This is another article mainly written just for me, for archival purposes. It’s a running list of all the great concerts I’ve seen in various states.
To date, I have seen concerts in 14 different states over the past 20+ years. These are the best in each state.
California: Lionel Richie, 2024
Runners-Up: Morrissey, 2022; Berlin, 2022; Blondie, 2022; Ghostland Observatory, 2007
I’ve attended two major music festivals in LA: Cruel World 2022 (an ’80s alt-rock fest), and Fool in Love 2024 (a ’60s/’70s R&B fest). The latter is where I saw Lionel Richie perform all his hits. Diana Ross, Kool & the Gang, Chic, and Smokey Robinson were also on the bill.
Colorado: Trailer Choir, 2009
During my 2009 summer road trip, I found myself in Greeley, Colorado over July 4 weekend for the Greeley Stampede. I attended a single concert: Bucky Covington opening for Blake Shelton. Neither was especially memorable, and I had no idea Shelton would soon become a superstar.
Outside the arena, though, an unknown act called Trailer Choir performed, and they were very entertaining. I wrote at the time: “They have a rocker-type lead singer with a hottie chick and a 380-pound dancing maniac on harmony vocals. Their songs are catchy and silly, like ‘Beer Gut,’ coming soon to a country radio station near you.”
Illinois: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, 2012
Runners-Up: Sigur Ros, 2013; Paul McCartney, 2011; Doechii, 2025; Leonard Cohen, 2009
I’ve seen the Boss twice in concert, but this 3.5-hour show at Wrigley Field stands out as the best concert I have ever seen. It was amazing watching this legend and his iconic band play pretty much every hit song they had over five decades.
Louisiana: Rebirth Brass Band, 2015 Shreveport
I only saw one show in Louisiana, and that was a Rebirth Brass Band gig while in Shreveport. I love old school jazz bands like this.
Minnesota: The Hold Steady, 2009
I found myself in Minneapolis during the Basilica Block Party in 2009 and got to see the Hold Steady, Counting Crows, and Matt Nathanson.
The Hold Steady were one of my favroite bands, thanks to the keyboards of Franz Nicolay and the clever wordplay of Craig Finn. It was cool to hear him sing all of the Minneapolis references in his lyrics right there in his home city.
Nevada: Natasha Bedingfield, 2024
I’ve only seen two shows in Nevada: Natasha Bedingfield and Kristine W. performing in Las Vegas at parties for sports competitions I attended. Natasha has always been one of my favorites, and it was fun to hear “Unwritten” in person.
New Jersey: Jay-Z, 2009
Runners-Up: Coldplay, 2009; Vampire Weekend, 2009; The National, 2009
The Beastie Boys were supposed to headline the 2009 All Points West Festival, but they had to drop out at the last minute due to a health issue. In stepped Jay-Z, who was brilliant in delivering one of the best rap sets I’ve ever seen.
He opened with the Beasties’ “No Sleep Til Brooklyn,” and performed “Izzo” with the backing track of the Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back,” as a tribute to Michael, who had recently passed away.
New York: Radiohead, 2006
Runners-Up: Coldplay, 2002; Cher, 2002
I had a summer internship in NYC in 2002 and got to see a lot of cool shows, many while sitting in VIP boxes with our company — like a small club show from Coldplay.
But the best show was one I traveled back to NYC for — Radiohead at Madison Square Garden. They opened with the slowest, dreariest song in their catalog, “You and Whose Army?,” which resulted in a super-slow buildup of tension that was finally released when the piano comes in at the end. A super entertaining show overall.
Ohio: Radiohead, 2001
Runner Up: Radiohead, 2003; My Chemical Romance, 2007
Here’s Radiohead again. At the time, this one was the greatest concert I’d ever seen. This was during the Kid A era, as the band was at the height of its abilities, both on record and in concert.
Seeing them recreate the bizarre songs from Kid A in concert and turn them into catchy songs, especially “Everything in Its Right Place,” was fantastic.
Oregon: Waxahatchee, 2025
I saw the Ditty Bops in Portland in 2006, and then didn’t see another show in Oregon until a great Waxahatchee concert in 2025. Her music is so captivating, and I was excited to see her in a city park downtown.
Pennsylvania: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, 2002
Runner Up: U2, 2001 and Prince, 2004
Here’s another Springsteen show. This one was back in 2002. I had good seats and got to see Springsteen do his thing for three hours, including an hour-long encore. This show set a high bar that would be tough for future concerts to follow.
Tennessee: Metallica, 2008
Runners-Up: Kanye West, 2008
I went to the Bonnaroo festival in 2006 and 2008 and got to see so many legendary acts, including Tom Petty, Beck, Elvis Costello, and Robert Plant. Kanye showed up 3 hours late to his 1:30 am show, taking the stage at 4:30 am instead, leading some some magical moments as the sun rose an hour later during his set.
But the best of these shows was Metallica, who were at the top of their game headlining in 2008.
Washington: Lady Gaga, 2025
Runners-Up: Beyonce, 2023
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Tour was one of the most exciting spectacles in popular music in many years. She sang live, danced all night, and delivered theatrical presentations of her best songs from her 15-year career.
This one was particularly special, since I got to see it from the floor, in the 14th row, as compared to the nosebleed seats I usually have to settle for.
West Virginia: Lee Greenwood, 1989
I grew up not far from West Virginia, but only had occasion to see a single show there. As a kid, I went with my grandmother to see country singer Lee Greenwood in Wheeling. I liked his music at the time and remember enjoying the show.
Wisconsin: Rolling Stones, 2015
I only saw one concert in Wisconsin, but it was a great one: The Rolling Stones (with opening act Buddy Guy, a fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Famer) in Milwaukee.
I drove up from Chicago and paid $180 for a ticket, at that time the most I had ever spent for a concert. I wouldn’t have paid that much for anybody but the Stones, as it was a bucket list event to see them in person.
International: Andrew WK, 2009
I’ve been to more than 20 foreign countries, but Canada is the only one where I attended a concert. Andrew WK’s wild in-store performance at Neptoon Records was the best of the those. The party rocker created a punk rock atmosphere and even crowd surfed inside a tiny record store.
The other Canada shows I saw were Alessia Cara and CeCe Peniston in Edmonton, and a handful of lesser-known acts at the Dawson City Music Festival in the Yukon, most notably Bonnie “Prince” Billy.