My Top 21 NYC-Area Rock Concerts of 2024

New York City is the best city in the world for live music. This city is host to more than 100 venues that feature live original music on a regular basis. I try to get out every night, even if it is only to hear a local band at a neighborhood bar. I am Everynight Charley.

Due to scheduling conflicts or an inability to secure tickets, I do not get to see every concert I would like to see. Nevertheless, I do see hundreds of really good performances each year. In 2024, these were some of my favorite full performances (discounting mini sets at multiple-act benefit concerts or festivals). There were so many other thrilling concerts that I also thoroughly enjoyed.

All photographs were taken by Everynight Charley Crespo/The Manhattan Beat.

The Rolling Stones at MetLife Stadium, May 23 & 26

Time-tested, history’s longest-lasting rock and roll band simply played the best rock and roll music on earth. All rock music, past, present and future, makes more sense after seeing the Rolling Stones live. If you can only see one rock concert in your life, see the Rolling Stones. Read the review here.

Johnny Blues Skies (fka Sturgill Simpson) at Forest Hills Stadium, October 19

Having not seen Sturgill Simpson perform in many years, I came to the concert with no particular expectations, and I was very pleasantly surprised at the greatness of this performance. Simpson has taken a new name, Johnny Blue Skies, and his outlaw country roots have taken a broader sound thanks to the band’s extended high-energy jams. Read the review here.

Billy Joel at Madison Square Garden, July 25

Billy Joel ended his years-long residency at Madison Square Garden, and he and his super-tight band made it unforgettable. His extensive catalog guaranteed that he would come through with an amazing set of heartfelt music. Axl Rose of Guns N Roses as a special guest on a few songs was a wonderful surprise. Read the review here.

Pearl Jam at Madison Square Garden, September 3

Thirty-four years after forming, Pearl Jam is now older than many of its fans. Once a cutting-edge grunge band, Pearl Jam is now a classic rock band, yet still leaning on invention. Eddie Vedder’s deep vocals made every song sound epic. The dynamic band supported the music beautifully. Read the review here.

Sting at Brooklyn Paramount, October 9

Sting’s new band paralleled the Police’s lineup, with guitarist Dominic Miller and drummer Chris Maas instead of guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland. Whether reworking the old Police songs or playing music from his solo albums, Sting’s strong vocals gave his songs a passion unlike many contemporary performers. Read the review here.

Elvis Costello & the Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Radio City Music Hall, July 16

Elvis Costello was a force of nature in his earlier, angrier days. He has matured gracefully, so his current concerts feature more crooning than shouting, and yet he continued to impress. Read the review here.

Slash at the Rooftop at Pier 17, August 4

Slash is an amazing guitarist, with or without Guns N Roses. He revisited his blues roots on this tour, and he made it rock hard. Read the review here.

Alice Cooper at PNC Bank Center, September 7

Alice Cooper was one of the first shock rockers and he still includes numerous props in his staging, including the guillotine that chops his head every night. This was more than simply theatrical rock, however. His three guitarists were a hard rocker’s dream team.

Orville Peck at Brooklyn Paramount, October 20

Relatively new to the country music scene, Orville Peck was an outstanding showman and a terrific baritone singer. Read the review here.

Khruangbin at Bowery Ballroom, March 29

Khruangbin played guitar-led instrumental music that blended numerous musical influences from across the globe, such as cumbia, dub, psychedelia and surf.

Ministry/Gary Numan at Terminal 5, March 19

With Nine-Inch Nails on hiatus again, Ministry may be the leading industrial-rock band touring heavily these days. Gary Numan opened the concert and proved that his music was darker and heavier than his biggest commercial hit, “Cars.” Ministry’s Al Jourgensen and Numan were riveting showmen.

Psychedelic Furs at Brooklyn Paramount, October 5

Psychedelic Furs formed during the punk era, but the music evolved over the years to a more middle-of-the-road sound. Following the recent death of the saxophonist, the band replaced his mellow riffs with a second guitarist and this time rocked far more than in recent years.

Jesse Malin at the Beacon Theatre, December 2

Jesse Malin stopped performing in 2023 after suffering a paralyzing stroke. Now stronger, he performed two nights at the Beacon Theatre along with a cast of his famous friends. Although he was unable to be as animated as in the past, he sang well and his band delivered the goods.

Idles at Forest Hills Stadium, September 27

Idles’ arrangements frequently built to an explosive climax. The intensity led to mosh pits that extended from the stage to the back of the venue. Read the review here.

Motley Crue at Bowery Ballroom, May 6

Motley Crue’s farewell tour started in 2015 and may go on forever. The band, which usually plays large venues, played a secret show at the Bowery Ballroom and showcased the band’s excellent new guitarist, John 5.

Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Webster Hall, May 9

Rainbow Kitten Surprise’s recent hiatus offered the various windows to reinvent itself. Ela Melo and the musicians played gentle indie music with interesting arrangements wrapped around engaging vocals. Read the review here.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, Forest Hills Stadium, August 16

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard brought a pair of three-hour marathons of psychedelic and hard rock music to Forest Hills Stadium. The band performed a fascinating, feel-good mix of blues, garage and rock sounds. The nucleus of the performance was a series of intense jams led by raging guitars. Read the review here.

The Garden at Brooklyn Paramount, November 9

The Garden attracts a young audience yet, despite being only two musicians, the band made a lot of thick-sounding experimental rock. The duo’s music was far more adventurous than what most young rock bands bring to the stage. The large numbers of fans wearing the duo's black and white face make-up only made the concert more fun.

Black Lips at Xanadu, September 26

Black Lips’ performance was the epitome of garage rock. No slickness, no polish, just a solid rock and roll spirit with Americana roots.

Jorma Kaukonen at City Winery NYC, April 9

Whether solo or in Hot Tuna, Jorma Kaukonen plays acoustic guitar in the vintage Piedmont blues style. This style of finger-picking is vanishing. Fortunately, Kaukonen has been a leader in keeping this American roots music alive for more than 50 years. His performances this year were a treasure.

The Dream Syndicate at the Knitting Factory at Baker Falls, January 20

The Dream Syndicate, originally active from 1981 to 1989 and reunited since 2012, emphasized the alt in alt-rock. The band has never enjoyed commercial success, but the guitar-led repertoire made for a cutting-edge performance.

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The Manhattan Beat reports on New York City's live music circuit. All articles are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise.

For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right of the The Manhattan Beat home page and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music."

For a more complete listing of upcoming performances in the New York City area, visit The Manhattan Beat's January calendar.