2025 was a banner year for live music! Tons of bands hit the road, some promoting new music, others celebrating their classic catalogs. While a few artists chose to play on their own, many hooked up with package tours, and of course, the expanding festival circuit. MisplacedStraws covered 35 shows, a total of 78 bands, 18 different venues, and 4 states! Below are some of my favorite photos that appeared on the site this year. Part 1 brings us to July, part 2 will finish out the year.
Please scroll down for MisplacedStraws Best Concert Photos of 2025, Pt. 1 –

Shemekia Copeland

Myles Kennedy

Ace Frehley

Bret Michaels

Martin Fry/ABC

Howard Jones

Joe Bonamassa

Dream Theater

Tab Benoit

Kurt Deimer

Jeff Kieth/Tesla

Steve Conte

Buckcherry

Mike Tramp

Chip Z’Nuff/Enuff Z’Nuff

Fantastic Negrito

David Hinds/Steel Pulse

Paul Janeway/St. Paul & The Broken Bones

Thundercat

Josh Lane/Thee Sacred Souls

Khruangbin

Jack Antonoff/Bleachers

Kevin Cronin

Tommy Shaw/Styx

John Popper/Blues Traveler

Robin Wilson & Chris Barron/Gin Blossoms & Spin Doctors

Wolfgang Van Halen/Mammoth

Chris Daughtry

Scott Stapp/Creed

