It’s hard to believe we’re closing in on a decade! 2019 was an amazing year for Stories from the Crowd and we can’t wait to bring you even more concert coverage in 2020. As we get ready to ring in the new year, we’re counting down our Top Ten shows of 2019. Take a look back at all the awesome memories and let us know what made your list of top ten shows for the year. Hit us up on Facebook and Instagram @storiesfromthecrowd
Before we present our top ten shows, here are a few honorable mentions.
Hot off the release of their new album, Surviving, Jimmy Eat World played a spectacular show at the Bourbon in Lincoln. With a great mix of brand new material and old favorites they kept the crowd on their feet all night!
Hatebreed brought a stacked line-up to Sokol including Prong, Madball, and Skeletal Remains. Everyone in the place had a blast celebrating 25 years of Hatebreed. As an added bonus, I caught up with Jamey Jasta after the show for a quick interview. It’s always nice to visit with Father Jasta and soak up some metal wisdom.
On to the best of the best!
Stir Cove brought a ton of great shows this season as they always do, but Collective Soul and Gin Blossoms was one of the best. I discovered Gin Blossoms in Junior High and continue to follow them to this day. Their infectious pop songs are part of my DNA and I will be forever grateful for songs like “Til I Hear It From You” and “Hey Jealousy.” I got to say hi to lead singer Robin after the show and he was totally humble and down to earth. You never know how those interactions will go, but I walked away more stoked on the band than ever. Oh, and Collective Soul was great too. They are a complete hit machine. Nearly every song they played has charted on radio at some point in their 25 year career. Gin Blossoms and Collective Soul is a solid package that Stir Cove could bring back almost every summer and no one would complain.
Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms
It’s only been a few weeks and I’m already itching for my next hit of Dirty Honey. With a fuzzed out retro sound similar to Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses, Dirty Honey is keeping rock and roll alive! These guys are going to have a big year in 2020 and we can’t wait to say “We told you so!” We’ll be catching up with the boys in Dirty Honey at the Sonic Temple Festival May 15-17. Tickets are still available, click HERE for more info.
This was definitely in contention for wildest show of the year. I didn’t really know what to expect going in, but I walked out a big Yelawolf fan. From the car on-stage, to the crazy mosh pits and Yelawolf himself trying to break up fights, it was all out insanity. I can’t wait for Yelawolf to your the Midwest again, I’ll be there in a heartbeat.
One of the biggest metal tours of the year, the Knotfest Road Show hit Providence Medical Ampitheater in Kansas City in late August and it was pure adrenaline. With an all-star lineup including Behemoth, Gojira, and Volbeat the house was packed with fans as far as the eye could see. There was everything you could ask for in a rock show, giant flames, explosions, and loud amps in the face. Aside from the extreme heat, we had an awesome time with Slipknot and thousands of their die-hard fans.
I’ve seen New Found Glory several times over the years, but this was hands down the best show yet. The setlist was absolutely killer including several movie covers and all the top New Found Glory hits. As an added bonus they brought along Hawthorne Heights for some Emo throwback jams! It was an incredible night that I’ll never forget.
I discovered Coheed in 2003 and I’ve been hooked ever since. Since that time I’ve been able to see them nine times but only a few of those have been in Omaha. Getting to see one of your favorite bands without having to travel is always a treat. Yet another tour with a great package, Coheed brought along Mastadon and Every Time I Die. Mastodon played their seminal album Crack the Skye in entirety, Every Time I Die whipped the crowd into a frenzy, and Coheed slayed the day with new and old favorites. The weather was a perfect 70 degrees by nightfall and not a rain cloud in sight. You really couldn’t ask for a better concert scenario. I’ll be on the lookout for a U.S. Coheed tour in 2020.
Four punk rock criminals on the run from the law hit the Lookout Lounge back in April. They not only stole our hearts, but they stole our wallets! These guys put on one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Not only does Masked Intruder have some of the catchiest tunes, they have jokes for days. It was like a comedy show between every song and I’ve never seen the Lookout so packed. If you get the chance, you’ve got to catch a Masked Intruder show. You’ll have the best time, guaranteed or your wallet back.
In February 2018 I heard “Walking In My Shoes” by Fever 333 and I instantly knew this band was going to be huge. Fever had a colossal year snagging a Grammy nomination, dropping their debut album, and playing their largest headline shows to date with no opening acts. I caught up with the Fever in Des Moines at Wooly’s in April and it was superb. This was my third time covering the band so I was already aware of their raw power and limitless energy, but this show exceeded all expectations. Fever is another band primed to have a big year in 2020 so watch out. You heard it here first.
On an electric Friday night our hometown heroes The Faint played a sold-out show at the Waiting Room and it was pure magic. Lead singer Todd Fink and his wife Orenda (Azure Ray, Closeness) moved to California in early February so their back to back Friday and Saturday shows were a bit of a homecoming for the band. Todd played double duty opening the night with a set from his side project Closeness with Orenda. If that wasn’t killer enough, the band Choir Boy completely blew my mind with their retro-tinged synth pop.
When it was time for The Faint’s set I was already super amped. Needless to say they absolutely slayed the set with new material and super deep cuts for the long-time local die-hards. It had been a while since I caught the band, but they sounded just amazing as ever. Their unique mix of electro punk rock had me in a trance all night. I miss seeing Todd and Orenda pop up at local shows, but when they come back to visit or travel through with their bands it will be that much sweeter. Look out for new music from Closeness in 2020.
We’ve arrived at the number one show in 2019. Drum Roll please……
If you’ve never had the opportunity to see The Hives live, well I weep for you my friends. When it comes to playing rock and roll, not many bands can top The Hives pure intensity and passion for entertainment.
For over 20 years The Hives have perfected the craft of fuzzed out electric guitar and over-the-top showmanship. When I heard The Hives were playing in Lawrence, Kansas of all places, I almost couldn’t believe it. The last time I caught The Hives was in 2012 at a sold-out Vic Theatre show in Chicago. It was an eight hour drive, but it was totally worth it. After seeing the band twice and feeling the full effects of their punk rock electricity I would travel to the ends of the earth to see them again.
The Hives’ show in Lawrence will go down as the best of 2019 and possibly in my top ten of all time! I can’t wait to catch the next one. If you get the rare opportunity to see The Hives don’t hesitate, it’s one of the best shows you could ever hope to attend.
Thanks for checking out our Top Ten of 2019. It was an incredible year for live music and we can’t wait to do it all again next year. We’ve already got a few things lined up, the biggest being Sonic Temple Festival in May. If you get a chance, check out their awesome line-up of acts including Metallica, Slipknot, and the always fantastic Deftones!!’
Have a safe and happy new year. We’ll see you in 2020!
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