FEATURE: Top 20 hard rock / metal tours we’re looking forward to in 2024

Photo: Sevendust recently released their 14th studio album, Truth Killer, out now on Napalm Records. Photo courtesy of Chuck Bruckmann / Provided by PFA with permission.

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Predicting the best concerts for a calendar year can be a fool’s errand, especially on Jan. 1, because not all gigs have been announced yet. But enough tours have been promoted and are currently on sale to make such a list somewhat helpful to music lovers who are trying to chart the year ahead. So, with a huge caveat that more are to be announced in the coming days and weeks, here’s a look at some exciting concerts in the genres of hard rock and heavy metal …

#20 — Corey Taylor — The Slipknot frontman continues his solo tour behind the recent recording effort CMF2. This outfit is definitely more rock than metal, but audiences seem to be enjoying themselves. Taylor makes a second run of dates in North America in the early part of 2024. One anticipated highlight of Taylor’s solo tour: hearing Zach Throne, who is a central part of the band and a former shredder with Kiss’ Ace Frehley.

#19 — Foo Fighters — Yes, Foo Fighters should be much higher on this list. The only reason they are relegated to the bottom is because they are continuing off the unprecedented rebound that happened in 2023. Some outlets named them the best band of last year for authentically and respectfully honoring the legacy of the late Taylor Hawkins and setting the groundwork for the future of the band. In 2024, fans will be able to enjoy this rocking band in the summer months, no doubt with some surprises thrown in. They may be a bit low on this list, but there’s no denying they are THE rock band of this generation, and deservedly so. North American dates kick off in May and continue through August.

#18 — Voivod and Prong — Only a few weeks ago this double bill was announced, and fans seem quite excited. Both metal outfits have new albums to tour behind, and both have earned tons of respect in the industry. In fact, Prong’s State of Emergency is definitely one of the best releases in 2023, no matter the genre. Tommy Victor, Prong’s frontman and creative center, is a legend at this point, thanks to his work with his own band and also Danzig. If the Voivod dates don’t work, one can also catch Prong next week on two Northeast gigs with Life of Agony.

#17 — Queensrÿche — Arguably the hardest-working metal band out there, Queensrÿche continue to tour and give new life to their long legacy. Catch them in 2024, with most dates occurring in March and April, but honestly they seem to be on a nonstop tour. Wait a few months, and they’ll be around again.

#16 — Extreme / Living Colour — The second North American leg of Extreme’s Thicker Than Blood tour takes the rockers on a string of dates starting in a few weeks. They’re heading out once again with Living Colour as the opening act. Fans should expect tunes like “Hurricane,” “Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee,” “Get the Funk Out,” “Rise” and, of course, “More Than Words.”

#15 — Def Leppard and Journey — One of the largest summer stadium tours comes courtesy of Def Leppard and Journey, who will be joining with Steve Miller Band, Cheap Trick and Heart on select dates. This is decidedly less raunchy and loud than Def Leppard’s last stadium trek with Motley Crüe, Poison and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, but this summertime triple bill should be triple the fun. No one sounds better than Def Leppard right now, who are firing on all cylinders.

#14 — Ministry and Gary Numan — In 2023, Ministry headed out in the late summer on an awesome tour with Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper and Filter. They provided metal-tastic sounds in the middle of the quadruple bill, and now fans can catch them on a headlining tour with Gary Numan. Expect politically and socially-conscious lyricism with pounding guitar riffs. Seeing Al Jourgensen live is a must.

#13 — Mr. Big — Although Mr. Big straddles the line between rock and hard rock, this one makes the list because the band is apparently calling it quits with one final tour. This may be the last chance for music lovers to enjoy “Addicted to the Rush,” “Alive and Kickin’,” “My Kinda Woman” and an expert cover of Cat Stevens’ “Wild World.” Check out Hollywood Soapbox’s interview with Mr. Big’s bass player Billy Sheehan.

#12 — Static-X and Sevendust — This double bill will tear apart eardrums in the early part of 2024. Both bands are sounding spot on with their take-no-prisoners approach to mosh-worthy musicality. This one is not to be missed. Check out Hollywood Soapbox’s interview with Sevendust frontman Lajon Witherspoon.

#11 — Zakk Sabbath — Technically Zakk Sabbath’s tour started in December, but it’s still going strong in the first few days of 2024. Zakk Wylde, a man of many bands, is taking his Black Sabbath tribute band out for a spin while he’s on break from Pantera and Black Label Society. This is the closest Sabbath and Ozzy fans will come to hearing this music performed live from an expert interpreter. Of course, if the Zakk pSabbath dates don’t work, Pantera is also an option, either on their headlining tour or opening for Metallica.

#10 — KK’s Priest — Finally North America receives a proper KK’s Priest tour. K.K. Downing’s band, fronted by Tim “Ripper” Owens, will allow fans of Downing and Judas Priest to hear some of the best metal riffs ever constructed in a live setting. Plus the band is not simply a Judas Priest wannabe outfit; they have released well-received new music, which no doubt will be worked into the setlist as well. L.A. Guns and Burning Witches join the metal mayhem. Check out Hollywood Soapbox’s interview with KK’s Priest frontman Tim “Ripper” Owens.

#9 — The Rolling Stones — No doubt the Rolling Stones should be #1 on anyone’s list. The octogenarians continue to rock out and never talk of retirement. They released a respected new album in fall 2023, and now they are heading out in North America to bring the new songs, along with their classic catalog, to adoring fans who can’t get enough of Mick, Keith and company. As with any outing of the Stones, this could be it, so ticket buyers take heed.

#8 — Godsmack — Godsmack makes it this high on the list because they are heading out on an unusual tour of acoustic sounds and storytelling, a welcome treat for longtime fans who have been rocking out with the metal legends this past year. One hopes they also plug in and blast out some tunes, but whatever happens, they will not be “standing alone.” The Godsmack faithful will turn out for this Vibez tour. Bastian da Cruz joins the guys as the opening act.

#7 — Metallica — Metallica put on some of the best concerts in 2023, and thankfully they continue the metal onslaught in 2024 — with the same friends opening up once again. The M72 tour brings them to several cities for two nights of pounding and moshing, with each night featuring a unique set list and unique openers. Scheduled to appear: Ice Nine Kills, Mammoth WVH, Pantera and Five Finger Death Punch. To continue the music loving, check out these opening acts on their own headlining tours as well.

#6 — John 5 & The Creatures — John 5, the new guitarist for Mötley Crüe and former guitarist for Rob Zombie, heads out this winter on a much-anticipated solo tour with the Creatures. The shredder will bring his love and dedication for metal to his many fans around the country. VIP tickets get concertgoers in to experience soundcheck and take some pictures with arguably this generation’s best guitarist.

#5 — Amon Amarth — Viking metal band Amon Amarth joins forces with Cannibal Corpse, Obituary and Frozen Soul for the Metal Crushes All tour. This is a special treat. Last summer North American audiences had the chance to check out Amon Amarth as the opening act for Ghost, but the band left the crowd wanting more. Now, music lovers have the chance to enjoy a headlining set. Row, row, row!

#4 — Tool — Thankfully Tool continues to bring their unique brand of singing and playing to thousands of fans around the world, and they have added yet another leg to their ongoing tour in early 2024, including two nights at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. Seeing Tool is a rite of passage for metal fans, and there’s no excuse to NOT see them because they have been dedicated to the road these past few years since things opened up after COVID-19 shut everything down. Who knows when they’ll return to the artistic cave for a few years off from the fans, so take advantage of their concerts when they come to town.

#3 — Iron Maiden — Metalheads will have to wait until fall 2024 to check out Iron Maiden, but they will wait. Oh, they will wait. Iron Maiden has been a constant touring act this past decade, and they never disappoint when they pack an arena full of fans. They sound sharp, and they are producing new, exciting music. There’s not much more fans can get from one of the best bands of all time.

#2 — Judas Priest — The Priest is back, this time with a new album (Invincible Shield) and new tour. They are covering North America, including many stops in the Northeast in the warmer months of late spring. Fans should expect some new tunes sprinkled in with classics like “Hell Bent for Leather,” “Breaking the Law,” “Turbo Lover,” “Living After Midnight” and “Painkiller.”

#1 — Sammy Hagar with Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Jason Bonham — These four names are legends, representing the very best of hard rock over the past few decades. They are coming together for The Best of All Worlds tour, and fans are going bonkers (their New Jersey concert is practically sold out). This may be the closest music lovers will get to a proper Van Halen tribute / reunion. The poster for Hagar’s summer tour promises some high-energy tunes, including “Panama,” “Best of Both Worlds,” “Right Now,” “Poundcake,” “Mas Tequila” and more. Satriani is also heading out with Steve Vai and Eric Johnson (G3) on a separate tour of heavenly guitar playing.

Plus, these are the tours we hope are announced soon for North America. These musicians would be on this list if they decided to make the rounds in 2024.

Halestorm — Lzzy Hale is leading arguably the best rock band out there. Halestorm headlined a summer amphitheater tour in 2022, and then North American audiences saw them opening for Volbeat in summer 2023. One hopes they return to their headlining ways in 2024 and give fans a full set of classic tunes and newer tracks off their latest album, 2022’s Back From the Dead.

The Pretty Reckless — When Halestorm headlined its tour in 2022, they brought along the Pretty Reckless, a hard rock band fronted by Taylor Momsen. They have officially ended their Death by Rock and Roll tour, and word is that they thinking about new music. Let’s hope they can also give fans some live dates in 2024. At the end of 2022, they offered a three-night stand at the Bowery Ballroom in Manhattan. Something like that would do.

AC/DC — One can hope that AC/DC will take its solid reviews from the Power Trip festival and turn them into a worldwide stadium tour. Fans are literally refreshing news feeds to see when this possible tour may be announced. There are rumblings, but nothing certain yet. It’s time to get “Thunderstruck” again.

Twisted Sister — Technically Twisted Sister have hung up their makeup kits and shoulder pads for good, but again there’s hope that of the acts that are officially “retired,” they may reemerge from the shadows. The word is that they may reunited for political rallies in 2024.

Sepultura — The mighty Sepultura from Brazil is celebrating its 40th anniversary by calling it quits. The band’s farewell tour has announced a number of dates, but none of them as of yet are in North America. One can guess that the United States will be on the itinerary soon.

The Warning — The Warning’s headline tour in 2023 was one of the best of the year. This trio from Monterrey, Mexico, are gaining so many fans in such a quick amount of time. This reviewer first caught them opening for Halestorm and the Pretty Reckless. Then they sold out Irving Plaza in New York City, and their headlining set was a marvel to behold. They are the future, and we are listening.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com