We asked our photographers to share their favorite concert photos from 2024 and let them explain what made their choices special in their own words. This year, the picks include the Kanye West, Green Day, Chris Brown, System of a Down, Sting and more. Enjoy this visual recap, in no particular order. On this Christmas Eve, it’s their present to you.

Foo Fighters at Toyota Pavillion — Aug. 13

Arena rockers Foo Fighters at the 12,500-capacity amphitheater? Basically an intimate club gig for these guys. I made sure to have all the gear cleaned and memory cards empty. This photo is Dave Grohl playing his semi-hollow-body guitar and belting in a black shirt drenched in sweat. The show went a full three hours, ending with “Everlong” on a Tuesday night. — Sean Liming

Green Day at Oracle Park — Sept. 20

Green Day was the band that changed the way I felt about music, so photographing them meant finally fulfilling my no. 1 bucket list shoot. Their Bay Area homecoming show was at the same place I first saw them, almost 19 years prior, to the day. It was cool getting to hear two of my favorite albums, Dookie and American Idiot, in their entirety. It was a tough shoot with only two quick songs in the photo pit, but I ended up liking this picture quite a bit. From the pyrotechnics to Billie Joe Armstrong’s power pose, I think the moment sums up the energy and excitement of the show. — Chloe Catajan

James Arthur at Fox Theater — April 30

I love this image of James Arthur because it captures his unique blend of vulnerability and strength. The soft tones and composition really reflect the emotion and honesty that define his artistry. — Imani Sires

Alejandro Fernández at La Onda Festival in Napa — June 1

Going to shoot a concert where I didn’t know the language most of there artists speak isn’t new for me, but this new festival was very enjoyable. The atmosphere was exceptional with culture spread throughout the grounds, and the aroma of the food was mouthwatering. Fernández played for fans and family like he was royalty, which I’m told is how he’s treated in Mexico.  — Sean Liming

U2 at Sphere in Las Vegas — Feb. 7

This U2 concert was like nothing the world had seen before. Sphere completely changed what live music can be going forward, and it’s just getting started.  I’d seen U2 many times before, but likely nothing will ever top seeing the band in this immersive environment.  Perfect sound, mind-bending visuals… Everything you know is wrong, indeed! — Steve Carlson

David Gilmour at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles — Oct. 25

Having grown up listening to Pink Floyd, it was a dream to witness David Gilmour perform at this brand new venue. This photo show the master guitarist focusing on what he does best. The shadows in the background frame the star of the show as he performs one of his iconic solos for “Breathe (In the Air).” — Derek Tobias

System of a Down at Golden Gate Park — Aug. 17

This System of a Down and Deftones nighttime show was one of my favorites in 2024. It felt special to be in attendance (it was the first in the Golden Gate Park Concert series) but also just to see System of a Down itself. The band doesn’t play many shows anymore. When I was looking through my shots from the night, I immediately loved the lens flare in this photo. It added a whimsical touch, which I thought suited the band’s vibe because while its sound is heavy, it also leans into elements of Dadaism and abstractness. — Chloe Catajan

Tems at the Warfield — Sept. 27

Photographing Nigerian American artist Tems was an honor. Having the rare opportunity of an empty pit, I captured this image as Tems, covered in glitter, opened the show. The fans blowing her hair created an ethereal feeling. — Onome Uyovbievbo

Sting at the Masonic — Nov. 6

I love this image of Sting for its emotional depth and the warm tones that reflect his timeless charisma and artistry. The use of light and shadow brought out a depth that feels as layered and meaningful as his music, creating a lingering connection. — Imani Sires

Kanye West at Chase Center — March 12

I grew up a Kanye West fan, so being able to capture him in his element, even now, is cool. This was shot during his Vultures listening party, which was part concert, part performance art. The stage was completely bare, so there wasn’t much else to focus on besides Kanye. — Matt Pang

Maxwell at Oakland Arena — Oct. 25

The jacket flowing in the fan-blown wind and the cell phone lights in the crowd make this one of my favorite photos. I’ve been listening to Maxwell since I was a kid—my mom was a big fan—so getting this short created some nostalgic vibes. — Derek Fisher

Ski Mask The Slump God at the Midway — Aug. 14

I’ve listened to Ski Mask since 2017, and going from being a long-time listener to standing in front of him was surreal. The lighting of the show and the energy of his performance were unmatched. — Aaron Lee

The Offspring at BottleRock Napa Valley — May 26

There’s a well-known adage among concert photographers: Don’t forget the drummer! But truthfully, drummers are often hard to photograph cleanly when they’re behind a kit and elevated on a riser. Even if you do manage to get a good angle, the photos may turn out painfully dull. But when The Offspring took the stage at BottleRock, drummer Brandon Pertzborn blessed us with a masterclass in energy. I was thrilled to get this shot. — Steve Carlson

Elyanna at Fox Theater — Nov. 17

Having never listened to Elyanna before, this show really surprised me. Her vibrant energy and impressive choreography made it an extremely fun show to shoot. With such a crowded photo pit, maneuvering through loads of other photographers was a challenge, but I ended up with one of my favorite shots of all time.  — Aaron Lee

The Hives at the Observatory in Orange County — Aug. 8

I’d never managed to see the Hives before. When they played the Observatory in Santa Ana, I made sure I was front and center with camera in hand. Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist went crazy on stage, which this photo shows well. Almqvist is known for his lively presence, and this photo captures his intensity. — Derek Tobias

Chris Brown at Oakland Arena — July 31

This Chris Brown concert was my favorite show in 2024. The production and choreography were top notch. I really loved how the teal color hues played with the contrast of the lights and shadows in this photo. — Derek Fisher

Justice at Portola Festival in San Francisco — Sept. 29

Justice was one of the headliners at Portola Festival and didn’t disappoint musically or visually. Xavier de Rosnay and Gaspard Augé were backlit with all the right colors. — Matt Pang

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