When December rolls around, that means it is time to reflect on all the music that I explored this past year. 2025 is a year meant for the history textbooks because there were several unforgettable concert moments for me. It would take too long to share all of them right here, so here are the main highlights.
The first highlight was a last-minute decision to see The Who on their farewell tour at Madison Square Garden. It was also my first time at that iconic arena. Pete Townshend did his signature windmill while playing the guitar. You better believe Roger Daltrey belted out his passionate “Yeah!” howl during “Won’t Get Fooled Again.” It was surreal knowing that this was their last show at Madison Square Garden. Who’s Next, Tommy, and Quadrophenia are all immortal rock and roll records that helped shape and refine my general taste in music.
The second highlight was an evening in Atlanta with Sir Paul McCartney. I can now say that I have seen one Beatle live. One song that always puts me in a good mood is “Let ‘Em In” by Wings, and I felt like that I was walking on a cloud the moment that I heard those opening piano chords. Of course, he played the right amount of his solo work, Beatles songs, and Wings songs. It was a delightful celebration of everything that he has accomplished throughout the past seven decades. There were times when it felt like that George Harrison, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr would join him on stage at any minute. At least a virtual John Lennon helped out during portions of “I’ve Got a Feeling.”
The third highlight was spending a weekend in Nashville for a Nine Inch Nails show. Trent Reznor remains one of the most cathartic front men in the music industry, and he is not slowing down anytime soon. He always figures out a way to weave his perpetual creativity into the latest trends seen and heard in alternative metal and electronic music. There is a reason why that I keep revisiting the soundtracks that he composed for The Social Network and Challengers. “Hurt” is an indelible slow-tempo ballad that brings out all the raw emotions at the end of one of their shows. On a side note, thank you Johnny Cash for making that song more beautiful and haunting.
Last but not least, my favorite highlight this past year was seeing Oasis live in both the UK and the USA. At this point in my life, I have a good bit of mileage on me when it comes to concert attendance, from the Rolling Stones and B.B. King to Jeff Beck and Iron Maiden to Wilco and My Morning Jacket. While entering the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, I had a feeling this reunion was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime moment, and it was so worth the painfully long wait. Oasis is, without a doubt, the best concert that I have ever attended. Seeing Oasis live a second time at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was just as rewarding and electrifying, but it was a victory lap; a bonus.
The aura in the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium immediately elevated the anticipation to another euphoric level the moment the Gallagher brothers and their bandmates walked onto the stage as if they were well-earned royalty. They stormed right into “Hello” and concluded their perfect setlist with the highly sentimental “Champagne Supernova.” Liam was in uniform with his iconic parka, a bucket hat, and his maracas. Noel’s instantly recognizable guitar chords echoed all throughout Scotland as Liam’s nasal but proudly Manchester voice reached just as much ground. There was no drama, no nonsense, no time wasted, and no unnecessary theatrics (except for some fireworks during the closing song). It felt so good to belt out a few of my favorite songs of theirs such as “Supersonic,” “D'You Know What I Mean?,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Star.” Happy tears may or may not have been shed during “Live Forever” and “Half the World Away.”
Now, I sensed an overwhelming amount of camaraderie from all generations when I saw Bruce Springsteen live in Rome, Italy two years ago and when I saw Pearl Jam last year up in Missoula, Montana. Yet, Oasis delivered a performance that surpassed even those rock and roll giants. The impossible, the unexpected just happened before all of us. Their timeless, infectious rock and roll energy unleashed the right amount of nostalgia, forgiveness, and positive, healthy masculinity. Although Oasis may not be my all-time favorite band, this is a night that I will never forget. Just remember that everyone and their mother knows “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back in Anger.”
Enough about Oasis. Here are my top 10 albums of 2025:
1. Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse
3. The Spiritual Sound by Agriculture
4. Antidepressants by Suede
5. Getting Killed by Geese
6. Essex Honey by Blood Orange
7. New Threats from the Soul by Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band
8. Private Music by Deftones
10. Pain to Power by Maruja
Here are my honorable mentions:
- Sad and Beautiful World by Mavis Staples
- Lonely People with Power by Deafheaven
- Cancionera by Natalia Lafourcade
