2021/2022 Concert Season Recap pt. 1

The 2021/2022 season has been an exceptional one for rock shows in Paris. Obviously, any time the Stones roll through town, you know it's going to be something to remember.

This season was also notable for the fact that it marked the return of live music after the pandemic effectively shut down the world for the better part of two years. And if the virus is still around, still dangerous, we have learned to live with it.

Our last gig before the cancellations and lockdowns was Tenacious D in February 2020, and then we didn't set foot in a concert hall until September 2021 for Robert Jon & the Wreck. But between the Robert Jon gig and today, we have attended 34 shows in almost every possible genre, from Metal to Jazz, Pop, Blues, Progressive Rock, Punk Rock, Americana... Some of them were old favorites that we'd already seen a bunch of times, and others were first times for us.

Singling out one show would be impossible and unfair, so here's a quick recap of every show we've been to. Apologies to opening acts, but we're only featuring the headliners here. Click on the titles to access the full articles.

Robert Jon & the Wreck @ les Étoiles, Paris - September 14th, 2021

Our first gig in a year and a half, and to say that it was emotional would be an understatement. Robert Jon & the Wreck are a classic rock band in the best sense and they deserve all the success they've got coming to them.

Little Caesar @ les Étoiles, Paris - October 3rd, 2021

Even though the band was formed over thirty years ago, this was Little Caesar's first Paris show, so this really was an event not to be missed.

Popa Chubby @ Olympia, Paris - October 10th, 2021

Blues Rock behemoth Popa Chubby never disappoints. It had been nearly 17 years since we last saw him live so it was past time to get our fix.

The Pineapple Thief @ Élysée-Montmartre, Paris - October 23rd, 2021

Neo-Prog group the Pineapple Thief played a killer set in support of their latest album Versions of the Truth.

Gary Lucas @ Sunset/Sunside, Paris - November 6th, 2021

Gary Lucas revisited his long and storied career at this Paris jazz club, with an emphasis on his time playing guitar and writing songs alongside the late Jeff Buckley.

Ayron Jones @ New Morning, Paris - November 29th, 2021

This was Ayron Jones' first concert outside of the U.S.A. following the release of his excellent new album Child of the State. We would eventually see him again a few months later as an opener for The Rolling Stones.

Steve Hackett @ Salle Pleyel, Paris - November 30th, 2021

Ex-Genesis guitarist and prog-rock legend Steve Hackett played a long, sprawling set consisting of the entire Seconds Out live double LP played in full and in sequence, as well as some excerpts from his solo career.