NEW YORK —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 — unless otherwise noted — and it excludes most one-off performances that cannot be repeated.
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, Mariah Carey? During her 2024 seasonal run, Carey performed holiday classics — both her own and the standards — and broke from the format just slightly to hit a medley of her biggest hits: “Emotions,” “Hero,” “Fantasy” and “We Belong Together,” among them.
Highlight: The closer of her enduring classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” But for the final night of her tour in Brooklyn, there was an unexpected surprise — Rihanna was in the audience, and Carey signed her chest during an arena-wide sing-along of “Always Be My Baby.”
Natalia Lafourcade; Oct. 10, Carnegie Hall: For the second time in her career, Natalia Lafourcade performed at Carnegie Hall, joined by Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. There was nothing stuffy about it — 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 Jon Batiste for an improvised set.
Carin León, Boca Chueca Tour; Oct. 2, Madison Square Garden: Carin León is one of the biggest names in regional Mexican music and, live, confirms what fans of his music have always known to be true: This is a global phenomenon.
Highlight: León does a dreamy cover of Chris Stapleton’s “Tennessee Whiskey.”
Missy Elliott, Out of This World Tour; Aug. 3, UBS Arena: It is almost unbelievable: Before 2024, Missy Elliott had never headlined her own arena tour. And, the last tour she went on was in 2004, performing alongside Beyoncé and Alicia Keys. Two decades later, the multihyphenate decided it was finally time to
Highlight: She’s one of the most influential artists of the last 30 years, so pick your favorite: “Get Ur Freak On,” “Work It,” “Lose Control” — the show was nonstop, a high-energy explosion that felt more like a once-in-a-lifetime event than a concert.
Governors 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 — but also by featuring an eclectic mix of talent. This year, Governors Ball delivered.
Highlight: Now is the time to run, don’t walk, to see Chappell Roan. But you already knew that. You’ve had the “Hot to Go” dance committed to memory for ages now.
George Strait; June 8, MetLife Stadium: The King of Country’s songs are timeless, and live, tackled with a ton of heart.
Highlight: You’ve heard “Amarillo by Morning” performed at a local dive. Now hear it in a stadium of tens of thousands, by Strait himself and his big band.
The Rolling Stones, Stones Tour ’24 Hackney Diamonds; May 23, MetLife Stadium: One of the greatest rock ’n’ roll bands 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 — Mick Jagger’s endurance.
Megan Thee Stallion, Hot Girl Summer Tour; May 21, Madison Square Garden: Say it again for the people in the back: Megan Thee Stallion sold out Madison Square Garden on her first tour. That’s some real hot girl … success.
Highlight: “WAP!” Bonus points if Cardi B makes a surprise appearance as she did at the New York date.
Olivia Rodrigo, GUTS World Tour; April 5, Madison Square Garden: Olivia Rodrigo’s 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 brought it back, full force.
Highlight: Honestly? Whatever your favorite Olivia Rodrigo song is!
Bad Bunny, The Most Wanted Tour; March 14, Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena: Bad Bunny’s show begins with an orchestra, whose symphonies quickly transition into the unmistakable strings of his monster hit, “Monaco.”
Highlight: The horse. And the block of the performance dedicated to his past reggaetón hits, of course.
