The Year in Review

2022

EDC brings in dance devotees of all ages. [Photo by Matt Keller Lehman] The Shrek Rave got seriously weird at the Beacham. [Photo by Matt Keller Lehman]

A reunited Bikini Kill brought righteous rage to Plaza Live. [Photo by Jim Leatherman] Peaches put on an exhilarating, nearly X-rated show. [Photo by Jim Leatherman]

Bad Bunny played Orlando not once, but twice this year. [Photo by J.D. Casto]

NIGHTLIFE WAS SOMEHOW GREAT

Thinking back to the start of 2022, when touring shows were getting canceled left and right as Omicron had its way with us, it’s almost disorienting to recall the absolute wealth of live music and big-time nightlife events that happened in the City Beautiful in the ensuing 11 months. Dance music got bigger with the return of Electric Daisy Carnival to downtown Orlando, and yet also weirder and more postmodern, as evidenced by the Shrek Rave that also happened downtown. Fans of live music found themselves faced with multiple dream gigs in the form of august elders like Paul McCartney and Kraftwerk; simply unbelievable prospects like Peaches and a reunited Bikini Kill adding Orlando to tour itineraries; and that’s not even counting a young vanguard of performers playing to packed houses including Bad Bunny, Wet Leg and beabadoobee. Here are a few 2022 moments captured by our photographers.