth) out of four bands being familiar to me, I took the opportunity to go check out this show. It was on super bowl Sunday and it had sold out literally as soon as tickets went on sale months prior. Got one of my best ever crowd shots of a four year old metalhead with his parents. He was proud to say it was NOT his first concert when I asked. Check out photos and my write up of the show here.
Show #7: Opening night of the Geoff Tate/ Adrian Vandenberg tour. Legends sharing the same stage for an intimate sized crowd, sadly, not at the same time, in a venue with acoustics that accentuated Jeff’s vocal range and Adrian’s melodic, expressive power. Check out photos and my write up of the show here.
Shows #8-19: This twelve day adventure has to qualify as the most epic concert story I have ever been a part of. Back to back cruises, the second departing the day after the first returned, on different cruise lines, on different ships. The logistics coordination alone is mind boggling, and I again applaud the team behind the scenes. The adventure started with a sail away party concert then a five night rock cruise. The morning we returned from the rock cruise, that evening was the sail away party concert for the five night prog rock cruise that departed the next day. My words simply cannot express how freaking awesome these music themed cruises are and the memories and friends made throughout the adventure.
It was my sixth Monsters of Rock Cruise and each year gets better as the memories with my fellow cruisers I see every year (and keep in touch with) build upon themselves and the more new friends I meet, the cruise becomes more about the people and the friendships made. The fact that there is kick ass music is the extra added bonus. Already counting down the days till we sail away again on my seventh in March!
The second cruise was my second time on Cruise to the Edge. Not a far swing on the branches of the rock tree from the last cruise, but definitely a different crowd. As expected, there were quite a few people who did both cruises and one of my favorite bands, Queensrÿche, who performed on the first cruise also played on the second. Getting to see them three times so soon together, and be the photographer for their photo experience session ranks up there as one of my overall favorite cruise memories.
Read about how freaking awesome the adventure was and see daily highlights of all three (keep reading) cruises here.
Shows #20-22: Looking back as I write this, I am still in disbelief at the three shows in three days at three different venues span that I witnessed (and captured each behind the lens). Some of the greatest guitar players to ever walk this planet in my opinion. This three show span included George Lynch and the farewell Lynch Mob tour, Joe Bonamassa the next night, and then Steve Vai opening for Joe Satriani. Each amazing with their instrument, each with exceptional talent, technical ability, and the mastery to perform complex riffs and solos. Unbelievable!
Shows #23-27: With no sail away party, my third music cruise in five weeks was a very laid back, casual ‘yacht rock’ adventure. Yet another demographic for this cruise, I again say it is more about the people now. The crew I work with is another family tight group of great people who all share the love of the live show. On ships, it is just that much better!
Show #28: Just a few days after returning from the cruise, I was invited to help the local radio station cover their day long rock festival. I am so humbled that my name even comes into consideration for an event like this given the talent level of photographers that I know in the area. 98Rockfest is an annual tradition and this was my second time ‘working’ after going as a fan many times over the years. It starts with a ‘free show, preshow’ on the grounds outside the local arena, and then moves inside as a ticketed event. Eight bands played overall and it was a kick ass day! See my gallery of the day’s highlights here.
Show #29: My third time at the Hard Rock Tampa venue. Metal legends Saxon and Uriah Heep nearly sold out the show and there was considerable media interest besides myself. Great friends and great music made for a great night and I learned one of my cruise security friends works here now as venue security!
Show #30: My fourth time seeing Queensrÿche this year and seventeenth time overall. They never disappoint live and I would go see them again tomorrow if I could! Armored Saint opened and I not only got a signature shot of Gonzo, their drummer, Travis and I got to hang out and chat with him after the show!
Show #31: It had been twenty eight years since I had been to the venue now known as Yuengling Center. To me it will always be the Sun Dome and it was a night of glorious brutally heavy metal with Amon Amarth, Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, and Frozen Soul. Somehow in life, this was only my second time seeing Obituary. See some of the killer shots I got and read about how freaking awesome the show was here.
Show #32: This show was a walk down memory lane. Every song Siagon Kick performed was a literal sing along with the entire crowd. Being a local band of some notoriety with thirty years plus of rock history, there were a lot of familiar faces in the crowd.
Show #33: Sometimes in my media related adventures, there are mix ups with guest lists, names somehow do not make it from the approval email to the actual guest list and this show was one of those cases. While I was sad to not photo the show, it kicks ass to know people who work at the venue(s) and know of my love and passion for the live shows and I was given a free pass to this one. Kamelot, HammerFall, and Ad Infinitium put on a power metal display and a show that totally kicked ass.
Show #34: As excited as I was for the musicianship of Mr. Big, I was more excited to see my friend Sydney who was working this tour. She is a fellow ‘Monsters’ friend and it is great to see your friends prospering and truly living the dream that they had always wanted. There was a very talented collection of photographers on hand for this farewell tour of this amazing band. Once again, a night of great friends and great music. See the photos and read my review of the show here.
Show #35: Talk about a walk down memory lane. It was an ‘80s extravaganza with Wang Chung headlining and Men Without Hats, The Motels, and Naked Eyes also performing. Their hits took me back through songs I had no idea I still knew every word to. It was a really fun night and a great show. Check out photos from the show here.
Show #36: To say that a legend was in town is an understatement. Titanium Tart is the side project of Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain, and we were treated to some kick ass Iron Maiden tunes in one of the wildest thunderstorms I had seen in quite some time. The show was under cover thankfully. Check out the killer shots I got at the show and after at the meet and greet here (thanks Rob!).
Shows #37-38: Here is where I can say that I too am living the dream. I completed a Metallica “No Repeat Weekend” in two different cites on back to back weekends. I saw Night One in Foxborough, MA with my friend Christina and ran into other ‘Monsters’ friends there and then was in Chicago the following weekend for Night Two with my friend Dean and his son, and ran into more ‘Monsters’ friends at that show too! Both shows I attended absolutely kicked ass and I already have four Metallica shows lined up for 2025 with eyes on a fifth. Read about my unusual ‘No Repeat Weekend’ adventures here.
Show #39: Joey Belladonna put on a Dio tribute that was freaking amazing. Covering every band Ronnie James Dio was in, Joey and his band nailed every song! It was a really fun night and my second time seeing a local trio called Maximum Friction open a show. That Maximum Friction band has some serious talent and (once again, thanks Rob!) I got to capture some really genuine moments between the youngsters in Maximum Friction meeting Joey after the show and how gracious he was praising their talent. Check out the killer shots I got at the show and after at the meet and greet here.
Show #40: Another walk down memory lane. This is a show where one of the opening bands was the real draw for me, REO Speedwagon played in between the Yacht Rock Review opening and Train headlining. Anytime I hear an REO song, in my mind I am transformed back to my middle school days air guitaring the band’s gushing mushy songs on the radio, singing my heart out to the cute girl from my math class who had no idea I was even alive. Check out photos from the show here.
Shows #41-43: Another Monsters reunion, this time in Gatlinburg for three days of rock and an extra day of exploring the area. This was my second time attending Monsters on the Mountain (now officially known as The Mountain USA Music Festival). Three days of kick ass performances, surrounded by old and new friends the event went by in a flash. I finally got to see a bear and made some new lifelong friends. I did not do a write up of how killer of a time it was but my daily highlight will give you an idea! Hopefully the event returns in 2026! Highlights from each day: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4
Show #44: Miles Schon’s Journey Experience was in town and it was another Monsters hookup that got me to this show with camera in hand. If the name sounds familiar, he looks just like his dad and plays just as smoothly. I think it was their first live performance as a ‘band’ and they knocked it out of the park! See photos from the show here.
Shows #45-47: Meeting up with my friend Christina again, this time in Atlanta, I got to experience ProgPower, a progressive and power metal festival. This four day event has year over year ticket sell outs, multiple bands playing their debut show in North America, and a wide ranging lineup for diehard and new prog rock fans alike. After meeting Christina and a group of her friends and talking with them on the Monsters of Rock Cruise earlier this year, I could hear and sense the same excitement and passion for ProgPower that I have for the Monsters events. It was a no-brainer to go and it was great to meet a whole new group of friends and even Rob, from all of the ‘thanks’ above, was there for one of the days. Reviews from each day, with links to daily highlight photo galleries: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3
Show #48: I had asked Rob the day prior (at show #47) in Atlanta if he had plans on going to see Gilby Clarke since he had flown home from Atlanta the day before I did. I was home maybe an hour after returning from ProgPower and then I headed to meet up with Rob and other friends to see this kick ass guitarist jam and shred. See photos from the show here.
Show #49: All-female rock band, Plush, blew the roof off of the venue – that band is on a mission to reignite the prominence of women that play kick ass rock and roll. Tons of my friends were there and it was a great show, my first time seeing them and I would go see them again in a heartbeat. See photos from the show here.
Show #50: With a lineup of consisting of Gatecreeper, Frozen Soul, and Worm, you can probably guess it was not an acoustical tour of love ballads. It was 2024’s second night for me of gloriously brutal heavy metal. Gatecreeper was my favorite new band I had discovered in 2023 and this show absolutely kicked ass! Easily a candidate for heaviest show of the year. Sad I did not have a chance to photo this one, hopefully next tour.
Show #51: Easily a candidate for show of the year, Creed absolutely put on one of the highest energy shows I have ever seen. There was full fan interaction and amazing lighting for us photographers. Some of the shots my friends in the pit got I thought were jaw dropping.
Show #52: It was another night of a glorious brutally heavy metal with Sepultura, Obituary, Agnostic Front, and Claustrofobia pulverizing Jannus. It was a hometown show for Obituary so that really kicked ass. Read about how killer of a show it was and see the photos here.
Show #53: One of my favorite ‘new’ bands I have discovered in the last five years or so. I drove a total of nearly three hours and forty five minutes to photo Jinjer for just over eleven minutes. Most of that drive time was due to rainy rush hour traffic that caused me to miss the opening band and the opportunity to photo the second band. But I would make that trek again in a heartbeat to see Jinjer and hope they come around again soon. See photos from Jinjer’s kick ass set here.
Show #54: This was a fantastic all-star show with a dozen or so well named artists taking turns playing Jimi Hendrix songs featuring a who’s who of the electric guitar. Their two and a half hour show seemed to fly by in five minutes it was that captivating of a show, I would for sure go again. See photos here.
Show #55: I certainly approve of the increased frequency of the heavier metal shows at Jannus as of late. This night was Fit for an Autopsy, Bodysnatcher, Distant, Sylosis, and Judiciary with an early start time to fit in all five bands, and was once again glorious in the brutality we all were there for.
Show #56: My first time seeing King Diamond, Overkill, or Night Demon. Overkill is the surprise that I had never seen, but somehow I just had not. King Diamond was a creepy as I had hoped and being so close to Halloween many in the audience were in costume as well.
Show #57: Wow was this a kick ass show with Exodus, Havok, Candy, and Dead Heat. Outdoors at the Orpheum, I think this one wins the title of the heaviest show of the year. The opening bands were beyond brutally heavy and I really enjoyed this show. Who would expect a band with a name like ‘Candy’ to be the heaviest of the night. Check out the Exodus shots here.
Show #58: Stryper played a fortieth anniversary tour and sold out the Capitol Theater. They are a really underrated band, sadly I did not have a ticket and only got to see the first part of the show. See photos from the show here.
Show #59: Scotty Austin was the headliner for the opening night of the annual St. Pete Beach Bikefest at the OCC Roadhouse. The former lead singer of Saving Able has some solid solo material and of course played several Saving Able songs. Great performance. See the photos here.
Show #60: Molly Hatchet was the headliner for the second night of Bikefest. Really good turnout this night and it was surprising to me how many of their songs I recognized.
Show #61: A two plus hour drive to Orlando on a work night was an afterthought for the W.A.S.P. and Armored Saint show. For sure, I was a little tired at work the next day, but for a show of this caliber, I would do it again in a heartbeat. See the W.A.S.P. photos here, and the Armored Saint photos here.
Show #62: Another night of some great music at OCC Roadhouse. Firehouse pulled in a solid crowd and I was really impressed with the band’s new singer. See photos here.
Show #63: The musicianship of the members of King’s X is astounding and the music they put out translates into fantastic live performances. Musically this is a definite candidate for show of the year!
Show #64: The KISS Cancer Goodbye III benefit was quite a fun experience and a fantastic event for KISS diehards. My friend Christina flew down and we went to one of the days of the three day long event event. We chose the one with the most live music and some special musical performances. With such an intimate venue, I would go again in a heartbeat and am hoping to organize a few more of us attending next year. See photos from the day here.
Show #65: Bret Michaels’ Parti-Gras show was just that. My friend Stacey who I met in Gatlinburg earlier this year flew down for this (and the next) show and it was one big party with a greatest hits of Poison and included an appearance by Dee Snider singing a couple of Twisted Sister songs. Night Ranger opened the show with a greatest hits set and the night went by way too fast.
Show #66: Another year and another fantastic Trans-Siberian Orchestra show. I would have to say that this year, the laser show was quite exceptional over years past. Amazing how TSO keeps the story fresh and new each year.
Show #67: With a consistent lineup achieving fifty years in 2025, Zebra was as fantastic as ever and they show no signs of slowing down. Another superb show, my third time seeing Zebra live and another transformation back in time for me.
To say it was an amazing year of concerts, adventures and friends is an understatement. I am beyond fortunate to have the opportunity to see musical legends as well as some of my favorite bands perform. I got to hang out with great friends and meet new friends along the way. I discovered a ton of bands new to me. With travel to multiple cities, venues and cruise ships, forever I will have stories to tell and photos to share that captured the moments and memories. More than once this year, and again as I write this, I feel like I was ‘living the dream’ that I had desired years ago. My thanks and appreciation to all of those who helped make 2024 the epic, record breaking concert year it was.
To see my favorite concert photos of the year go here. To see the list of shows and bands I saw in 2024 go here. Shows are cataloged as the most recent displayed first. 2024 encompassed shows # 418-352.
CMO
\m/