Johnny Cole’s Complete List of Favorite Shows of 2018
Taken from a year of shows from around the globe – Here is my list:
1. Jeff Lynne’s ELO North American leg of Tour Aug. 2-24 “12 Dates” in ten cities wsg Dawes: Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA (Aug. 2), The Forum in Inglewood, CA (Aug. 4 & 5), Pepsi Center in Denver, CO (Aug. 8), Toyota Center in Houston, TX (Aug. 10), American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX (Aug. 13), Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL (Aug. 15), Little Ceasars Arena in Detroit, MI (Aug. 16), Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON (Canada)(Aug. 18), Madison Square Garden in NYC (Aug. 21 & 22), Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA (Aug. 24) AND “4 dates” (Oct. 17, 18, 20 & 21) wsg Billy Lockett at the O2 Arena in London, UK on the European leg of tour (Total: 16 shows)
2. Fuji Rock Festival at Naeba Ski Resort in Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture (Japan) ft. Bob Dylan, Kacey Musgraves, Vampire Weekend, Jack Johnson, Hothouse Flowers, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Glim Spanky, Albert Hammond, Jr., Lets Eat Grandma, Sakanaction, Western Caravan, Ash, Hinds, Carla Thomas & Hi Rhythm and more. (July 27-29)
3. British Summer Time at Hyde Park in London, UK ft. Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, Santana, Steve Winwood, Paul Simon, James Taylor, Michael Buble’, Bonnie Raitt, The Cure, Bruno Mars, The Squeeze, Richard Ashcroft, Van Morrison, Shawn Colvin, Interpol, Bananarama and more…….. (July 6-15)
4. Rolling Stones “2 dates” in the UK: Old Trafford Football Stadium in Manchester, England (June 5) & BT Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland (June 9) “wsg The Verve’s Richard Ashcroft”.
5. Bruce Springsteen on Broadway at Walter Kerr Theatre in NYC (Apr. 5) Also: was at Springsteen on Broadway in 2017.
6. Billy Joel’s 100th Show at “The Garden” in New York City, NY wsg Bruce Springsteen (July 18) *I also enjoyed another Joel show at The Garden earlier in 2018 on Mar. 28 (Joel’s 50th consecutive month at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY)
7. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony honoring Bon Jovi, The Cars, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Dire Straits, Nina Simone & The Moody Blues with appearances by Steven Van Zandt, The Killers, Ann Wilson, Howard Stern, Paul Shaffer, Andra Day, Lauryn Hill, Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard, The Roots’ Questlove, Weezer’s Scott Shriner, Alice in Chains’ Jerry Cantrell, and Felicia Collins at the historic Public Hall in Cleveland, OH (Apr. 14)
8. Paul Simon at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA (May 28)
*I would later see Paul Simon at BST/Hyde Park in London & at the Smoothie King Ctr in New Orleans (Sept. 5). *The Hollywood Bowl was the standout show for me.
9. Fleetwood Mac “Four Tour Dates” – Save Mart Ctr. in Fresno, CA (Dec. 6), Viejas Arena in San Diego, CA (Dec. 8), The Forum in Inglewood, CA (Dec. 11 & 13)
10. Austin City Limits “ACL” at Zilker Park in Austin, TX ft. Paul McCartney, Metallica, Arctic Monkeys, The National, David Byrne, Hozier, Father John Misty, St. Vincent, Greta Van Fleet, Brandi Carlile and more. (Oct. 5-7)
11. U2 “Experience + Innocence Tour” Six West Coast dates in May: SAP Center in San Jose, CA (May 7 & 8), T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV (May 11 & 12), The Forum in Inglewood, CA (May 15 & 16)
12. Elton John “The Million Dollar Piano” at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV (May 9); Elton John “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY (Nov. 8)
13. Foo Fighters/Weezer with multiple guests during “Australia/New Zealand Tour”: wsg Cosmic Kahuna at NIB Stadium in Perth, Western Australia (Jan. 20), wsg Amyl and the Sniffers at Coopers Stadium in Hindmarsh (Adelaide), South Australia (Jan. 23), wsg DZ Deathrays at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Queensland (Jan. 25), The Preatures at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, New South Wales (Jan. 27), wsg Clowns at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Victoria (Jan. 30), wsg Ayn Randy at Mt. Smart Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand (Feb. 3) “Six shows”
14. Phil Collins “Not Dead Yet Tour” 2018: wsg The Pretenders at Campo Argentino De Polo in Buenos Aires, Argentina (South America)(Mar. 20); Phil Collins at Garden Arena/MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV (Oct. 27), Phil Collins at The Forum in Inglewood, CA (Oct. 28)
15. Molly Thomas & the Rare Birds at Callaghans in Mobile, AL (May 20) *I enjoyed some additional MT&TRBs shows in 2018, including at The Thirsty Hippo in Hattiesburg, MS (May 17); wsg Jesh Yancey at Callaghan’s Irish Coast Pub in Mobile, AL (Aug. 26). See # 63 for additional shows by Molly Thomas.
16. Mississippi Songwriters Festival in Ocean Springs, MS ft. Chuck Cannon, Grayson Capps, Sugarcane Jane, Abe Partridge, Melissa Summersell, Sarah Peacock, Jesh Yancey, Joe Sims, Honeyboy & Boots, Colin Lockey, Cary Hudson, Danny Wells, Madison Grace, Sean Gasaway, Karen Reynolds, Serabee, Chris Simmons, Troy Martin, Tommy Barnes, Karen Reynolds, Grayson Capps, Mark ‘Muleman’ Massey, J. Edwards, Greg Barnhill, Payton Smith and more! (Oct. 20-23)
17. Willie Sugarcapps at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA (Sept. 2); Willie Sugarcapps at The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Silverhill, AL (Dec. 16)
18. Will Kimbrough at Zimmer’s Point of View in Montrose, AL (Dec. 31)
19. Arroyo Seco Weekend ft. Neil Young & Promise of the Real, Jack White, Kings Of Leon, Robert Plant & The Sensational Space Shifters, Pretenders, Gary Clark Jr., Alanis Morissette, The Bangles, Violent Femmes, Aaron Neville, Los Lobos, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Dwight Twilley, and more at Brookside Park adjacent to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA (June 23 & 24)
20. Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul at the House of Blues in New Orleans, LA (May 23); Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul at Alhambra in Paris, France (July 9); Little Steven & the Disciples of Soul at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA (Dec.12)
21. Stephen Stills & Judy Collins at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, CA (May 29)
22. Sugarcane Jane at Fairhope Brewing Co. in Fairhope, AL (Mar. 9), Sugarcane Jane at The Groovy Goat in Foley, AL (May 18), Sugarcane Jane at Slowboat Brewing Co. in Laurel, MS (Dec. 29) *SOME ADDITIONAL SUGARCANE JANE SHOWS ENJOYED FROM 2018 that could have easily made the list: Jack’s by the Tracks in Pascagoula, MS (Jan. 5), Flora-Bama on FL/AL stateline (Jan. 6), Murky Waters in Ocean Springs, MS (Feb. 17), Dority’s in Dauphin Island, AL (Mar. 24), District Hall in Fairhope, AL (May 25), Slowboat Brewing Co. in Laurel, MS (Aug. 11), Jack’s by the Tracks in Pascagoula, MS (Sept. 6), Murky Waters in Gulfport, MS (Sept. 14) *I also enjoyed Sugarcane Jane at The Mississippi Songwriters Festival in Ocean Springs, MS and twice with Willie Sugarcapps (See #’s 16 & 17)
23. Father John Misty wsg Jack Ladder & the Dreamlanders at Enmore Theatre in Newtown (Near Sydney), New South Wales (AU)(Jan. 31)
24. J. D. Souther at City Winery in Washington, D.C. (Nov. 4)
25. Christopher Cross at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill in New York City, NY (Apr. 6)
26. X & Los Lobos at The Novo in Los Angeles, CA (Dec. 7)
27. Radney Foster with Eddie Heinzelman & guests Eric Erdman, Sarah Aili, Donna Hall Foster and more at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Mar. 10)
28. Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Oliver Coates at Usher Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland (June 7)
29. Travis Meadows with Whiskey Jack wsg Eric Erdman at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Mar. 2)
30. Darcy Malone & the Tangle at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds and Racetrack in New Orleans, LA – “Darcy Malone & the Tangle” opened on the Acura Stage for Beck. Stephen Anderson was invited to do photos backstage and during event from stage (May 4). *I also had the privilege of seeing DMATT at Callaghan’s in Mobile, AL (Jan. 13) and at The Listening Room of Mobile, AL (Mar. 31)
31. Sun Radio Session during SXSW in Austin, TX ft. Field Report, Sydney Wright, Jeff Plankenhorn, Larkin Poe, Texas Gentleman, Bob Schneider, Paul Thorn, Carolyn Wonderland, Band of Heathens, Lukas Nelson, Red Shahan, Parker Millsap, Paul Cauthen with Taylor Nicks, Shinyribs’ Kevin Russell & The Shiny Soul Sisters, Lilly Hiatt, and Kelly Willis (Mar. 14-16)
32. The Hooters at Keswick Theatre in Glenside, PA (Nov. 2)
33. Nine Inch Nails wsg The Jesus & Mary Chain at Radio City Music Hall in NYC (Oct. 13); Nine Inch Nails wsg The Jesus & Mary Chain at The Saenger Theatre in New Orleans, LA (Nov. 23)
34. Simple Minds ‘Walk Between Worlds Tour” at The Masonic in San Francisco, CA (Oct. 25)
35. David Byrne in Buenos Aires, ARG (Mar. 19) *I also enjoyed his performance at this year’s Coachella and at Austin City Limits Festival.
36. Colin Hay (formerly of Men at Work) at Anita’s Theatre in Thirroul, New South Wales (AU)(Feb.2)
37. Lucinda Williams and Buick 6 at The Beacon Theatre in New York City, NY (Nov. 7)
38. Phil & Foster wsg Sister Sara Smith & Dr. Pete Avara at Jack’s by the Tracks in Pascagoula, MS (Feb. 8) *a number of other Phil & Foster shows enjoyed in 2018: Phil & Foster at Callaghan’s (Feb. 7), Phil & Foster at Callaghan’s (June 13), Phil & Foster, Rick Hirsch Mark Pffaf & Sister Sara at Jack’s (June 21), Stan Foster with John Keuler at Jack’s by the Tracks (Aug. 30), Phil & Foster w/ John Milham, Molly Thomas, Abe Partridge, Jesh Yancey and more at Callaghan’s (Sept. 19), Jack’s by the Tracks (Nov. 15), wsg Greg Padilla at Callaghan’s (Dec. 5)
39. Leon Bridges at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO (Aug. 9)
40. Abe Partridge & Courtney Blackwell w/ The Wheel Wrights at The Music House “House Show” in Austin, TX (June 15); Abe Partridge at The Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center in Ocean Springs, MS (July 19); Abe Partridge “J.B. Lawrence Documentary Shoot” at The Listening Room of Mobile (AL)(Nov. 30) *Also see #’s 16, 38 & 48
41. Inbar (Horowitz) at Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica, CA (May 13)
42. David Crosby & Friends at The Joy in New Orleans, LA (May 24)
43. Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real wsg The Americans at The Garage in London, UK (July 10) *I also saw Lukas Nelson at SXSW, Stagecoach Festival, Arroyo Seco & BST /Hyde Park.
44. Graham Nash at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, MD (Feb. 27)
45. Pylon Reenactment Society wsg The Tissues & Traps PS at The Echoplex in Los Angeles, CA (Dec. 9)
46. Sting wsg Shaggy at The Masonic in San Francisco, CA (Oct. 26)
47. Eric Erdman (with John Milham & Chris Severin) VIP Album Release Show at at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Jan.17)
48. The Listening Room of Mobile’s Third Anniversary Shindig ft. Abe Partridge, Madison Grace, and Chip Herrington at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (May 5)
49. Sarah Burton wsg Madison Grace at TLR in Mobile, AL (Mar. 25); Sarah Burton wsg Madison Grace (Dec. 14) *I saw Sarah Burton again at a June show in Buda, TX.
50. The Marlow Boys at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL (Feb. 28, May 30, June 27, Nov. 14); Also: Special Event hosted by William “Norville” Harrison with music by The Marlow Boys and Friends at Callaghan’s (Oct. 24)
51. Steely Dan & The Doobie Brothers at Smoothie King Ctr. in New Orleans (May 22)
52. Howard Jones wsg Rachael Sage at Sellersville Theater 1894 in Sellersville, PA (Feb. 26)
53. Ryan Raziano Jazz Quartet at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Feb. 18)
54. Jimmy Webb wsg Robin Spielberg at City Winery in Chicago, IL (Apr. 13)
55. Brandi Carlile and Marlon Williams at The Beacon Theatre in New York City, NY (Apr. 7)
56. Lorde at The Anthem in Washington, DC (Apr. 8)
57. Lisa Mills at The Listening Room of Mobile, AL (May 26); Lisa Mills at “Tuesdays at Bernheim” in Mobile, AL (June 12)
58. Vanessa Peters at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Jan. 10)
59. Rod Stewart wsg Cyndi Lauper at The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA (June 25)
60. Smashing Pumpkins wsg Metric at the United Center in Chicago, IL (Aug. 14)
61. Paw Paw’s Medicine Cabinet “performed music from 2017’s “The Great Room” at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Jan. 12); Paw Paw’s Medicine Cabinet ft. special appearance by Rick Hirsch at Dority’s Bar & Grill in Dauphin Island, AL (Mar. 3)
62. Blue Mother Tupelo at Jacks by the Tracks in Pascagoula, MS (Mar. 23)
63. Molly Thomas & Rick Hirsch at The Listening Room of Mobile, AL (May 31); Molly Thomas & Rick Hirsch at Page & Palette in Fairhope, AL (Nov. 26) See #15 for Molly Thomas & the Rare Birds. Some other Molly Thomas shows enjoyed in 2018: SouthSounds: Molly Thomas, Laurie Anne Amour & Jimmy Lumpkin at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Apr. 15); Molly Thomas, Ferrill Gibbs & Ryan Balthrop at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (June 30)
64. Courtney Barnett at Albert Hall in Manchester, England (June 4)
65. The Dirty Strangers wsg Suitcase Junket at Underworld / Bannermans Bar in Edinburgh, Scotland (June 8)
66. Holy Holy at Sol Bar in Maroochydore (Sunshine Coast), Queensland (AU)(Jan.26)
67. Madison Grace & Joshua Steven Ward at TLR in Mobile, AL (Oct. 14) *I enjoyed a number of additional shows in 2018 ft. Madison Grace including a Sept. 8th show with Gene Murrell & David Shivers at The Listening Room (See #’s 16, 48, 49, 86 & 90)
68. Grayson Capps & Band at Murky Waters in Ocean Springs, MS (Feb. 9)
69. Cher at MGM National Harbor Resort in Oxon Hill, MD (Feb. 25)
70. Stagecoach Music Festival ft. Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, Brothers Osbourne, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Gordon Lightfoot, Kelsea Ballerini, Ronnie Milsaps and more at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA (Apr. 27-29)
71. Paul Weller (The Jam 1976-82; The Style Council 1983-1989) at Concert Hall “Sydney Opera House” in Sydney, New South Wales (AU)(Jan. 28)
72. Ben Folds at Concert Hall “Sydney Opera House” in Sydney, New South Wales (AU)(Feb. 1)
73. Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival ft. Big Daddy O, Kenny Neal, Sonny Landreth, Crispin Schroeder, Chris Leblanc, Vasti Jackson, Ruthie Foster, Bobby Rush, Remedy, Dash Rip Rock, Serabee, and more at Cassidy Park in Bogalusa, LA (Feb. 28 & 29)
74. The Posies at The Garage in London, UK (Oct. 19)
75. The Weeping Willows at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Feb. 22)
76. The Shires at The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester, UK (June 6)
77. Edie Brickell & New Bohemians at Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC (Nov. 4)
78. Paula Cole at the Vinyl Music Hall in Pensacola, FL (Sept. 27)
79. Tedeschi Trucks Band at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, NY (Oct. 12)
80. Little Big Town / Kacey Musgraves at Radio Music Hall in NYC (Feb. 24) *I also saw Kacey Musgraves at the Fuji Rock Festival (Japan) See #2
81. Shania Twain at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA (Aug. 3)
82. Wes Lee at Front Street Bar in Hattiesburg, MS (Apr. 18)
83. Molly Miller at The Perch in Los Angeles, CA (May 14)
84. The Black Lillies at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL (May 2)
85. Michael McDonald at IP Casino in Biloxi, MS (Feb. 23)
86. Grace Askew wsg Madison Grace at The Listening Room of Mobile (AL)(Nov. 16)
87. Fort Defiance at The Listening Room of Mobile (AL)(Nov. 19)
88. Jamie Lynn Vessels & David Brouillette at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Jan. 6)
89. Frog Pond Sunday Social at The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm: Amy Ray of The Indigo Girls, Grayson Capps, Will Kimbrough and Corky Hughes (May 6); Gurl Morlix, Will Kimbrough, Grayson Capps, Abe Partridge, Gram Rea & Corky Hughes (Nov. 25) *this show was moved inside due to storm, but sadly I left before it got into full swing. The word was “it was a landmark show”. (Also See #17 “Willie Sugarcapps” show at The Frog Pond).
90. Laurie Anne Armour, Melissa Summersell and Madison Grace at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Feb. 15)
91. Two Shows at Somerset House in London (UK): Sigrid wsg Oli Fox (July 11); The Roots (July 12)
92. The War & Treaty at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL (Apr. 25)
93. Hannah Belle, Greg Padilla & Xaris Waltman at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (July 20)
94. Edward David Anderson at Jack’s by the Tracks in Pascagoula, MS (Feb. 16)
95. Sarah Shook & the Disarmers wsg The Trongone Band at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL (Mar. 11)
96. Drive-By Truckers wsg Erika Wennerstrom at Brooklyn Bowl in Brooklyn, NY (Mar. 29)
97. Peter Bradley Adams wsg Lily Costner at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Jan. 4)
98. The World According to Jimbo Mathus (interview by Frye Gaillard & total request live by Jimbo Mathus) at at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Dec. 22)
99. The Monday Jam feat. The Elevator District, Josue Vilches “Prince of Newtown” and The New OJeez at The Basement in Sydney, New South Wales (AU) (Jan 29)
100. Coachella Music Festival ft. Weeknd, Beyonce & Eminem, St. Vincent, The War on Drugs, David Byrne, Haim, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Fleet Foxes, Greta Van Fleet and more at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, CA (Apr. 20-22)
☆ A Few Honorable Mentions:
- Brick + Mortar, The Uncandidates, Split Party at The Troubadour in Los Angeles, CA (June 22)
- Danny Wells at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Ctr. in Ocean Springs, MS (Nov. 15)
- David Blight with Mick Kidd at Fed on Semaphore (Adelaide) South Australia (AU)(Jan. 21)
- Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue at Jack’s by the Tracks in Pascagoula, MS (Mar. 30)
- Hannah McFarland & Cary Laine at The Hideaway in Ocean Springs, MS (June 28)
- The Hunna at Fat Controller in Adelaide, South Australia (AU)(Jan. 22)
- James Street Preachers at Cambus Wallace in Nobby Beach (near Gold Coast), Queensland (AU)(Jan. 24)
- Judah & The Lion, AWOLNATION, Machester Ochestra, Sir Sly, and Two Feet at Events Center in Las Vegas, NV (May 10)
- Korby Lenker wsg Lynn Drury at The Listening Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL (Jan. 9)
- Lyndsey Jones w/Sam DeRosa at Mastro’s Ocean Club in Malibu, CA (Dec. 10)
- Ryan Balthrop at Jack’s by the Tracks in Pascagoula, MS (Dec. 20)
- A number of other shows not listed above.
It is my honor to attend so many great shows by such an amazing number of music artists throughout the year. Thank you for the music!
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