Another great year of concerts is in the books. I saw so many of my favorite bands this year and it made me incredibly grateful to see these acts while they are still hitting on all cylinders. Don’t take it for granted everyone. And at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’m going to paste in something from last years list:
30% of this list comes from shows outside the DC area. Road trips are the best! Go see your favorite bands as many times as you can! Go see them in unfamiliar surroundings! You won’t regret it. Unless you’re traveling to see Morrissey.
Also, two spots on this list are from opening acts. Get there early, you might find your new favorite band.
1 – Oasis Live ‘25 — 7/2/25, 7/3/25, 8/31/25 and 9/7/25
Honestly the next three shows could easily have been #1 in any other year but not this year. 2025 belonged to Oasis and rightfully so. Live ‘25 marked the 30th anniversary of What’s The Story Morning Glory for the band but for me personally it was the 30th anniversary of my first time seeing the band (at the Cat’s Cradle in Chapel Hill, NC – I still have the stub, it cost me $8) and the 20th anniversary of their 2005 show at Merriweather, which was also my first date with my wife. I was lucky enough to see this tour four times – consecutive nights in London at Wembley, once at MetLife Stadium and one last time at the Rose Bowl. The shows were all 10/10, and I honestly had some of the best concert going experiences of my life, singing myself hoarse with friends old and new. My Dad also died in the middle of this run, so the shows became even more emotional and cathartic for me. Truly, I will never forget this tour.
2 – Underworld @ The Fillmore Denver — 11/14/25
I was on the fence about doing this trip but it had been 15 years since I had seen Underworld perform and I wasn’t sure if the opportunity would come around again. I am so glad I went. Three hours, two sets, 22 songs, no opener, all bangers.
3 – Destroyer @ Black Cat — 10/14/25
With respect to the Gallagher Brothers, Dan Bejar is the artist I listen to the most these days (Apple Music says I am a Top 500 Destroyer listener worldwide) and this show (and the show in Philly I saw two nights prior) didn’t let me down. We live in trying times and Destroyer’s meditative, laid back cynicism helps me get through the day to day. Getting to hear 4 songs from Kaputt, my favorite album ever, was just icing on the cake.
4 – Cass McCombs @ The Anthem — 3/30/25
During McCombs’s set, opening for Beth Gibbons, he played a new song called “Missionary Bell” and it absolutely stopped me in my tracks. It was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever heard. I thought about that song every day for 5 months until the recorded version finally came out on his excellent album Interior Live Oak. I need him to play DC ASAP.
5 – Kurt Vile @ The Anthem — 7/25/25
An opening slot for The Pixies seemed like a strange gig for KV, but he turned in one of the best sets I’ve seen him perform. I honestly think KV can be a bit hit or miss live but when he hits, like he did on this night, it’s mind blowing. We got 4 songs in the pit for this show instead of the usual three, so I used that extra time to stand in front of his guitar monitor and listen to him play “A Girl Called Alex” and it was absolute heaven.
6 – Pulp @ The Anthem — 9/6/25
I was overjoyed to get to see them one last time in 2024, doubly so to see them one other last time this year. Their new album, More, is great and they did an excellent mix of new and ol material. Jarvis 4EVA. Seeing this show and then Oasis in LA the next day was incredible timing. Thank you Britpop Gods.
7 – Beta Band @ 9:30 Club — 10/28/25
Another very unlikely reunion that came off much better than anyone had a right to expect. I’ve been a huge fan ever since Noel Gallagher name dropped them in the NME in the late 90’s. Their career never took off like it should have so it’s great to see them finally getting their flowers.
8 – Franz Ferdinand @ The Anthem — 4/7/25
A killer show by a killer band. It says a lot about this band that there were a few post-2013 songs that I was disappointed not to hear.
9 – The Armed @ The Atlantis — 8/16/25
A proper, in your face rock show. Small spaces suit them so well but they won’t be playing them for long.
10 – My Morning Jacket @ The Anthem — 10/8/25
They tour every year or two and they blow me away every time. Don’t take these guys for granted.
