The Bam Team’s 5 Favorite Shows, Albums & Songs of 2025
Well, here we are again with another year in the books. Music, for one, certainly had its ups and downs throughout 2025. There was Kendrick Lamar's iconic Super … BAM ON
The Mars Volta reaffirm at Pasadena Civic Auditorium that they aren’t resting on their laurels these days & we love them just as much for it
By Josh Herwitt // The Mars Volta with Kianí Medina, FELIZ Y DADA // Pasadena Civic Auditorium - Pasadena, CA November 26th, 2025 // I will never forget … BAM ON
STS9 take over The Bellwether in LA for two nights to celebrate 20 years of ‘Artifact’ & the release of their new album ‘Human Dream’
By Josh Herwitt // STS9 with Thought Process (Night 1), Random Rab (Night 2) // The Bellwether - Los Angeles November 21st-22nd, 2025 // What do you get … BAM ON
SHOW REVIEWS
PHOTOS
BAMS HIGHLIGHTS
The Bam Team’s 5 Favorite Shows, Albums & Songs of 2025
Showbams presents The Bam Team members’ favorite shows, albums and songs from 2025.
The Mars Volta reaffirm at Pasadena Civic Auditorium that they aren’t resting on their laurels these days & we love them just as much for it
SHOW REVIEW: Performing their unannounced album Lucro Sucio; Los Ojos del Vacio that was released this year, the Grammy winners took us on a journey that felt spiritual and transcendent.
STS9 take over The Bellwether in LA for two nights to celebrate 20 years of ‘Artifact’ & the release of their new album ‘Human Dream’
PHOTOS: Their touring schedule hasn’t been nearly as rigorous as it used to be, but the future remains bright for one of the hardest-working instrumental bands out there.
Grammy winners Portugal. The Man deliver their love letter to Alaska at The Wiltern with Electric Guest, Hanni El Khatib as special guests
PHOTOS: Even as these indie rockers continue to grow and evolve, their heart and core intentions remain firmly intact more than two decades after forming.
Lord Huron make their hometown fans at Kia Forum see how they’ve gone from burgeoning indie-rock band to newly minted arena act
SHOW REVIEW: What makes the group such a draw is its cinematic and eclectic sound that has only gotten better with each album cycle.
Band of Horses, Iron & Wine come together in LA to create a unique evening of indie rock & folk at The Wiltern on their co-headline tour
PHOTOS: Ben Bridwell and Sam Beam have been friends for more than three decades, but it’s not often you get to see two established indie acts of this caliber sharing the stage.
Portola Music Festival 2025: Our awards & highlights for Year 4
FESTIVAL REVIEW: Goldenvoice’s electronic-leaning event at SF’s Pier 80 remained true to form and was a much-needed party for the Bay Area’s club core.
Grieving the loss of their former bandmate, Baroness remember the past at a sold-out Lodge Room on the ‘Red & Blue Tour’
PHOTOS: It felt quite fitting to watch the Grammy-nominated band perform music that the late Allen Blickle had a role in creating while visiting his adopted home of LA.
The Flaming Lips & Modest Mouse team up for one of the summer’s best co-headline tours as we witnessed at the Santa Barbara Bowl
SHOW REVIEW: This year has brought together some new pairings and one standing out right away was “The Good Times Are Killing Me” tour.
My Morning Jacket close out their 2025 summer tour in a big way at Hollywood Palladium, Santa Barbara Bowl & Greek Theatre Berkeley
PHOTOS: It doesn’t matter what time of the year the Grammy-nominated group goes on tour, but you can’t beat seeing one of the best acts in live music during the industry’s busiest season.
My Morning Jacket continue to reinvent themselves while celebrating 20 years of ‘Z’ during two more dazzling performances at Red Rocks
SHOW REVIEW: When it comes to experiencing the Kentucky-bred band in the flesh, there is no place I would rather see it take the stage than at Colorado’s famed amphitheater.
From covers of Black Sabbath & King Crimson to surprise guests Bill Burr, Matt Stone & half of Tool, Primus wow at LA’s Greek Theatre
SHOW REVIEW: The three-piece is beginning to hit its stride after giving fans a closer look at the band’s newest drummer John Hoffman on this summer’s “Onward & Upward” tour.
Pixies dive into their classic LPs ‘Bossanova’ & ‘Trompe Le Monde’ for a sold-out Hollywood Palladium with Kurt Vile & the Violators aboard
PHOTOS: From our vantage point, it clearly looked like the alt-rock legends were having a blast onstage in the city where both albums were recorded.
After canceling last year’s arena tour, The Black Keys try to forge a new path forward while making their debut at LA’s Greek Theatre
SHOW REVIEW: Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney didn’t wait long to put the turmoil from 2024 behind them, but their performances still lack of an element of surprise that’s sorely needed.
Jack White shows his SoCal fans why he’s Hall of Fame material with sold-out performances at Hollywood Palladium & Santa Barbara Bowl
SHOW REVIEW: If you really want to understand what makes the Detroit native so special after all these years, you have to experience the magic of his live shows for yourself.
Tycho brave unusually cold temperatures in the Hi-Desert for their return to the legendary Pappy & Harriet’s after more than a decade
PHOTOS: With temperatures dipping down into the low 40’s, we can’t say we have ever witnessed a concert that was quite as cold as this one.
‘Sessanta’ reboots with V2.0 tour for Maynard James Keenan’s 61st birthday as Primus, Puscifer & A Perfect Circle visit Acrisure Arena
SHOW REVIEW: What makes the performances unlike anything else are the collaborations that occur, and seeing all three bands switch things up for V2.0 justified our trek out to the desert.
The Prodigy channel the spirit of Keith Flint by bringing the ruckus to The Warfield for their first North American headline show since 2017
SHOW REVIEW: With the 90’s electronic pioneers limiting their trips across the pond over the years, we feel fortunate to have gotten any taste while they were back in the states.
