Staff Writer Sarah’s Best Concerts of 2024
Concerts
Live music is alive and kicking after a few years of trying to bounce back after Covid. Stadiums are sold out and little dive bars have been packed. New faces were prominent as openers and several first headlining tours from young artists. I had another memorable year of shows from seeing Luke Combs from the pit on his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” tour, Keith Urban at Carol’s pub, and Riley Green for his album release show. In total I went to 16 concerts, in 3 states, at 9 different venues, and here are my best in review of the year.
Female
· Lily Rose
· Ella Langley
· Mackenzie Carpenter
Winner: Ella Langley
This one was a no-brainer. Ella killed it on her first headlining tour selling out nearly all of her venues. Her meet-and-greet experience is one of the best. She’s witty, gorgeous, and talented. The stage was set with a carpet and lamps giving a homie atmosphere. Her tour manager had to tape down chords from her dancing around. She looked stunning in a black bodysuit and see-through lace dress and boots. Her raspy voice sounds even better in person. She’s going to be the female entertainer of the year in no time. I was lucky enough to snag tickets to her “Still Hungover” tour and at Red Rocks with Riley Green next year. I swear ladies I’ll do a better job supporting you in 2025.
Male
· Luke Combs
· Jordan Davis
· Riley Green
· Sam Hunt
· Nate Smith
Winner: Jordan Davis
Jordan Davis should be selling out stadiums on headlining tours. His energy is just a blast in a glass between dance moves and facial expressions. He makes every show feel like it’s his favorite show he’s ever played. People don’t realize how deep his discography is until you go to one of his shows and realize you know every single song. He is truly an underrated performer.
Overall Experience
· Luke Combs
· Larry Fleet
· Riley Green
· Ella Langley
· Keith Urban
Winner: Luke Combs
There’s a reason why Luke Combs has been voted Entertainer of the Year on multiple occasions. It’s hard to beat a lineup of Colby Acuff, Drew Parker, Mitchell Tenpenny, Jordan Davis, and Luke Combs. I had a spot in the pit on the rail between the main stage and the smaller stage. It was an amazing view. The night was filled with hit after hit after hit. Hearing the crowd at American Family Field echo “Fast Car” is something I will never forget. I might’ve stood for 8 straight hours and was incredibly sick the following week, but it was so worth it.
Once in a Lifetime Experience
· Luke Combs from the pit at American Family Field
· Keith Urban pop-up show at Carol’s Pub
· Jordan Davis from the field at Guaranteed Rate Field
· Riley Green’s album release show at Joe’s on Weed Street
· Meeting Ella Langley on the Hungover Tour
Winner: Keith Urban
This year Keith Urban did several pop-up shows in promotion for his new album “HIGH.” One of those pop-up shows happened to be at Carol’s Pub which holds 250 people. I was a beer can throw away from Keith Urban for $50 where he played for 3 hours straight. He was personable with the audience and made everyone feel right at home. I will never see Keith this close up for this price in this environment ever again.
Meet and Greet Experience
· Graham Barham
· Travis Denning
· Ella Langley
· Kameron Marlowe
· Ryan and Rory
Winner: Ryan and Rory
Rising artists Ryan and Rory opened up at the Hard Rock Live in Northwest, Indiana for Sam Hunt. One of my concert secrets is to enter giveaways (always check to make sure they’re legitimate first) and I won a giveaway for free tickets and a private meet and greet with Ryan and Rory. They spent 15 minutes asking about our weekend, talking about our favorite songs, taking pictures, and signing autographs. I have done a few meet-and-greets before, but never a one-on-one. I brought my mom and it was the highlight of her year. The guys could not have been any nicer. 11/10 experience.
Best Opener
· Graham Barham
· Mackenzie Carpenter
· Drew Parker
· Aaron Raitiere
· Mitchell Tenpenny
Winner: Graham Barham
I saw Graham as an opener twice this year, once acoustically with just his guitar and again with a full band. Both times were incredible. It is incredibly rare that I find an opener I like without a full band and somehow Graham cracked the code. His songs sound great acoustically or with a bit of a backbeat to them. He’s down to Earth and always takes time to meet fans between sets. Catch him out on tour with Dylan Scott in 2025.
Underdog – Artists I Was Skeptical Of Going In
· Dylan Schneider
· Brett Young
· Sam Hunt
· Graham Barham
· Ryan and Rory
Winner: Sam Hunt
I am a Sam Hunt fan, but I never had a desire to see Sam Hunt in concert. However, I’m glad I did. I liked him so much that I saw him twice this year. He’s a passionate entertainer with some amazing stage setups. His dance moves are right up there with Luke Bryan. I didn’t realize how many Sam Hunt songs I knew until I realized I knew the whole set. He also deserves an award for best comeback.
First Time Seeing
· Sam Hunt
· Ella Langley
· Austin Snell
· Nate Smith
· Keith Urban
Winner: Ella Langley
Every year I try to make a conscious effort to attend a few shows of artists I’ve never seen live before. Ella Langley sent chills up my spine. She is a great overall performer from sound, look, stage presence, setlist, and everything in between. She was born to be on stage. She performs like a veteran and will soon be a female entertainer of the year.
Best Crowd
· Tyler Braden
· Luke Combs
· Larry Fleet
· Riley Green
· Ella Langley
Winner: Larry Fleet
Year after year Larry’s crowd has won this category in my book. I have never had a bad crowd experience at a Larry show. Everyone is respectful, attentive, and friendly. No matter the venue, I never have to worry about drunk people bumping into me, girls rushing the stage, or teeny boppers recording the whole thing. Larry’s crowd really is a reflection of his wholesome hardworking music.
Favorite Venue
· American Family Field
· Carol’s Pub
· Guaranteed Rate Field
· Hard Rock Live Northwest Indiana
· Joe’s on Weed Street
Winner: Guaranteed Rate Field
Despite a 2-hour rain delay, seeing a show from the field at Guaranteed Rate Field was an incredible experience. This was my first time getting to walk on the field which was a cool moment as a White Sox Fan. Normally I don’t spend more than $9 on a ticket to see the White Sox, but the field pass was definitely worth seeing Jordan Davis’s 40-minute set up close.
Bonus Categories
Best Spoken Word Poem and Flute Performance
Winner: Aaron Raitiere
Not to mention he sang lots of songs about armadillos and butt cheeks.
Best Outfit
Winner: Ella Langley
I need to know where she got her bodysuit and lace dress.
Best Guitar Solos
Winner: Keith Urban
I swear an hour of his show is just guitar solos.
Best People Watching
Winner: Jordan Davis at the White Sox Game
So many teeny boppers in booty shorts and white Amazon boots.
Most Improved
Winner: Dylan Schneider
Having a full band makes a difference.
Most Embarrassing Moment with an Artist
Winner: Me with Graham Barham
I couldn’t help myself from pulling a stray blonde hair that got caught in Graham’s beard. Here’s photo evidence.
Worst Venue Parking Lot
Tie: Tinley Park and Allstate Arena
Tinley Park, you can’t find your car for 40 minutes. Allstate Arena you can’t get out of the parking lot for 40 minutes. I recommend walking to Culver’s to kill time.
Full List of Shows:
1. Nate Smith with Dylan Schneider
2. Sam Hunt with Lily Rose and Brett Young
3. Larry Fleet with Everette
4. Dylan Scott with Mackenzie Carpenter
5. Luke Combs with Colby Acuff, Drew Parker, Mitchell Tenpenny, and Jordan Davis
6. Tyler Braden with Graham Barham
7. Jordan Davis
8. Keith Urban
9. Hardy with Kip Moore and Travis Denning
10. Sam Hunt with Ryan and Rory
11. Ella Langley with Aaron Raitiere
12. Kameron Marlowe with Mitchell Ferguson
13. Ernest with Graham Barham
14. Riley Green
15. Josh Ross with Brandon Wisham
16. Austin Snell with Wesko
