By Joanie Cox-Henry
As we bid farewell to 2024, I reflect on the incredible shows I got to witness over the past year. I went into 2024 with the intention of totally immersing myself in music, and that's precisely what I did. Here are the 13 shows that captivated me and proved why nothing compares to the raw electricity of live music.
Lucinda Williams at Coral Springs Center For The Performing Arts Feb. 3, 2024
Lucinda graced the stage at Coral Springs Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 3, 2024 and shared stories between songs. The setlist from her Coral Springs show seamlessly blended classics from her extensive discography with newer compositions that continued to showcase Williams' beautifully complex songwriting.
Heart At Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla., April 26, 2024
I had waited for what felt like forever to see Heart live again. Ann and Nancy Wilson are so dear to my own heart. I grew up listening to their music, and I had the privilege of interviewing them both over the years and meeting them in person. Heart's April 25th show at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla. was one of the few Royal Flush Tour dates the band was able to play before Ann announced she'd be undergoing cancer treatment. This show married the full-throttle, rocker hits like "Magic Man" and "Crazy On You" but also offered tender acoustic renditions of "Alone," "What About Love," and Zeppelin's "Going To California." Heart also debuted a new song "Roll The Dice," at this show. One of my favorite moments of this show was when Nancy Wilson performed her heartfelt instrumental original "4 Edward," which she wrote and dedicated to the late Eddie Van Halen. I also got to see this show with Heart's number one fan, Carol Chinquina, so that was an added bonus!
New Kids On The Block July 23, 2024 Magic Summer Tour with Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.
New Kids On The Block took over iThink Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Fla., on July 20 with the same enthusiasm I recall them having in 1990 when they first embarked on their Magic Summer Tour. This show was truly magical and I even found a mixtape charm under my seat which just added to this rad night of nostalgia. Paula Abdul looked amazing and DJ Jazzy Jeff was so cool to experience live too. Another thing I loved about this show was all the fun fan outfits. It was a playful crowd and perfect sweaty South Florida summer night to remember.
The Dirty Doors At Arts Garage Aug. 31, 2024
I got to see this killer Doors tribute band for my mom's birthday, and it was a total blast. I grew up listening to the music of The Doors since my mom was such a huge Jim Morrison fan. Reed Barrickman really embodies the essence of The Lizard King himself while Matt Boehnlein shined on guitar, Geoff Lewis enchanted on keys and Eric Sanders dazzled on drums.
Fernando Santomaggio's Debut With Mixtape At Throw Social Sept. 6, 2024
The Funkmaster himself, Fernando Santomaggio, hit the stage at Throw Social and immediately demonstrated why he was the perfect addition to this totally awesome 80s cover band that features the fabulously fun Lindsay Giova on vocals, the accomplished Mike Elmore on guitar and vocals, the masterful Paco Camara on drums and the gifted Steve Kaminer on keys and guitar.
No one rocks the bass with the power, soul, and finesse of Santomaggio. In Mixtape, he has also had an opportunity to spread his wings creatively and deliver magical mashups of "Spirits In The Material World" and "Material Girl," and showcase his dynamic vocals on tunes such as "Don't Dream It's Over" by Crowded House and "Don't You (Forget About Me)" by Simple Minds. I am so excited to see what Santomaggio has in store for us musically in 2025. South Florida Concert News caught up with Fernando Santomaggio to ask how his Mixtape experience has been going.
"I already knew it would be a good fit since I played with most of them before in Mixtape as well as other projects," Santomaggio reflects. "It's been fun most of all—but also refreshing! They are a great bunch of people and incredibly easy to work with. No ego, no rules, no pretense—just right."
As for the coming year, Santomaggio says he is looking forward to more creative expansion. "I hope to create more," Santomaggio adds. "And be more musically active offstage. I want to continue to improve and become a better musician and human being!"
Herbie Hancock Sept. 14, 2024, at Broward Center
It was always a dream of mine to see Herbie Hancock perform live. I vividly remember listening to his tunes with my Uncle Thad who was happily my plus-one for this incredible show! Herbie delighted the crowd with tunes such as "Rockit" and "Sunlight." The Broward Center was overflowing with the spirit of jazz on this night and I was totally digging it!
Future Islands Austin, Texas at Austin City Limits Sept. 26, 2024
This entire show and this band found me serendipitously. When I arrived in Austin, I knew I wanted to take in some live music especially since it's the live music capital of the world. The COO of my company told me about this band, and I was delighted to discover they happened to be performing at Austin City Limits one of the nights I was in Austin on business. This venue and this band were truly a treat. Future Islands has earned a reputation as an exceptional live band, largely due to frontman Samuel T. Herring's intensely physical and emotional performance style. He's known for his unique dance moves and theatrical stage presence, often beating his chest, crouching low, and moving with raw, uninhibited emotion. Herring's authenticity and vulnerability on stage are a whole vibe.
Big Rock Band Performing Final Show At the Historic Downtowner Sept. 28, 2024
Every Big Rock Band show I was fortunate enough to attend this year has been musical medicine for my mind, body and soul. This show was historic, though. Big Rock Band gave the iconic Fort Lauderdale Historic Downtowner a proper send-off as they delivered the final show there. With legendary rock power vocalist Alex Lencina, brilliant bassist Fernando Santomaggio, superstar Jimi Fiano on lead guitar, the masterful guitarist Scott Sherman, the soulful and skillful piano man Philip Bithell and seasoned percussionist Ysauro Hernandez, this show took the crowd on a memorable melodical journey. This show also featured Lencina's daughter Julieta, who is also an extraordinary singer. "There were a lot of memories made there for a lot of people," Alex Lencina said. "The Downtowner gave you that real feel of hometown."
JD Danner With Keith And Randy Ridenour At Tim Finnegans Oct. 4, 2024
My favorite local Irish pub Tim Finnegans morphed into a Nashville listening room on this particular night. With JD Danner on guitar and lead vocals, Keith Ridenour on guitar and vocals and Randy Ridenour on drums and background vocals, this trio was a triumphant treat that produced a rich sound with plenty of style and dynamics. Danner and Keith Ridenour have written multiple original albums together and getting to see them perform these solid songs live was incredible. I look forward to seeing this trio again in 2025.
Taylor Swift Eras Tour at Hard Rock Stadium In Miami Oct. 18, 2024
I was blessed with a floor seat to review the opening night of Taylor Swift's 3-day Miami Eras Tour stop. Opening night in Miami was a rain show, and Taylor Swift fiercely delivered hit after hit and debuted her sexy gold Roberto Cavalli snake suit during the Reputation era of this epic show.
"Miami, welcome to the Eras Tour!" Taylor exclaimed with her signature acoustic guitar strapped around her as she tossed up her arms joyfully. "So in 2024, we've taken the Eras Tour all over the world. We went to Australia. We went to Asia. We spent the whole summer in Europe. And you know, I just kept thinking to myself, if this tour has to end at some point, which it does, we really have to make sure that the way we end it is by going to the wildest, most passionate, craziest most loving crowd in the world—Miami, Florida!"
Billy Joel Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla. Nov. 23, 2024
Billy Joel's music is sacred to me. This man's music has gotten me through some of my toughest times. His music has also been a soundtrack for some of my happiest moments. This show at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Fla. opened with "Miami 2017 (Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway)" and Joel proceeded to unleash hit upon hit on this fortunate crowd. Some of my favorite moments of the night included Joel's renditions of "Uptown Girl," "Pressure," and "New York State of Mind." The crowd at this show was also extremely fun and laidback.
Debbie Gibson's Winterlicious Show Dec. 13, 2024 at The Parker.
Debbie Gibson is one of those timeless performers who is as bubbly and beautiful in person as you'd expect them to be! I first got into Gibson's music when I was an eight year old kid collecting Garbage Pail Kid cards and spraying Electric Youth Perfume all over my arms! This was my first time seeing Gibson perform solo and this was a really fun show that I got to see with my aunt Maryann and friends Gabriela and Lucy. We had an absolute blast watching Gibson sing holiday hits and a super fun disco medley. There were plenty of kicky costume changes and tons of holiday cheer. It was a dream show to see during the holiday season.
Lisa Maci's Moments of Gold Show at Arts Garage Dec. 29, 2024
This Celine Dion tribute show truly took my breath away at moments and elevated my spirits to an ethereal level. Lisa Maci boldly belted out Dion's most beloved songs with style and grace, including the showstopping "My Heart Will Go On,' "All By Myself," "It's All Coming Back To Me Now," and many others. The production was so elegantly curated, and Maci's band added to the grandeur with Raymond Dellechiaie (lead guitar), Robert Sherber (bass), who has a master’s degree in Jazz Performance from FIU, the highly talented and accomplished Rich Corricelli (drums) who has performed with The Pitbull of Blues Band and many others, and the Robert Lankenau (backing vocals).
Comments