TOP CONCERTS
P!nk / Summer Carnival Tour
Pink’s over the top Summer Carnival Tour kicked off June 7, 2023 and ran until Nov. 18, 2024. The tour has included big opening acts including Brandi Carlisle (Citi Field) and The Script and Sherly Crow who both performed sets at the recent MetLife Stadium show. The setlist, which was also tweaked as the tour expanded, was chock full of Pink’s most recognizable hits. Moreover, the attention to detail is like no other. This is by far the most entertaining concert I have attended since 2022’s Future Nostalgia Tour (Dua Lipa) and Chromatica Ball (Lady Gaga). From Pink flying through the stadium to her acrobat dancers to reoccurring fire, fireworks, and confetti, this show was a true party full of good vibes only. The October 2024 East Rutherford performance marked Pink’s largest United States crowd as a headliner with 60,000 people attending her MetLife Stadium show.
Tate McRae / Think Later World Tour
Tate McRae has been dubbed the new Britney Spears, and after attending the Think Later World Tour, it is easy to understand why. Tate McRae has earned the title of pop princess. Tate writes her own songs, she has a stellar voice, she is a skilled trained dancer, and has the looks. Tate has a strong connection to her fans which comes across during the backstories she tells in between songs at her shows. There is a sense of vulnerability and humility in Tate’s songs which comes across even stronger when she performs which make her so much more likable. It is nice to see a talented artist make it who is also genuinely a good person. The songs are catchy, the lyrics are relatable, and Tate can actually perform live. The tour runs through Mar. 29, 2025.
Conan Gray / Found Heaven On Tour
Conan Gray’s success story is a win for the LGBTQ community. I was actually shocked when my straight coworker told me how he is a huge fan of Conan and knew all of his songs, far more than I do. Gen Z and Millennials of all sexual orientations have heavily embraced Conan over the years. I admire how Conan includes romantic storylines with both men and women in his music videos and has never officially defined himself as anything because he doesn’t like labeling his sexuality. Conan is a self-deprecating songwriter whose highly relatable songs are the reason he has gone on to sell out Madison Square Garden in September. The setlist was solid with a mix of commercial hits and fan favorites. Conan showed off his lean physique while interacting with fans, moving around on stage, all while maintaining perfect vocals. This show felt like an emotional cleanse.
Avril Lavigne / Greatest Hits Tour (Simple Plan)
Avril Lavigne’s Greatest Hits Tour was highly anticipated and did not disappoint. Despite mixed reviews, purely based on what reviewers perceived as Avril’s lack of enthusiasm during certain shows, I personally found it to be one of the top tours of the year for multiple reasons.
For starters, the emo mood was set before Avril even hit the stage by having Girlfriends and Simple Plan as opening acts, both of whom had great setlists and are very high-energy performers. By the time Avril entered the crowd was pumped and ready for the nostalgia. All these years later and Avril still sounds the same, and impressively, the live performances sounded close to the studio tracks, which is hard to accomplish. The fifteen track setlist was full of hits. As Avril performed song after song, I was reminded at how many big singles she has under her belt. Avril and the audience felt most united during the anthem “Here’s to Never Growing Up” which was a peak moment.
Indigo Girls + Melissa Etheridge
The Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge went on a co-billed tour this year which brought all the girls, a majority of them lesbians, all out (no pun). While Avril Lavigne brought the 2000s and 2010s nostalgia, Indigo Girls and Melissa Etheridge brought the ’80s and ’90s nostalgia. Interestingly, some nights the Indigo Girls would go on first, while other nights Melissa Etheridge would go on first. The order always varied. What also varied was the setlist, particularly with Melissa Etheridge, who told me she loves mixing up the setlist and coordinating it based on where she is performing. One thing Melissa hates is sticking to the same setlist for a tour. If every artist would take a step out of Melissa’s book, it would make concerts more exciting and unpredictable.
TOP ANTHEMS
Sabrina Carpenter / “Good Graces”: While “Espresso” made Sabrina Carpenter go from playing at Terminal 5 in 2023 to Madison Square Garden in 2024, “Good Graces” is the catchiest anthem off the Short n’ Sweet album, with “Bed Chem” not far behind. This song is pop perfect in every sense from production to the lyrics to the vocals.
Kendrick Lamar / “Not Like Us”: Originally a diss track released amidst Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake, “Not Like Us” ended up becoming an anthem for a variety of reasons. While the track was intended to expose Drake, which it did beautifully, it also became the theme song of the year given the beginning of the Hollywood elite downfall. As Diddy finally was arrested and exposed, along with all of the celebrities who have ties to him, it became evident “They not like us, they not like us, they not like us.” With Diddy’s trial not until May 5, 2025, expect this song to be the theme song throughout the trial.
Billie Eilish / “Birds of a Feather”: In November 2023 Billie Eilish came out as queer. In May 2024, she released her latest album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, which comes with a welcome new sound. Bedroom pop is a welcome change from 2021’s Happier Than Ever. The sound, production, and lyrics fit Billie’s vocals so much better than her previous sound, which I personally found to be very polarizing. With Billie’s past work, one song would be an easy listen while I would want to skip the next. However, this album is more cohesive with “Birds of a Feather” being a perfect song to unwind to.
Tommy Richman / “Million Dollar Baby”: Although musically active since 2016, Tommy Richmond blew up in 2024 with his anthem “Million Dollar Baby” which quickly became the song of the summer. The song became the longest running number-one song on the TikTok Billboard Top 50 chart, staying at the top spot for ten consecutive weeks starting in May 2024. None of Tommy’s past work charted before yet this song peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in turn allowed his album, Coyote, to hit #10 and delivered a second hit, “Devil Is a Lie”. Everything about this song is perfect for social media.
the Adventures of Stevie V / “Dirty Cash (Money Talks)”: All things nostalgia are in with the past making a comeback in pop culture. I expect much more of this in 2025. In 2024, as each month came, we saw the need for nostalgia increase. The Netflix release of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story caused a variety of 90s songs, primarily Milli Vanilli tracks, to chart again and go viral on social media. However, the biggest song to get a second life out of this series, is “Dirty Cash (Money Talks)” by the Adventures of Stevie V. In a time of deep inflation, a shitty economy, everyone wants that dirty cash. When the year started, TikTok was ridden with photos of 80s and 90s penthouses set to throwback tunes. Now, those tunes are re-charting and getting a second life. Everyone wants to either re-live or live (for the first time) that 90s lifestyle.
