Team JamBase’s Favorite Live Music Moments Of 2024
Check out the standout live performances that made this year’s list.
By Team JamBase Dec 25, 2024 • 7:25 am PST
For more than 25 years JamBase’s message has been consistent: Go See Live Music! The members of Team JamBase once again applied that mantra throughout 2024, attending live concerts, festivals and other music-related events around the globe.
Team JamBase not only embraced the Go See Live Music ethos but also the statement’s inherent message to take in live music regardless of genre or other designation. Mirroring JamBase’s broad spectrum coverage of live music, the team selected a diverse group of artists for its Favorite Live Music Moments Of 2024.
Responses ran the gamut from intimate clubs to massive multi-day festivals, featuring the sounds of rock, reggae, electronic, country, jam and beyond. Scroll on for a look at Team JamBase’s Favorite Live Music Moments Of 2024.
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Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country | Multiple Shows
Jon McLennand – Music Data Coordinator
I’ve been listening to jam bands for 30 years. That’s a lot of notes. Bands come and go, but the chase is always there. Who’s gonna satisfy that craving for a new sound? Who’s going to create something fresh on a nightly basis? For 2024, my live highlight was observing the continued musical growth of Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country. (I mean … we can’t all say Sphere, right?)
The two-night run I witnessed in Seattle in January, DDCC pulled out pretty much everything they had in their musical quiver. In February, they unleashed a jam vehicle, “Passing Storm,” which was a giant step in compositional chops that had not been previously displayed. When DDCC came to Chicago in June, they were freshly armed with “Translation” and “Two Hills,” two more jam vehicles that had legs from the get-go. In September, they added “See Through” and “Prairie Spin.” Not just new songs, but all five are well-crafted pieces with serious potential every time they appear in a setlist. (To be sure, I’d need a hell of a lot more space to cover all of the new material they added this year.)
Something else happened along the way, and it’s the increased presence of Type II jamming. No two (jam) bands have the same trajectory and that holds especially true for how a band grows as an improvisatory unit. To listen to Daniel Donato, Nathan “Sugar Leg” Aronowitz, Will “Mustang” McGee and Will “Bronco” Clark grow together as a cohesive jamming unit is joyful. It’s not bountiful (yet), but the short forays are becoming longer journeys and I am here for it. One thing is immediately evident and that is that they all have adept ears, quickly latching onto new ideas. By the time I saw them on Halloween, the show-opening “Free Wheelin’” > “Heady Open Jam” saw the band stretch out Type II-style for over 10 minutes, patiently listening to each other and developing the jam from scratch into several peaks.
Over the course of the year, the band’s success was not only measured in terms of increased venue sizes but its growth as a group of musicians. By fall, the band was playing three-night runs without repeats with material to spare. Something that would have been a stretch just eight months prior. Some of us wish Phish would jam like they did in ’97 or moe. in ’98 or the Disco Biscuits in ’99. I am ready for Daniel Danato’s Cosmic Country in 2025 and beyond.
Clinton Fearon | Soundcheck Studios Pembroke, Mass.
Jeff Wagner – Sr. Account Manager
When I received the JamBase push notification reading “an artist you follow, Clinton Fearon, announced a show near you” I couldn’t believe my eyes. My favorite modern-day reggae artist was going to be making a rare East Coast appearance at one of my favorite venues, Soundcheck Studios in Pembroke, Massachusetts.
The Jamaican-born, now Seattle/France-based 73-year-old, performed for over three hours straight without an intermission. The band was tight. The mix was dialed. And the vibes were at an all time high. He’s one of those rare humans whose mere presence truly makes the room just a little bit brighter and everyone can feel the positive energy he radiates.
10/10 show. I would 100% recommend taking the time to see the legendary Clinton Fearon!
Soulshine Benefit | Madison Square Garden
Scott Bernstein – Editorial Director
The “Soulshine” benefit held at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on November 24 was an incredible show for a most worthy cause. Co-hosted by Dave Matthews and Warren Haynes, the star-studded concert was filled with one memorable moment after another that showed off the power of live music.
Goose, Warren Haynes Band, and Dave Matthews Band performed guest-filled sets with Trey Anastasio, Mavis Staples, Robert Randolph, Joe Russo, Trombone Shorty, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and Ben Jaffe each taking the stage at various points of the evening.
Highlights included Derek Trucks joining Goose for “Hungersite,” Joe Russo and Derek Trucks adding to Warren Haynes Band’s “Whipping Post,” Nathaniel Rateliff and Mavis Staples dueting on “Friendship” and Trey Anastasio taking a mind-blowing solo during DMB’s “Lie In Our Graves.” The best part? “Soulshine” raised over $4.5 million for hurricane relief and recovery efforts in Western North Carolina and Florida.
Photo by Sanjay Suchak via "Soulshine"
Four Tet & Friends | Brooklyn
Court Scott – Vice President, Sales
I thought Phish at Sphere would be the wildest venue I experienced in 2024 – and it was extraordinary, a level unto itself. But running a close second was seeing indie electronic DJ Four Tet in Brooklyn this May. The venue, “Under The K Bridge,” hides its only-in-New-York madness behind a modest name: an outdoor stage nestled under two active freeways, with the glittering Manhattan skyline as a backdrop across the river.
In this small industrial zone-turned-skatepark, the London-born DJ (Kieran Hebden) hosted the inaugural “Four Tet and Friends” – a two-day event featuring an eclectic lineup that included Sammy Virji, Daphni (Caribou’s DJ persona), Floating Points, Ben UFO, salute, Chloé Robinson, and others. With two stages, food trucks, a jaw-droppingly lit disco ball, and a crowd of lovely folks, the festival delivered beats and head-bopping samples in abundance. Four Tet headlined each night, capping off Sunday’s festivities with a sprawling, genre-blurring set.
His two-and-a-half-hour finale showcased his vast catalog, weaving samples from Keith Jarrett, Fred again.., and Skrillex to Mazzy Star, Nine Inch Nails, Floating Points, and Joy Orbison. The result was a kaleidoscope of pop, jazz, grunge, and techno – soft, squishy beats layered with vibrant samples and grimy, industrial textures, all crafted into a blissful yet gritty journey by a master of his craft.
What also stood out to me was the relaxed camaraderie. During most sets, Four Tet would casually hang out – maybe even enjoy a snack – while the crowd danced and other DJs delivered the groceries at 120bpm. At one point, four top-tier house DJs were on stage, though only two (Daphni and Floating Points) were spinning. Their b2b set was, in the highest sense of the word, naaaasty: deep grooves, bonkers drops, and genre-defying rhythms delivered with infectious smiles, like they were in on a good-natured private joke.
Adding to the warmth, salute celebrated his 28th birthday with a giant sheet cake, slicing it up and sharing it with everyone in the VIP area. The DJs’ camaraderie and the audience’s energy were as electric as the music, making the weekend an intimate celebration of sound and community. Perfection.
Disclosure b2b Mochakk | Cercle Festival 2024
Chrissy Greco – Marketing Director
I traveled to Paris in May of this year to attend a two-day music festival put on by legendary French promoters / YouTube channel Cercle. Known for their videos, which have the best DJs in the world playing in remote and visually stunning locations around the globe, Cercle’s in-person event did not disappoint.
The second-year festival at the National Air & Space Museum of France northeast of Paris brought together 37 artists at three unique stages under air and space travel artifacts — notably the Ariane V rocket, the A380, and Concorde aircraft. One of my favorite producers Disclosure went back to back with rising Brazilian house DJ Mochakk transitioning from day to night under the massive A380 jet, the entire set had us dancing the entire time.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C7zkM6wvSJM/
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Soul Coughing | Roadrunner Boston
David Onigman – CEO
Sometimes the most meaningful musical experiences come wrapped in second chances. On September 29 at Boston’s Roadrunner, Soul Coughing delivered exactly that – a performance that seemed impossible just a few years ago, yet arrived as my most memorable concert of 2024.
My journey with Soul Coughing’s music took an unconventional path. I missed their ’90s heyday, instead discovering them backward through frontman Mike Doughty’s solo career in the mid-2000s. A former roommate’s passionate advocacy for Doughty’s work, particularly his masterful solo album Haughty Melodic, opened the door to exploring Soul Coughing’s catalog. This retroactive discovery made the band’s reunion seem even more improbable, especially given Doughty’s well-documented stance in his memoir The Book of Drugs where he vehemently rejected the possibility of reuniting with his former bandmates, describing the relationship as traumatic and even totally removing Soul Coughing songs from his solo performances for tours at a time.
But time has a way of healing wounds and shifting perspectives. When Soul Coughing took the stage at Roadrunner – a venue that has quickly established itself as one of my favorite spots in town – the years of discord seemed to dissolve into the ether. The chemistry between band members didn’t just seem like professional courtesy; it appeared genuine, electric and infectious.
The show transcended mere nostalgia, offering instead a masterclass in musical redemption. The fact that this reunion has legs, with more dates planned for the coming year, hopefully speaks to something deeper than a one-off cash grab. It’s a testament to the possibility of reconciliation and the enduring power of the music they created together. For someone who never thought they’d get to experience these songs performed by their original architects, the evening felt nothing short of miraculous.
Photo by Darrin Commerford
Daikaiju | Eulogy Asheville (AVL Fest Day 4)
Kyle Fortinsky – Director of Music Data & Listings
Daikaiju is a must-see live act no matter your tastes. Shredding, riffing, pyrotechnic antics, and a locked-in crowd that doesn’t quit. The line snaked down Asheville’s South Slope neighborhood well before doors, resulting in a “one in, one out” capacity policy for wristband holders before the first notes of chaos even began.
Cheekily scheduled as a Sunday afternoon set during the final day of this year’s city-wide AVL Fest, their instrumental surf-punk-on-steroids sound was equipped enough to command a headlining presence.
The Head And The Heart | Jannus Live St. Petersburg
Caroline Cabral – Production Manager
My most memorable live music moment of 2024 was seeing The Head and the Heart perform live for the first time. Charity Rose Thielen on the violin is an absolute treat to witness!
The energy was electric from the moment they took the stage, and the outdoor open setting at Jannus Live amplified the magic. One of their most well-known songs, “Let’s Be Still,” was cool to experience in a crowd –— a refreshing reminder to “be still” and stay present in the moment.
Having recently lost my beloved furry companion of 13 years, songs like “Another Story,” “Hurts,” and “Lost in My Mind” really resonated with me. The band’s connection with the audience felt deeply authentic. I left the show with a sense of release and renewal, and a reminder of how music has the power to heal.
Phish | Mondegreen Festival
Katie Irwin – Production Intern
My favorite live music moment took place at the Dover Speedway in August 2024. I have attended most Phish festivals, and Mondegreen would be ranked up with the best of the best for one reason: my 8-year-old daughter came with us. Her father and I decided in late July that she would go, they would stay in Family camping and at any given point, they would bail and head back home. I was hesitant as mom, but also fully trusting her dad’s ability to manage the weekend and put her needs first. Not surprisingly, she had the BEST time!
Phish pulled out all of the stops for the Lil’ Ragers, her favorite being the Ferris Wheel. She loves to tell her friends that she was at the top of the Ferris Wheel during the pause in “Divided Sky.” She LOVED the sound effects in “My Pet Cat.” She danced, she made new friends, she came home with a bag full of stickers, patches, glow sticks and mementos that will last a lifetime.
To be able to witness the magic that is Phish through my daughter’s eyes is something I will never forget. The only problem is now she wants to go to every show!
Zach Bryan | Golden 1 Center Sacramento
Andy Gadiel – Co-Founder
The one show which really comes to mind is Zach Bryan in Sacramento last month. It was a special night as my 16-year-old son, who had turned me onto Zach, along with his cousin and my wife and I went to the Golden 1 Center, where I had previously seen Phish right after COVID, stood and sang every word to every song along with everyone else there for over two hours.
Zach had never been to Sacramento before, yet sold out 2 nights of arena shows. Goes to show the power of good songwriting, and the Spotify algorithm…
Sturgill Simpson | Roy Wilkins Auditorium St. Paul
Andy Kahn – Editor-In-Chief
Part of what made seeing Sturgill Simpson at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul stand out was how much it contrasted my other most memorable music moment of 2024, seeing Dead & Company’s first show at the Sphere. Simpson and his dynamite band played with no backdrop or video screen, minimal lighting and with an intensity of a band living or dying by every note.
While D&C Sphere was spectacular, it was a by-now well-established band, playing a well-established format while accompanied by mind-blowing visual effects. Simpson by contrast was reconnecting with longtime collaborators and digging into new material from his superb 2024 album Passage du Desir (which was released under his newly minted moniker Johnny Blue Skies). The guitarist and his band, bassist Kevin Black, keyboardist Robbie Crowell, guitarist Laur Joamets and drummer Miles Miller, delivered an almost nonstop three-hour performance that offered the joy of seeing a group of musicians giving their all for the sheer thrill of it all.
Alongside Passage du Desir selections, Simpson rounded out his setlist with songs from his 2013 debut album Hight Top Mountain, its 2014 follow-up Metamodern Sounds in Country Music, 2016’s A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, the 2019 anime soundtrack rock album SOUND & FURY and his 2020 bluegrass album Cuttin’ Grass Vol. 1: The Butcher Shoppe Sessions. There were also choice covers, like The Allman Brothers Band’s “Midnight Rider,” Procol Harum’s “A Whiter Shade of Pale” and — especially fitting in the Twin Cities — Prince’s “Purple Rain.”
From the opening “Juanita” off Simpson’s concept album, The Ballad of Dood & Juanita to the closing “Call To Arms” off A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, the three hour performance flew by with the intimacy of a bar-band show and the bombast of arena rock at its finest.
