By: Jay Broderick - 2024 was a big year for us here at LoudTO. It was a year of great growth for our little online music magazine. We added 2 new contributors in Dan Duffin, and Michael Drukarsh, and we could not be happier with what they have both brought to the table. They are fantastically gifted photographers with a penchant of writing amazing pieces of accompaniment. We also had some success in receiving accreditation to cover some very big shows happening in the GTA.
It is without saying, choosing the best moments of 2024 came with much more difficulty than last year's Best Of list. So without further delay, and with December being a typically slower month, here are our TOP 5 MOMENTS OF 2024:
NUMBER FIVE: A New Contributor Joins the Ranks to Cover Zero Tolerance - April 19, 2024 at The Casbah
April 19th, 2024 was a massive milestone for us here at LoudTO. It was the first show to be covered by somebody other than our 'zine's founder. And this was not a one-off collaboration. Photojournalist Dan Duffin agreed to stick around, and to date, has covered 6 shows for us. But it was the Zero Tolerance show in April where he got his feet wet in the world of concert photography. As a photographer, this was not an easy assignment. Lighting in smaller venues is typically difficult to navigate. Dan smashed it, and LoudTO was better for it.
NUMBER FOUR: Death to All - May 30, 2024 at The Phoenix Concert Theatre
For me, it would be a travesty not to include a Death to All concert when reflecting for a "Best of" list. At least, this has been my experience to date. And there will be no exception, based on the band's appearance at The Phoenix Concert Theatre on May 30th, 2024. Well regarded as the Pioneers of Death Metal, they have continued to honour their fallen founder Chuck Schuldiner, making it a point to keep hitting the road, and celebrating the music that defined a genre. Heavy Metal legends Steve Digiorgio on bass, Gene Hoglan on drums, Bobby Koelble on guitar, and carrying the load, filling the massive shoes of the Godfather of Death Metal, Max Phelps on vocals and guitar, Death to All deserves far more credit than I feel they get. The story and photos from the May 30, 2024 show can be found HERE.
NUMBER THREE: Another Soldier Joins the Photo Pit for LoudTO, and is Blown Away by King Diamond
As mentioned, LoudTO opened its doors to 2 new photojournalists in 2024. We already shared a big moment with Dan Duffin at number 5 above. The second contributor to jump on board was Michael Drukarsh, when he reached out to us in August, seeking an opportunity to cover the King Diamond show in Toronto in November. Based on our discussions, how could we not come to an agreement? While the King Diamond show was not the first show Drukarsh covered for us, it was the one that prompted the discussions, and based on his review, the concert was at the top of the list as one of the best of the year. Like Dan, we are absolutely honoured to have Michael on board.
NUMBER TWO: Blood and Guts at the Liss Gallery with Billy Morrison
In July, we received an invitation to attend a VIP art exhibit at Toronto's Liss Gallery. Local artist Johnathan Ball had collaborated with fellow artist, and Billy Idol guitarist Billy Morrison, and the the pair's work was being displayed at the gallery throughout the month of August. It was without doubt that we would attend and provide coverage, in helps of bringing awareness to our readership. There is more to the world of Rock and Roll than just music, and we were happy to share it. What an honour to be invited. With a surprise guest to close out the evening, this will easily be a moment that never gets forgotten.
HONOURABLE MENTION: Canada's Teen Jam, October 10, 2024 at TD Music Hall
Before we get to our number one moment of 2024, it is imperative that I make mention of Canada's Teen Jam. Of course we relish the moments when we get the opportunity to cover some of our favourite, well known bands, but here at LoudTO, we love promoting local music, and those bands just getting their feet wet. In October, we emphatically joined forces with Canada's Teen Jam to bring you our country's next musical prodigies. And based on this showcase, our future looks amazing! Stay tuned for more of our collaboration with this wonderful event, as it continues through 2025.
NUMBER ONE: Creed - July 30, 2024 at Budweiser Stage
Say what you will... love 'em or hate 'em... this was not only the biggest moment for LoudTO in 2024, it has been the biggest moment for our little magazine... EVER! A couple factors play into this. Selfishly, it was the grand scale of this concert. We were there with less than a handful of other musical outlets covering this show. What an experience in itself. More importantly though, this concert was simply AMAZING! Yes, I said it, and I said it LOUD!
In a nutshell, the band sounded fantastic, the pyrotechnics were on fire (see what I did there??), and the crowd? Man.... THE CROWD! As noted in our article's headline, Creed vocalist Scott Stapp announced "I can't remember a crowd this good!" Now, you may say that all bands, in an attempt to pump them up and make them feel worthy, tell the crowd that they are the best. Sorry to break your bubble, but bands do not say this at every show. And we were there to corroborate the sentiments at this one. Like the band, and the pyrotechnics, the crowd at this show was on fire!!!!
Throw in opening acts like Big Wreck and Finger Eleven, and DAMN! NUMBER ONE!!!
Above: Ian Thornley of Big Wreck and Scott Anderson of Finger Eleven perform live in support of Creed at Budweiser Stage in Toronto. Photos By: Jay Broderick
It makes me sad to have to leave a bunch of other moments off the list. There were literally a ton of great moments in this big year for us. You can scroll through all our coverage HERE and make up your own minds. Perhaps you were even at these shows, and have your own thoughts.
I can honestly say that I'm not sure how it can get much better from here, but I can also honestly say that we have even grander expectations for 2025.
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