NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� As The Associated Press鈥� music writer, Maria Sherman has seen more than 80 concerts in 2024. Here are some of her picks for the best and biggest shows of the year. Most shows on this list were seen in the New York metropolitan area 鈥� unless otherwise noted 鈥� and it excludes most that . Take a look at where you too can catch these artists.
Mariah Carey, Christmas Time
Dec. 17, Barclays Center
At the end of the year, when most massive pop tours come to an end, who else is there to take up the mantle but the Queen of Christmas, During Carey performed holiday classics 鈥� both her own and the standards 鈥� and broke from the format just slightly to hit a medley of her biggest hits: 鈥淓motions,鈥� 鈥淗ero,鈥� 鈥淔antasy鈥� and 鈥淲e Belong Together,鈥� among them.
HIGHLIGHT: The closer of her enduring classic, But for the final night of her tour in Brooklyn, there was an unexpected surprise 鈥� was in the audience, and Carey signed her chest during an arena-wide sing-along of 鈥淎lways Be My Baby.鈥�
OPENER: Come on, like the Queen of Christmas needs an introduction.
SEE IT YOURSELF: Carey's Christmas shows have become something of a yearly tradition, so just wait until 2025.
Natalia Lafourcade
Oct. 10, Carnegie Hall
For the second time in her career, performed at Carnegie Hall, joined by Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. There was nothing stuffy about it 鈥� the crowd danced in the aisles as the four-time Grammy Award winner made the historic venue come alive with her Latin folk, rock, bossa nova and cumbia.
HIGHLIGHT: Near the end of the performance, Lafourcade was joined by for an improvised set. Suddenly, the hallowed halls of Carnegie Hall felt intimate, like a private rehearsal.
OPENER: None.
SEE IT YOURSELF: Lafourcade doesn't have any dates currently forthcoming, but curious fans can check out her new 鈥淟ive at Carnegie Hall鈥� album, recorded at this concert.
Carin Le贸n, Boca Chueca Tour
Oct. 2, Madison Square Garden
is one of the biggest names in regional Mexican music and, live, confirms what fans of his music has always known to be true:
HIGHLIGHT: Le贸n does a dreamy cover of 鈥淭ennessee Whiskey.鈥� Next to his banda songs, it is a reminder that country music spans countries, cultures and borders.
OPENER: Who needs 'em!
SEE IT YOURSELF: Le贸n has a few more dates scheduled for April 2025, including in Florida and North Carolina.
Missy Elliott, Out of This World Tour
Aug. 3, UBS Arena
It is almost unbelievable: Before 2024, had And, the last tour she went on was in 2004, performing alongside Beyonc茅 and Alicia Keys. Two decades later, the multihyphenate decided it was finally time to hit the road again for a true pop spectacle. And just like the title suggests, it was 鈥渙ut of this world.鈥�
HIGHLIGHT: She's one of the most influential artists of the last 30 years, so pick your favorite: 鈥淕et Ur Freak On,鈥� 鈥淲ork It,鈥� 鈥淟ose Control鈥� 鈥� the show was nonstop, a high-energy explosion that felt more like a once-in-a-lifetime event than a concert.
OPENER: and Ciara, Elliott's day one collaborators, joined for a show that felt like a party in outer space.
SEE IT YOURSELF: The tour has ended but catch Elliott at Coachella next spring.
Govern
ors Ball: Chappell Roan, Sexyy Red, SZA, Peso Pluma
June 7-9, Flushing Meadows Corona Park
Look, summer music festivals aren't for everyone. But every once in a while, an institution will surprise you, for not only actually booking the superstars of today, well, today 鈥� but also by featuring an eclectic mix of talent. This year, Governors Ball delivered.
HIGHLIGHT: Now is the time to run, don鈥檛 walk, to see . But you already knew that. You've had the 鈥淗ot to Go鈥� dance committed to memory for ages now.
OPENER: is a feature of many playlists for a reason.
SEE IT YOURSELF: Next June, back in New York.
George Strait
June 8, MetLife Stadium
The are timeless, and live, tackled with a ton of heart.
HIGHLIGHT: You've heard 鈥淎marillo by Morning鈥� performed at a local dive. Now hear it in a stadium of tens of thousands, and his big band.
OPENER: Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town, with Stapleton joining Strait for their 2024 collaboration, 鈥淗onky Tonk Hall of Fame.鈥�
SEE IT YOURSELF: Strait doesn't have forthcoming shows scheduled but never say never.
The Rolling Stones, Stones Tour 鈥�24 Hackney Diamonds
May 23, MetLife Stadium
of all time plays two hours of nonstop hits, pulling from their 60-year discography and then some. What else could you ask for?
HIGHLIGHT: Simply put 鈥� Mick Jagger's endurance.
OPENER: The inventive , who tickles the ivories like he invented the piano.
SEE IT YOURSELF: The Stones鈥� North American tour has concluded, but knowing these guys? They'll be on the road again before you know it.
Megan Thee Stallion, Hot Girl Summer Tour
May 21, Madison Square Garden
for the people in the back: sold out Madison Square Garden on her first tour ever. That's some real hot girl ... success.
HIGHLIGHT: 鈥淲AP!鈥� Bonus points if Cardi B makes a surprise appearance, like she did at the New York date.
OPENER: Tennessee rapper GloRilla, recently named one of
SEE IT FOR YOURSELF: Megan will hit Coachella in April, followed by Summerfest in Milwaukee in June.
Olivia Rodrigo, GUTS World Tour
April 5, Madison Square Garden
glossy pop-punk is for the all-ages crowd and felt deeply by all. If women performing their rage has fallen out of vogue, Rodrigo has , full force.
HIGHLIGHT: Honestly? Whatever your favorite Olivia Rodrigo song is!
OPENER: The Breeders 鈥� fronted by the Pixies鈥� Kim Deal 鈥� legends of 鈥�90s college radio and indie rock.
SEE IT YOURSELF: Rodrigo will be heading to a few festivals in South America in spring, before making her way to Europe for a few additional fests.
Bad Bunny, The Most Wanted Tour
March 14, Los Angeles鈥� Crypto.com Arena
show begins with an orchestra, whose symphonies quickly transition into the unmistakable strings of his
HIGHLIGHT: The horse. And the block of the performance dedicated to his past reggaet贸n hits, of course.
OPENER: There was no opener, but at one point, Bad Bunny did walk into the arena on a horse. A real one.
SEE IT YOURSELF: Bad Bunny's 鈥淭he Most Wanted Tour鈥� ended a few months ago. Catch El Conejo Malo next time.
Maria Sherman, The Associated Press
