Following Marc A. Thiessen’s Dec. 26 op-ed, “The Who, Chicago and ’80s galore: My favorite concerts of 2025,” Post Opinions asked readers: “What were the best concerts you saw in 2025?” Here are some of the responses.
The best concert of last year was the best concert of every year: Each December, the U.S. Army Chorus, which is part of the U.S. Army Band, a.k.a. “Pershing’s Own,” comes to the Knollwood military retirement community to capture the spirit of the season. How special it is when Knollwood’s CEO, retired Maj. Gen. Tim McHale, introduces these talented musicians who embody patriotism, seasonal cheer and a salute to veterans here in our nation’s capital — the best concert venue anywhere. Best of all, chorus members remain after the concert to enjoy refreshments with the residents and lead sing-alongs of our favorite carols.
Kathy A. Megyeri, Washington
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones at Hill Auditorium. It was Fleck’s Christmas tour, and two of the highlights were “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” played in 12 different keys and 12 different time signatures, and “Jingle Bells” sung in Mongolian by Tuvan throat singers. A total delight!
Arthur Mitchell, Ann Arbor, Michigan
This year, my wife, Joanne, and I saw the Eagles, Ringo Starr, Santana, Paul Simon, Rhiannon Giddens and, most spectacularly wonderful, Jon Batiste. Along the way, we visited old friends and made new ones. I am tearful just thinking about it.
Jeffrey Fisher, Lithia, Florida
I heard Herb Alpert and his reconstituted Tijuana Brass at the Paramount Theatre in June. He’s 90 years old and still performing! And he’s still a great musician.
Jeanie Stokes, Denver
Herb Alpert! He was fantastic and worth going to see again.
Cherie C. Martinez, Tallahassee
The Coral Reefer Band’s tribute concert, titled “Keep the Party Going,” at the Wharf Amphitheater in Orange Beach, Alabama. Jimmy Buffett provided the soundtrack for me for more than 40 years. I felt I was able to thank him during the concert for giving me that gift. Highlights were “Miss You So Badly” and “One Particular Harbor” with Nadirah Shakoor on vocals.
Michael Hermes, Olathe, Kansas
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at Wolf Trap. Shorty brought all of the ambiance and raucousness of a Big Easy dive bar to a shed the size of Wolf Trap. A party from start to finish, including a second-line parade through the pavilion and lawn and a snippet from “Iron Man” in honor of Ozzy Osbourne. Nobody entertains and uplifts like Shorty. I left feeling drained in the best way possible.
Daniel Keiper, Falls Church
Neil Young in Bend, Oregon. He absolutely ripped, opened up with eight songs that were favorites from my youth, including “Powderfinger” and “Cowgirl in the Sand.” His voice sounded great, and his guitar was on fire.
David Anderson, Bethesda
Simple Minds at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands, north of Houston. I always liked their music, but I had the joy of seeing them for the first time with my two adult sons.
Ten years earlier, at the same place with the same sons and the same greatness, was a Hall & Oates concert.
Q: What extracts all the money from us baby boomers? A: Legacy rock groups that keep touring.
Craig Shumaker, Houston
I couldn’t believe how amazing Ann and Nancy Wilson are live. I saw Heart opening for the Rolling Stones in 1981, but Ann’s still powerful voice meant so much more to me in 2025. I saw Melissa Etheridge in the ’80s and Indigo Girls in Charleston just a few years ago, and it was so special to see them together in 2025. Emily Saliers’s voice isn’t the same, but she’s an icon and the crowd sang the songs with them and the band was sharp.
P.S. If you get the chance to see Sarah McLachlan, don’t miss her. She tells the story of her songs and had the audience in her hands last year.
Teri Wingate, Omaha
Paul McCartney at the Santa Barbara Bowl. This show was more than 60 years after the Beatles’ first concert in the U.S. Though his voice wasn’t quite what it once was, he had tons of energy and his band was phenomenal. By far the most impressive part of the show was his stage presence and how he addressed the audience. Even though the venue held almost 5,000 fans, there was an amazing intimacy; it felt like he was playing in my living room!
Louis Andaloro, Santa Barbara, California
Another older artist who is still performing is 89-year-old Buddy Guy. We saw him in May when he opened for Tedeschi Trucks Band. Buddy Guy as an opening act? His voice is still strong, his playing as bluesy as ever, and he truly enjoys his audience. We’ve been fortunate to meet and get a photo with him (simply for the cost of a T-shirt, which he signed). He is carrying on the wishes of B.B. King and Muddy Waters by keeping the blues alive.
Paula Miller, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina
Paul Anka. He began the concert by walking down the middle aisle toward the stage while singing “Diana.” What a beginning!
I first saw him at a post-prom concert in Philadelphia in 1958. Incidentally, that night he was delivering a monologue that seemingly obviously was going to end with him saying “Diana.” Much to the audience’s surprise, mine included, the name he ended with was Stella, not Diana. I don’t know why he did this, but my prom date’s name was Stella!
Richard Ronollo, Vienna
Following Sarah Fletcher’s Jan. 4 Sunday Opinion essay, “The magic has gone out of flirting. Maybe this infamous book had a point.,” Post Opinions wants to know: What should flirting look like in 2026? Send us your response, and it might be published as a letter to the editor. wapo.st/flirting
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