Top Concerts of 2008

Here are Festiva's top 5 arena and indie concerts.

TOP 5 ARENA CONCERTS

1. JONAS BROTHERS Feb. 29, 2008 --- What other band could draw so many “tweens” to Dodge Arena than The Jonas Brothers? The trio of brothers played to a sea of screaming fans when their Look Me in the Eyes tour stopped in Hidalgo during BorderFest.

2. BRAD PAISLEY WITH JEWEL Oct. 16, 2008 --- The Paisley Party tour proved to be the party of the year. Along with Chuck Hicks and pop-turned-country star Jewel, Brad Paisley performed for a full house in October. Paisley played a 2 ½-hour set, proving why he’s one of country’s biggest stars.

3. SANTANA Sept. 23, 2008 --- He’s a prolific artist who is known for his impressive guitar skills and he has performed for over 100 million people, worldwide. So when Carlos Santana rolled into the RGV to play, tickets sold fast. The hitmaker entertained fans at Dodge Arena in September.
>> Click here to view a photo gallery

4. LUIS MIGUEL October 10, 2008 --- One night wasn’t enough for fans of Luis Miguel. The international superstar spent two nights with fans at Dodge Arena this fall while on the Complices tour.
>> Click here to watch a video.

5. AVRIL LAVIGNE April 24, 2008 --- The Best Damn Tour was just that for Avril fans. The angsty princess of pop punk bounced on stage singing her chart-topping songs to eager girls and boys in April. The Canadian was on her best behavior and belted out each hit with energy to spare.
>> Click here to read our review of the show. 

TOP 5 INDIE CONCERTS

1. SHWAYZE Sept. 25, 2008 --- Since most people didn't know who this guy was when it was first announced he'd be playing at Cine El Rey in September, it was a shocker when we saw the sardine-like crowd packed in the theater. There was more buzz about this concert than any other the entire year --- and Shwayze and Cisco Adler put on an energetic, fun show.
>> Click here to see our awesome backstage photos.

2. THE BEATLES TRIBUTE WITH JUMBO & CHETES Dec. 19, 2008 --- Wow. Really, there isn’t another word for the sleeper concert that rocked McAllen last week. We had to adjust the list to make sure this concert made the top 5. Jumbo seemed to channel The Beatles on stage. The vibe throughout the building was so full of appreciation and love – and you know, all you need is love.

3. ALL TIME LOW Oct. 24, 2008 --- Pop punk is thriving in South Texas, so when All Time Low came down in October, the fans came out in droves. The band visited McAllen once before and went out of their way to come again, to give the people what they want.

4. FLYLEAF Sept. 26, 2008 ---  The Christian rock band saw fans in the Rio Grande Valley twice this year. Once at Dodge Arena in March, then again at Cine El Rey in September. The venue and audience may have been smaller, but the crowd’s passion for Flyleaf could’ve filled any large arena.

5. VALLEY ROCK REUNION SHOW After Festiva tracked down the biggest Valley rockers of the 1990, they decided to reunite for a benefit concert at Metropolis in September. Psycho Plague, S.A.L.T., Rosen and Tragic Komic were among the metal androck stars of the Valley who played.
>> Click here to read the story that started it all.