As with all years, 2023 had plenty of great, memorable rock moments. With a new year now upon us, here’s what we’re vibed up for that’s coming along in the next 12 months.
Van Halen tribute tour.
Farewell to 2023, a year in which rock music continued to f lourish once again, after the buffer that was the covid interlude stopped everything in its tracks. Tours grew bigger and stronger – with fans now more confident that they would actually be taking place – and plenty of great albums were released. Last year also saw us say goodbye to Kiss (maybe). That year might be over, but worry not, another one has just started, and there’s plenty of rock’n’roll moments to look forward to:
ANEW JUDAS PRIEST ALBUM IN MARCH
Due on March 3, the long-awaited nineteenth studio album from Judas Priest, Invincible Shield, is among the releases of 2024 (that we know about) that we are dying to hear. The two singles released from it so far, Panic Attack and Trial By Fire, suggest that the album is going to be very special indeed.
THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS, AKA THE LONG-AWAITED VAN HALEN TRIBUTE TOUR
Yes, it’s really happening – in the United States, at least, and sadly without the participation of drummer Alex Van Halen, or indeed Edward’s son Wolfgang. Alex’s place is taken by Jason Bonham in a line-up completed by vocalist Sammy Hagar, bassist Michael Anthony and guitarist Joe Satriani. At press time no British shows were scheduled. But hey, we can pray!
WHISPER IT QUIETLY… ANEW GUNS N’ ROSES ALBUM?!
Last year was a busy one for the Gunners, whose appearance at Glastonbury seemed to set the whole world talking (followed by a roaring headline set at BST in London’s Hyde Park). We hoped for anew album last year, and the year before that… So who knows? At least the band are drip-feeding us with some music, such as latest single Perhaps and its predecessor Hard Skool.
This month The Dirt was compiled by Paul Brannigan, Lee Dorrian, Briony Edwards, Emma Johnston, Jo Kendall, Fraser Lewry, Dave Ling, Johnny Sharp and Henry Yates
COULD AC/DC GO ON TOUR?
Following their show-stealing appearance at the PowerTrip Festival in California – a concert they pulled off with apparent ease, despite Brian Johnson’s well-documented health issues and the fact that ‘schoolboy’ Angus Young is now 68 years old –
