Concerts That Lit Up Our 2024

Concert reviews are the lifeblood of the music section here at the Observer, where we covered more than 100 concerts this year. With every review, our critics wish to give you a detailed look, catching what you missed — whether you were there or not.

Dallas had a multitude of concerts — from major arena productions to indie — but these were the concerts that especially brought us to life this year. Here are Dallas' best concerts in 2024 (presented in chronological order because there is no way we could rank these memorable moments), plus our critics' favorites.

Oliver Tree, Feb. 4, Southside Ballroom

The set comprised his entire discography, leaving no hit untouched. Between songs, there were bits and skits projected on the venue's giant backdrop screen. It was reminiscent of those wacky late-night infomercials, but all characters were either played by Tree or had his face digitally superimposed on different people playing the parts. Vera "Velma" Hernandez

Olivia Rodrigo, March 1, American Airlines Center

Every aspect of her music and element in her live show is there simply because she likes it. She has an unabashed earnestness, lack of self-consciousness and, yes, theatricality that make her stand out. Carly May Gravley

Billy Joel and Stevie Nicks, March 9, AT&T Stadium

Both of these artists have made a profound impact on those who piled into AT&T Stadium Saturday. For a moment, sharing the space together, they drove home the value of what they do and of the songs they sing. New or old, familiar or obscure, what matters most is the act itself: By standing tall in the light, everyone on the stage or in front of it helps delay the inevitable just a little longer, preserving the thrill and the joy of being alive in the moment, lost in the comfort of a melody. Preston Jones

Madonna, March 24, American Airlines Center

Through the show, a few dancers appeared faceless, dressed as different versions of Madonna. As the cone-bra-wearing, high-ponytailed Madonna sat in a chair, the real Madonna (wearing a wig reminiscent of her “Marilyn hair” era) began touching “herself,” her early ‘90s likeness, someplace that would’ve sent Pope John Paul II to a much earlier meeting with his boss and maker. Eva Raggio

Dresden Dolls, March 25, The Kessler Theater

The band’s reintroduction to the audience was well calculated, burning through favorites like “My Alcoholic Friends” and teasing with a playful introduction to “Missed Me,” as Amanda Palmer’s painted face enunciated every word and every feeling. Palmer broke down in laughter as Brian Viglione placed a traffic cone at her feet in a clearly improvised pantomime. The audience laughed as well, unleashing some of the biggest cheers of the night. David Fletcher

Sessanta, April 12, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

Alt-metal’s most prolific renaissance man, Maynard James Keenan, brought his 60th birthday celebration, “Sessanta” (the Italian word for 60, referencing his familial heritage), to The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory. The touring show, which he describes quite aptly as a circus, showcases his bands A Perfect Circle and Puscifer along with funk-metal icons Primus. All three groups boast devoted and overlapping cult followings who sold out the venue for the uniquely momentous occasion. Vanessa Quilantan

Stewart Copeland, April 16, The Meyerson Symphony Center

His "Police Deranged with Orchestra" show had been on a hiatus but was brought back by Tom Keck, the director of the division of music at SMU and an avid Police fan. Copeland took the stage with the SMU Meadows Symphony Orchestra for the performance. He led workshops with the SMU students and rehearsed this piece, which had been performed previously only by professional symphonies. Andrew Sherman

Sleep Token, May 4, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

Lightning literally struck as the band played “Rain.” The lights dripped and the fans clapped like thunder. The lightning became more intense as the show entered its final songs, as though the weather itself were responding to the intensity of the performance. DF

IDLES, May 23, South Side Ballroom

There were moments of suffering when frontman Joe Talbot doubled over on the side of the stage, clutching his stomach between songs. It couldn’t have been easy to get through this show, but Talbot managed nonetheless to execute a dynamic and highly animated performance with whatever gas was left in the TANGK, so to speak, after 16 North American shows in the last three weeks. VQ

Justin Timberlake, June 4, Dickies Arena

The line between truth and fantasy is one upon which many a pop star has danced, whether figuratively or literally. Timberlake is no exception, but the 43-year-old, making his first appearance in North Texas in more than five years, takes the tease only so far. There’s simply no way to hide the very real, very palpable joy he takes in delighting an arena full of fervent fans. PJ

Vampire Weekend, June 7, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

[T]he band’s first North Texas gig in almost five years was a nearly two-and-a-half-hour odyssey of pleasurable peculiarities that built and swerved and danced and blossomed, confounding assumptions at nearly every turn. PJ

Tripping Daisy, Jun 29, The Factory in Deep Ellum

Tripping Daisy’s show was enhanced by the outstanding light and visual displays from the band’s longtime visual effects artist Scott Berman. These included confetti cannons, light projections, original animations and over-the-top graphics displayed behind the musicians as they played. Fans were also treated to a rare and standout performance of “Prick” later in the first set, showcasing Nick Earl’s prowess on lead guitar. Scott Tucker

Power Trip, July 6, The Factory in Deep Ellum

It’s important to note at this point that nobody could fill the void left by Riley Gale. Nobody can match his charisma, charm and stage presence. As lead vocalist Seth Gilmore put it toward the end of the show, “Riley was a one-of-a-kind frontman and a wonderful human being.” That said, Gilmore, also the frontman for Fugitive, assumed the role with ease. His voice is stellar, and his low growls slid right into place with the familiar Power Trip hits. You couldn’t ask for a better successor. Charles Farmer

Missy Elliot, July 21, Dickies Arena

The show is formatted like a 75-minute-long ride through space, as fans are taken through different “planets” symbolizing various stages of Elliott’s career. She arrived on the stage performing “Throw it Back” from her 2019 EP Iconology. Throughout the show, she walked us through all her eras, with many theatrics, as she and her dancers set various scenes with stunning visuals. Alex Gonzalez

Peso Pluma, July 28, Dickies Arena

Dickies Arena in Fort Worth was filled with fans as Peso delivered a stacked set of nearly 40 songs showcasing Latin and Mexican pride on his Exodo tour. Such an extensive set list is often expected of older, legacy acts, but Peso Pluma, at 25 years old, has already begun to blaze trails for Mexican artists. Even as the musical landscape is constantly evolving, Peso shows us why he is what Latin music needs right now. Hot off the release of his fourth studio album, Éxodo, Peso felt like royalty. AG

Jane's Addiction, Aug. 18, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

Dave Navarro’s white Paul Reed Smith stood out like a lightning bolt against the band’s dark aesthetic, its tone so formidable it sounded like it was powering a rocket ship. The crowd and the stage lights moved into overdrive as Jane’s carried into “Whores,” before Farrell paid homage to their time spent in Deep Ellum early in the band’s career, including shows at the long-defunct Theater Gallery and Arcadia. ST

Green Day, Sept. 11, Globe Life Field

Despite the heavy subject matter of Green Day’s more topical lyrics, Billie Joe Armstrong’s main goal for the show was to be a source of hope. “Tonight is about love and happiness and unity,” he told the crowd as the show was winding down. As the final chords of the last encore, “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” came to a close and pink confetti filled the air as the trio took their bow, that’s exactly what we felt. CMG

Charli XCX, Oct. 9, American Airlines Center

Though just 32 years old, Charli XCX already has a catalog that can enchant multiple generations. From the millennials who bumped “I Love It” and “Boom Clap” to Gen Z-ers who reveled in “Brat Summer” to even the young children present who somehow talked their parents into going with them (or maybe it’s the other way around), it’s clear what she means when she takes her lyrical victory lap during “360”: “I set the tone / It’s my design.” There’s no one’s future we’d rather be living in. CMG

Jack White, Nov. 13, Trees

Roughly 600 lucky fans got to see a rock icon up close and personal when Jack White played an instant classic, last-minute, "secret" show at Trees in Deep Ellum. The concert was nothing short of amazing: dirty, gritty, sweaty, frenetic guitar-driven rock 'n' roll. White's set spanned his entire career with songs from all his projects — The White Stripes, Raconteurs, The Dead Weather — and his solo output, including a heavy dose of songs from his latest release. AS

Leon Bridges, Nov. 15, Dickies Arena

The performance was always going to be emotionally charged — the concert served as the finale to this year’s touring behind Bridges’ fourth studio album, Leon. For nearly two hours, there was an intense ebb and flow, as Bridges worked through much of the new record, but also infused the setlist with a number of moving surprises. PJ

Kacey Musgraves, Nov. 22, American Airlines Center

Through all of her eras, Musgraves has unswervingly made the unflinching choice, and that pattern continued with her tour supporting her sixth and latest LP, Deeper Well. Although there was plenty of sophisticated arena razzle-dazzle surrounding the songs, much of the material was raw, vulnerable and some of the best music she’s yet made. PJ

Our Critics' Picks

Carly Gravley
1. Charli XCX/Troye Sivan, Oct. 9, American Airlines Center
2. Sabrina Carpenter,  Oct. 30, American Airlines Center
3. Hozier,  April 28, Dos Equis Pavilion
4. Mitski, Sept. 19, Texas Trust CU Theatre
5. Megan Thee Stallion, June 26, American Airlines Center

David Fletcher
1. Sleater-Kinney, March 5, The Studio at The Factory
2. Dresden Dolls, March 26, The Kessler
3. Sleep Token, May 4, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
4. Green Day, The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and The Linda Lindas, Sept. 11, Globe Life Field
5. Weezer, The Flaming Lips and Dinosaur Jr., Sept. 29, American Airlines Center

Eric Diep
1. Erykah Badu,  Feb. 24, The Factory in Deep Ellum
2. Usher, Oct. 3, American Airlines Center
3. 4Batz, Aug. 7, The Echo Lounge & Music Hall
4. Epik High, Sept. 4, House of Blues
5. Bashfortheworld, May 31, Southside Ballroom

Sean Stroud
1. Hail The Sun, Sep. 13, Trees
2. Eidola, June 18, Trees
3. Flipturn, Oct. 3, The State Fair of Texas
4. Sweet Pill, April 22, Dada
5. Vacations, Aug. 7, House of Blues

Local:
1. Spun, July 7, The Asylum,
2. Rosegarden Funeral Party, Nov. 23, Trees
3. ManifestiV,  Aug. 22, Zounds Sounds B-Side
4. Death By Monkey, Aug. 30, Ruins
5. Acid Wave and Flowerbed, July 10, Rubber Gloves

Eva Raggio
1. Madonna, March 24, American Airlines Center
2. Leon Bridges/Charley Crockett, Nov. 15, Dickies Arena
3. Luis Miguel, May 8, American Airlines Center
4. Idles, May 23, South Side Ballroom
5. Sleep Token, May 4, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

Scott Tucker
1. Jane’s Addiction, Aug. 18, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Just a few days before an onstage meltdown between singer Perry Farrell and original guitarist Dave Navarro sent Jane’s Addiction into retirement once again, Dallas fans got to taste of what rock ‘n’ roll is supposed to look like: wicked style, spiraling guitar solos, heart-pumping drums and bass licks, all topped off by the scorching vocals and ramblings of a psychotic frontman. For the few thousand fans who made their way to Irving on that hot August night to experience the band’s original lineup, few will forget Jane’s ambitious reach and momentary grip on the stars above. We can only hope that the tour was not the band's last and that new generations may just now be discovering the greatness that is Jane’s.

2. Tripping Daisy, June 29, The Factory
The legendary Dallas alternative juggernaut that is Tripping Daisy displayed once again why people have been flocking to their shows for 30 years. This time, however, they sold out the largest venue Deep Ellum has to offer, proving not only the band’s staying power, but its status as a North Texas gem. With the announcement of a new album slated for 2025, Daisy will be tripping along just fine for hopefully another decade to come.

3. Foo Fighters, May 1, Dos Equis Pavilion
Before all hell broke loose in singer and guitarist Dave Grohl’s personal life, Dallas fans had the pleasure of witnessing the former Nirvana drummer and rock god play a blistering hours-long set with the Foo Fighters' new drummer Josh Freese. Dos Equis was packed from start to finish as Grohl entertained over 20,000 fans with rock hits old and new that everyone’s heard now for decades on commercial radio. And to think that the band’s first Dallas concert was held at Deep Ellum Live all those years ago … All hail the Foo!

4. Tool,  Feb. 2. American Airlines Center
Some may consider Maynard James Keenan a man of principals, or even a peculiar methodology. This is apparent in the Tool frontman’s many ventures, from winemaking and martial arts to his many musical projects. Simply put, if Maynard is going to do anything, most likely he’s going to go all the way. With his band Tool, he also has band members Danny Carey, Adam Jones and Justin Chancellor who bring a level of musical and artistic craftsmanship to match this methodology. When Tool packed out American Airlines Center earlier this year, it was nothing less than a culmination of will, talent and methodology. As thousands of lifelong Tool fans left the concert, many walked in silence almost lobotomized by this jibe of artistic force.

5. Live, May 26, Dos Equis Pavilion
Although the band was booked as a co-headliner on essentially a Stone Temple Pilots tour, Live’s performance at Dos Equis Pavilion was surprisingly spectacular. As singer Ed Kowalczyk now stands as the only original member of the once wildly popular MTV darlings of the 1990s, he simply did everything needed from a frontman. However, it was guitarist Zac Loy who stole the show from Kowalczyk, the rest of the band and possibly even Stone Temple Pilots. Loy, dressed in all black, spinning, gyrating, twirling and playing to a screaming audience all while rocking the classic Michael Hutchence haircut, was a sight to behold. The lead guitarist seemed to embody a classic Keith Richards vibe mixed with Dean DeLeo of 1993. It’s amazing that just a little over a decade ago Loy was playing 200-capacity rooms in Deep Ellum with the Austin-based band Mother’s Anthem. How time flies.

Simon Pruitt

1. Keane with Everything Everything, Sept. 11, Majestic Theatre
2. IDLES with Ganser, May 23, South Side Ballroom
3. The Roots with The Pharcyde and Digable Planets, Aug. 17, The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
4. New Kids On The Block with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff, July 14, Dos Equis Pavillion
5. The Reverend Horton Heat with Jason D. Williams and Los Skarnales, Nov. 30, Longhorn Ballroom

Andrew Sherman
1. Jack White, Nov. 13, Trees
This was the show of the year. A rock icon at an intimate venue — need I say more? Also the loudest show of the year, hands down.
2. Old 97’s, Sept. 11, Longhorn Ballroom
Always a fun and energetic show from the old Dallas stand-bys.
3. Common and Pete Rock with Branoofunck, Sept. 6, Echo Lounge
This show was fantastic from the stage setup to the emotional performances. Not enough people got to enjoy this show.
4. Weezer, Flaming Lips, Dinosaur JR, Sept. 29, American Airlines Center
All three bands are headliners — this was a coup. The Lips and Weezer also sported stunning visuals to go along with the fantastic sets.
5. Midnight 30 Jambox, March 14, Epic Central
This trio is just getting started: amazing vocals and harmonies, rocking and tasteful guitar, mark it down — this is going to be the next big band out of Dallas.

Preston Jones
1. Keane, Sept. 11, Majestic Theatre
Of all the nights I spent on assignment for the Observer this year, it's this performance that lingers most in my memory. The four men of Keane — Tom Chaplin, Tim Rice-Oxley, Richard Hughes and Jesse Quin — walked into the Majestic Theatre in mid-September, marking the first time the foursome had set foot inside a North Texas venue in 11 years. The audience’s reaction was — thrillingly, shockingly — instantaneous. The entire venue, which seemed from my vantage point to be a hair’s breadth from completely sold out, stood, giving the first of many raucous ovations. Absolutely electrifying from beginning to end.

2. Bob Dylan, April 4, Music Hall at Fair Park
The pride of Hibbing, Minnesota, is almost more mirror than man at this point — or maybe he always was. The iconic singer-songwriter — listing his innumerable accolades, from Grammys to the Nobel Prize, and detailing his vast, enduring influence would be a novella unto itself — has long served as something of a reflective surface for casual and obsessive fans alike. His spring stop in Dallas was a remarkably sturdy showcase, a night which was, on balance, an unassuming one, albeit occasionally entrancing and frequently riveting. Dylan does care, even if it often seems like everything is treated with a diffident shrug. Watching him rise off the piano bench, cupping a harmonica, or leaning into the microphone to enunciate a particular line was to understand how he’s guarded that flame for so very long. He hasn’t lost the spark. While so much else about Bob Dylan might be a mystery, that much was evident to anyone who cared to look in Fair Park.

3. T Bone Burnett, Nov. 14, Kessler Theater
The Fort Worth-raised Burnett's November appearance in Oak Cliff marked Burnett’s first in North Texas in over 16 years. He more than made up for any lost time, turning in a pair of gripping sets. Unspoken was the sense that this could, potentially, be Burnett’s last turn on a stage anywhere near his hometown. Not to suggest that he’s declining or missed a step — far from it — but rather that his attention is fixed elsewhere, and should a similar amount of time elapse before his next substantive tour, Burnett will be 92. Given that reality, as each song concluded, there was a feeling, however faint, of time inexorably slipping away and that distance — literal, metaphorical, temporal — growing greater once more. Burnett is one of the greatest artists to ever emerge from the distinctive, fertile musical soil that is Fort Worth, and it was heartening to see him receive such a fervent reaction from the capacity crowd at the Kessler.

4. LA LOM, Sept. 18, Kessler Theater
Three musicians from Los Angeles commanded a sold-out Kessler Theater with nothing more than drums, guitar and bass. Not a word was sung, and for 90 minutes, the Los Angeles League of Musicians, or LA LOM, as they’re better known, delivered one of the most hypnotic performances seen this year in North Texas. The trio — guitarist Zac Sokolow, bassist Jake Faulkner and drummer/percussionist Nicholas Baker — synthesizes a multitude of influences from across U.S., Mexican and South American musical diasporas, blending cumbia, salsa, Peruvian and Colombian folk music and sun-blasted Bakersfield twang into a wholly intoxicating concoction.

5. Rhiannon Giddens, April 30, Longhorn Ballroom
The heady sensation of honoring history even as it’s being altered cemented Giddens’ place along the folk music continuum — a thoroughly modern artist who is as preoccupied with self-expression as she is leaving the world better than she found it. In that way, she is reminiscent of the era when folk music was a profound force for change, a time of tremendous upheaval and pain and beauty and tumult in the U.S. As it was then, so it is now. Rhiannon Giddens, in her own luminous, extraordinarily talented way, illustrated the value of remembering what came before, using history as a springboard rather than a restraint, and understanding it is only through mixing — collapsing the walls between us, and embracing unity over division — that the truly “good stuff” about the U.S. will rise to the fore.