Drummer Sean "Smitty" Smith performs at the DS Drum booth at the 2024 NAMM Show.

The 2024 NAMM Show brought a whole lot of noise to the Anaheim Convention Center

The 2024 NAMM Show was held on January 25th through January 28th at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim California.  This music industry trade show – NAMM stands for the National Association of Music Merchants – is a celebration of all things related to musical instruments.  It’s a show designed for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors of instruments and has traditionally been closed to the public.  However as of this year, the NAMM show has begun to allow anyone to purchase a ticket to the expansive convention.

Like the largest music store on steroids you could ever conceive, the entire Anaheim Convention Center is filled to the brim with musical equipment from manufacturers from all over the world.  It’s a musician’s nirvana where you actually have a chance to try out almost any piece of gear in person, watch incredible musicians demo impressive instruments, and rub shoulders with musical legends while doing it.  In addition to the main instrument show NAMM also features over 200 concerts and 500 scheduled events.  Shows like Metal Allegiance at House of Blues San Diego featured a wide variety of heavy metal all-stars, while instrument company Yamaha presented a concert featuring violinist Lindsey Stirling on their expansive stage in front of the convention center.  Below are some highlights from this year’s show floor.

Hunter Hayes
Country multi-Platinum recording artist Hunter Hayes performs for C.F. Martin & Company at NAMM's Global Media Day.
These incredible 50th Anniversary Iron Cobra bass drum pedals from Tama are available in multiple marble designs.
DJ Qbert
DJ Qbert performs at the Reloop booth at the 2024 NAMM Show
BOSS Guitar Pedals
BOSS celebrated its monumental 50th anniversary at NAMM this year with a booth commemorating half a century of groundbreaking innovation, like these classic guitar effects pedals.
Violinist Lindsey Stirling
Violinist Lindsey Stirling makes an appearance at the Yamaha Booth at the NAMM Show 2024.
Mick Jagger Harmonica
The Lee Oskar produced Mick Jagger Harmonica offers an exclusive and meticulously designed harmonica that faithfully replicates the exact specifications used by Mick Jagger throughout his iconic career.
Kevin Lyman
Kevin Lyman, the founder and event producer behind the legendary Warped Tour spoke about improving working conditions in the music industry.
Inzane Skins
Inzane Skins offers guitar players the chance to customize their guitar designs as easily as applying a sticker. They offer tons of crazy designs.
Ron Artis II
Hailing from Haleiwa, HI, Ron Artis II is an award-winning C. F. Martin & Company artist who brings a unique soulful-honest-songwriting style to the stage.
Prince's Purple Piano
A custom made purple piano created for the artist Prince before his death was on display at the Yamaha Music booth.
NAMM Drum Circle
NAMM's legendary All-Industry Drum Circle, sponsored by REMO, is always a show highlight and a way to interact and play music with the entire community.

The 2024 NAMM Show was an absolutely incredible experience.  Just to be immersed in that much sheer musical talent and energy in one place is a special thing, and to be able to sample so many beautifully crafted instruments and innovative technology at the same time is overwhelming.  If you like playing music or just love to experience it live and want to learn more about the process, be sure to find your way to next year’s conference.

Photos and Review by: Alex Matthews
ListenSD