Few things are more transformative than experiencing an incredible show. Whether you’re standing at the rail to see your favorite band, investigating an up-and-coming artist, or just there for a good time, there’s no greater feeling than having your expectations exceeded. Lucky for us, our readers seemed to agree when we asked them to name the best live bands right now. Their answers weren’t contingent on genre, ranging from hardcore heroes to emo alumni and far beyond. With a summer filled with stacked tours, these are only a handful of the best live bands right now, according to our readers. Find the top fan picks ranked below.
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5. Pierce the Veil
For the past decade-and-a-half, Pierce the Veil have straddled the worlds of post-hardcore, emo, and pop punk — creating anthems that are now being adopted by a whole new generation. After supporting blink-182 on a stadium tour last year, the band recently headed out on their very own headlining run in mid-May — one that celebrates all of their different eras. “You can’t buy the time we’ve put into playing small shows and building this community… Pierce the Veil has always made emotional music that touches people in a deeper way than perhaps a pop song might, and we’ve been sharing that connection with them since 2006,” Vic Fuentes said during their AP cover story last year. That connection has been especially palpable during their current run, where they’re ripping through many of their most beloved songs — including “Caraphernelia,” “Circles,” and “King for a Day” with Kellin Quinn.
4. Turnstile
As Charli XCX predicted, it’s about to be a Turnstile summer. The band are gearing up for their new album, NEVER ENOUGH, and although they haven’t officially confirmed a supporting tour, it feels inevitable. Even as they’ve broken out of Baltimore and adopted a widescreen sound, their hardcore ethos has never changed — and that holds true at their gigs. Their shows are completely wild and meant to make you move, with bodies flying all over the room while their riffy, feel-good hardcore embodies the PMA that’s rooted in veterans like Bad Brains and Youth of Today. After opening for blink-182 last year, Turnstile are well versed in how to function in arenas, which seems to be where they’re headed. The crowds are only bound to get bigger as they enter a whole new era.
3. L.S. Dunes
Of course a group of esteemed scene veterans is going to know how to put on a fantastic live show. L.S. Dunes — featuring Anthony Green, Frank Iero, Travis Stever, Tim Payne, and Tucker Rule — started as “a lifeline during the pandemic,” and their bond has only continued to deepen over the years. The project is a reflection of five friends following their “first best guess,” living in the present, and doing what they love, which is reflected in their incendiary stage presence. Since making their live debut at Riot Fest in 2022, the band have only continued to grow more impassioned, meticulous, and in sync with each other, especially after wrapping their Like Magick tour earlier this month.
2. twenty one pilots
Whenever twenty one pilots play live, it’s always an unforgettable experience. Tyler Joseph is known to climb the scaffolding (or sing from the top of a burning car, as he did on the Bandito tour), whereas Josh Dun knocks out a backflip or two. He’s even had his drum risers lifted in the air by the crowd, which is a feat in and of itself. From the intense stage production to the fan interaction, TOP clearly operate on an entirely different level when it comes to their live shows — quickly escalating to bigger and better venues over the years. When you think about it, it’s no wonder that they’ve continued to expand, winning over crowds and drawing them into their deeply woven lore with pure showmanship.
1. ONE OK ROCK
A lot of shows feel like spiritual experiences, but ONE OK ROCK’s gigs just seem to hit differently. For one, their fanbase is fierce, deeply loyal, and empathic, creating community wherever they go. That extends to their live shows in particular, where that energy culminates spectacularly. It’s not hard for them to command a packed-out room, possessing the savvy of bands twice their age while their fans holler along through the whole set. ONE OK ROCK have a stacked year ahead, including shows across the globe and an opening date with Linkin Park in July.