REVIEW: Passing the Century mark at 2024’s NAMM Show

Descending yet again on Anaheim Convention Center for its 102nd year, NAMM Show returned to Southern California with its flurry of interactive talks, lectures, award shows and musical instrument demos at the end of January. Initially not sure how I would maximize my days in the musical melody mecca, NAMM Show+ emerged conveniently providing an organized guide including an up to the minute schedule of events, a detailed map and link to livestreamed sessions broadcast internationally. Drawing aspiring students to seasoned professionals, NAMM Show proved once more why it remains THE premier place to connect with a unique group of world class musicians, instrument brands and business execs from across the globe.

After sampling the latest and greatest music technology at booths like Casio, Lutefish, Adam Hall, Pioneer DJ, Klos Guitars , JetPack Bags and Yamaha which featured Prince’s performance piano, my evenings filled with varied genre acts like Take 6, John McLaughlin and Lindsey Stirling who included dancers during her set on the large Grand Plaza stage. Among the exhibitor events throughout the four days, I carved out time to chat with Claude McKnight from Take 6 and bassist Mohini Dey and managed to poke my head into the Pensado’s Place Residency session which featured Derek “MixedbyAli” Ali, BIG HIT and Hit-Boy and ones on digital royalties, AI, copyrights and musical sync licensing.

If that wasn’t enough, NAMM Show also still remains the only place I’d be able to see Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire’s Verdine White, Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and Cypress Hill’s B-Real in the same weekend. Inspired and fully energized, I can’t wait to do it all over again in 2025.