10 2024 Shows That Your Non-Denominational Fictional Holiday Deity of Choice Will Hopefully Bring You Next Week
(I told the stupid AI image generator to make a picture of "Christmas stockings stuffed with concert tickets" and that's what I got. I mean, I didn't pay anything so it's not like I can ask for my money back, but we've got a long way to go if that's the sorry bullshit we're getting right now. T-1000 seems pretty far away.)
Just because we still have the second half of December between us and 2024 doesn't mean we can't start planning our loud and drunken nights for next year. Tours are both being announced and kicking off. Decisions need to be made over the next few weeks when it comes to spending responsibly (or not!) on concert tickets.
Have a few more drinks. Convince yourself that you deserve to treat yourself this holiday season. Empty that bank account. Or ask someone special to buy them for you. Or sneak in...look, I'm not your dad. These are the ten shows I'm looking forward to in 2024 and their respective Chicago dates because, well, I'm in Chicago. But even if you aren't, most of these are touring bands, so you should be able to catch them at some point. Or just fly out for the shows! Do you know how cheap it is to fly into Chicago in the winter?? You're basically making money (NOTE: don't ask for an explanation how).
Here are the shows that should be on your radar over the next three months:
Story of the Year - Concord Music Hall (1/26)
Remember when Story of the Year put out 'Page Avenue: Ten Years and Counting'? Prepare for the full weight of time's endless march to hit you like an icy blast because it's now been 10 years since that. Yes, this tour marks twenty years of Page Avenue and will feature the band playing the entire album front to back. As you can see from the tour dates above, the band has already been on the road working through these songs so they should be sharp as hell on the back half of the tour.
Joey Valence & Brae - Subterranean (1/29)
If you have a Beastie Boys-sized hole in your heart, this is a tour you absolutely cannot miss. And that comparison isn't made to make this hip-hop duo seem like a ripoff. It's more like a fitting tribute to a clear influence, with most of their songs leaning toward the upbeat and positive. There's no way this show doesn't end up as one of the most energetic of the year.
Meet Me @ The Altar - House of Blues (2/3)
The pop punk rising stars return to Chicago with a tour commemorating the deluxe re-release of Past//Present//Future. Seeming to find ways to stop by the Windy City multiple times a year, they've jumped from headlining Subterranean to the House of Blues in less than 12 months' time. Don't miss out on your chance during this tour because the shows they headline are only going to get bigger over the next few years.
Living Colour with Radkey - Bottom Lounge (2/8)
It's not often you can grab a ticket to a rock show where the openers can rock out just as hard as the headliner. And that's not to take anything away from Living Colour, who have been on the road with Extreme to rave reviews. But as anyone who has caught Radkey live can attest to, they can absolutely hold their own against anyone onstage, with the St. Louis trio counting themselves as another band that somehow finds a way to play Chicago a handful of times a year. Don't forget backup earplugs for this one.
Static-X/Sevendust - Radius (2/24)
A revitalized Static-X has been on the road for quite some time and Sevendust quietly (ironic) put out one of the best hard rock album of the year in Truth Killer. The conditions are perfect for these two bands to explode some eardrums on the second leg of their Machine Killer Tour.
Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit - Salt Shed (2/29, 3/1)
Can't miss rising star? Check. Chicago's newest (and dare I say best?) music venue? Check. Two nights, one of which being a leap-day concert where ANYTHING can happen? Check. You're all out of excuses. No. No, I don't care. No excuses. Did you not see the three checks? Don't make me point to the three checks again...
If you've got an itch since it's been a while since Nine Inch Nails have toured properly, might I offer you some Ministry and Gary Numan in this trying time? While it may not be Trent and Co, these titans of industrial are more than capable of utilizing every shadowy corner and echoing surface of the Aragon Ballroom to their advantage.
K.Flay - Chop Shop (3/15 - 3/16)
I had the pleasure of catching K.Flay earlier this year in support of Grandson at Chicago's House of Blues and she's overdue to headline her own shows at larger venues. Supporting her newest album MONO, she'll be at Chicago's Chop Shop for two nights in March and has enough energy onstage to do twenty nights in a row without skipping a beat. Do not miss this one.
HEALTH - Concord Music Hall (3/22)
If you hit up Ministry with Gary Numan and you STILL have that Nine Inch Nails itch to scratch, you have zero reason not to get yourself down to Concord Music Hall for HEALTH at the end of March. Dropping an album the first week of December that is as close to NIN as any current band can be, their combination of foreboding industrial droning with frenetic distorted riffs will scramble your brain in a good way. There's a good way? This is a good way.
Mom Jeans - Concord Music Hall (3/28 -3/29)
Am I advocating for you to basically just camp out at Concord Music Hall the last week of March so you can hit up HEALTH and both Mom Jeans nights? I mean, as long as you aren't getting in anyone's way or relieving yourself on the sidewalk, I don't see any downside. And if the pit from their Riot Fest 2022 set was any indication, you're gonna want to be up front for these ones and make sure you keep your head on a swivel to avoid crowd surfers. Or join them. Do what you want. Again, I'm not your dad. You're an adult.