My Top 5 Concert Experiences of 2025

I know we aren’t quite to the end of the year yet, but we’re getting close enough that I am starting to think back on some of my favorite experiences of this past year! I saw so much amazing live music in 2025. I would love to share those awesome shows with you all, so please use the excuse of "I work in the music industry" to justify me talking about my top five experiences on my professional blog. In no particular order, here are my top five live music experiences of 2025

1. Backstreet Boys - Las Vegas Sphere

Me in my custom Arthur shirt ahead of the Backstreet Boys' concert at Sphere

How do I talk about live music in 2025 and not talk about the Backstreet Boys absolutely dominating the Las Vegas Sphere? I have loved the Backstreet Boys since I was two years old, first being exposed to them through the Arthur special, "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" (yes, that Arthur!). I have seen the Backstreet Boys one other time in concert back in 2013, but seeing them at Sphere was unreal. The graphics were incredible, and dang, those boys can still sing! I got to experience this with my mom, who is the one who sat me in front of the TV to watch that Arthur special, so I was so happy to share that experience with her.

2. Taaffes Pub - Galway, Ireland

A (not great) photo of Taaffes pub

Ireland was a treasure trove of wonderful live music. I visited Ireland with my dad back in September and had such a great time pub hopping and listening to some incredible musicians. Our favorite by far was Taaffes Pub in Galway. This pub was rocking and had great musicians both nights we visited.

The vibes in Taaffes were so great and there were so many locals who really took us under their wing. The first night we walked into Taaffes, it was so crowded we almost left. An Irishman saw our hesitation and instantly grabbed us and helped us shove up to the front while lovingly saying that Americans were way too nice. Other locals who noticed that I am slightly vertically challenged moved out of the way so I could watch the musicians play. Singing my guts out in this pub on a trip taken to honor my late grandfather created some of my most treasured memories, and I really hope to return to Taaffes again someday soon.

3. Hozier - Columbus, OH and Hershey, PA

Hozier in Hershey, PA

From one Irish-related experience to another!

Now, does picking out two concerts and combining them into one entry count as cheating? Maybe, but I don't care! I got to see Hozier's Unreal Unearth tour twice this summer, once in Columbus, OH and once in Hershey, PA after seeing the tour in 2024 at Blossom. While there were quite a few venue-related issues in Columbus I loved seeing the show with my good friend Kevin.

All of the bad things were remedied when I saw Hozier in Hershey. I've seen him now four times in the last six years, and this was my first time seeing a full show with no delays or interruptions and with a full encore. It was so exciting finally see a whole show (and hearing him joke about his suit being made out of chocolate and having a suit of peanut butter underneath did make me laugh).

I was also so happy to see Amble, Hozier's opener, and I really fell in love with them! They actually just announced their American tour dates for 2025, so Amble, I’ll see you in July!

4. Tessas - The Roxy at Mahall's in Cleveland, OH

My beautiful friend, Tessa Smith, also known as Tessas

Oh, to be lucky enough to watch your friends do what they love. Tessa and I became friends through work, and she is truly one of the best friends a girl could ask for. She is an incredible musician, but I had not been able to catch her perform before this past summer. I got to see her open for The 4411 at Mahall's in Cleveland and the audience LOVED HER!

Seeing Tessa sing her music and watching the crowd get so into what she has created touched me so much. I am grateful to have so many creative friends who are able to do all of the things they love and share that with the world, and more grateful still that they let me watch that happen.

5. 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Photo of the Peacock Theater ahead of the 2025 Rock Hall Induction Ceremony

Now, I admit I am biased with this one since I worked this ceremony, but it was such a beautiful night of live music! It’s always so exciting which artists come to honor those who have inspired them, and this year was no exception. Seeing RAYE sing with Cyndi Lauper was a personal highlight for me (I just love her!), but truly, if I talked about every performance I loved, we’d be here forever! I am so lucky that I was able to go to LA to work the show and get to enjoy all of these wonderful performances in person!

Here’s to even more live music in 2026! So far, I’m looking forward to seeing Amble again, as I mentioned, as well as seeing Train back at Blossom, but I’m sure more concerts will come along that I’ll be attending and loving!