Greetings Rockers ’N’ Rollers! An incredible amount of concert tours for 2024 have already begun to be announced. But first a recap of the past month .. Harrisburg native, Jeffrey Gaines, played a great show at West Chester’s Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center on October 28th. Gaines, a Philadelphia-resident for over 30 years, continues to play wonderful intimate concerts consisting of beautiful storytelling and amazing musical talent. Gaines is currently touring with Davy Knowles for a string of dates to conclude 2023.
Timmy’s Creep Show and The Super High-Tech Jet Fighters played a fantastic Halloween show at Hershey’s Englewood on November 2nd. Possibly, two of the best Harrisburg-based bands, both ripped through great sets of original music to a packed house of fans. Jet Fighters’ lead singer, Wes Griffith, also married his ‘Moonlight Girl’ Robynn on November 7th in Las Vegas – followed by an awesome reception at Mechanicsburg’s Metropolis Collective on November 11th featuring four bands: The Matrimones, The Stivs, Edgewood and The Super High-Tech Jet Fighters.
Australia’s, Amyl and the Sniffers played a sold-out show at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on November 3rd. I was fortunate to catch the Aussie punk band twice this past month in Pennsylvania. They are incredible live and always a concert not to be missed. They will return to America next summer and will open for Foo Fighters at Hersheypark Stadium on July 23rd.
Brian Fallon, singer of Gaslight Anthem, played an acoustic show at HMAC’s Capitol Ballroom on November 14th. The New Jersey-native played a quick 5 solo shows in one week beginning in Harrisburg. Fallon played a memorable 14-song set of solo songs and four Gaslight Anthem hits.
The Rolling Stones will play 15 stadiums across North America — and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival — in 2024. The Stones Tour ’24: Hackney Diamonds” visits East Rutherford, NJ on May 23 and Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field on June 11th. The tour is in support of the band’s 26th studio album, “Hackney Diamonds”, the release of which they celebrated October 19th with a secret show at The Racket in New York’s Meatpacking District, which included a guest appearance from Lady Gaga.
Peter Hook and the Light is setting out on tour in 2024 with dates across Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland and North America, with dates in the United States. Throughout the trek, Hook will perform the Substance albums by Joy Division and New Order in full. “It still amazes me how enjoyable it is to play the Substance LPs,” Hook said in a statement. Tour dates include Washington DC’s 9:30 Club on September 1st and Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on September 4th.
Perry Farrell-fronted 90s alt-rock supergroup, Porno For Pyros have announced the rescheduled dates for their farewell tour. The band’s “Horns, Thorns, En Halos Farewell Tour” was postponed a week before it was originally set to launch — will hit the road in 2024 after a 26-year touring break. The 16-city tour stops at Philadelphia’s Parx Casino on March 2nd and Silver Spring, MD Fillmore on March 3rd. In addition to the farewell, the tour celebrates the 30th anniversary of the band’s first album.
Taylor Swift postponed an Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro after a 23-year-old fan died during her Friday night show, “I’m writing this from my dressing room in the stadium. The decision has been made to postpone tonight’s show due to the extreme temperatures in Rio,” the singer said in a handwritten note on Instagram. Speculating it was linked to extreme heat, concert goers complained they were not allowed to take water into the stadium despite the stifling weather. Swift stated she had a “Shattered heart .. There’s very little information I have other than the fact that she was so incredibly beautiful and far too young.” Rio and most of Brazil have had record-breaking temperatures over 102 degrees.
Bryan Adams will continue “So Happy It Hurts” well into 2024, with 31 dates including Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena March 15th and Newark, NJ Prudential Center March 16th. Special guest on the tour is Dave Stewart’s Eurythmics Songbook. The Canadian rocker’s 2023 dates included Joan Jett as support.
Alanis Morissette is ready to headline in 2024. The Canadian singer announced she will embark on “The Triple Moon Tour” across North America with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Morgan Wade as supporting acts. “I am inspired and heartened and feel giddy inside to be going on this upcoming summer tour. Can’t wait to see you, can’t wait to perform!” Morissette stated. The 31-date run visits Columbia, MD Merriweather on June 29th and Camden, NJ Freedom Pavilion July 2nd.
Green Day announced “The Saviors Tour,” celebrating 30 years of Dookie and 20 years of American Idiot, which will feature special guests The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and The Linda Lindas. The first leg of the tour takes place for 30 days in Europe. The band will begin North America on July 29th in Washington, D.C. at Nationals Park, Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park August 9th and Hersheypark Stadium on August 10th. Green Day’s last massive tour took place in 2022, when they combined forces with Weezer and Fall Out Boy for “The Hella Mega Tour.”
After 150 shows throughout his lifetime, Billy Joel is ending his residency at the famed Madison Square Garden. The last show will take place on July 25th, completing the artist’s monthly performances at the famed venue. Joel’s history with Madison Square Garden stretches back to 1978. Throughout his most recent ten-year run, Joel has been joined on stage by Bruce Springsteen, Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, John Fogerty, Billy Gibbons, Brian Johnson, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Olivia Rodrigo and more. So far, he has sold more than 1.6 million tickets throughout his tenure at the venue.
Creed announced it will hit the road next summer for 40 shows, marking the first time Creed has toured in more than a decade. The Grammy Award-winning band, composed of Scott Stapp, Mark Tremonti, Brian Marshall and Scott Phillips, will play Hersheypark Stadium on August 23rd with opening bands 3 Doors Down and Finger Eleven. New Kids on the Block also bring their, “The Magic Summer 2024 Tour” to Hersheypark Stadium on August 3rd with special guests Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
Iron Maiden will continue their “The Future Past World Tour” into 2024 with concerts at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center November 1st and Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena November 12th. Iron Maiden manager Rod Smallwood says “THE FUTURE PAST TOUR is one of the most exciting tours we’ve ever done and to be performing both brand new material and songs that haven’t been played for many years with a mix of fan favorites has been a great experience for both the fans and the band. The energy has been incredible.”
Chris Stapleton’s “All-American Road Show” isn’t slowing down any time soon. The tour — underway in some capacity since 2017 — will continue into 2024, as the multiple Grammy, CMA and ACM award winner added 23 stops to go along with his already-scheduled stadium appearances with George Strait. Stapleton’s support on the tour is scheduled to include Sheryl Crow, Elle King, Marcus King, Nikki Lane, Willie Nelson and Family, Grace Potter, Allen Stone, Marty Stuart, Turnpike Troubadours, The War and Treaty and Lainey Wilson. Stapleton plays Philadelphia’s Freedom Mortgage Pavilion on June 6th and Pittsburgh’s Star Lake Pavilion on July 12th.
In what appears to be the Grammy Awards’ Year of the Woman, female artists dominate nominations, led by SZA with nine nods, followed by Phoebe Bridgers with seven. Following her with six nominations each are Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Brandy Clark, Jon Batiste and producer Jack Antonoff. Phoebe Bridger’s band Boygenius is nominated for the first time for record of the year, album of the year, best rock performance, best rock song, best alternative music performance, and best alternative music album. The 2024 Grammy Awards will air February 4th live on CBS from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
DECEMBER CONCERTS: Steel – Littlestown Eagles Dec 2. Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers – Towson Recher Theatre Dec 2. Bouncing Souls – Baltimore Rams Head Dec 7. The Smiths tribute / The Cure tribute – Harrisburg XL Live Dec 8. Anthrophobia – York Skid Row Garage Dec 9. J Roddy Walston and the Business – Baltimore Ottobar Dec 20. Back In Black / Road Case / Steel – Harrisburg XL Live Dec 23.
