When 2025 started I told myself I’d slow down, not go to as many concerts, pace myself, but 2025 had other plans.
Like most years, 2025 started off slowly but by March my calendar (which I had hoped would remain free) had sprung a leak as I was inundated with one show I couldn’t pass up after another. Now as I’m facing a new year and looking back, I’m glad I didn’t reign it in. Below are just a handful of some of my favorite or most memorable shows of the past year.
1 – Nine Inch Nails @ CFG Bank Arena — 8/26/25
The summer brought with it heat and some of my favorite shows of the year, including the return of Nine Inch Nails. Hot on the heels of their soundtrack to Tron: Ares, Trent, Atticus, and company put on a career spanning show that included two stages, massive screens, and plenty of heart.
2 – Linkin Park @ CFG Bank Arena — 5/3/25
Returning to touring and new music, Linkin Park pulled out all the stops in Charm City as the crowd couldn’t get enough.
3 – Sam Fender @ The Anthem — 9/23/25
Sam Fender has become one of his generation’s finest songwriters and his show at The Anthem in September had it all. I couldn’t help but get the feeling that the next time I have the chance to see him perform he’ll be selling out stadiums.
4 – Car Seat Headrest @ The Anthem — 6/28/25
There are few bands that consistently put out thoughtful, interesting music that you can groove to and Car Seat Headrest is one of the best. Hearing that Will Toledo and company were coming back to the District I couldn’t help but jump on it and the new songs sounded amazing.
5 – OK Go @ 9:30 Club — 6/1/25
OK Go’s live shows continue to change up from tour to tour, bringing out-of-the-box surprises and tons (and I don’t think that’s an exaggeration) of confetti. Their show at the 9:30 Club was nothing short of a no hold barred party.
6 – Snow Patrol @ The Anthem — 4/11/25
I had seen Snow Patrol once before, and since then had been waiting with bated breath to see when they would be back. And their return to The Anthem was just as brilliant.
7 – Rick Springfield and I Want My ‘80s Tour @ Wolf Trap — 7/6/25
Man, what a night! Paul Young, Wang Chung, John Waite, and, of course, Rick Springfield playing your favorite tunes like a virtual jukebox of 1980’s hits. And all of it at the legendary Wolf Trap. You can’t get better than that.
8 – Drive By Truckers @ The Anthem – 8/5/25 / Patterson Hood @ The Atlantis — 3/27/25
What a year to have two chances to see Patterson Hood both with Drive By Truckers at The Anthem in August and with his solo band at The Atlantis in March. Hood released his fourth solo record this year while The Truckers continued their anniversary celebration of one of my favorite albums, Southern Rock Opera.
9 – Matt Berninger @ The Lincoln Theatre — 6/2/25
The National frontman released his second solo album, Get Sunk, this year buoyed by the fantastic single, “Bonnett of Pins” and when his tour stopped at The Lincoln Theatre he performed a brilliant set filled with his trademark baritone and wry wit.
10 – Kim Deal with Ratboys @ Capital Turnaround — 3/15/25
It’s not every day you get to see two fantastic artists in the same night, but not only did the Capital Turnaround host the legendary Kim Deal whose debut solo album has been in heavy rotation in my house, but opening the evening was Ratboys whom I had been wanting to see for a couple of years. That made for an incredible night of amazing music.
