This past year saw  the most tours by artists since the pandemic changed our lives forever. Artists who had to cancel and alter tours for the last two years (2020 and 2021) decided to get out in front of the public once again. Every week there seemed to be another announcement by artists eager to get on the road and play to their fans. For me, it appeared to be a chance to see several bucket list artists while also getting to see new and upcoming performers whom I heard on the radio and streaming devices. When all was said and done, 2022 turned out to be the biggest and best year of concert going in my fifty plus years in the crowd.

One can sympathize and understand why artists would want to get out on the road and perform. If you were a veteran of decades of touring, you knew that waiting was not an option as the aging process marched on. I recall Roger Daltrey explaining to the crowd at a show some years ago why the tour was titled.” Use it or lose it”. This was the advice that one of his doctors gave him when discussing his vocal cords. Needless to say, I am sure that many ‘dinosaurs’ took this advice and hit the road again in 2022.

Conversely, many younger artists were looking to establish themselves on the road, playing clubs, theatres and amphitheaters. This was done in an attempt to gain relevance or maintain their audience and add new fans. Concert facilities were looking to make up for lost revenue from 2020 and 2021 and of course, Ticketmaster was hungry for fees.

Weekly, artists announced the tour schedule and fans lined up to buy tickets to their shows. One would think that with all of these artists out there, fans would run out of dough. Judging from the gross receipts, we were wrong. If they build it, fans would come and bring their wallets with them.

Personally, I took in more than 80 performances, working many shows and buying tickets to others. This year I knocked several from my bucket list and took in many great performances. This also gave me the opportunity to see many new (to me) artists. The following lists are spilt into top performances from legacy artists and top new artists.

Eleven memorable performances by new (to me) artists:

*Tab Benoit, Cajun Blues

*Dumpstafunk/George Porter,Jr. and his Runnin’ Pardners-New Orleans Funk

*Aaron Lewis- Punk artist’s Country side

*Greyboy All Stars featuring Karl Denson- original rock and funk

*Brian Regan-clean comedian

*Twiddle-Jam band veterans

*Beth Hart-Rock vocalist, RNR Hall of Fame nominee

*Joe Jackson- English veteran of the 80’s Punk Scene

*Goose- up and coming Jam band stars

*Andy Frasco and the UN- an onstage maniac with the ability to craft great little tunes.

Likewise, classic artists who continue to bring it nightly:

*Kenny Wayne Shepherd- Blues guitarist

*Graham Nash of C, S, N, Y fame

*My Morning Jacket-soaring vocals on a variety of song styles

*Jack White- White Stripes front man delivers an energetic, hard rock performance

*Pigeons Playing Ping Pong-Rock, Funk and a bit of the Jam

*Paul McCartney- enough said

*Roger Waters -one half of the Pink Floyd genius

*Carols Santana- Rock and Roll H of F guitarist

*Willie Nelson, Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats and Billy Strings-what a lineup

*Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame

*The Mavericks-Tex-Mex Rock and Rollers

The 2023 landscape looks to best what we saw in 2022. Every week another festival is being announced from sea to shining sea. Big names and hungry new artists will be at a location near you this year. Plug into the social media of your favorite venues and never miss the next blockbuster announcement Share with us what were your most memorable 2022 shows. Everyone benefits from a good review! 

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