2024 was a banner year making photos for DCs outstanding music publication, Parklife DC. The year brought numerous outstanding artists to the DC metro area for continual shows during the year.

I was fortunate enough to work with senior writer Mark Engelson this year, and together we were able to cover several great shows in the DC area.

The following (10) shows represent a few of the memorable ones that come to mind during 2024 though I could have easily chosen ten different ones as the quality of the shows this year has been monumental:

1 – Hank Williams Jr. @ Jiffy Lube Live — 5/18/24

Hank Jr. was a must-cover event for Parklife DC and helped kick-off the summer season in DC with a great show at Jiffy Lube Live that also included the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Tyler Halverson on the bill. Hank Jr. played a huge selection of his hits for the highly enthusiastic audience during the event — including very well received “Family Tradition.”

2 – The Black-Eyed Peas @ The Anthem — 8/7/24

It was perhaps the most fun show of the year with nonstop antics, and movement by the band, which was on tour in 2024, and we received word later that they will do a Las Vegas residency in 2025.

3 – Lyle Lovett @ Wolf Trap — 8/9/24

Changing the pace up, we covered Lovett’s classic show at Wolf Trap in August 2024. The Preservation Hall Jazz Band from New Orleans opened the show for a fantastic night of jazz and some country staples by Lovett and his big band. Lovett belting out his songs in the late-night air at Wolf Trap will be forever etched in my mind.

4 – The Lone Bellow @ The Birchmere — 10/3/24

It was a fantastic set by The Lone Bellow at The Birchmere after playing the night before at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis. Both shows were filled with nonstop brilliant songs and music that have helped them become one of the best bands on the planet.

5 – Pink Martini @ The Kennedy Center — 10/14/24

This sold-out show at Kennedy Center was one of the best shows of the year and a phenomenal set by the band with Thomas Lauderdale and China Forbes in superb form.

6 – Zara Larsson @ 9:30 Club — 11/1/24

Zara Larsson was sensational on her return to the 9:30 Club. She promoted her latest album with a highly choreographed show featuring some of her best songs over the last several years, including “Symphony,” to great applause.

7 – Echosmith @ Pearl Street Warehouse — 11/11/24

10th Anniversary of Cool Kids: The Cool Kids were back and didn’t miss a beat at their show at Pearl Street Warehouse. I look forward to seeing what they will release over the next several years as Sydney Quiseng has also began working more on her solo projects.

8 – Ruf Records 30th Anniversary Show @ Warner Theatre — 11/20/24

It was a fantastic night of music featuring blowout sets by Samantha Fish, Canned Heat, and Ghalia Volt.

9 – Suki Waterhouse @ The Anthem — 12/11/24

Touring in support of her latest album Memoir of a Sparklemuffin, Suki Waterhouse and band put on one of the finest shows of the year at The Anthem, featuring songs from her new album and tracks from her past catalog. She should tour more in 2025.

10 – Maggie Rose @ Bethesda Theatre — 12/20/24

Two shows in Bethesda, Maryland, finished out a sensational year for Maggie Rose, who received a Grammy nomination for her album, No One Gets Out Alive, Rose and band closed out the year with great Christmas shows.