Pierre’s Polling Place: Philly’s Top 3 Concerts
Last week, Pierre Robert poised a simple question to the WMMR listening audience: What was your favorite concert from the summer season? While on the surface that seems like an easy question, its becomes more difficult when you realize how many outstanding shows came through the area in such a short period of time. But a choice had to be made…
To make sure YOUR voice was heard on this matter, Pierre hand crafted and cultivated a ballot of 20 shows from the summer. These shows ranged in a plethora of wats. From more intimate settings like the Keswick Theatre to massive stadium shows at Lincoln Financial Field. From the swaying styles of Santana to a heavier touch with Rob Zombie. What matters most, however, was what YOU thought was the ultimate show of the summer.
2024 Concerts in Philly
- Roger Daltrey – June 10th at the Keswick Theater
- Rolling Stones – June 11th at Lincoln Financial Field
- Santana and Counting Crows – June 21st at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- Dave Matthews Band – July 19th and 20th at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- Journey, Def Leppard and Steve Miller – July 23rd at Citizens Bank Park
- Blink 182 – July 26th at Wells Fargo Center
- Imagine Dragons – July 30th at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- The Struts – August 2nd at the Fillmore – Plus: Pierre’s Birthday Surprise
- Doobie Brothers and Steve Winwood – August 3rd at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- Green Day, Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid – August 9th at Citizens Bank Park – Hear interviews with Tre Cool and Billy Corgan
- Hootie and the Blowfish and Collective Soul – August 16th at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- Bruce Springsteen – August 21st and 23rd at Citizens Bank Park – MMR Celebrates The Boss
- Incubus and Coheed & Cambria – August 27th at Wells Fargo Center – Hear an interview with Claudio Sanchez
- Cage the Elephant – September 6th at the Mann Center
- Pearl Jam – September 7th and 9th at Wells Fargo Center – VIDEO: Eddie Vedder Shouts Out MMR
- Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper – September 8th at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- Weezer – September 13th at Wells Fargo Center
- The Killers – September 7th at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion
- Jeff Lynne’s ELO – September 20th and 21st at Wells Fargo Center
- MMRBQ 2024 – September 21st at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion – Explore MMRBQ HQ
To make sure the voters were well informed, Pierre at high noon every day last week would commence the Workforce blocks with the music of each of the shows on the ballot. Along with the tunes, Pierre took us back to some of the shows as the roving rock microphone proved why WMMR is your concert authority. Memories of the songs themselves and the concert goers that makes the experience all worth while.
With everyone excited and informed, the polls finally closed at 1pm on Friday. Over the weekend the votes were tallied and certified and here are the top 3 summer Philadelphia concerts as voted by YOU:
3rd Place: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
As MMR alum and Springsteen guru “Professor” Kevin Gunn proclaimed when he came in to celebrate “Whatever music takes you somewhere…it doesn’t have to be Bruce…I only pray you find something that makes you feel good in your life and inspires you as much as this music has done for me”. A perfect summation of what live music is all about.
Claiming the 3rd place spot is The Boss along with the E Street Band for two nights at Citizens Bank Park, August 21st and 23rd. Each night a marathon of musical excellence with a 30 song setlist each of those evenings. Quite the homecoming for the Garden State native!
2nd Place: The Rolling Stones
It’s was no secret during the voting period of Pierre’s Polling Place that this band was the selection of Pierre himself. It was a rocking and rolling night in South Philly on June 11th as “the world’s greatest rock n’ roll band” The Rolling Stones took the stage at Lincoln Financial Field.
In 2nd place was the “Hackney Diamonds” tour certainly was a crowning jewel in the summer concert series with a 19 song set filled with old gems, new numbers, and “She’s A Rainbow” making an appearance as a fan voted song for the evening. And of course the show starting with those 6 magical words… “Ladies and Gentlemen … The Rolling Stones!”.
1st Place: Pearl Jam
There has to be one show that rises to the top of the rock concert mountain. And in the case of Pierre’s Polling Place in 2024, the WMMR listeners have crowned Pearl Jam the champion!
The Seattle sounds filled the South Philly air not once but twice in September as Pearl Jam rocked 2 very sold out shows at The Big Joint September 7th and 9th. With a band notorious for changing up their setlist each and every night they perform, you never know exactly what songs you will hear that evening. What is almost guaranteed is what an amazing time you will have at the show.
It was such a moving experience for some, much like Carol from Levittown who called after the Pearl Jam shows saying she was so inspired by Pierre and Nick McIlwain’s concert coverage that her and husband went on a whim to get tickets for that night. They were successful and had such a magical evening. She attests to the power of live and local radio. More details about Carol’s call here.
Thank You To Every Voter!
No matter if your favorite concert made it to the top or not, we thank every single person who took the time to vote in Pierre’s Polling Place. It was an amazing look back at all the incredible live music memories we collectively shared and cannot wait to make more of them with you!
