Who Are the ‘Big 4’ Classic Rock Acts of 2024?

A lot of basic rock’s largest acts stayed busy in 2024 regardless of fixed (inaccurate) proclamations that rock is dying. These legends discovered loads of methods to seize headlines with new music, sold-out excursions, lineup modifications, reunions and renewed feuds.

It wasn’t simple choosing our Massive 4 Basic Rock Acts of 2024, so first we’ll supply up a number of honorable mentions.

As an example, Foreigner was actually worthy of consideration as their farewell tour continues after a long-overdue induction into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame. Vastly well-liked dates practically landed Judas Priest and Bruce Springsteen on our checklist, whereas a brand new album and big summer time trek might have positioned Inexperienced Day in our Massive 4 as effectively.

In the long run, nevertheless, the next acts gained out above the remaining, because the story of 2024’s rock music panorama merely couldn’t be advised with out them.

Rolling Stones

At this level, the Rolling Stones don’t must work one other day. They actually might have packed it up and referred to as it a profession following Charlie Watts’ loss of life in 2021, however as a substitute Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wooden returned with their twenty fourth studio album in late 2023. They carried that momentum into 2024 with a 20-show trek in assist of Hackney Diamonds during which the Stones as soon as once more proved to be an unequalled reside act. The tour introduced in $235 million in line with Billboard, making this their sixth to “earn greater than $200 million and tenth to gross greater than $100 million.” In the meantime, audiences raved concerning the exhibits, which featured set lists spanning their unimaginable profession.

Black Crowes

The Black Crowes have steadily elevated their exercise since reuniting in 2019. There was an preliminary tour, an EP of latest music, extra exhibits after which lastly a full-length album, Happiness Bastards. Their first new LP in 15 years marked a triumphant return. Chris Robinson proved his distinctive, soulful sound hadn’t waned within the years off, whereas his brother Wealthy Robinson delivered a number of the fieriest riffs within the band’s repertoire. Happiness Bastards was hailed by critics and earned a Grammy nomination for Finest Rock Album. In the meantime, the group resumed a heavy touring schedule, enjoying a complete of 80 exhibits throughout North America and Europe.

READ MORE: Prime 30 Rock Songs of 2024

The Treatment

Rumors concerning a brand new album from the Treatment circulated on-line for a few years. Anticipation surrounding a attainable LP was understandably excessive since their final album got here out in 2008. Nonetheless, many questioned whether or not the brand new materials would ever arrive as followers had been pressured to repeatedly await one thing to materialize. These issues had been lastly put to relaxation when Songs of a Misplaced World arrived in November. The LP proved to be well worth the wait as Robert Smith tangled with heady subjects like heartbreak and loss with a sort of unusually uplifting vulnerability that solely the Treatment can present. Simply their strongest effort in additional than 30 years, Songs of a Misplaced World returned the Treatment to rock’s forefront.

Pearl Jam

It was a busy 12 months for Pearl Jam, starting with their twelfth studio album, Darkish Matter. The band teamed with super-producer Andrew Watt on the LP, and proceeded to show they nonetheless know methods to craft fascinating, hard-hitting rock. With loads of uncooked aggression and occasional moments of magnificence, Darkish Matter harkened again to Pearl Jam’s early work in the absolute best methods. The album scored a trio of Grammy nominations, together with Finest Rock Album. In the meantime, they supported the discharge with a 38-show tour, together with a bevy of sold-out stadiums and headlining units on the BottleRock and Ohana festivals – the latter of which frontman Eddie Vedder based.