If you’ve followed our newsletters over the years, you know that I’m an inveterate “music head.”  I’ve been enamored of music since I was a kid listening to records with my dad on Sunday mornings.  That experience changed my life, lead me down a path of both playing music and avidly consuming it, and I’m grateful that obsession remains today.  

As a result, one of my favorite activities is attending live music performances.  The immediacy of seeing talented musicians ply their craft and entertain a crowd is an experience that simply makes me happier than virtually anything else.  Although the pandemic literally reduced the live music business to zero, it has come roaring back over the past few years and remains a primary revenue generator for musicians of all genres and audience size.  

In 2024, tours like Madonna’s Celebration Tour, Springsteen’s tour with the E Street Band, and Coldplay’s Spheres Tour have grossed between $200 and $300 million, with Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour grossing over $2 billion!  I’ve been fortunate enough to have seen some fantastic “large” tours in the past year, including ELO, The Eagles, Sarah McLachlan, and Sting.  It’s both rewarding and inspirational when these “classic” acts maintain their vitality and relevance in an era where few artists leave a lasting legacy.  

The shows that have really stuck with me, however, are the ones in much smaller settings.  On a whim, I went to see a record release party for Lamont Van Hook at the Baked Potato in Los Angeles back in February.  I went without any previous exposure to the artist solely because I love the vibe of “the Spud,” as the Baked Potato is affectionately known.  Van Hook, who has built a solid career as a supporting vocalist for Phil Collins, Diana Ross, and Lyle Lovett among others, was releasing his first solo record and the place was abuzz with supportive family, friends, and fellow musicians.  [Here’s a video from an earlier show by Lamont at the Spud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oldt0b29PzM].  Equally as memorable was a performance of Bela Fleck’s My Bluegrass Heart at my beloved Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, MA.  Bela is a genre-stretching banjo virtuoso who was supported by multi-instrument phenom Sierra Hull and by the absolutely mind-blowing Michael Cleveland.  Michael was born completely blind and with a childhood ear infection that caused him to lose 80% of his hearing in one ear.  Despite those handicaps (or maybe because of them), Michael has developed into one of the most accomplished and lauded fiddle players on the Americana scene – truly one of the most jaw-dropping performers I’ve ever seen.  [Here’s a video of extended solo swapping between Bela and Michael: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22Umi_Z6_9g].  If you watch the video, check out the faces of the other musicians on stage; they’re just as wowed by Michael as I was!

If you’re reading this and realize to your chagrin that it’s been a while since you’ve seen a live performance, GREAT – mission accomplished!  It doesn’t matter what your musical tastes or preferences are, just get out there and support the musicians, whether those who have already made their fortune or the guys playing at the local club for $100 and a few free drinks (if they’re lucky)!