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July 5 marks one year since "Back to the Beginning" - which marked Ozzy Osbourne's final live performance with Black Sabbath and his solo band before his death just over two weeks later. While the show saw some of rock's biggest names perform at that show, many paid tribute to Ozzy in the days after his death - including System Of A Down during their show at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, on Aug. 27, 2025. Daron Malakian spoke at great length about how impactful playing Ozzfest was for the band before they tore through their cover of "Snowblind" (marking the first time they played it in 23 years). As you can see in the clip, to say it was an emotional tribute is an understatement.

Stay tuned for more things to come from this space, including stories from concerts like this!

Madison Square Garden may or may not be hosting Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding of the century. But the buzz reminded me of the very first concert I ever saw at the Garden - Green Day back in July 27, 2009. They were touring in support of '21st Century Breakdown' and their first of two nights at the famed NYC arena did not disappoint. The pop punk trio plowed through hit after hit, and while they had fans hop on stage throughout the night like they usually do, one stand out moment came when they had a teenage fan named Stephanie take over guitar duties for "Jesus of Suburbia". She held a sign claiming she could play the rock opera masterpiece on guitar, and to the surprise of everyone Billie Joe Armstrong saw it and took her up on her offer. And the best part - she absolutely nailed it! I remember even seeing her get cheered and high-fived by dozens of fellow fans as everyone exited MSG. Getting to see a fan experience that with Green Day in any setting would've been magical, but was easily 10x more incredible that it took place at the World's Most Famous Arena...

What's the best concert you ever saw at Madison Square Garden? Share your picks in the comments below, and stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from concerts like this)!

10 years ago today (July 2, 2016), I saw Weezer and special guest Panic! at the Disco play the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ. I'll never forget this show namely because of how I went into PNC simply to see Weezer live but left as a massive fan of PATD...

First to level set - I arrived to PNC not realizing that PATD were in the midst of a resurgence, thinking their buzz had dwindled over the years. So you can imagine my wife and I's surprise as we looked around and instantly asked each other "Why are so many 13 year olds wearing Panic! At The Disco shirts?!" Two songs into their set, though, it was clear as to why - Brendon Urie blew me away with both his vocals and showmanship (plus much to my surprise, the songs they were playing off their then new album "Death Of A Bachelor" sounded awesome). It's the clearest example of a band taking me by surprise and winning me over...

Oh, and Weezer were great as well (though not a surprise.... though the considerable age gap between Weezer and PATD's fans in attendance that night was).

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21 years ago, I joined nearly a million people in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art to witness Live 8 in person. And while the crowd stretched out for one mile along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, I got a spot relatively close behind the George Washington Monument (which appeared nearly in front of the stage during televised broadcasts aired around the world)... and yet, I could still barely see crap. In fact, it was so overwhelming packed and the view was so abysmal, I didn't stick around too long - just long enough to "see" 3 song sets from Bon Jovi, Destiny’s Child, the Black Eyed Peas, and Kaiser Chiefs (I decided to bail by the time Kanye West hit the stage... and I use the word "see" very loosely in this). To put it simply, as cool as it was to say I got to attend the USA edition of a global phenomenon that brought hundreds of the biggest names in music together for a great cause, it remains one of my all-time least favorite concert experiences.

What concert or festival that you attended did you feel "let down" by? Share in the comments below, and stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from concerts like this)!

I was so impressed by Van Halen's 2024 reunion tour with Sammy Hagar that not only did I catch two of that tour's stops, but more than a year after Van Hagar imploded (20 years ago today - July 1, 2006 - to be exact) I went to see Sammy Hagar live solo at the Tweeter Center in Camden, NJ. Well, sorta solo - in addition to playing with his solo band the Wabos, the Red Rocker brought out Michael Anthony for a set from "the Other Half" (IE to play a bunch of Van Halen songs). I remember it being a fun show from Hagar, as well as a bunch of other random things - like how Camden randomly started blasting fireworks toward the end of the concert (Maybe in prep for 4th of July? Never found out the reason), as well as how I ended up playing Black Sabbath and Guns N' Roses covers at Yamaha instruments' booth where they let attendees play real guitars and a bass near the venue's concession stands (I was heckled while covering "N.I.B." but then won people over with "Sweet Child O' Mine").

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This June marks 65 years since Preservation Hall opened its doors in New Orleans. Not only have I been to the famed venue, but also saw the Preservation Hall Jazz Band play the inaugural Sea Hear Now in Asbury Park back in Sept. 2018. AND I also saw the beloved house band join Jack Johnson, G. Love and Danny Clinch on stage during the former's headling set - it was the perfect way to close out the first edition of what's become my favorite music festival.

Take a look at video from that performance, and stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from concerts like this)!

Having just seen Jimmy Eat World play 'Bleed American' from top to bottom live at the Stone Pony Summer Stage, it got me to thinking... which album would you love to see performed from start to finish? What albums have you seen played in its entirety?

Hard for me to pick an album I'd love to see played in its entirety... but I did get to see Metallica play not one but TWO albums in their entirety - at the Orion Music + More in Atlantic City back in June 2012, where each night of the weekend festival they played both 'Ride the Lightning' and the Black Album from top to bottom (well, actually... from bottom to top) ... so yeah, that was awesome...

Oh, also getting to see My Chemical Romance play The Black Parade from start to finish last year was incredible - especially it being at MetLife Stadium!

Share your picks in the comments below, and stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from concerts like these)!

Simply put - Jimmy Eat World were phenomenal at the Stone Pony Summer Stage this week (June 25, 2026). And while the show saw them play 'Bleed American' from top to bottom in celebration of the landmark album's 25th anniversary, witnessing Jim Adkins sing the "Big Casino" lyric "I'm a New Jersey success story" under the Stone Pony awning in Asbury Park was a truly magical moment.

I'll be sharing more clips from the show overtime, but here's Jimmy Eat World playing "The Middle" that night in full:

https://youtu.be/yDgKKHMgt-g

Stay tuned for more things to come from this space, including stories from concerts like this!

Seeing Jimmy Eat World play their landmark album 'Bleed American' anywhere would vlbe special (not only do they sound INCREDIBLE live, but my lord is that album stacked with phenomenal songs), but seeing them perform that album from start to finish at the Stone Pony Summer Stage is the definition of perfection.

I'll be sharing more clips from the show overtime, but enjoy this snippet of them playing the album's opener/title track at the June 25, 2026, show in Asbury Park, NJ. Here's also Jimmy Eat World playing "The Middle" that night in full:

https://youtu.be/yDgKKHMgt-g

And stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from concerts like this)!

Last weekend (June 20) marks 1 year since Yungblud released his latest album "Idols". And it's been two weeks since I saw the rocker play a sold out show at Radio City Music Hall... and I'm still not over how incredible he is live (seriously, imagine the spirit of Ozzy Osbourne in a young Mick Jagger's body with the energy of Freddie Mercury on Red Bull)!

Above is a clip of Yungblud playing "Lovesick Lullaby" at the famed NYC venue on June 10, 2026. And stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from concerts like this)!

Here's also video of Yungblud playing Black Sabbath's "Changes" in tribute to Ozzy in its entirety at Radio City Music Hall:

https://youtu.be/8SRi\_CtWkq4

Still not over how much fun I had at Sublime's show at NJ's newest venue ParkStage (June 19, 2026). Jakob Nowell does a great job not only sounding like his father Bradley, but capturing the late frontman's whole essence. That was especially true when Jakob performed a solo version of "Saw Red" (No Gwen Stefani appearance this time 😉).

PS, Happy Early Birthday Jakob! 😂🎉 Here's Sublime playing Santeria in its entirety at ParkStage:

https://youtu.be/S3bmuXChBbk

Stay tuned for more things to come from this space, including stories from concerts like this!

Happy 75th Birthday Nils Lofgren! Grateful that I not only got to see the guitarist play with Bruce Springsteen multiple times, but also got to meet him backstage during Bruce's show at Lincoln Financial Field on Aug. 9, 2003 - which not only was the first time I saw Bruce live, but also marked the very first concert to be held at the Philadelphia stadium. How did I get backstage? Well... thats a story for another time 😉

As proven by Sublime's show at the newly opened ParkStage in Freehold, NJ, Friday night (June 19, 2026), Jakob Nowell is the perfect person to front the ska band. He brings a punk vibrancy to the band's vast catalog, and does his father Bradley Nowell's songs justice (seriously, he sounds ssssooo much like his dad).

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While it was awesome hearing Jakob tear through Sublime's classics, the most poignant moment of the night came when he sang the title track to the band's new album "Until The Sun Explodes" - which saw Jakob sing lyrics like Why should I feel so close to you...When you are so far?" and "I'd only hope that you know I owe you my life.." while vintage footage of his father played on the big screen.

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I'll be sharing more footage from this show overtime, and you can watch Sublime's performance of "Santeria" in full here:

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https://youtu.be/S3bmuXChBbk

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So stay tuned for that and more to come from this space (including stories from concerts like this)!

Pepper might be the perfect band to see open for Sublime. And simply put, their opening set at the ParkStage in Freehold, NJ, on June 19, 2026 was awesome! Here's a clip of the Kona dub rock trio joined by fellow openers the Movement to play their recently released collab track "End of the World".

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Stay tuned for more things to come from this space, including stories from concerts like this!

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Sublime played the first official concert at ParkStage (the new venue in Freehold, NJ) on June 19, 2026. And simply put, it was awesome! Jakob Nowell puts on a show that does incredible justice to late father Bradley Nowell's legacy (and my lord does he sound so much like him).

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I'll be sharing more clips from the show overtime. In fact, you can watch Sublime closing their show at ParkStage with "Santeria" in its entirety here:

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https://youtu.be/S3bmuXChBbk

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And stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from concerts like this)!

15 years ago today (June 18), Clarence Clemons passed away. I'm so grateful I got to see the Big Man play with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band twice - the last time nearly two years prior to his death at Bonnaroo (June 13, 2009). Little did fans know that the legendary saxophonist's final full concert with the E Street Band would be just a few months later (Nov. 22 in Buffalo, NY).

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Stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from concerts and festivals like these)!

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10 years ago today (June 17), Gojira unleashed "Magma." I had already been hooked on the French metal gods years prior, but the in-your-face riffage of songs like "Stranded" prove that there is no other band as crushing as Gojira.

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Here's video of Gojira playing that song at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, less than a year after the album's release (May 7, 2017). This was the same show that also featured Opeth and Devin Townsend Project... but as you can see in this clip, Gojira stole the night!

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Stay tuned for more things to come from this space (including stories from concerts like this)!