Sophia Barkalakis’ Top 20 Sets of 2024
As another year comes to an end I am once more reflecting on all the experiences I’ve gathered. It was a busy year, and I tried to attend as many live performances as I could. It’s so important to me to go out and support the music scene, especially knowing how it is to not have it during covid. It’s an added bonus to take photographs and create my art through all these moments that are so precious. My number of live sets was at a record high of 263 which surprised me a little but given the number of festivals and shows I attended it adds up. It’s hard enough to go through the list and choose 20 acts, it’s even harder as I don’t like to repeat the same artists twice.
I attended my first SXSW in Austin, and my first Iceland Airwaves in Reykjavik and both brought so many new acts that I discovered. We had a great Bumbershoot that hosted an all-star roster including, Kim Gordon, Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile, Cypress Hill, Carl Cox, Lauren Mayberry, and K.Flay. Belltown Bloom and Thing Festival impressed with their lineups with St.Vincent and Black Pumas stealing the lists. We headed to the Gorge for Illenium, Kaskade, Glass Animals, and Red Hot Chili Peppers that provided an amazing soundtrack to the unbeatable view.
Another highlight for me was Release festival in Athens, Greece whereby some miracle I caught two consecutive artists I’d never seen before. Massive Attack and Duran Duran were impressive, and the Greek crowd was as always, the best. More favorites were the early 2000s dance queens Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Moloko‘s Roisin Murphy who made us stand up and dance at the Moore.
Seattle’s local music scene was once more thriving with new bands forming and new music being released. Our favorites included, Acid Tongue, Monsterwatch, Semisoft, Smokey Brights, Sera Cahoone, Acapulco Lips, Midnight High, Linda from Work, Pseudo Saint, Scarves, Emi Pop, SOL, and Bexley. Local events like Fisherman’s Village, Black and Loud, Freakout Weekender, and Freakout Fest in Ballard, brought many acts to the city and supported the vibrant music scene.
Thunderpussy celebrated their 10-year anniversary and released their second album, West. This was paired with an impeccable performance at Benaroya Hall accompanied by the Seattle Symphony. The performance was unbelievable to witness and something so magical to be a part of. The Northern Lights came out that night, that’s how magical it was!
20.Show Me the Body
Showbox Market 10/8
We’ve been trying to see SMTB for a few years now and the stars finally lined up in October. The band who are known for their intense and rowdy performances gave Seattle a memorable night. The concert packed with incredible openers, including High Vis did not disappoint. The high energy and command and the execution were incredible for this Corpus Grows Tour stop.
19.Telehealth
Sunset Tavern 11/16
We saw the local band a few times this year, including SXSW that they killed, but this was our favorite one. Perhaps it was because Wimps and Semisoft were a part of this bill and made the night even better, perhaps it just was. Telehealth is a band you must see live and experience their dynamic and chemistry onstage. They are constantly moving around, including the crowd who are ready to dance their sorrows away. It’s no doubt why they are creating buzz and people are telling all their friends.
18.The Beaches
Neumos 2/16
It was a great year for the Canadian pop stars as the success of Blame My Ex took them all around and their following grew substantially. This was the second night of their tour which started in Seattle and it was something to witness. The way Jordan Miller and the band charmed the fans that night made things clear of the year that would unravel for them. The whole venue was yelling ‘Blame My Ex’ by the time the show ended. Another great thing about this was that Boyish were the opener who we absolutely adore.
17.Kathy Moore Super Power Trio
Sunset Tavern 5/26
Kathy Moore needs no introduction for those who know the legendary guitarist and musician. Every time she steps onto the stage she takes people on a trip with her majestic shredding. Moore plays guitar around town all the time but seeing her sing in her own band is next level. Accompanied by bassist Alyssa Martini and drummer Faith Stankevich the trio is a powerful rock band. This was my favorite yet as their set took off and kept us on a high until the end. This is a band you need to experience in Seattle.
16.Kaytranada
WaMu Theater 10/11
We love catching a good dance party at WaMu and this would be one. Kaytra hosted a large dance party for all his fans producing hit after hit throughout the night. The amazing production followed the set and entertained the lucky crowd that didn’t stop dancing. The added bonus here was also seeing Channel Tres as an opener. The Timeless tour stop was a fun Friday night party with the best tracks and remixes directly from the sources.
15.Arlo Parks
Showbox SoDo 3/8
This captivating young artist delicately and emotionally won our hearts. We had heard all the praise around their music but finally witnessing it in person brought it together. Parks was supporting her second album, My Soft Machine on this run. It was incredible to hear all the dedicated fans sing along to every word showing their devotion. Parks confidently played each song and connected with the people in the room.
14.LCD Soundsystem
Paramount Theater 5/19
This was another first for us. The electronic rock band from NYC filled the Paramount as part of their four-night residency in Seattle. They’ve been hosting them over the last couple of years in the U.S. with extreme success and we were happy they were finally here. Stepping into the room we realized what the hype was all about. Track after track the show kept getting better and the dancing was non-stop. Highlight was track, “Dance Yrself Clean,” and that’s exactly what we did.
13.Cumgirl8
Madame Lou’s 10/27
We met this band at SXSW and ended with them at Iceland Airwaves. We absolutely love their vibe and the mayhem they create performing. This is a show you need to experience to understand their mission. Their show in Seattle was in the perfect space and the crowd was here for it. Each of the band members is a riot and intense to watch. Their performance is fully expressing what they want to create and who they are. Don’t sleep on this one.
12.Katie Gavin
Neumos 11/18
We’ve been big fans of Katie Gavin and Muna and getting to see the first show of her solo tour was a huge treat. The more toned down indie sounding What A Relief has been a favorite and the songs are full of emotion and honesty. We’re not used to seeing her sit down and play the guitar so this was a nice change. The show felt intimate and personal as she was only accompanied by Nana Adjoa throughout the set. People were singing along and Gavin captivated as she always does.
11.PJ Harvey
Paramount Theater 10/6
Our evening with PJ Harvey in a magical venue was something to remember. It was my first time catching one of her shows and I became an instant fan of the legendary artist. Harvey played her tenth album, I Inside the Old Year Dying, at its entirety and took us on a journey through the music. She guided us throughout the night elegantly filing our minds with sounds that made us question our life. The way she integrated movement to the performance so effortlessly is something that I still picture in my mind.
10.Cyndi Lauper
Climate Pledge 12/1
This was the farewell tour of the music trailblazer who was pivotal in 80s pop music. She shaped generations to come and her activism and artistry have spanned many decades. Lauper was impeccable and the show was a magnificent production where past and future were celebrated in perfect harmony. Remembering all her hits and the great times we had listening to them time after time was something special.
9.Maggie Rogers
Climate Pledge 10/29
It had been a while since we’ve seen Rogers at Showbox SoDo so this was a huge upgrade with all the success she’s had since. Her latest Don’t Forget Me kept true and continued to impress with songs that resonate. Seeing her take the huge stage at the sold-out arena and absolutely owning it felt deserving. Rogers words still speak truth and are easy to relate to just like the first time hearing Heard It In A Past Life.
8.Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka
Paramount Theater 10/15
This double headlining bill was an absolute pleasure to catch. Both artists were captivating beyond belief and enamored the room. Kiwanuka playing new tracks from Small Changes and Howard from What Now. It felt like the pair was a match made in heaven as their soulful vocals mesmerized the crowd. Sitting down and being able to take it all in was a soothing experience.
7.Pearl Jam
Climate Pledge 5/28
The Seattle legends were in town for their Dark Matter tour. It had been years since we last saw them and this felt very special. Getting to hear some of the most iconic songs that shaped so many people around the world is always unreal. Seeing the great Mike McCready play the “Even Flow” guitar solo mostly behind his head is unreal. He also came out for the encore representing the Roosevelt Roughriders with a school jersey. Legend. Being able to take a moment to appreciate just how much this band has contributed to music. Added bonus here was seeing Deep Sea Diver open for them.
6.Adrianne Lenker
Paramount Theater 6/22
This show felt like it was out of this world and Lenker was breathtaking. She quietly sat in a chair playing her guitar, softly singing to the sold-out room. We were sitting there listening to the songs and as the night passed, we felt lighter. Lenker has the power to completely strip you down and fill out up with her emotions. She had this gift with Big Thief, and she has it as a solo artist.
5.Green Day
T-Mobile Park 9/23
This was a massing concert with 37,000 people attending the event on a beautiful Seattle day. The punk rockers were celebrating anniversaries of their biggest releases. Hearing Dookie and American Idiot in their entirety was something that we felt grateful for given that you rarely experience that. One by one tune we got more excited and returned to the time and place we first heard them play. They are legends for a reason. The extra bonus here was seeing the Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid, and Linda Lindas the same day.
4.Aurora
WaMu Theater 11/26
Last time we saw Aurora was at Showbox Market and even though this was a much larger space it made sense given how big she’s gotten. The What Happened to the Earth? tour was mostly sold-out, and the people flocked to fill the venue. As soon as Aurora stepped barefoot onto the stage, she orchestrated the mood with her songs. People were in the front crying and fainting and she softly and then loudly went through her set. Everything about her is absolute magic and hearing “Starvation,” live was a 2024 highlight.
3.Allie X
The Crocodile 6/19
Listening to the songs off the record Girl with No Face, we knew we needed to catch this artist live. Allie stepped onto the stage and absolutely captivated the crowd. Her fans were staring her in the eyes the whole night singing along to every word. It felt like we entered an 80s nightclub and had the time of our life. It seems like Allie keeps growing and exploring her art and it shows in her shows that are fresh and unique. “Galina,” is probably one of my most played songs of the year.
2.Mannequin Pussy
The Crocodile 4/30
It seems like after the release of I Got Heaven, people finally gave the credit MP deserves. The industry and critics were all over them and their headlining tour was sold-out in most cities. We’ve been fans thanks to Japanese Breakfast who toured with them in 2017 and are thrilled they’re becoming more successful. Marisa Dabice is a force of nature live, and her words pierce right through your heart. The way she commanded the crowd this night and created space for everyone is pure charisma. I can still hear her yelling the words “Loud Bark, Deep Bite!”
1.Fred Again..
Climate Pledge 9/18
We’ve been following Fred Again.. Since the pandemic and anticipated a live in our city. Finally coming to Seattle for two nights he fulfilled the dream. The arena show was everything you could wish for, and the changing of the production layouts was immersive and well thought out. Fresh off the release of Ten Days, this show was a huge dance party, and we didn’t stop moving all night. A feeling of euphoria swept across the thousands of people attending the concert. Hearing my favorite tracks in the same room was uplifting and freeing.