Scott Tady: These concerts were 2022's best (in my opinion)

Rising young punk bands, and two alternative-rock titans, turned in some of the finest Pittsburgh concerts of 2022.

Though a 73-year-old piano player delivered the show-of-the-year, in my opinion.

Can't say I saw them all, but among the dozens of nationally touring headliners I reviewed these past 12 months, I'd rank these 10 concerts as simply the best.

1. Billy Joel, Aug. 11, PNC Park.

"I don't have anything new ... We're gonna do some old (stuff)," The Piano Man said two songs into a 135-minute set of '70s and '80s hits and gems performed pretty close to flawlessly. Joel's voice sounded great, distinct, and full of range, and he kept the lively banter and jokes a-coming. He nimbly tickled the ivories of his slowly revolving piano, while band members like saxophonist Mark Rivera, organist Dave Rosenthal and horn player Carl Fischer added zesty seasoning at ideal volumes. Joel evoked just the right amount of crowd participation.

More:Billy Joel delivers an amazing performance

2 Idles, Sept. 13, Stage AE.

Intense, unpredictable and utterly exhilarating, British post-punk quintet Idles championed the working class and called out fascists, led by dynamic singer Joe Talbot. The beats made bodies move. Guitarist Lee Kiernan crowd-surfed while soloing. Fellow guitarist, Christina Maynard, filling in for Mark Bowen back home for the birth of his baby, played well, too, and joined in the crowd surfing, which couldn't have been easy in her asymmetrical cut dress. At one thrilling point, Maynard, Kiernan and bassist Adam Devonshire simultaneously crowd-surfed halfway into the audience, pulling off a maneuver where they all three ended up standing together and holding hands, supported below by the arms of fans.

More:Scott Tady: ; Idles amazed in Pittsburg; NASH.V.ILL to rock Beaver & Ambridge

3. Rage Against the Machine, July 29, PPG Paints Arena.

Fierce, fun and finally back on a western Pennsylvania stage for the first time since the 1990s, the alt-rock stalwarts held the crowd in the palm of their hands. Vocalist Zack de la Rocha needed to be carried onto the stage due to a leg injury suffered in Chicago. While he sat on an equipment case the whole Pittsburgh show, he never stayed still, using wild arm gestures, torso shakes and head bobs in time with the band's almost metallic stomp and crunch. His vocals, often a shouted style of rap, fired up the crowd on songs like "Testify" and "Take The Power Back." Guitarist Tom Morello demonstrated he's still one of the two most exciting guitarists of his generation.

More:Rage Against The Machine rocked, rapped and roared at PPG Paints Arena

4 Jack White, April 14, Petersen Events Center.

The other most exciting guitarist of his generation (see above) delivered another thriller, providing a barrage of six-string pyrotechnics and emotionally sung songs, matched with a drummer, Daru Jones, who shared his enthusiasm.

The 28-song performance lasted for ... oh, I don't know how long... everyone had to hand over their smartphones in the lobby to reclaim after the show. White did everyone a favor, sparing them the labor of filming shaky videos or being distracted by the world outside, for this was a show that demanded and delivered full immersion.

More:Phone-less audience sees Jack White shine

5. Turnstile, Nov. 16, Stage AE.

In truly breathtaking fashion, Baltimore's hardcore punk band leaped and bounced all over the stage, roaring through songs from "Glow On," 2021's best album. A devout crowd, spawning one of the most ardent mosh pits in Stage AE history, added to the excitement. Forty minutes in, I had this rated as my No. 1 or 2 show of the year, but I think Turnstile ran out of steam near the end. Soon as they get one more good album's worth of material, they'll be unstoppable.

More:Turnstile turned in incredible Pittsburgh performance

6 Reba McEntire, Feb. 17, PPG Paints Arena.

What a delight. An impeccable singing voice delivering smartly written songs backed by a tight and skilled band playing at a brisk, not rushed pace. The country legend demonstrated lovable humor and charming showwomanship (shame on Spellcheck for not recognizing that word).

More:Reba sounded regal in impeccable Pittsburgh performance

7 Parquet Courts, March 15, Mr. Smalls Theatre, Millvale.

A sold-out throng arrived adrenalized for the New York indie-rock band that didn't disappoint, charging through a set highlighted by "Walking at a Downtown Pace" one of the prior year's top songs. Backdropped by a bevy of lights with cool oversized shadow projections, Parquet Courts sounded like a mix between the Dandy Warhols and the Velvet Underground, with a smattering of punk-rock rave-ups to keep the mosh pit happy. "Play another song!" a fan shouted during a rare break in the action. "We just played six songs without a break," vocalist Andrew Savage responded, playfully noting even they need to catch their breath sometimes.

8 Fontaines D.C., Oct. 4, Spirit

The Irish punk band kept steadfast focus, blasting through an hour-long set of propulsive music so urgent, you practically could feel it tugging you forward. From a darkly lit stage for a jam-packed crowd, the quintet drew from 2020's "A Hero's Death," a Grammy-nominated Best Rock Album that made my year-end Top-10. Carlos O'Connell and Conor Curley (guitars) and Conor Deegan III (bass) mustered crackling, crunchy, wailing string notes you just don't normally hear, particularly on "Televised Mind." Singer Grian Chatten limited his banter to a quick "Cheers!" after the band pretended to be done. Fans improvised a long and hearty chant of "Fontaines ... D.C....", and of course, the band returned to the stage for an encore of The Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and the 2019 breakthrough, "Boys in The Better Land."

More:Scott Tady: Fontaines D.C. delighted; Astrology Now & Slam Band both deserve a listen;

9. The Lumineers-Caamp, June 15, The Pavilion at Star Lake.

Helps having a great opening act, like Ohio neo-folk band Caamp. Though as always, The Lumineers forged a warm connection with fans savoring Wesley Schultz's crisp, clear, perfect volume vocals, and Jeremiah Fraites hefty kick-drum workouts.

More:Lumineers shine on a steamy Star Lake night

10. Smashing Pumpkins, Oct. 22, PPG Paints Arena.

Billy Corgan's vocals came across clear and purposeful, the rest of the angsty, alt-rock band sounded strong, and a light show dazzled without distracting. The menacing-looking Corgan, in his "The Matrix"-like knee-length black cloak, appeared to be in a great mood, thanking fans for their support, and often flicking souvenir guitar picks into the crowd. Opening act Jane's Addiction bailed because of a band injury, though concertgoers got their money's worth.

More:No Jane's, but Smashing Pumpkins shred their way to glory in Pittsburgh

I ranked Elton John's farewell at PNC Park at No. 11, but certainly would have placed it higher if I hadn't already seen his massive "so-long" odyssey in 2018 and 2019.

Some of the purest, most edge-of-my-seat excitement I saw on a concert stage this year was Fantastic Negrito, calling to mind Sly & The Family Stone, on the undercard of the Highmark Blues & Heritage Festival at Highmark Stadium.

Earth, Wind & Fire amazed, as well, at UPMC Events Center.

Naturally, there were disappointments.

An overcrowded Roxian Theatre marred the Garbage concert, and spotty sound at the Petersen Events Center made Deftones a drag. Tame Impala at The Pete, and Brett Dennen at South Park didn't meet my expectations. Motley Crue was an ordeal, as Vince Neil struggled on vocals.

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Tady: These concerts were 2022's best (in my opinion)