2022 in Review

Caroline Goodsell
Dec 13, 2022
5 min read

Updated: Dec 20, 2022

This year might be my favorite in music that I have experienced as a conscious being. A few albums released have become instant favorites of mine, and it was by far my best year of concerts. I went to 14 concerts, saw 12 openers, and went to 12 sets at Shaky Knees. Plus I met some of my idols!

I‘ve sorted through albums and concert pictures and have narrowed them down to my top 10 each. Here’s my year in review!

Top 10 Live Shows:

Red Hot Chili Peppers, August 10th at Truist Park - My absolute favorite band ever. We got there at noon and I have never been more excited to wait in a line for 6 hours. We had VIP pit tickets and ended up being second row from the stage. I stopped breathing when I saw Flea in the wings during Thundercat and started crying when John came out. Plus they played WET SAND. Best show of my life forever.
The 1975, November 12th at State Farm Arena - My other favorite band of all time! Our seats were in 119 and were actually perfect. We tried to break into the pit but were sent back. Apparently most people in the pit couldn’t see the stage though so it ended up being a good thing. This was just the best vibes ever. Everyone jumping and singing along during The Sound, If You’re Too Shy, and It’s Not Living are moment I’ll never forget.
Fleet Foxes, July 30th at the Coca Cola Roxy - When I went to this concert, I really only knew Shore and White Winter Hymnal. We were pretty close up, and Uwade captured my attention before they even started. Once they did, I was mesmerized by the visuals and sound of the full band. I’ve never felt so surrounded by music in my life. I didn’t know half of the songs but I loved every moment, literally. I also love the way Robin interacts with the crowd and how chill the atmosphere was. Extra points because he reposted me on his story!
REM Chronic Town 40th Anniversary Concert, December 15th at the Coca Cola Roxy - The show started a mere 10 minutes after I met Peter Buck, Kevn Kinney, and Fred Armisen backstage, but I was sane enough to see that this was one of the coolest shows I will ever get to go to. Everyone was here. Everyone. Mike Mills and Peter Buck played alongside the rest of the Baseball Project, and appearances were made by Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes, Darius Rucker, Pylon, Mitch Easter, Elf Power, Fred, Kevn, and David Ryan Harris, who gave THE most beautiful performance of Everybody Hurts. And it was all hosted by Uncle Ian from Alvin and the Chipmunks! He made it so amusing and it was so cute to see people who enjoyed this music when they were in college still having fun with it.
Inhaler, March 4th at Terminal West - I loved this show because it was so small and felt so intimate. I think it had the highest percentage of women compared to men at any concert I've ever been to, which was funny but also comforting. This show also had AMAZING lighting and the band sounded great. I cannot believe Eli's voice. The highlight of this show was Eli noticing my friend's "It's my birthday" sign and getting the whole room to sing to her! Surreal. Only downside to this was that the opener SUCKED.
Love Tractor, March 18th at the 40 Watt Club - This was an experience. First, Love Tractor was absolutely amazing. They sounded exactly as they did in the 80s and their tone was incredible. I loved the atmosphere of the 40 Watt - a place that everyone in there had been going to for 40 years. It was chill and intimate, but much more so than Terminal West. Probably because it was filled with 60 year olds rather than screaming teenage girls. Anyway, this was the night I met Mike Mills! He was not far away from me in the audience and I couldn't help but occasionally look over. However, I'd say the most unique thing about this night was watching Danny Beard dance. Danny Beard as in DB Records; an Athens legend. All I can say is that I have never seen anyone dance like him. The show ran til 12:30 and we stayed past 1 am talking to Mike, Danny, Betty Alice Fowler, and even Mark Cline from the band. Some of the most fun I've ever had.
Futurebirds, October 22nd at The Eastern - We got there 30 minutes early and somehow no one was there so we saved a place at the barricade. Then Womz himself came out and said hey to everyone already there! He was super nice and took pictures with everyone. I ended up talking to him after the show, too, and he signed my phone case (I didn't ask, but I appreciated it anyway). I didn't like the opener's lead singer and his cocky attitude, but all was well when the Birds came on. They fuckin' rocked. And I ended up falling in love with Mr Cartezz, whom we were right in front of. Throughout the concert, Womz took like 50 videos on fans' phones, mine included! T'was a great night.
Green Day, April 29th at Shaky Knees - I think this may be the most pure fun I've ever had at a concert. I have almost 0 knowledge of Green Day songs besides the basics everyone knows. I knew none of the words but didn't care! No one did! We just danced. Billie Joe still sounds the same as he did on records 20 years ago and had just as much energy. There were fireworks, confetti, and two guitar giveaways! They are seriously the best performers I have ever seen.
Mt. Joy, April 30th at Shaky Knees and October 18th at the Coca Cola Roxy - These two shows are tied for me. I'm not one for daytime shows, but their set at Shaky Knees was one of my favorite SK experiences. The crowd was amazing and the band had the BEST energy. Only downside was I didn't know the words to like any of their songs and couldn't sing along. The Roxy show was also amazing. One of the highlights of that show was the lighting - something I'm a sucker for. I knew more words this time, but still not all of them. Another great experience.
Motel Radio, September 2nd at the Seaside Amphitheater - I had literally never heard of them before that day but we saw them doing soundcheck at lunch, looked them up, and saw that their album release show was there that night. Super chill, great music, and everyone got up dancing on the stage at the end. I got a setlist and picture with the guitarist after the show - who turned out to be the bassist for Summer Salt!