Logjam Staff Favorites 2024
As 2024 winds down, we can’t help but reflect on all the incredible moments and unforgettable live music this year brought us. Recently, we turned to you to hear about your favorite shows of the year and asked about your top artists. Now, it’s our turn!
Some of the team shared their top concerts, favorite new album releases, and the best new artists they discovered in 2024. Let’s just say, the responses were as passionate as they were diverse. With so much amazing music to choose from, picking favorites isn’t easy!
Check out the picks below and listen to our collective Spotify Wrapped playlist with over a thousand songs. From Chappell Roan to Sturgill Simpson to Bob Marley — it’s very eclectic!!
Alanya – Entertainment Buyer
Favorite Album Release
Ok here’s the truth..Never in my life have I ever listened to Beyonce by choice. The last time I willingly chose a song involving Beyonce was when “The Writings on the Wall” by Destiny’s Child was released in 1999. With that said, I was really intrigued by the Cowboy Carter campaign. I love when an artist crosses genres and stirs up the pot a little bit…and that’s exactly what she did. The album is FANTASTIC. It’s not country. It’s a genre of creativity that really captured my soul (and apparently millions others).
Favorite Logjam Show
Ween, both nights at the Amphitheater was so incredible. It was like a sing-along to all of my favorite songs with all of my favorite people.
Also, Paul Cauthen at the Wilma. HOT DAMN.
Favorite Non-Logjam Show
Tyler Childers at Washington Grizzly Stadium was out of this world. I have seen him live before, but it was never quite like what I witnessed at Griz Stadium. And that drone show!!! Unreal.
P!NK was also a bucket list artist I didn’t think I would ever get to see live unless I traveled to Vegas or something…So to see her in Missoula and still know every word was pretty amazing.
Favorite New Artist You Discovered
That’s a tough one as I am lucky enough to discover new artists almost every day!
I would have to say BigXthaPlug is one of my new favorites and on constant repeat… That, and Richy Mitch and the Coal Miners who are about to sell out the Top Hat/ELM. Opposite sides of the vibe for sure, but both are incredible 🙂
Jake – Director of Digital Media & Advertising
Favorite Album Release
Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson) – Passage Du Desir
Favorite Logjam Show
Ween 2-Night Run, KHA Summer 2024
Favorite Non-Logjam Show
4 Nights of Widespread Panic, Panic En La Playa Mexico (hard to pick which one)
Favorite New Artist You Discovered
Mildlife, Royel Otis, Zach Top, Hermanos Gutierrez, Glass Beams (some of these may have been before this year…hard to remember when the music never stops).
Leigha – Box Office Assistant
Favorite Album Release
LEAVING THE WORLD BEHIND – ATLiens 👽🛸
Favorite Logjam Show
Excision at the KettleHouse Amphitheater! My rave fam and I were in a Premium Box and it was hands down the most memorable and mind blowing experience. He is one of my favorite EDM artists and seeing him here in my hometown was a dream come true!!! 🦖✨
Favorite Non-Logjam Show
I absolutely loved YDG at the Badlander here in Missoula and Bear Grillz at the Covellite Theater in Butte, MT. Such a cool venue! 🤘
Favorite New Artist You Discovered
Two new artists that really blew me away were Gorilla T & Samplifire! I saw them both at Get Freaky, a halloween festival down in Salt Lake City, and I have never danced so hard in my life! 💃
Ryan – Vice President of Marketing & Promotions
Favorite Album Release
Billy Strings – Highway Prayers
Runner Up: Kitchen Dwellers – Seven Devils
Favorite Logjam Show
– There over 350 shows.. this is tough!
– Two of String Cheese. Nothing beats a Cheese crowd.
– Ween was also amazing. Grateful to have gotten two shows before the hiatus.
– And that Vampire Weekend Matinee was honestly probably the best…
– Mother Mother, The Elovaters, California Honeydrops (always), and Spunj @ Top Hat
Favorite Non-Logjam Show
Dead & Co at the Sphere
Favorite New Artist You Discovered
Of the Trees
Makenzie – Box Office & Ticketing Manager
Favorite Album Release
Flight b741! King Gizzard has been a favorite of mine going on almost a decade (first saw them Sasquatch 2016). Being able to grow with a band is so dope. King Gizz is great for this, cause like woah dog that’s a lot of albums. Flight b741 came out in August, and I still feel like I hear something new every time I listen to it. If you haven’t, give it a spin and don’t miss the live recordings of the songs.
Favorite Logjam Show
Ween. As soon as I received the ticketing letter for the two-night run, I was crying in the clerb. We were so lucky to witness those shows. A core memory was made by sharing the experience of singing along to all my favorite songs with my coworkers, homies and likeminded strangers. It was really special to bring a band I love so much to a place I love so much. There was not a bad seat in the Amp, everyone around was smiling and laughing and having a great time. I cried then, too. Anotha one is Sturgill Simpson. That guy is so damn cool.
Favorite Non-Logjam Show
Imma have to give this one to King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard as well. I was lucky enough to catch four Gizz shows in September, and they were more like art installment rather than shows.
Natural Child at the Bluebird was awesome as well. I had been waiting to see that band for yearz.
Favorite New Artist You Discovered
This wasn’t really a new discovery, but my appreciation for The Replacements grew so much this last year. Viagra Boys are tight, and I love some Sabrina Carpenter!
Megan – Box Office Operator
Favorite Album Release
AMAMA by Crumb – I have listened to Crumb for a while, but they seemed to do some experimenting with their already unique psych-pop sound in this album. It is awesome!
Favorite Logjam Show
Vampire Weekend – My high school self loved Vampire Weekend so I had to honor her music taste and they put on a great show!
Favorite Non-Logjam Show
Depeche Mode – They may be older now, but Depeche Mode still knows how to rock out.
Favorite New Artist You Discovered
Molchat Doma – I did a deep dive into Yugoslavian Synth Pop this year and this artist has been at the top of my favorites for a while now. Their band name translates to “Houses are Silent.”
Emily – Director of Operations
Favorite Album Release
“chillwave lo-fi” by Hannah Cottrell (Saint Sinner)
Favorite Logjam Show
So many memorable shows and moments on stage this year!
Big Boi opening up for Trombone Shorty on the KettleHouse Amphitheater stage! And petting the dog backstage who was wearing tiny, bedazzled jeans!
Hosting sign language interpreters at Ween’s long awaited return to Missoula. A true artform.
Seeing good friend, AudsR, making her debut on stage at The Wilma.
Being a (small) part of the (massive) production team for the 3 shows this summer at Wash-Griz stadium! I actually teared up during Tyler Childers – wild to feel the energy of that many people in one place!
Favorite Non-Logjam Show
Embarrassingly, 2024 was not a big travel year for me. I’m excited to finally check out the Sphere at an Anyma show this upcoming January! I also attended a really rad and intimate local, listening party for Jordan Lane’s newest album, “I Miss The Days When We Were Young.” Check it out!
Favorite New Artist You Discovered
Some recent favs include: SAULT (Wildfires), Bronze Whale (Let’s Go Walk), Emma Beko (BHS), Ethan Regan (wildflowers), ford. (EVERYTHINGSALRIGHT)
Campbell – Promotions Coordinator
To preface, Chappell Roan was my favorite everything this year. Stream “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” immediately if you have not done so.
Favorite Album Release
The Tortured Poet’s Department – Taylor Swift
Mood Swings – Marcus King
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone
Everything that Kendrick released.
Both Childish Gambino albums.
Favorite Logjam Show
Hands down, Mother Mother at The Wilma back in September! I was in awe the entire show, just in my own little world. LOVE THEM! They were my #4 artist this year, so I feel really lucky they came to Missoula.
Almost forgot it was this year too, Shakey Graves with my two best friends at The Wilma in July, was just incredible. They always are.
Shoutout to Blues Traveler + JJ at the Amp, Ween N1 at the Amp, and Paul Cauthen at The Wilma.
Favorite Non-Logjam Show
Pearl Jam at WA-Griz with my mama. It was so special to be there with her, we were smiling and hugging the whole time, it was just perfect. And when Lukas came out?!?! Shut. Up. Also saw Red Clay Strays up in Rexford, so cool to watch how fast they’ve grown recently.
Special mention for a different type of concert! I was lucky enough to see ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at His Majesty’s Theatre in London when I was visiting my little sister this spring, who was studying abroad. It has always been one of my favorites, so seeing it performed live for the first time was so cool! Such incredible talent had me quietly sobbing at the end, embarrassing my sister – the Phantom deserves love too!
Favorite New Artist You Discovered
Joy Oladokun & Reneé Rapp. Enough said, absolutely obsessed. You need to stop reading this and listen to them both right now.
Sven – Director of Communications
Favorite Album Release
I’ve really been digging Dirtwire’s Pyrochrome.
Favorite Logjam Show
Ziggy Marley at the Amp was so much fun. It was my first time seeing him. Also, Charley Crockett was special because I had my sister visiting from NYC and she got to go to the show with me and my buddies. Unforgettable memories!
Favorite Non-Logjam Show
Tyler Childers at Griz Stadium was awesome from the production to the musicianship. Those drone visuals were wild!
Favorite New Artist You Discovered
So many, but I’m going with Richard Houghten. It’s great instrumental music for work and he puts out a new song just about every week!
