By Liam Isola 
Before 2025, I hadn’t been to a concert for an artist I genuinely enjoyed since just before COVID-19 hit. This year, I rediscovered the joys of live music, and I regret not going to more shows over the last few years. Concert travel became a huge part of my 2025, as live shows energize me and I have yet to feel like they’re a waste of money.
I’m based in Mexico City most of the time. Unfortunately, a lot of American/European artists skip CDMX on their tours. After seeing a band called Unwound in Brooklyn during a trip home in September, though, I couldn’t resist buying tickets for other artists I loved in the Mid-Atlantic US, where most of my family is.
Thankfully, I did get to see a few of my favorite artists here in Mexico this year, but that was the exception, not the norm. So, in this article, I’ll be looking back at my concert travels this year. I’ll explain how you can do so as well, and how it can be a great way to discover a new city.
I’ll also share the list of my top 10 favorite albums of the year at the end!
Concert Travel 2025
Getting Back into Music
Everyone who has spent more than a few hours around me over the past year knows that I love Magdalena Bay. I had only heard their 2024 album Imaginal Disk for the first time in April, and it quickly became my favorite album of all time.
The album completely renewed my interest in new music, and by extension, live music. My priority became seeing Magdalena Bay live, and I noticed they were playing a show in Philadelphia in late October.
I purchased a couple of tickets and combined this with a Big Thief show at NYC’s Forest Hills Stadium the night before, which was a birthday gift for my sister.
So, I managed to find a $375 MEX-EWR round-trip flight on Aeromexico to visit home for one week and get both concerts in. During the summer, I also bought Sunday tickets to Mexico City’s Corona Capital festival to see Deftones in November.
My first concert travel of the year, though, was during an already-planned trip home in September. Due to Mexico City’s relentless rainy season from June to October, I spent a large portion of the summer away from the city.
So, I was mostly in NJ in August/September, but also traveled to England, Washington DC, and Chicago. I noticed Unwound, a 90s post-hardcore band, was doing a reunion tour. I decided I couldn’t miss out on seeing one of my favorites.
For being in their 50s, they had a ridiculous amount of energy. That concert set off a domino effect for me.
Hooked on Live Shows
Once I got back to CDMX, I bought tickets for Big Thief’s first-ever Mexico City show in October, which had great energy, and for popular Mexican singer-songwriter Natalia LaFourcade one week later.
Then, Geese and Wednesday released two of the best albums of 2025 just a week apart in September. So, I wanted to make sure to find a way to see them both on tour, as neither was coming down to Mexico. Knowing I was going to fly home for Thanksgiving anyway, I bumped my trip up one week.
Although not a perfect plan, Geese were in Brooklyn on November 20th, and Wednesday had a show in Washington DC on November 22nd.
This year, my sister and I bonded over a shared taste in music.
After the Geese show on Thursday, we drove down to DC. It wasn’t just for concert travel, though. We visited friends in DC on the 21st and had an early Thanksgiving meal with family before the Wednesday show the next day.
I also noticed Clipse (Pusha T and Malice) were playing a show around the New Year in New York City and absolutely couldn’t miss out. So, I’m combining my trip home for Christmas with their show on December 30th.
For me, the easiest way to do concert travel is to combine it with trips home that I know I’m already going to take. That’s going to be the cheapest way for you to do the same. If you’re traveling to visit family, or on business, check the live shows that will be in the area during that time.
2026 Concert Travel – Combining New Cities with Live Shows
Still, I’m taking things one step further next year. My concert travel in 2026 will be to visit places I’ve never been and see shows and festivals, while I’m at it.
The last weekend in March, I’ll be flying up from Mexico City to Monterrey to go to the Tecate Pa’l Norte Festival. It’s the largest music festival in Mexico, and I’m excited to see genre-defying hardcore band Turnstile there.
I was able to use VivaAerobus flight credits and transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points to Hyatt Points to make the biggest out-of-pocket expense the festival tickets themselves.
In fact, the Hyatt in Monterrey is only 5000 points per night. Using points, it’s the cheapest accommodation during what will be a crazy weekend in Monterrey!
I’m planning on going one step further in May, as I visit Brazil for the first time. After going to Rio de Janeiro, I have plans to head to São Paulo for the C6 Fest on May 23rd and 24th. Cameron Winter is doing a solo set, which is separate from the main festival.
While resale tickets for his shows in New York started at $540, I paid $28 for his set at C6 Festival. The $28 for the show and $480 round-trip flight from Mexico City to Sao Paulo is cheaper than seeing him in NYC would have been.
It feels like a win-win to do concert travel to see artists I love and visit cities for the first time. Chase recently devalued their Ultimate Rewards points for bookings made after October 26, 2025 so I’m making sure to use the points while I can.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders should also activate the $150 StubHub credit. The credit, which can also be used on Viagogo, resets every six months, and will limit out-of-pocket concert expenses.
Concert Travel: All of My 2025 Shows
Unwound – September 8th – NYC
I went to their show Brooklyn with a friend who had never heard of them, and he seemed to have a great time. They played songs from one of their lesser-known albums, called The Future of What. Once they started playing the hits, the crowd got raucous.
I had a great time, and this set off a domino effect for me. I guess you could call it making up for lost time.
Big Thief – Oct. 1 – Mexico City
They noted the crowd was one of the best they’d ever had and seemed sincere about it. I was almost front row for an incredible night of seeing one of my favorite bands live. They did a bit of everything here. Songs from their new album Double Infinity, Adrianne Lenker solo stuff, and older fan-favorites.
Natalia LaFourcade – Oct. 7 – Mexico City
I had only listened to Natalia LaFourcade for the first time this year and quickly got hooked. I went with the friend who introduced me to her, Leo Hermes, who makes great music of his own.
Natalia made sure to shine the spotlight all of the musicians she was playing with and had lots of chemistry with her band.
Had a bit of a scare, as the tickets I bought on StubHub for a suspiciously low price ended up being fake. I’d recommend only buying mobile transfer tickets on StubHub for that reason, and not physical tickets.
I got a refund and managed to secure tickets from a scalper. Even though we were in the nosebleeds at Auditorio Nacional, she sounded great. For being eight months pregnant, her energy was incredible!
Big Thief – NYC – Oct. 25
This was the first of four shows I went to with my sister this year. The show wasn’t as exciting as the show in Mexico City, but they made sure to bring on all of the musicians who played on the album on stage
Magdalena Bay – Philadelphia – Oct. 26
One of the coolest nights of my life. I bought VIP tickets and got a signed poster, an exclusive acoustic performance with the band, a Q&A session, as well as early entry to the venue.
I lost my voice after this one and was on a high for weeks after this. Please see them live before they blow up. They’re first-class performers and my favorite band for a reason.
Corona Capital Festival – Mexico City – Nov 16
This time, the physical StubHub ticket ended up being real. Hearing Deftones live was a dream of mine, and I’m thrilled I got to make it happen. I heard mixed things about their live shows, but I had an absolute blast and feel bad for the friend I was with, whose ear I was screaming in the entire time.
TV on the Radio were surprisingly great, as I never got too deep into their music.
It was a bit surreal to see a band from my home state NJ (Real Estate) in Mexico, but their set was great. I also got to see Alexandra Savior and rising pop star Adela.
I was disappointed that Pink Pantheress cancelled a few days before the festival, but the price of admission was well worth it.
Geese – NYC – Nov. 20
More concert travel, as I had just arrived back home the day before.
I waited outside of the venue for 90 minutes before doors opened so I could get a great spot. Shout out to my sister for bringing me food from Junior’s while we waited in line.
We ended up being front row, right in front of singer/rhythm guitarist Cameron Winter. It was a show with crazy energy, and I ended up getting the setlist Winter was using during the concert.
Wednesday – Washington, DC – Nov. 22
This was the most concert travel of the year, as my sister and I drove four hours from New Jersey.
I learned from my mistake a couple of nights earlier at the Geese show, where I was getting pushed against the barrier and not joining in on any of the mosh pit fun.
I was in the pit for the entire show, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good Karly Hartzman’s vocals sounded live. This was one of the best shows of the year for me and the 9:30 Club is a great venue.
Clipse – NYC – December 30th
TBD
My Top 10 Albums of 2025
1. Geese – Getting Killed
In my opinion, this is the best rock record since Radiohead’s In Rainbows. It manages to be effortlessly experimental, groovy, and anthemic. It’s been a big year for frontman Cameron Winter, whose solo album Heavy Metal, which was actually released in December 2024, also blew up.
Emily Green’s guitar-playing is otherworldly at times, while the rhythm section of bassist Dominic DiGesu and drummer Max Bassin holds everything together.
Standout tracks: “Au Pays du Cocaine”, “Bow Down”, “Taxes”
2. Wednesday – Bleeds
Karly Hartzman’s highly-specific lyrics paint a picture of suburban North Carolina life equal parts depressing and humorous. I adore the blend of alt-country, shoegaze, and grunge on this album.
For me, Wednesday are the best band in the lane they’re in and one of the best in the indie scene today. MJ Lenderman’s guitar work and Xandy Chelmis’ lap steel playing are excellent. This record is also more cohesive than 2023’s Rat Saw God.
Standout Tracks: “Wound Up Here (By Holdin On)”, “Elderberry Wine”, “Pick Up That Knife”
3. Clipse – Let God Sort Em’ Out
Pusha T and brother Malice reunite for their first record as Clipse since 2009. While there’s plenty of their signature “Coke Rap” on here, the album starts with “The Birds Don’t Sing”, a heartfelt ode to their parents, whose passing brought them back together as a duo.
This album, which flows incredibly well, was the soundtrack to my Summer.
Standout Tracks: “The Birds Don’t Sing”, “So Be It”, “Ace Trumpets”
4. Deftones – Private Music
Frankly, I find it absurd that Deftones’ 10th album, 37 years into their illustrious career, is this good. This is easily their best album since 2012’s Koi No Yokan, with flawless sequencing and the signature Deftones heavy/atmospheric mixture.
Deftones were one of the first metal bands I got into, and their explosion in popularity over the last few years is unsurprising given their excellent discography.
Standout Tracks: “infinite source”, “milk of the madonna”, “departing the body”
5. Turnstile – NEVER ENOUGH
Speaking of heavy and atmospheric, Turnstile decided to take 2021’s GLOW ON to its logical conclusion. No band that can be remotely described as hardcore punk is doing what Turnstile is.
They manage to mix their hardcore roots with dream pop, funk, and new wave to create something wholly unique, catchy, and fun! It took me a while to come around on this, but this is one of the year’s best records.
Standout Tracks: “I CARE”, “SUNSHOWER”, “BIRDS”
6. Rosalia – LUX
This is a record that blew me away the first time I heard it. As Magdalena Bay did in 2024, Rosalia pushed pop to its absolute limits with LUX. It’s a minor miracle that this disparate classical and flamenco-influenced pop album manages to work as a cohesive whole.
Standout Tracks: “Berghain”, “La Perla”, “La Rumba del Perdón”
7. Pink Pantheress – Fancy That
I was hurt when U.K. phenom Pink Pantheress cancelled on Mexico City’s Corona Capital Festival at the last minute. That hasn’t stopped me from listening to the year’s most relentlessly catchy collection of tunes.
Standout Tracks: “Illegal”, “Tonight”, “Stateside”
8. Maruja – Pain to Power
I’ve never heard a saxophone sound this heavy and sinister before. Even so, this is a lyrically uplifting album that can’t be neatly categorized into one genre. This record expertly combines elements of post-rock, punk ,and rap.
Standout Tracks: “Look Down On Us”, “Saoirse”, “Reconcile”
9. Racing Mount Pleasant – Racing Mount Pleasant
Formerly known as Kingfisher, this young band from Michigan made one of the year’s most beautiful and emotional records. They sound a bit like Maruja at times, and draw from Black Country, New Road, and Broken Social Scene as well.
Standout Tracks: “Emily”, “Racing Mount Pleasant”, “Call It Easy”
10. César y su Jardín – CORRE Y SUELTA A LOS PERROS
What the hell is in the water in Veracruz? Veracruz natives Natalia LaFourcade and Silvana Estrada both dropped highly-regarded albums this year.
However, it was little-known César y su Jardín who released my favorite Mexican album of the year. If progressive Mexican Folk music sounds appealing to you, check this one out.
Standout Tracks: “SUBIR EL MONTE”, “MORDER EL FUEGO”, “TODOS LOS FUEGOS AL FUEGO”
Honorable Mentions:
Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful, Candelabro – Deseo, carne y voluntad, Natalia LaFourcade – Cancionera, Jane Remover – Revengeseekerz, Big Thief – Double Infinity, Danny Brown – Stardust, Quadeca – VANISHER, HORIZON SCRAPER
Here’s to plenty more concert travel in 2026 for both you and I. Comment below with your best concert story!