2023 Favorite Concert
Classical music? Check.
Metalcore? Check.
Time’s Person of the Year? Yeah, we’ve got that too.
From intimate sets to huge stadium shows, music moved us to dance, feel, and come together as nothing else could.
See what had our Favorite Things panel on their feet in 2023.
Normally I’d say something country at Riverbend, but this year it was the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra!
I had the opportunity to chaperone my son’s fourth grade class field trip and we all had a great time together. We are so fortunate to have CSO, Music Hall and so many other beautiful treasures in this town.
– Sarah Celenza
Flo Rida at Kroger Wellness Fest – Best free concert I have seen!
– Megan Coffey
Shakey Graves at Bogarts.
– Hillary Copsey
Pink at GABP She is an amazing performer!!!!!
– Bridget England
And Krista Katona Pille agrees:
PINK at Great American Ballpark – It was one giant summer party! No one puts on a show like PINK – She literally FLEW in the air!
AlphaWolf, Knocked Loose, and Motionless in White but also LS Dunes
– Christian Gill
Opening night of our new production of Madama Butterfly.
– Evans Mirageas
Beyonce! But in Cincinnati, it was The Reunion Tour at Andrew Brady Music Center
– Jenifer Moore
Photos by Shae Huth
TAYLOR SWIFT!
– Kathrine Nero
No really…
Taylor Swift who is raising a generation of good people. The two days of concerts at Paycor were memorable in so many ways for me and our city.
– Jackie Reau
Kronos Quartet at Memorial Hall
– Mindy Rosen
It’s a tie!
Taylor Swift at Paycor Stadium was the most wholesome display of friendship, feminine power, and fun I may have ever seen. People complimenting each other! Singing along in unison! Giving each other friendship bracelets!
Before the show, a young woman asked me if I wanted a friendship bracelet and showed me a giant bag filled with beaded masterpieces. I said thank you, but I didn’t have one for her. Assuring me that its was fine, she let me choose one. Once I stopped sobbing from this adorable kindless. I picked one that read “EVERMORE,” my favorite album.
Later that night the title track was one of the “secret songs.” I have considered that bracelet a good luck talisman since then.
Patti Smith at Homecoming. Seeing a woman command the stage at an age when so many others have retired, was astonishing. Not that I expected anything less from the godmother of punk. From reading an Alan Ginsberg poem to a rapt crowd to telling a story about “Bobby” Mapplethorpe, she had captivated the crowd. She was also in fine voice that night, joining The National during their set for “I Need My Girl.” She was a revelation and an inspiration.
– Tricia Suit
Candlelight Concert at Memorial Hall – Super relaxing and magical.
– Amy Thompson
Taylor Swift.
– Courtney Tomasetti
(Seriously, we mean it. It was a really good show.)
James Taylor – First time to see him in person.
– Jayne Utter