Top Live Shows of 2023

How’s it going everybody, welcome back to the No Skip Blog, today we are taking a look at my favorite concerts and live sets of 2023. 2023 was one of the busiest, craziest and most fun concert years I’ve had in a very long time, with so many big name tours and shows that seemed constantly around the corner. With many breakout bands touring relentlessly to legacy acts who bring out the nostalgia in all of us, I’m here today to discuss my favorite concerts and live sets of 2023

Before we jump into the lists, I wanted to explain why I’m setting it up this way. Many different live music experiences have been stellar, especially with added passion for live music from artists and fans, as well as modern production, and to me, some individual sets shine brighter than others and other shows feel amazing from start to finish. I wanted to highlight both categories. In this video, we will talk about the best overall concerts and the best individual live sets. Now for rules, this is based solely on my own personal enjoyment of the show, other people may think totally different than me, but this is my personal list.

06. The Wonder Years The Greatest Generation 10 Year anniversary Tour

The Wonder Years hold a profoundly special place in my heart, having been instrumental in introducing me to the world of pop punk and emo music. Their albums, including The Upsides, Suburbia, and The Greatest Generation played a pivotal role in shaping my musical taste, a sentiment that still resonates with me today. When I learned that the band would be performing one of these albums in its entirety, I knew I needed to be there

The Philadelphia based band has a tradition of featuring emerging emo and pop punk bands as supporting acts on their tours. For this particular tour, Sweet Pill, a freshly signed emo and post-hardcore band under Hopeless Records, graced the stage. Set to release a new EP in 2024, Sweet Pill joined fellow up-and-comers Anxious, known for their AOTY-caliber debut album Little Green House, and Chicago pop punk band Action/Adventure.

Attending the Pittsburgh date at the Roxian Theatre, a familiar venue to me, I found the room filled to capacity with around 1500 passionate pop punk enthusiasts, ready to sing their hearts out. The night featured stellar performances from all four bands, with the openers seamlessly blending newer material with crowd-pleasing hits. Anxious, the heaviest band on the bill, ignited the crowd with moshing and vibrant energy.

The setlists were a mix of the openers showcasing their latest material interspersed with hits. The Wonder Years delivered the entire album, along with 8 additional hits, including tracks from their latest release, The Hum Goes on Forever. The night culminated with the powerful closure of the monumental track Came Out Swinging.

Between songs, The Wonder Years frontman Dan Campbell, shared a heartfelt message with the crowd, acknowledging that we are closer to the end than the beginning. However, he reassured fans of the band's 15-year journey that they still have plenty left in the tank. The night's performances served as a testament to their enduring passion and connection with the audience.

05. No Pressure/Koyo/Illusions/Fleshwater

As mentioned earlier, I'm a devoted fan of 2010s pop punk, a genre that deeply resonated with me during my middle and high school years. One of my enduring favorites from that era is The Story So Far, a band that delivered four outstanding pop punk albums between 2011 and 2018. However, concerns arose when vocalist Parker Cannon's on-stage energy seemed to decline over the years, leading to worries that he might quit music altogether. Fortunately, Parker has found a revitalized spirit with the project No Pressure.

With No Pressure, Parker takes a 2000s pop punk approach reminiscent of The Story So Far but adopts a more relaxed touring style. The band now performs in smaller venues without barricades, creating an intimate atmosphere that welcomes hardcore kids with a taste for pop punk to fully engage in the shows. For their spring tour, they brought along Long Island hardcore band Koyo, hardcore up-and-comers Illusions, and the shoegaze-core breakout act Fleshwater, which has already garnered significant streaming numbers in 2024.

Attending the Philadelphia date at Underground Arts, a venue upgrade after selling out the First Unitarian Church. This marked my first experience at Underground Arts, and it proved to be an exceptional venue with an intimate basement feel, perfect for enthusiastic stage divers. The sold-out show, coinciding with Parker's birthday, witnessed an energetic response from the Philly crowd for all four bands. From Fleshwater's dynamic 15-minute set, featuring hits from their debut album We're Not Here to be Loved, to Illusions' electrifying performance, the audience was hyped.

Koyo, with a preview of songs from their debut album Would You Miss It? (which made my year-end list), received an ecstatic response from the crowd. No Pressure delivered a remarkable performance, playing a plethora of songs and finally giving me the live energy I had always desired from Parker Cannon. If you haven't experienced No Pressure live, I highly recommend attending as soon as possible because it's truly amazing.

04. Metalcore Dropouts Tour

The era of monumental metalcore coheadline tours has dominated the 2020s, following the immense success of the Trinity of Terror tour. Fit For a King, a band frequently featured alongside many of these acts, has garnered recognition for their electrifying live performances, showcasing vocalist Ryan Kirby's impressive long-note screams and Tuck O'Leary's bass spins. Following a triumphant U.S. tour with Northlane, Alpha Wolf, and Kingdom of Giants (just missing this list), Fit For a King embarked on a co-headline tour with metalcore icons The Devil Wears Prada.

The Devil Wears Prada experienced a career resurgence with their 2022 album Color Decay, a contender for Album of the Year, while Fit For a King rode the wave of success from their own 2022 album The Hell We Create. The tour's first leg featured support from Canadian melodic hardcore legends, Counterparts, and French experimental metalcore band Landmvrks—both bands with a distinguished career. With Prada boasting nearly 20 years in the industry and Fit For a King over a decade, these bands showcased their peak performance levels, evident in the production of their live shows.

Each band treated the audience to a comprehensive journey through their careers. Landmvrks demonstrated their rapid rise as one of the fastest-growing metalcore bands. Counterparts delivered emotionally charged lyrics, resonating with their passionate fanbase. The Devil Wears Prada showcased their evolution from early math-inspired chaotic metalcore to their latest collaboration with EDM artist Excision. Closing the Pittsburgh show at the Roxian Theatre, Fit For a King played an extensive selection of hard-hitting metalcore, captivating the nearly sold-out crowd of 1400. Every band excelled in a tour that epitomized the best of modern metalcore, cementing the significance of these coheadline tours in the metalcore landscape of the 2020s.

03. The Plot In You Watch the Divide Tour

During my vacations my usual pursuit involves attending shows most nights or planning the trip around specific performances. In early April I had the opportunity to catch shows in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Richmond within a few days. The highlight unquestionably came on Easter Sunday, witnessing The Plot In You's Watch the Divide tour at the Harrisburg Midtown Arts Center, featuring support from Holding Absence, Thornhill, and Banks Arcade.

This tour boasted an impressive lineup of some of my favorite live bands, particularly The Plot In You, a band I've seen numerous times over the past seven years, known for their captivating light show and the incredible live vocals of Landon Tewers. The supporting acts were equally as strong, featuring one of my recent favorites Holding Absence, the experimental prowess of Banks Arcade, and the shoegaze-core giants Thornhill.

The anticipation for this show was high, and it certainly lived up to expectations. Each band delivered a comprehensive journey through their discographies, captivating the sold-out crowd of 1200 people, complete with intense moshing and crowd surfing. With all these bands poised for even greater success in 2024, this tour is destined to be remembered with awe as a standout moment in their musical journey.

02. Swanfest 2023

Devoted followers of this channel are well aware of my deep admiration for Dance Gavin Dance, ranking them among my all-time favorite bands. Despite having attended their shows multiple times over the past seven years, living on the eastern side of the US meant missing out on their festival, Swanfest, until the decision to bring it to Philadelphia in 2023. Determined to be part of the experience, I, along with some friends (even picking me up from work at 7am lmao), embarked on a journey from Pittsburgh in the early morning to make the drive to Philly, and it proved to be a highly rewarding endeavor.

The lineup featured a mix of swancore legends and up-and-coming talents, including Stolas, Body Thief, and Dwellings. However, the standout performances included the mesmerizing set by SIM from Japan, the triumphant return of Anthony Green with Saosin in his hometown of Philadelphia, and a rare one-off performance by Periphery. Yet, it was Dance Gavin Dance that undeniably stole the show. Their production surpassed even that of their fall tour, witnessed just two days later. The band treated the audience to three additional tracks— Betrayed by the Game, Death of a Strawberry, and Times New Roman.

The energy within the venue was unparalleled, with thousands of fervent fans passionately screaming along to tracks from the band's extensive discography, spanning all three eras. A particularly unexpected highlight was the live performance of Tree Village, one of my personal favorite DGD tracks. The atmosphere ignited when the band opened with their newest track at the time, The Ghost of Billy Royalton, prompting a 5000+ person mosh pit. The energy remained relentless throughout the set, culminating in the conclusion of a truly legendary show.

01. August Burns Red 20 Year Anniversary Tour - Stage AE

In a remarkable moment in Pittsburgh's metal music history, August Burns Red chose to film their livestream concert at Stage AE, one of the city's largest general admission venues. The show delivered some of the most intense and adrenaline-pumping metal I've experienced in a very long time. The Pennsylvania native band spared no effort in their performance, navigating through their entire discography with thunderous drums, heavy riffs, and an enthusiastic crowd passionately singing along to the aggressive music for happy people.

Special guests, The Devil Wears Prada, arrived fresh from the release of their album Color Decay, showcasing its greatness by focusing mainly on tracks from the album. Bleed From Within, a Scottish metal band, embarked on their first-ever US tour despite being a band for well over a decade, and the hunger emanating from them was evident to the nearly 2000 people in attendance.

For metal fans this tour was the real deal, with each band demonstrating why they occupy the upper echelons of their genre. The show, close to the hometowns of the two main bands, radiated electric energy. Now, the anticipation lingers to see how they leverage the captured energy in the livestream recording.

Now to jump right into my top live sets;

05. blink-182 - PPG Paints Arena

For any individual who grew up post-1999, blink-182 has undeniably been a cornerstone of their musical journey and life. Classic albums like Enema of the State, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, and the untitled album have been monumental for the pop punk genre. However, after vocalist Tom DeLonge's departure in 2014 the band experienced a rapid decline in popularity. The first time I witnessed blink was during the 20-year anniversary tour of Enema of the State, where the show felt somewhat one-dimensional and rough, as Matt Skiba struggled to fill the shoes left by Tom.

In 2023, a triumphant return by Tom DeLonge breathed new life into the band, leading to a sold-out arena tour. On the Pittsburgh date my childhood dreams came true as the Mark, Tom, and Travis show captivated 18,000 people, myself included. Playing songs from all albums, including the unreleased album at the time, One More Time, the band demonstrated that even 30 years after their inception they still possessed the magic, offering an incredible nostalgia trip for all in attendance.

04. Electric Callboy - Roxian

The German electronicore sensation, Electric Callboy, has long been on my list of must-see acts. After their co-headliner with Attack Attack! was canceled, I wondered when the opportunity would arise to catch them in the U.S. With the revamped Tekkno World Tour, my chance finally came. We witnessed the band's performance at the Roxian Theatre in Pittsburgh, a show that quickly sold out after announcement. The experience was brimming with energy, creating an electrifying atmosphere for a fervent crowd, solidifying the band's prominent position in heavy music.

Electric Callboy delivered a career-spanning set, featuring numerous tracks from Tekkno and MMXX, alongside previous hits like MC Thunder and The Scene. The band's use of pyrotechnics added to the spectacle, showcasing their commitment to providing an unforgettable show. As Electric Callboy continues to ascend and garner more recognition, attending their first U.S. headliner made me feel a sense of pride in witnessing their growth and success.

03. Sleep Token - Detroit

No other band experienced a more monumental 2023 than Sleep Token. The experimental group captured widespread attention with their album Take Me Back to Eden, and to amplify the excitement they embarked on their inaugural U.S. headline tour, an event that promptly sold out. As numerous dates reached full capacity, the Detroit show underwent an upgrade, prompting me to secure tickets regardless of the travel arrangements.

In September of 2023, I had the privilege of witnessing Sleep Token's most extensive U.S. headline tour to date at a stunning Masonic Temple, surrounded by over 4000 devoted fans. The band delivered a brief yet unforgettable setlist, featuring many tracks from their latest album, along with hits like Alkaline, The Love You Want, and The Offering. In just one hour and ten minutes Sleep Token showcased their mastery, with every instrumentalist and the Vesselettes shining in the live setting, infusing their own unique twists behind Vessel's angelic voice. With the Teeth of God tour on the horizon and larger venues in the picture, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to witness the band once again and partake in the worshipful experience.

02. Citizen Youth 10 Year Anniversary Tour

The album Youth served as the defining soundtrack of my adolescence, offering honest emotional lyrics and shoegaze-esque alternative instrumentation. In 2013, Citizen unleashed a gold mine, and a decade later the band announced a limited series of ten-year anniversary shows. Determined to be part of this special occasion I embarked on a trip to Chicago to attend the second date of their Chicago shows at the Metro, and the experience was nothing short of incredible.

Hearing my favorite Citizen songs like Roam the Room, How Does It Feel, and Drawn Out live was truly life-changing. The band showcased significant strides toward a more mature live performance, incorporating enhanced production in their lighting. Vocalist Mat Kerekes demonstrated remarkable improvement in his vocals since the As You Please album release show I attended in 2017. Following the album playthrough the band closed the night with some of their other hits, leaving the audience on a high note. It was a celebratory evening, not only for Citizen but also for the entire emo music genre, marking a decade of impact and evolution.

01. Trophy Eyes - Preserving

During my teenage years I frequently watched videos of Trophy Eyes performing in small clubs and bars in Australia, witnessing an abundance of crowd energy, stage diving, and fans passionately singing along to John Floreani and the crew. Since 2017, my experience with Trophy Eyes has mainly been as a supporting band on various tours. However, with albums like Chemical Miracle, Mend, Move On, and Suicide and Sunshine holding significant meaning for me, I was taken aback when I learned that following a co-headliner with Against the Current, Trophy Eyes would be playing at Preserving Underground in New Kensington, PA—a small, former church basement. The show turned out to be everything I could have wished for and more.

Throughout the 50-minute set John interacted with the crowd multiple times, jumping in, feeding the microphone to screaming fans, and delivering a performance that included many deep cuts from Chemical Miracle such as Home Is and Heaven Sent, alongside a generous dose of new material, which I later grew to love. Trophy Eyes hold a special place among my favorite bands, and finally seeing them in the intimate setting I had always dreamed of was truly awe-inspiring.