Maybe it was the election anxiety. I went to see live music compulsively in 2024 — over 50 shows, and that’s on top of another 20-odd plays, art exhibits, movies and events. Yes, it’s part of my job, but it’s also my connection to others, my spiritual practice, my therapy. And while I was able to review 15 live music shows for KQED by stars of rap, pop, rock, classical and jazz, many others went unnoted.

There are dozens of reasons for all of us to see live music, and to especially seek out new music, no matter your age. But in 2024, you’ll notice below, I also allowed myself the guilty pleasure of nostalgia. Here, then, are 30 shows I saw in 2024 which I didn’t review, now reviewed in just one sentence each — complete with bad photos from my phone.

Jan. 14
David Hegarty
Castro Theatre, San Francisco
Before the double feature of Blade Runner and Robocop, I made a point of writing down the beloved organist’s setlist: “Consider Yourself,” “S’Wonderful,” “This Could Be the Start of Something Big,” “A Wonderful Guy,” “Cheek to Cheek,” “That’s Entertainment” and, naturally, “San Francisco” (two weeks later, before a screening of 2001, he played “Also Sprach Zarathustra”).

Feb. 3
Howard Wiley
SFJAZZ, San Francisco
God bless saxophonist Howard Wiley, who advertised a gospel music show and then opened his set with Ornette Coleman’s “The Face of the Bass.”

Feb. 10
MDC
The Ivy Room, Albany
This San Francisco punk band once squatted inside the giant underground beer vats of the former Hamm’s brewery on Bryant Street, just two and a half blocks from KQED’s current headquarters; at this haywire show, “Born to Die” still sounded tremendous, 43 years later.

Feb. 10
Deltrice
Chris Club, Vallejo
I want Deltrice to sing the hook on almost every Bay Area rap song I hear.

Feb. 22
Cellski with the Top Chefs
Brick & Mortar Music Hall, San Francisco
There is nothing like a whole city turning out to shower love on one of its own, who performed every single song from Mr. Predicter for its 30th anniversary.

March 24
Lil Kayla
Phoenix Theatre, Petaluma
Dear Lil Kayla, I apologize on behalf of Sonoma County that only 85 people came to your show, hope you give us another shot someday.

March 28 (and 31)
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Chase Center, San Francisco
I am not allowed to talk about Bruce Springsteen in public, because eventually someone spins their forefinger around their ear in the universal sign for “this guy’s crazy,” but suffice it to say, he opened with “Something In the Night” (!!) and when I got home I immediately bought a solo ticket to the second show.

April 3
Danny Brown
Regency Ballroom, San Francisco
Opener Alice Longyu Gao bent minds with “Let’s Hope Heteros Fail, Learn...

The Best Live Music I Saw But Didn’t Get to Review in 2024

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