2024 had its fair share of bad moments however; we can all agree it had many unforgettably good moments too. One of these good and memorable moments of 2024 was definitely the concerts. Some may argue that 2024 was one of the best years for the music industry, with incredible albums from the talented Billie Eilish, Zach Bryan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Taylor Swift. These groundbreaking albums also came with a groundbreaking tour for each. Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” tour, Zach Bryan’s “Quittin Time” Tour, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” Tour, and finally Taylor Swift’s “ERAS TOUR”. From the mesmerizing lights, the incredible voices, and the beautiful atmosphere that comes with each and every show, every aspect of these concerts truly made memories that will last a lifetime.
Billie Eilish’s third studio album “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” came out on May 17th, 2024 which was then followed by her “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” tour which had its first show on September 29th, 2024 in Quebec City, Canada and concluded on July 27th, 2025 in Dublin, Ireland. The show started with a fantastic performance by some of her openers such as Towa Bird, Nat and Alex Wolf, Asnikko and The Marias. Then, Eilish opens the night with one of her hit songs “CHIHIRO” and closes the night with “When the Party’s Over”. Throughout the night Eilish plays a total 26 tracks which include some of her old songs such as “Ocean Eyes”, “TV”, “Male Fantasy”, and also “Happier Than Ever”.
“The Billie concert was such a magical experience and it was so incredible because of the vibe and energy she brought” says Sophomore Saydee Gazga Fernandez.
Eilish is said to have created a completely intimate and unique atmosphere where she immerses herself entirely to every song she plays while on this tour. During each song the stage utilizes dramatic lightning in order to capture the ambiance of every song being played, making it an incredible and memorable experience for anyone who is lucky enough to attend.
“The Great American Bar Scene” album by Zach Bryan came out on July 4th, 2024 creating for great additions to his at the time, ongoing “Quittin’ Time” tour which had started again for part two on March 6, 2024 at the United Center in Chicago. He had his final show on December 19th, 2024 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, for what is said to be his last tour. Before the show starts the crowd is serenaded by the opening acts from the talented Sheryl Crow, The War and Treaty, Levi Turner, Matt Maeson, Sierra Ferrell, The Middle East, Mt. Joy, Turnpike Troubadours, and finally Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. As he first makes his way on stage he begins the show with “Overtime” and then later closes off the night with “Revival”. Throughout the night, Bryan plays a total of 27 tracks and is said to dazzle the crowd with his inability to turn the softest of songs into completely raw anthems.
“The Zach Bryan Concert was an incredible experience. It was the best concert I’ve ever gone to, the vibes, his voice, his music, everything about it was unlike anything I’ve ever seen before” said sophomore Reilly Spieker.
The ultimate feel of the show immediately gives off a small country town vibe due to the music, the lighting, and all of the cowboy hats and boots. Zach Bryan will always fill up the entire atmosphere with nothing except his authentic self and his raw talent.
Sabrina Carpenter’s sixth studio album “Short n’ Sweet” came out August 23rd, 2024 which she then pursued with her “Short n’ Sweet” tour which opened only a month later, on September 24th, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio and with its final show coming up on April 4, 2025 in Stockholm, Sweden. Before Carpenter comes on, the crowd is entertained by amazing acts from the brilliant Amaarae, Griff, and Declan McKenna. When she first steps on stage Carpenter opens the show with her hit song “Taste” and then finishes the night with another hit song “Espresso”. For the duration of the show Carpenter plays a total of 21 tracks from both of her albums “Short n’ Sweet” and “Emails I can’t Send”. Throughout the performance Carpenter has created a unique and complex atmosphere by prioritizing a broadway production however still making room for intimate interactions between her and her fans.
“Sabrina Carpenter’s concert was pure magic, everything about it: her voice and energy turned the night into something unforgettable” said senior Chris Castillo.
No matter what song she plays Carpenter will always manage to make sure she incorporates her wit and charm as well as finding certain ways to make sure each performance is special for every stop of her tour.
Taylor Swift’s “Eras Tour” was the type of experience that was unlike any other. Swift created an experience like no one has ever seen before, covering over 17 years of music, 10 studio albums, and a total of 46 songs, all in a span of three and a half hours. Before making her way on stage the crowd was bejeweled by fantastic opening acts from Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter, Beabadoobee, Girl in Red, Benson Boone, Phoebe Bridgers, Paramore, HAIM, Gayle, Owenn, and Muna. The second she makes her entrance on the stage the crowd goes wild, screaming, crying, singing, and clapping, a beautiful mixture of pure happiness and excitement. Swift opens her show with her album “Lover” in which she opens with the song “Miss Americana and The Heartbreak Prince” which then transitions half way through to “Cruel Summer”. Swift plays between one and eight songs per album throughout the show while also making room for as many surprise songs as she wants during the acoustic set. Swift somehow managed to create a cinematic experience through the entirety of the performance, from her costumes, her storytelling, every attention to detail in this production just made this show a memorable experience.
“The Eras Tour was definitely one of my highlights of 2024! The show was amazing and the whole atmosphere made this night unforgettable” said junior Liv Lange.
A true embodiment of warmth, comfort, and girlhood is just a portion of what this tour was. “Eras Tour” had its first show on March 17th, 2023 and ended on December 8th, 2024. The “Eras Tour” will go down in history for being one the most record breaking tours of all time as well as being a once in a lifetime experience that many will cherish forever.
As we look back on last year we can now appreciate all of the legendary music that came with it. From new singles, new albums, new voices, 2024 had it all. Even though it will be hard to beat the concerts and music from last year, we must wait and see what 2025 has in store for the music industry. 
