15 Memorable Songs I Saw Performed Live in 2024

In 2024, between working in venues and photographing shows, I spent 252 days out of 366 (it was a leap year) experiencing live music. To say I’m beyond grateful for these experiences is an understatement. I remember thinking that going to 30 shows a year while in high school was a lot, but here I am now, living my life as a true concert junkie. Here are 15 of some of the most memorable songs I saw performed live, in chronological order.

1. “Salt Circle” – Eliza McLamb at Union Stage in Washington D.C. - March 25, 2024

   

   I saw the indie singer-songstress Eliza McLamb at a small venue called Union Stage. During her performance of “Salt Circle” she seemingly noticed my group of friends passionately singing the lyrics. Eliza waltzed across the stage in a long flowy skirt, and plopped herself right in front of my friends. What was already an intimate experience, turned into a moment that I wouldn't forget anytime soon. I didn’t even think to whip out my phone, I just stared in wonder as she serenaded my awestruck friends.

   
   

2. “I’m With You” – Grouplove at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. - March 26, 2024

   

   Here we are, a day later, with a legendary set from Grouplove at the 9:30 Club. I'd only ever seen Grouplove once and it was as they were humbly opening for another band (it was Imagine Dragons, if you can believe it). This time around, I got to experience their music in its full glory, experiencing 10 plus years their discography with all its depth. Their headline set was better than I could've ever imagined. The band exploded into their set with the 2013 track “I’m With You.” The “Ah, ah, ah, ah. Oh, oh, oh, oh. I'm with yo-o-o-ou, yo-o-o-ou” is impossible to not bob your head and sing along to. I was struggling to hold back tears witnessing the beauty of the band’s joy onstage as I attempted to keep my camera steady. Nobody warns you about moments like these as a photographer. The way the wind whipped Christian Zucconi’s hair from left to right was like a paid actor, adding some ethereal looking movement to what was already a dreamy performance.  "Tongue Tied" was extremely memorable as well, but there's something about the opening to a set that will set the tone for the rest of the night.

   
   

3. "Dreaming" – Smallpools at the 9:30 Club - April 11, 2024

   

   Smallpools is an indie pop-rock band from my high-school days, and I hadn’t seen them live since then. I got to reunite with one of my high school friends for this show which felt like a concert equivalent of finding an iPod nano filled with forgotten pop hits. It brought me back to my high school days; having her singing and dancing right next to me was enough for me to be grateful for the live music experience, and how it brings us together once again. My expectation was mostly confined within the barriers of nostalgia, but the band delivered a performance which made me form a new connection with the band. Smallpools closed their set with "Dreaming", a staple in my listening history which made it so that me and my friend absolutely ascended on the balcony of the 9:30 Club. We were jumping up and down screaming the words without a care in the world, just like we did on a Wednesday school-night as high school seniors. 

   
   

4. "Sound of a Broken Heart" – Jukebox the Ghost at The Atlantis in Washington D.C. - May 10, 2024

   

   If I had to write a rock opera, it would be with the music of Jukebox The Ghost. Everything about their music feels like it could flourish in a theater setting (I’m an ex-theater kid if you can’t tell, and have plenty of experience that makes me eligible to comment on the subject.), My personal favorite song of theirs is “Sound of a Broken Heart” off of their 2014 self-titled album. It’s not a setlist staple for Jukebox The Ghost, so when they played it live at The Atlantis on the final night of their 3-night residency, I was quite surprised. I may or may not have sent the band a DM requesting the song as a total shot in the dark, and it seemed like..it worked! The band bantered about how they weren’t sure if they remembered how to play the song. A few lyrics were missed here and there, and there was an extended chorus of “oohs” and “ohs,” but I was so incredibly happy anyways. 

   
   

5. "Murder On The Dancefloor" - Sophie Ellis-Bextor at the 9:30 Club - June 3, 2024

   

   If there’s any song that had a renaissance period in 2024, it’s gotta be Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s 2004 Britpop hit “Murder On The Dancefloor.” Saltburn launched the track to the top of the charts after it's release in late 2023 and suddenly, everyone who had internet access were doing their best Barry Keoghan impression to the song. I had the honor of seeing Sophie live on her first North American tour. D.C. was one of the few cities to make the tour, and I knew I had to be there to experience her cult-classic legacy. She had an adorable stage presence and kept referring to the crowd as “darlings,” which was effortlessly endearing. The 9:30 Club was hyped for her entire performance, but the energy mounted to new heights at the start of “Murder On The Dancefloor.” How many people in the U.S. can say they’ve heard that song performed live? I’m thankful to be a part of the few. 

   
   

6. "Tick Tick Boom" – The Hives at the 9:30 Club - July 20, 2024

   

   If there’s one band that had a chokehold on my childhood, it’s the Swedish rock band The Hives. “Tick Tick Boom” from The Black and White Album was a HUGE hit in my family. My little brother and I were obsessed– we would beg our dad to play it at any given time. Approximately 17 years later, my whole family got to see the band live at the 9:30 Club. They closed their set with the song, and it included Pelle Almquist parting the crowd like the Red Sea and chanting the bridge alongside them. Before the final chorus, the “It’s too late, too late” belt was immaculate as Pelle sprinted back onto the stage. 10/10 recommend seeing your favorite bands with your whole family.

   
   

7. "Life Itself" – Glass Animals at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD - August 17, 2024

   

   After many years of being a fan, I finally got to see Glass Animals live for the first time. I was in the photo pit for “Life Itself,” which they played second. At any moment I could start singing the lyrics “Cut back down to my knees. Gotta get back, gotta get free,” and FINALLY I could sing it in the band’s presence. What a treat. The bombastic drums and synths were electrifying already, but the song was complete with the phenomenal lighting, and spaceship setup the band resided on. Later in their set they declared, “Merriweather Post Pavilion is one of the best venues in the world,” which made my heart light up– it’s my hometown venue. Definitely in my top 10 concerts this year. 

   
   

8. "Uncomfortable" – Wallows at Merriweather Post Pavilion - August 22, 2024

   

   Wallows are a band I’ve been following since the very beginning. Not to get on my “I-knew-them-before-they-were-famous” soapbox, but I really did. I saw them on their first ever tour as Wallows in 2018 after rebranding from their teenage band name "The Narwhals." “Uncomfortable” was in the first four singles that they released, and it’s a hard hitter. While browsing the Genius lyrics I noticed someone’s comment that said “damn… that hit me right in the feels,” and that’s the most accurate way of describing the song. I was always a little “in my feels” in high school, so this song was an instant classic for me. Hearing it live in an amphitheater with thousands of patrons versus a couple hundred felt very special to me. A new batch of angsty teens can sing “I never wanted love, but now it's come undone.” 

   
   

9. "More" - The Warning at Rams Head Live in Baltimore, MD - September 14, 2024

   

   The Warning sisters are quickly becoming rock icons. Their fourth album Keep Me Fed came out this year featuring the single “More.” I had the pleasure of catching their show in Baltimore, and was anxiously awaiting to hear this song. Sometimes, I think my favorites can be underwhelming live if I’m constantly playing them to death. However, twas’ not the case with The Warning. To be painfully punny, they left me wanting MORE for sure. The live vocals of Dani, Ale’s bass playing, and Pau’s drums were impeccable. Their whole set rocked, but this particular performance stuck out for me. 
   

10. "Overcompensate" - Twenty One Pilots at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD - September 15, 2024

    

    I included Clancy in my Tonitruale Wrapped favorite albums of 2024, and "Overcompensate" was easily one of my favorite songs. It was my third most listened to song on Spotify. The sheer drama of seeing Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun open with this song took me straight back to being 15 and seeing them live for the first time. The "Welcome Back to Trench" scream from an arena-size crowd healed my teenage soul. Besides that moment, the first minute is honestly a blur because I was so shaken, but the latter part of the performance had me reeling. I think a shed a single tear. I wasn't in the pit this time around (I fear I'm getting too old for it), but my view from the lower concourse was exemplary. I got to attend the show with my mom; my Twenty-One Pilots ride-or-die concert buddy.

    
    

11. "Violet" - Hippo Campus at The Atlantis - September 25, 2024

    

    I was literally driving to this show listening to Hippo Campus and the song "Violet" played on shuffle. I turned to my friend and said "too bad they won't play this." Talk about reverse manifestation! Hippo Campus played "Violet" as their encore song, MUCH to my surprise. I couldn't believe my ears-- I thought it was a song they'd pretty much retired from their live repertoire. The energy was fantastic, and everyone else in the 400-cap venue was just as excited as I was. The fans on the barricade were absolutely losing their minds, which was a joy to watch from the balcony. I don't know what compelled Hippo Campus to play "Violet" that night, but wow, the stars were aligned or something.

    
    

12. "Best Friend" - Sofi Tukker at The Anthem in Washington D.C. - October 5, 2024

    

    UGH-- just thinking about how great this show was gives me chills. I had been wanting to see Sofi Tukker live since hearing "Best Friend" for the first time in 2017. That song really tested the bass limits of my car's speaker system, and continues to do so every time it plays while I'm driving. "You are my best friend and we've got some shit to shoot" into the thumping bass line is just so iconic to me-- it never fails to get me moving no matter what mood I'm in. I was in the photo pit when they played "Best Friend," which was a blessing. I got to be RIGHT THERE in the sold-out 6,000 capacity venue. I just wish the moment lasted longer!

    
    

13. "Symphony" - Zara Larsson at the 9:30 Club - November 1, 2024

    
    

    

    One of the many pop culture memes to come out of 2024 was the 2017 Clean Bandit song "Symphony" featuring Zara Larsson. Zara performed a sold-out show at the 9:30 Club and did not disappoint when it came to perform the viral hit. Complete with the rainbow dolphin backdrop and everything, Zara totally leaned into the joke and had fun with the audience. Hearing 1,200 people scream "symphony" at the top of their lungs was hilariously wholesome. The positive energy in the room contrasted with the sardonicism of the meme made for exceptional vibes.

    
    

14. "Everything Is Quiet Now" - Knocked Loose at The Anthem - November 10, 2024

    

    Wow-- major vibe shift from bubbly pop to hardcore-- the duality of my music tastes. Witnessing the "Everything Is Quiet Now" wall of death was unforgettable. I watched safely from the soundboard area as Bryan Garris screamed "Do NOT film this." I slowly lowered my phone. The crowd parted with ease while people in the middle were doing flips and kicks in anticipation. The way everyone slammed into each other was kind of beautiful in a weird way. I was just like "wow, look at all these people just here to mosh together." It's probably not that deep, but anyways, hoping no one broke any bones, or had any teeth knocked loose-- haha.

    
    

15. "Istanbul" - They Might Be Giants at the 9:30 Club - December 7, 2024

    

    To close out this list, I have the iconic "Istanbul." It's another one of my songs I could burst out singing for no given reason: "Istanbul was Constantinople. Now it's Istanbul, not Constantinople. Been a long time gone, Constantinople." It's insanely catchy-- a crack infused song. I was shocked to discover that it's actually a cover. The Four Lads are the original performers from the early 1950s. So you're telling me They Might Be Giants didn't write the song? It's a song so "them" I never fathomed that it didn't originally come from their brains. Anyways, I saw them at the 9:30 Club on their first night of three performances. They played it during their encore, and it was teased with a saxophone solo to lead into the song. While it was played a tad slower than the recorded tempo, it was still wild to sing along to.