by Sabrina Boyd (@SabrinaKayaB)
2014 saw some big classic rock shows come through our fair city.
It seems each show at Fenway or the Garden was more explosive and timeless than the last.
But which ones were truly the best?
Well, everyone will judge differently, but when we think rock shows, we think summer.
4 out of 5 of our shows happened this summer, and we’re really starting to miss the warmth that means great music at outdoor venues like the Xfinity Center.
Fenway took on meaning greater than the home of the Red Sox, hosting Tom Petty, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, and more.
And of course, while the Bruins and Celtics were off-season, the TD Garden was the place to be for rock ‘n’ roll.
But enough chat; let’s get to it.
Here are our top concerts in Boston of 2014:
Honorable mention: Aerosmith at the Xfinity Center, July 16
(Matt Dolloff / WZLX)
It wouldn’t really be fair if we made our own 29th Anniversary Show #1. But the show did rock Mansfield this summer. Slash kicked kicked it off, leading into our favorite hometown rockers. Even Johnny Depp showed up.
Read our full review of the show here.
5. Billy Joel at Fenway Park, June 26
Billy Joel hits all the right notes for adoring Fenway crowd http://t.co/8IKjlMkPTj pic.twitter.com/CgoemYYkD2
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) June 27, 2014
In addition to his own classics, Billy Joel paid homage to Boston with “Sweet Caroline,” and he let a 13-year-old local girl sing “Boston State of Mind.” You really hit it home with this one, Billy.
See what the fans thought of this show in our You Review.
4. Soundgarden at the Xfinity Center, July 29
RT @GlobeMusic: .@soundgarden and @nineinchnails rocked @XfinityCenter last night: http://t.co/PxWOexuDVA pic.twitter.com/s6B33c0bUY
— The Boston Globe (@BostonGlobe) July 30, 2014
Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails celebrated dual 20th anniversaries with a co-headlining tour this summer – Soundgarden’s Superunknown and NIN’s The Downward Spiral both dropped on the same date in 1994. Logically, the bands focused on those albums during the show, and though they’re not much for nostalgia, their classic hits rung as solid as ever.
Read a review of the show from the Boston Globe.
3. Queen + Adam Lambert at the TD Garden, July 22
The verdict is in, and even Brian May loves Adam Lambert singing for Queen. With Lambert in front in his flashy style, Queen killed it at the Garden, leading fans to say, “hands down one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to,” “Freddie would be proud,” and “Adam Lambert is a vocal God.”
Watch them perform “Somebody to Love” in the video above, and check out photos and more details in our You Review.
2. Fleetwood Mac at the TD Garden, October 10
This fall marked Christine McVie’s triumphant return to the stage with Fleetwod Mac. They actually added a second Boston date on October 25. Of the first show, the Globe says, “Before the stage lights were even on, Christine McVie was already blowing kisses to a crowd that had spotted her in the darkness. They were big kisses, the kind meant to make up for lost time.”
If you missed them in October, try to catch them on their second leg of the tour, at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence on January 28, or Mohegan Sun on February 7.
1. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers at Fenway Park, August 30
Happy 64th birthday to Tom Petty, who performed at Fenway Park in August. pic.twitter.com/QtvKozpWcW
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) October 20, 2014
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers toured this summer to support their new album, Hypnotic Eye, but they mixed plenty of old classics into their show. With Steve Winwood as the opener, and nostalgia for playing the Paradise back in the day, Tom Petty really won over Boston’s hearts, though judging by the audience, he already had it.
Check out a review of the show from Boston.com.
So, what do you think? Do you agree with our list? Tell us what your favorite show of 2014 was in the comments section!
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