Readers Say

Boston had a clear favorite for top concert of 2024

Grunge icons Pearl Jam have still got it, according to Boston.com readers. But dozens of other concerts and live events got honorable mentions.

Fans sing along to Pearl Jam during their Dark Matter World Tour at Fenway Park on Sept. 15, 2024. Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe

By Peter Chianca

December 31, 2024

6 minutes to read

Call it the great grunge revival of 2024: Boston.com readers had a clear favorite concert of the year, and if you don’t believe us, take it from one of those readers, Tom: “Pearl Jam! Are you kidding me? The rest battle for second place and it’s not all that close.”

And Tom seems to have a point: Pearl Jam’s Fenway Park stand from Sept. 15 and 17 was by far the most mentioned by readers who responded to our survey asking for the best live events of 2024. Here’s what some readers had to say about the band’s two (very loud) nights at America’s favorite ballpark:

“They really brought their A game to the Tuesday show and they played for close to three hours. Amazing mix of old, new, the hits, some great banter and respect for the venue.” — Steve, North Andover

Pearl Jam lead guitarist Mike McCready, left, and bassist Jeff Ament perform at Fenway Park on Sept. 15, 2024. *Kayla Bartkowski For The Boston Globe*

“Went to both shows, great energy and awesome music!! Bring them back!!!” — P.G., Belmont

“Pearl Jam at Fenway, Mike McCready is one of my faves, he is INSANE live. They still rock and sound great live IMO.” — Dave R., Charlestown

“I’m not a fan of the giant stadium shows, but the Stones, U2, Coldplay, Kenny Chesney, Metallica, and Pearl Jam have figured it out and do it right. Looking forward to AC/DC in May.” — Joe L., Tewksbury

And for the bands battling for second place, Noah Kahan (Fenway, July 18-19), Pink (Gillette Stadium, Aug. 21), and Post Malone (Fenway, Sept. 18) all got multiple mentions by Boston concert-goers. “Pink will always be my favorite concert of all,” declared Meff B. of Cambridge, while James from Duxbury just exclaimed, “Noah!!!!”

Pink was flying high during her Summer Carnival tour at Gillette Stadium this past August. *Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff*

Here’s what Boston.com readers had to say about their other favorite shows:

“Alice Phoebe Lou at the Sinclair in April was fabulous! Such a perfectly intimate setting for an artist like her.” — Madeleine A., Cambridge

“The Allman Betts Family Revival at the Orpheum in December. If you are or were a fan of the Allman Brothers, this show was great.” — Duane, Boston

“Seeing Chappell Roan perform at Boston Calling altered my brain chemistry. I will never forget being a part of a crowd that was 40,000 people strong — the roar of people screaming Chappell’s lyrics from the top of their lungs was deafening, and it was surreal to see a sea of people performing the dance to HOT-TO-GO. I think we all collectively felt like we were watching the next great American pop star, and it was an honor to be a part of that moment. I’m really happy I get to live in the same time period as her and experience her music! “ — Annie J., Boston

Chappell Roan was the hit of Boston Calling in May. *Ben Stas for The Boston Globe*

“Duran Duran at SNHU was such a surprisingly good show. Every song they did sounded like and took me back to the 1980s when we were young. They are still getting it done in their late 60s!” — Julie P., Nashua, N.H.

“Goose‘s three-night run at MGM Fenway. Talk about a surge since the lockdown. One of the fastest growing bands in the country over the past three years. Going from Night Shift Brewery in 2019 to three almost sold-out nights five years later.” — Chris M., Somerville

“Green Day. Billie Joe had nonstop energy, playing guitar and singing without any breaks throughout the whole set. Definitely in my top five concerts of all time.” — Beth, Stoughton

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day got hot at Fenway Park this summer. *Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff*

“Hopsmokerfest at Widowmaker Brewing in Braintree. Three days of bands way too big to be seeing in a Braintree taproom, but they pulled it off and it was an amazing weekend. Can’t wait for 2025!” — Ron, Southie

“Justice at MGM Music Hall at Fenway Aug. 2. Being able to see the French electronic music legends at such a small, 5,800-seat venue with their 11 TONS of equipment and mind-blowing light show intact was one of the best nights of my life (and I’m 73!). They just played two sold-out nights at the 20,000-seat Accor Arena in Paris last week! Will never happen again.” — Wayne M., Brookfield

“I can’t pick just one … Madness, Green Day, Pearl Jam, Incubus, Ballyhoo!/Mad Caddies and Weezer were all awesome!” — Anonymous

“Hands down, the Marvelous 3 at Big Night Live. It was the 25th anniversary of ‘Hey! Album,’ and they brought it. They sounded good musically, and their voices sounded really smooth. Not road weary or over the hill or anything like that. Butch Walker is a very adept performer, and the others in the band were just as on point as he was. Lit was the opener, and he sounded a bit like he’s been a little less careful with his voice than Walker, but they brought it too. The lights were good, the sound was good. BNL is a good place to see a show, and all in all it’s one of my favorite shows of all time” — Kristine, Clinton

“Mk.gee at the HOB, unbelievable live performance, maybe my new favorite guitar player.” — Dave R., Charlestown

“The Pretenders at MGM Fenway on July 19. Chrissie [Hynde] is always worth catching — this show was especially memorable, as her fellow bandmates were up to playing songs from throughout her long career. Everything sounded fresh.” — John, Beacon Hill

“Rolling Stones at Gillette, without question.” — Kevin B., Dartmouth

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards brought the Rolling Stones back to Gillette Stadium in May. *Matthew J Lee/Globe Staff*

“Sammy Hagar [at Xfinity Center] in Mansfield. Played a lot of his Van Halen material with Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony and Jason Bonham.” — Bob, Stoughton

“Slash Serpent Festival blues tour at the Seaport [Leader Bank] Pavilion was the sleeper show of the year. He toured with an unknown L.A. outfit and did covers of Howling Wolf’s ‘Killing Floor’ and Steppenwolf’s ‘The Pusher.’ Also had decent opening acts including the Robert Randolph Family Band.” — Bob, Stoughton

“Steve Miller, Journey, and Def Leppard at Fenway was awesome! To see a bunch of guys who are getting up there in age rock it out like that was special for me.” — ”Bman66,” Pepperell

“Steve Winwood and Doobie Brothers at Xfinity Center. Awesome classic rock, Winwood and Doobies in great form! Never too old to rock ‘n’ roll” — Bill K., Falmouth

“Sturgill Simpson, final show of the tour on Sunday night at MGM. Top 2 concert of my life — unbelievable experience!” — Phil, Ashland

“The Warning, a band of three sisters from Mexico, Sept. 13 at Big Night Live. These ladies ROCK!” — Klaus, Medford

“Comedy shows after hours at Popp Boutique in Central Square! Cambridge natives started hosting a comedy show in a local boutique gift shop where you can create your own scents and perfumes and get a laugh in with local comics. An inexpensive but luxury-feeling night out.” — Em P., Cambridge

“Casey Rocket at Laugh Boston. Fastest guy in the room.” — Erik, Amesbury