Sophia Barkalakis’ Top 20 Sets of 2023
2023 was the first full year that things felt like they were pre-pandemic in terms of covering events. It’s hard to believe that in 2021 I only went to one concert, in Greece. You can only imagine how excited I was to return to more normal levels of what I was used to. We got to see 171 sets this year and every single one felt special and fresh. We had seen many of the artists before but it had been a while since the last time, and many were new and ignited our passion for music all over again. It’s hard to pick just a few but I’ve tried to add the ones that meant the most to my own psyche, while still trying not to pick ones I’ve added in my older lists to keep things different.
This year in Seattle music was everywhere with top events of Belltown Bloom, Freakout Weekender, the return of Bumbershoot, Thing Festival, Freakout Fest, Fisherman’s Village, Cloudbreak Festival, and the start of Black and Loud Festival. Some of my favorite shows included starting the year with Sofi Tukker, Placebo at the Moore, First Aid Kit, The Cure, Illenium at the Gorge for Memorial Day Weekend with special guest, Tiesto, The Osees, Larkin Poe, King Youngblood, Bishop Briggs, the massive stadium tour with Coldplay and HER, the double celebration of Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie, LP, Angel Olson, Japanese Breakfast at Zootunes, Depeche Mode, Kuinka, Seal, the final KISS show, 50 years of DEVO, and 3 nights with Alt-J celebrating, An Awesome Wave, which made me fall in love with their music.
We also travelled to Ireland and Greece and were lucky to catch epic shows there. In Dublin we created a little 4 night festival which started with Placebo at 3Arena, followed with two nights at Malahide Castle with Florence and the Machine, and then Blondie and Sting, and finished on night 4 with Kraftwerk at Trinity College. As soon as we got to Athens we caught Ejekt Festival with Warpaint, Editors, and the queen again, Florence and the Machine. This one was extremely special as the atmosphere of the night was nothing short of magical. Still can’t believe it happened.
I know there was a lot more that I missed but there’s always next year! Below is my top 20 of 2023!
20. Black Ends
Clock-Out Lounge 3/26
The Seattle punk band had been on our radar for a bit and we finally go to experience their lives this year. Fronted by Nicolle Swims the band took the stage and exploded into the wild. They don’t care to fit into a mold because they are creating their own which makes them stand out. People did not stop moving and by the end of their set the stage and anything on it was destroyed with pathos. We are anticipating their debut record that has been in the works for some time.
19. The Spits
Freakout Festival 11/3
What happens during Freakout Fest in Ballard in November each year is something so special. There is a bubble that nurtures the raw and unexpected talent while still bringing legends to the stage. This year was no different and running around venue to venue we caught so many great sets, but the Spits stood out both times. Their set at the Tractor was extremely memorable and intense making our hearts race hours later. From the constant stage diving to moshing every moment was pure raw punk. The way we like it and the way it’s meant to be.
18. G Flip
Neumos 10/23
There’s been so much hype around G Flip we were curious what the experience would be like live. The sold-out Neumos went wild every second of their set and we were really impressed by the constant changing of the show and being able to incorporate so much into the set. The talent is there and you can tell G really enjoys what’s happening and that is passed on to the fans who give nothing but love back to them.
17. The Aces
Market 10/24
We’ve been fans of the Aces for a while now and the right moment to see them was here. The four piece band has been creating waves for a few years and we’ve been watching them grow into their sound. Their latest album was a bit different but only proves that the band is moving forward and creating great music. I’ve Loved You For So Long, was playing on repeat and getting to hear it live was even better. The band’s performance was phenomenal, and we left even more impressed with them.
16. Zookraught
Freakout Festival 11/2
This was another Seattle band that we kept seeing around town more and more this year and with each set we were more impressed. Some bands have the ability to capture you from the very first note and Zookraught is one of them. Getting to experience them live is a must and their specific set at the Smoke Shop was the place. The tiny stage and the pinball machines on each side only made the moment more punk and raw. We loved every second of thinking we were going to get hurt in the sea of people that clearly didn’t fit in the space for this band. We can’t wait to see where music takes them in the next year.
15. Viagra Boys
Weekender 3/4
Another great event that was started by the folks at Freakout at the Crocodile. The Weekender took over the whole venue and brought amazing performances on their second year. The VB was the highlight of this but we were equally enamored by Fidlar, White Denim, Mala Suerte, Smokey Brights, Biblioteka, Monsterwatch, and Frankie and the Witchfingers. This event also follows their recipe of chaos and punk in the best way possible. The Swedish punk band took the main stage and people went wild. Fronted by Sebastian Murphy who is recognized by his many tattoos, holding a beer, sunglasses, and performing without a shirt. Murphy commanded the room creating utter chaos.
14. Reneé Rapp
Paramount 10/7
The promising star came through Seattle in support of her full-length album Snow Angel this year. The sold-out show was filled with adoring fans there to sing along to their favorite songs. Rapp shinned for the duration of the performance creating a special vibe that felt intimate. She charmed everyone attending and folks couldn’t get enough of her.
13. Cannons
Market 8/25
The indie pop band was in town for two sold-out shows at the Showbox and we’re happy we caught one. After a very successful year where we heard their music in many places we wanted to see them live. Lead singer Michelle Joy did not disappoint as she took the stage charming the crowd. We vibed to their hits “Fire for You,” and “Loving You,” thinking of the great summer that just passed.
12. Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
Madame Lou’s 3/25
We are thrilled when we can catch punk bands in smaller spaces so we can feel every moment of the set. This was one of them. Pigsx7 came through Seattle and absolutely annihilated the space. Lead singer Matt Baty was something you couldn’t take your eyes from. His constant moving around in his muay thai shorts, high jumps and sweat was everything we were looking for at their show. You don’t want to miss this band live and it seems like the whole world is slowly figuring that out.
11. Belltown Bloom Festival
Crocodile 5/5-5/6
We usually don’t add a whole festival to the list but this one was so hard not to do. We couldn’t just pick one artist from the two day event so we decided to go with all of it since we think it’s proper. Legends L7 closed out the show and we couldn’t believe we witnessed them play live. The event was well organized and set after set was absolutely impeccable. Zella Day, Skating Polly, Thunderpussy, Pussy Riot, Spoon Benders, Susu, Thelma and the Sleaze, Mannequin Pussy, and La Fonda were some of our favorites. What a lineup to pull off and what an incredible gathering to be a part of. Can’t wait for the next one!
10.Muna
SoDo 4/17
This was another band we were really excited to catch this year finally. After missing them open for Grouplove at the original Crocodile back in 2016, we weren’t going to make another mistake. The band has only gotten more famous and people keep supporting them in their journey, including Taylor Swift, Boygenius, and their record label boss, Phoebe Bridgers. Their Life’s So Fun Tour brought them to SoDo and it was a perfect mix of emotions and dancing. Song after song the crowd got louder and by the time they played “Silk Chiffon,” we could barely hear lead Katie Gavin‘s voice. Incredible night with the added bonus of having the Nova Twins open the show.
9. Fatboy Slim
Bumbershoot 9/3
We were so excited to see one of the oldest festivals in Seattle return this year. The event surpassed our expectations and the carefully curated artists brought back more of the event we knew 10 years ago. There were so many artists that stood out but the fact that Fatboy Slim hadn’t been to our city in 25 years made him even more special. It’s hard to believe that with all the success the dance legend has had Seattle was not on his list over the years. That’s alright because his return was even more meaningful as fans overcrowded the mural stage for the final set of the festival. We danced the night away and for some of us we returned to our teenage years remembering when the tracks were released.
8. Garbage
White River 6/2
It had been a while since we’ve seen the legendary band and it was time to enjoy them once again. With the added bonus of Metric as openers and Noel Gallagher as co-headliner we agreed to take the longer journey to Auburn. This was the opening night of the tour so it felt a little special to catch it first. Shirley Manson took the stage and we fell in love with her all over again. After all these years she’s able to be as magnetic as ever as she sings some of our favorite songs.
7. The Chemical Brothers
WaMu Theater 4/18
Another act that hadn’t been in Seattle for many years which we got in between their Coachella sets. This show was another level of experience as the electronic duo stood on stage but the visuals throughout the night were just as important as the music. The show direction by Smith and Lyall was a masterpiece which unfolded with each song. The amazing thing about the legends is that even though they paved the way back in the 90s for dance they still make great music that captivates the masses.
6. Caroline Polachek
SoDo 5/4
Polachek’s, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, released this year was once of our favorite records and we were thrilled to be getting a tour stop. It feels like most of Polachek’s tunes are branded by her unique persona and don’t really compare to much of what’s happening in the rest of the world. This is what makes her stand out to us and why we enjoy her sound so much. We have no idea where the song is going most of the time and this is intriguing. Her live performance of “Butterfly Net” is my favorite live song from the year. I had never heard the song and I stood there in awe of her emotion and power to take me over.
5. Lauren Mayberry
Neumos 9/25
This feels like I’m cheating a little bit but I’m going with it as I love Mayberry so much. Chvrches have been on a prior list but this year we got the unexpected surprise of catching Mayberry solo at her intimate Neumos show. We’ve seen Mayberry front one of the biggest pop acts around the world so this was a treat for us. She released some solo songs this year and went on a little tour to play them for us. We showed just how much we adore her by selling out a show never hearing most of the tracks. This of course didn’t stop the night from being amazing and hearing the new songs was magical. Mayberry has the power to sing and capture anyone in the room.
4. The Japanese House
Neptune 10/24
We’ve been following the project of Amber Bain since her debut and were excited to finally catch them live. In the End It Always Does, was on repeat this year mirroring so many of our own emotions. The intimate set at the Neptune was paired by the artistic vision of LD Kat Borderud and we were lost in the colors and sound displayed. This show was so much more than we expected to receive but so much needed.
3. Stevie Nicks
Climate Pledge 3/15
What can we possibly say about this legend that hasn’t been said before? We’ve been lucky enough to catch Fleetwood Mac with the original members and we didn’t want to make that experience less important. We adore Nicks though so decided to catch her solo show at the arena. The set was absolute magic with Stevie mesmerizing the crowd at every turn. Nicks brought us all to tears with her emotional tribute to Christine McVie at the end with “Landslide.”
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Marymoor Park 6/7
We’ve been waiting for the YYYs to return to the northwest for a while now and experiencing them at Marymoor was incredible. Karen O came to the stage and projected absolute boss mode and captivated the audience. On the perfect summer night people dance along to their favorite tunes taking in the moment. The added bonus of this show was Perfume Genius opening the night and then jumping onstage for their duet “Spitting Off the Edge of the World,” later on. Perfectly paired artists.
1. Tove Lo
Paramount 2/23
Tove was meant to be on my 2020 list but with the concert year ending in March that never was written. From that Sunshine Kitty tour to her popularity skyrocketing even more with the release of Dirt Femme, she’s remained one of our favorites. Her unapologetic attitude and dripping femme energy makes us want more and more of her. Tove’s shows are an endless dance party that she’s perfectly programmed for a great time. There is never a reason to miss one of her shows and we wish we saw more of them. Tove even tops my favorite moments of 2022 with her 2am set at Mad Cool Festival in Madrid. Absolute ecstasy.