Thursday night at Alphaville, New York locals S.C.A.B., YUVEES, and Suburban Speed played a lively show hosted by To-Go Records, a DIY and indie label based in Nashville. The showcase was part of To-Go’s “Discovering NYC” compilation tape release as they expand into the New York scene.

Kilby Block Party is a standout festival. It’s in Salt Lake City, where the weather is perfect in May. It’s got a backdrop to die for—mountains as far as the eye can see. It’s conveniently located, in the middle of the city, accessible by light rail (yes, SLC has trains!), which was free for festival-goers on the last day. And most importantly: the lineup was absolutely unbeatable.

LCD Soundsystem at Kilby Block Party was a sight to behold: between particularly electric performances of “Tribulations” and “Yr City’s a Sucker,” James Murphy was sucking on oxygen straight from the mini-tank, presumably short of breath from the city’s high altitude. It didn’t stop him from delivering a two-hour set so energetic I feel like I need to hire his doctors.

I saw a lot of live music in 2024—61 bands/artists, to be exact—and documented as much as I could. This past year brought stacked lineups to some of my favorite venues, from Dkrmttr, Nashville’s favorite DIY gathering spot, to The End, a pillar of Nashville’s resilient “rock block.” From packed festivals to intimate DIY spaces to backyard jams, I tried to be a yes-man in 2024 when it came to live music, and I have 0 regrets.