NYC Scene Report – 5 of the Best Live Bands of 2024

This week’s NYC Scene Report is a little bit different. With it being the season of year-end lists, I've decided to highlight some of the best live bands I saw in 2024.

As some of you know, I attend a lot of shows – I average seeing over 100 artists / bands per year – so narrowing this list down wasn’t easy. There are a plethora of great bands in the city everyone should check out, but the following are the five that stood out the most in a scene overflowing with kick ass bands.

Turbo Goth

 

The first time I saw electronic rock duo Turbo Goth it was like an out of body experience. There isn’t another band out there that sounds anything like them.

A married duo originally from Manila, he rocks out, and controls the beats, while she has icy cool ambient vocals. The combination is jaw dropping, and I say that in the most literal sense, as each time I’ve seen them every first-timer had their mouth agape with wonder.

For my interview with Turbo Goth, click here.

Atomic Life

 

When you combine three veterans of hardcore bands with a frontwoman with powerhouse vocals, you get Atomic Life, a band that’s one part Velvet Revolver, one part Florence and the Machine, and 100% face melting rock.

I’ve taken friends to see Atomic Life – which for me is the ultimate co-sign for a band – and within a few minutes I see that special look from whoever I brought that says, “This is f*cking awesome!”

For my interview with Atomic Life, click here.

Back From Zero

 

Speaking of veterans who create face melting rock, Back From Zero hit stages throughout the city this year, and their shows are always a good time. Not only are the foursome kick ass musicians, they have a lot of fun when they’re performing, and it’s contagious.

Back From Zero’s music could’ve existed in any of the past four decades, and they’ve essentially put the best aspects of those decades together for a brand of rock that crosses generations. It’s both new, and familiar, and it f*cking rocks.

For my interview with Back From Zero, click here.

King Falcon

 

I saw King Falcon in two very different environments this year. The first time was at a large outdoor venue when they were opening for Sublime with Rome, and the second time was at one of my favorite NYC indie venues, Bowery Electric.

For each show they really understood the stage they were on. The big stage didn’t seem too big for them, and on the small stage they took full advantage of the closeness – both to the crowd, and to each other.

Both times I saw them I came away thinking the same thing – King Falcon are a damned good time!

For my interview with King Falcon, click here.

Gamblers

 

Gamblers are absolutely not a gamble when your see their name on a venue’s bill.

While their lyrics can be dark, their music is wildly upbeat, drawing inspiration from the best that ‘80s pop-rock had to offer. This means they’re almost two totally different bands in one – they’re a band you can have a blast to when you see them live, and they’re a band you can have a real emotional connection to when you decide to take deeper dive into their lyrics.

That’s pretty special, and a great reason to attend a show.

For my interview with Gamblers, click here. 

For more of the best of NYC’s indie music scene, come back next Wednesday, and check out the archives for previous columns.