Our staff share their favorite tours of 2017
If there's one thing that brings our staff together it's that we all love going to shows. Sure, the bands we watch may vary (a lot), but we all appreciate the feeling of watching live music. And 2017 was a stellar year for shows.
Read more: 18 Winter tours you should definitely check out
Here are the AP staff's 19 favorite tours of 2017.
Moose Blood/Trophy Eyes/Boston Manor/A Will Away
The year's best tour came early when Moose Blood brought Trophy Eyes, Boston Manor and A Will Away along for a taste testing of America's greatest cities. The internationally renowned group of musicians busted ass and sold out venues, while solidifying their positions on the upper echelons of today's most important music. —Griffin Elliot
Panic! At The Disco/MisterWives/Saint Motel—Death Of A Bachelor Tour
Panic! At The Disco’s Death Of A Bachelor tour was built for indie pop lovers. Brendon Urie and co. took out rising acts Saint Motel and MisterWives to create a sunshiney evening, featuring bop after bop. There’s no denying that Panic! At The Disco’s DOAB exudes the pop-laden energy that came to life in the band’s unmatchable stage production, and with two powerhouse acts on the road as well, there’s no way you didn’t dance along all night long. —Maggie Dickman
The Young Renegades Tour
All Time Low nailed this summer tour by bringing along SWMRS, Waterparks, Night Riots and the Wrecks for a killer overall lineup. As if it couldn’t get any better, ATL’s set featured tracks from their latest Last Young Renegade to 2007’s So Wrong, It’s Right, paying tribute to their debut record and fans in the process. —Rachel Campbell
The Stage World Tour/Avenged Sevenfold
A7X are currently on the biggest tour of their lives. The theme of outer space is fully explored in the production with slabs of screens exuding rich graphics mainly in purples and blues, a bold cube taking center stage and a giant astronaut even makes an appearance. Jaw-dropping theatrical magnificence. —Chelsea Smile
Creeper/Milk Teeth/Energy/Puppy (UK)
This tour saw Creeper bringing the theatrics and Milk Teeth supplying the grunge-punk bangers. Plus, Energy were hitting the UK for the first time and Puppy proved themselves to be one of the best new bands in Britain. These shows were a lovely time. —Jake Richardson
Green Day/Catfish And The Bottlemen – Revolution Radio Tour
After releasing Revolution Radio late last year, Green Day embarked on massive tours supporting the record this year, rightfully regaining their throne as one of the best live acts on the entire planet. Billie Joe Armstrong and Co. entertained crowds of thousands for nearly three hours each night, performing a set of nostalgia and new material. Supporting British rockers Catfish And The Bottlemen—who seem to be rounding out a hugely successful cycle for their sophomore album, The Ride—were placed in front of American crowds they deserve, setting them up for nothing but a bright future across the pond. —Caitlyn Ralph
Mayday Parade A Lesson In Romantics 10th Anniversary Tour
No other set list this year had so many fans crying from start to finish. Whether it was screaming the lyrics to “Jamie All Over” or singing along to “Miserable At Best,” we all shed some tears as if it were 2007 over again, which is exactly what anniversary tours are supposed to do. —Natasha Heinz
Have Mercy/Boston Manor/Can't Swim/A Will Away
Have Mercy’s unbelievably stacked, alt-rock lineup hit up the biggest markets across the US of A. Taking beloved Warped Tour act Boston Manor alongside two of the scene’s most impressive up-and-coming acts, Can’t Swim and A Will Away, it’s clear there’s no better way to wrap up the year than with a tour rock dreams are made of. —Maggie Dickman
Four Year Strong Rise Or Die Trying 10-year Anniversary Tour with Seaway and Like Pacific
A tour pop-punk wet dreams are fuelled on, the second part of FYS' North American Rise Or Die Trying 10-year anniversary tour was nothing short of electric. The well-crafted lineup featured industry legends Four Year Strong supported by our scene's hottest established acts Seaway and Like Pacific combined with hyped up-and-comers Grayscale and Life Lessons. —Griffin Elliot
Riot Fest
When I say my two favorite bands are Streetlight Manifesto and Paramore, you may give me a strange look. It’s OK, though, because Riot Fest understands, and Riot Fest rules. To stand outside in darkness in a sea of thousands watching both my favorite bands play reminds me that sometimes life is fucking good. —Shelbey Surgent
The Menzingers/Jeff Rosenstock/Rozwell Kid
The Menzingers showcasing the masterpiece of After The Party? Check. Jeff Rosenstock worrying about nothing? Double check. Rozwell Kid sucking me in as a forever fan? Triple check. Every minute of this kick-ass show had me sure that the House of Blues in Cleveland was exactly where I was supposed to be that night. —Shelbey Surgent
Stray From The Path/Counterparts/Comeback Kid/Gideon Canadian Tour
The only thing wrong with this tour is that it hasn't come to the US yet. This lineup is a hardcore kid's dream. Every one of these bands have had stellar new records come out in 2017 (arguably, some of the best releases of the year). —Taylor Markarian
Brand New/Nada Surf
With their long-awaited fifth album, Science Fiction, in tow, Brand New showcased just why they’re one of the most revered rock bands alive. The setlist was masterfully constructed, drawing heavily on new material, while the addition of Kevin Devine as a touring guitarist/vocalist added a richness to the band’s sound like never before. They primarily chose theaters for this run, enabling them to bring along the most spellbinding stage production of their career—including an LED-infused metal wall, behind which they performed much of the set. By the time the show-closing “Soco Amaretto Lime” rolled around, the reality of their final few months as a band really began to sink in. Enjoy these legends while we have them. —Evan Lucy
PVRIS/Lights/Party Nails/Flint Eastwood
There was no shortage of girl power during PVRIS' North American tour. Badass visuals and powerhouse performances combine to create an incredible and aesthetically pleasing tour that has us ready for round two. —Whitney Paxton
I Prevail, We Came As Romans, The Word Alive, Escape The Fate – Rage On The Stage Tour
Having all of the most influential metalcore hard hitters of present day sharing one stage almost seems to call for the wrestling ring that adorned the surface during the Rage On The Stage tour. The newest band of the group, I Prevail, held the main headlining spot in support of their debut full-length, Lifelines, and killed their set night after night with a high-intensity show. —Kaitlyn Ulrich
The Maine/Dreamers/Night Riots – Modern Nostalgia Tour with Dreamers, Night Riots
With two back-to-back banger albums, the Maine is an independent force to be reckoned with. After winning over fans with American Candy, they come out with an album that surpasses fans’ expectations. This tour offers both albums, front to back, plus Night Riots and Dreamers. What more could you want? —Tyler McFadden
Paramore/Best Coast Tour
By booking venues on the smaller side, Paramore put on intimate shows that correlated with the album’s melancholy tone. However, the performance was anything but with the bright colors of the ‘80s prominent throughout high-energy performances. It was a show that had old and new fans alike feeling so good to feel so sad. —Christine Bolton
As It Is/ROAM/Grayscale/Sleep On It – Okay. U.S.A Tour
Pop-punk powerhouses combined to create a crowd-pleasing tour that kept you jumping up and down the entire night. From feel-good ballads to heartfelt anthems, this tour had something for everyone. —Whitney Paxton
