My top 10 concert experiences

No feeling in the world compares to the feeling live music gives me. The bass rattling your body, the voice echoing through a stadium; there’s nothing like it. 

I’ve been to countless concerts in my life, whether it’s well-known artists I’ve had to save up for, or local indie bands at a free arts festival. I’ve been to about 10 big-name artist concerts in the last 4 years. They have been some of the best experiences of my life. 

It is difficult to rank the concerts I’ve been to because they’ve all been special experiences for me. However, out of the 10, I still think about some concerts and wish I could relive them. Others are more forgettable. 

My ranking is worst to best; however, none of the concerts I’ve been to have been bad. I’ve gotten really lucky. 

10. Clairo, Re:SET Tour 

I went to see Clairo in concert in June 2023. It was an outdoor venue at Kemba LIVE in Columbus, Ohio. The Re:SET Tour was a two-day concert featuring multiple artists. Clairo was the first person I saw that weekend. 

Visual Experience (2/10): I was behind a ridiculously tall woman who moved in front of me two songs in. I also forgot my glasses that day, so it was partially a user error. 

Production (5/10): Because this wasn’t Clairo’s usual solo tour, production was limited. It was just her, a stool and a guitar, which is truly all you need in some cases. Nothing special, but it let the audience focus on the talent. 

Vocals (7/10): Clairo was Clairo. Of course she sounded good. It wasn’t overwhelmingly amazing vocals, but it was honest and sweet. Having no band or any production really showcased her raw talent. 

9. Conan Gray, Superache Tour 

I saw Conan Gray on his Superache tour in Cleveland, Ohio, in September 2022. Gray’s “Superache” was grossly overplayed by me my sophomore year of high school, and I was overjoyed when I got tickets. 

Visual Experience (3/10): I was grateful to have the tickets at all, but I was definitely in the nosebleeds. All the videos and pictures I took were blurry from zooming in, and I couldn’t see Gray’s face. There were no cameras to see him, so I just imagined his face. 

Production (6/10): The set and band for this concert were so adorable and talented. I thought the lights and coloring were intentional and attention-grabbing. The set was a great reflection of the vibe “Superache” portrayed. 

Vocals (7/10): Even not being able to see him clearly, this concert was amazing to me. I don’t listen to Conan Gray as much as I used to, but he will always be special to me because of this experience. I was so into his music at the time, and hearing it live was a blessing. 

8. Boygenius, Re:SET Tour

I have loved Phoebe Bridgers since I was fourteen, but I’m so glad I saw Boygenius as a whole rather than just her. I first started listening to the group in winter 2023 and was lucky enough to see Boygenius that summer.

I was instantly in love with “The Record,” the band’s debut studio album. Re:SET’s lineup was already attractive enough to me, so when I saw Boygenius on there, I swiftly bought tickets.  

Visual Experience (4/10): Right after I took pictures of the stage, my sister had to use the bathroom. When we got back, our spots were obviously taken, so we relocated to the side of the venue. It was hard to see for the majority of the show. 

Production (6/10): Due to Re:SET not being Boygenius’s actual album tour, and just a festival, the set wasn’t great. However, the band was extremely talented. 

Vocals (10/10): Hearing Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus singing in unison was truly a beautiful experience. They sounded just as good live as they do in the recording booth. I was blown away by how angelic they sounded together. 

7. Wallows, Tell Me That It’s Over World Tour

In June of 2022, I went to my first big concert. This concert is so high on my list, despite the obvious talent and excitement surrounding Wallows and their performance, because of its place in my heart.

A girl should never forget her first concert, and I never will. It was one of the greatest nights of my life and opened the door to my love for concerts. 

Visual Experience (5/10): Kemba Live! is always an amazing outdoor venue. I was far back on the lawn, so every band member’s face was a blur, but it didn’t hinder the experience. 

Production (5/10): I could feel the instruments and bass of this concert in my soul. The music was so clear. The set was underwhelming, but fitting for the tour. 

Vocals (6/10): I didn’t come to see Wallows expecting angelic vocals, but they were better than expected. Shoutout to the bassist, Braeden Lemasters, for giving outstanding vocals on his one solo. 

6. Mitski, North American Tour

In September of 2024, I saw Mitski at Jacobs Pavilion in Cleveland, Ohio. It was a beautiful and devastating time.

Though I hadn’t listened to all of the music Mitski played, just hearing her sing was unbelievable. I’m not kidding when I say I started crying from the first song and didn’t stop until the encore. 

Visual Experience (5/10): Jacobs Pavilion is on Lake Erie, so seeing Mitski by the water was special. However, I was far up.

Production (4/10): Nothing flashy. It felt like it was just her on the stage, which was fitting but didn’t offer much. 

Vocals (8/10): Mitski is such a talented vocalist. Her voice was clear; some may say “liquid smooth.” Her voice immediately brings out the emotion in me, and hearing it in a stadium just amplified it. 

5. Steve Lacy, Re:SET Tour 

Steve Lacy is my all-time favorite artist. I’ve been a fan of him forever, and I love to act like I’m his only fan ever. Steve Lacy was the main reason I went to the Re:Set Tour in June 2023. I’m the only person I know who has seen him in concert, and it has gone straight to my head. It was the best time.  

Visual Experience (8/10): On the last day of Re:SET, when Steve was lined up to play, there was a tornado warning the morning before the show, so the concert was pushed back. When I got to the venue, it was half-empty due to the time change, so I had a clear spot where I could see him. I stood on a tree stump the whole concert, and I’m convinced we made eye contact. 

Production (5/10): Nothing great, just Steve and his electric guitar, which works for me. 

Vocals (7/10): Steve Lacy is such an underrated vocalist. I do believe he’s gotten way better since I saw him, but in 2023 his solo career popularity was still in its infancy, so I didn’t expect anything overwhelming. 

4. Lana Del Rey, North American Tour 

I went to see Lana Del Rey in October 2023, and I still can’t believe it happened. Lana Del Rey was and is my most-listened-to artist almost every single year. Since I started listening to her, she never toured anywhere near me. Finally, a tour date at a random venue in Pennsylvania was my golden ticket. 

Visual Experience (7/10): I had good seats and could see Lana clearly. There was also a huge camera, which I always love. 

Production (6/10): The concert set wasn’t flashy, but it worked. A tree swing, beautiful lights, and a great band were enough for me. 

Vocals (9/10): Not only was Lana Del Rey absolutely brilliant in her performance, but her backup singers were too. The whole venue vibrated with the harmonies, and their voices worked perfectly with Lana’s. Lana has one of the most unique voices in the industry, and it was a blessing to see it live.  

3. Tyler, the Creator, Chromokopia World Tour

In June 2025, I went to the Chromokopia World Tour. I had been a big fan of him since the pandemic, so I got tickets as soon as I could. Tyler, the Creator is a performer; he knows how to put on a show and keep an audience engaged. It was incredible to see him.  

Visual Experience (7/10): I was far from the stage, but no seat was a bad seat. The stage stretched along the entire arena, so everybody could see him well at some point. 

Production (9/10): An absolutely insane concert to watch because of how well produced it was. Every detail was intentional. The sets, costumes, and stages all represented the Chromokopia album and Tyler, the Creator’s entire discography. 

Vocals (7/10): Tyler sounded amazing. He was loud, as I expected. His voice is so unique in the industry, and he showed his range with both singing and rapping. 

2. Taylor Swift, The Eras Tour

In June of 2023, I attended The Eras Tour in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was one of the best and most unique experiences of my life. I don’t listen to Taylor Swift as much as I used to, but this concert will always have a special place in my heart.  

Visual Experience (5/10): I was far in the nosebleeds and had a blocked view of the main stage, but it was the type of concert where any seat is a good seat. 

Production (10/10): This was by far the best concert I’ve ever seen production-wise. Taylor Swift has endless money and resources to make her concerts extraordinary, and she uses them. I’ve never seen a collection of sets, costumes and choreography as I did at The Eras Tour.

Vocals (6/10): I didn’t go to Taylor Swift to listen and judge her vocals. I came to sing along, watch a performance, and enjoy myself. She sang well, but I wasn’t there for vocals. 

1. Ethel Cain, Willoughby Tucker Forever Tour

In April of 2026, I went to see Ethel Cain at the Willoughby Tucker Forever Tour. It was the best concert of my life. I have never felt so emotionally drained after a concert, but in the best way. Everything I wanted to play was played, and it sounded even better than the original tracks I love so much. I was absolutely blown away. 

Visual Experience (7/10): I saw Ethel in the MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport, Kentucky. I will always love and prefer an outdoor venue. Watching Cain sing while the sun set over the Cincinnati skyline was something I’ll never stop thinking about. 

Production (7/10): The set was gorgeous. It was understated but forestry. It fit Cain's vibe perfectly. Her band was incredible. 

Vocals (100/10): Never in my life have I ever heard someone sound so good live. I couldn’t believe my ears. I can barely describe how clear and stunning it is to hear Cain’s live voice. Her note changes were intentional and hit the heart. It was overwhelming being in close proximity to talent like that. 

Every concert I’ve been to has been a special experience. Concerts are the key to my heart, and every single one I’ve been to has affected me deeply. I might be out of money, but never out of music memories.