Selecting 11 shows to spotlight (in no ranking order) is always a challenge, but it has to be done. Why? Because…well, I don’t have a real answer for that other than it’s a thing that we do. So here are a few of the top shots from some of the great live shows and artists that graced us this year. Think of them as shiny things to distract you and deflect from the utter dumper fire of a year that 2017 turned out to be. Let music the music be your happy place…it damned sure is mine.
11. Hanson (House of Blues Anaheim)
Twenty-five years and still going strong, the boys from Oklahoma are one of pop music’s most durable (not to mention talented) bands. The operative word is “band” as opposed to “act.” Yes, there is a difference. Hanson.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Chelsea Schwartz
10. Lauren Ruth Ward (Bootleg Theater)
Album release shows are a good thing but Lauren Ruth Ward is a great thing: a petite, passionate fireball of 70s-sensed, folked up rock that has a lot to say.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Emery Becker
9. Missio (Gramercy Theatre, NY)
The Austin, TX duo have come a long way, baby, and were killing more than Darth Vader with a kick drum during 2017. Missio is now in the building.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
8. The Regrettes (The Echo)
When you release your debut album on Friday the 13th, best make a party out of it. See the Los Angeles rockers the Regrettes for further.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: ZB Images
7. Andrew W.K. (Warsaw)
New album, new tour, new opportunity to catch this party animal in the wild. And when the photos are so good that Andrew W.K., himself, requests them? Yeah, that happened.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
6. Mondo Cozmo (Grammy Museum)
First tour bus, playing Lollapalooza, performing at the Grammy Museum…twas a damned good and deserved year for the one we know, love and call Mondo Cozmo.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: ZB Images
5. Biffy Clyro (Irving Plaza)
Half-naked Scotsmen who are a pure musical force of nature, thy name is Biffy Clyro and no one rocks pink pants quite like Simon Neil does.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Cortney Armitage
4. Draemings (The Echo)
Being fantastically otherworldly: It’s just what Los Angeles’ Draemings do.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: ZB Images
3. Greta Van Fleet (The Troubadour)
The outsized arena sound of classic rock coming from Michigan foursome Greta Van Fleet is music to our ears. Literally.
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: Emery Becker
2. Black Pistol Fire (The Troubadour)
Repeat after me: Black. Pistol. Fire. That and “Blame Canada.”
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: ZB Images
1. The Flaming Lips (Fox Theatre)
See full gallery HERE. Photo Credit: ZB Images
You can check out all of our 2017’s Photo Galleries and beyond HERE.
