60 Concert Posters From Ten Amazing Artists

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When scouring the design field, searching for stand-out artistic expression and fluid composition, one area that should always catch the eye, is poster design. Moreover, concert poster design, which has produced some truly revolutionary artists and works for generations now, should be paid particular attention to. Fluidity of design is especially key in poster layouts, as there is a finite space, and numerous points to capture and pass along within these confines.

The designer must encapsulate not only the band’s attitude and tone with the work, but also impart the feel of the album or tour that the poster is announcing. And speaking of announcements, the posters must seamlessly incorporate the typography that tells the reader the names, dates, and places of import. All the while maintaining the impact of the piece, and not overworking or overfilling the area and detracting from it’s overall arrangement.

So many shining examples of this exist in the art community, and in this episode of Monday Inspiration we present 60 inspiring concert poster designs from 10 amazing artists. The links at the bottom will take you to sites dedicated to showcasing other wonderful works from the concert poster genre.

Emek

Emek is an awe-inspiring artist with a natural depth and vibrance to his work. From stunningly styled typography to intricately carved creative designs, Emek’s work shines out among his peers, and was an easy addition to this inspiring bunch.

Moe by Emek

The Mars Volta by Emek

Peeping Tom by Emek

The Pixies by Emek

Coheed and Cambria by Emek

The Distillers by Emek

Mike Klay

Mike Klay is a stellar stand-out in the field of concert poster design. His simplicity of style and nature packs so much of the message in such compact creations, using clean, crisp vectors to achieve his task without using all of the available space. Saying so much with so little, is an awesome feat, and Mike Klay achieves this with ease.

The Mountain Goats by Mike Klay

Bob Marley's Wailers by Mike Klay

Simian Mobile Disco by Mike Klay

The Faint by Mike Klay

Wilco by Mike Klay

Fu Manchu by Mike Klay

Jim Phillips

Jim Phillips’ singular voice and untethered style give his work such a varied and boundless feel that it’s easy to see why his work has spanned generations, standing firmly against the tests of time.

George Clinton by Jim Phillilps

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers by Jim Phillilps

Robert Cray Band by Jim Phillilps

Zero by Jim Phillilps

SF Arts Show by Jim Phillilps

Billham by Jim Phillilps

Rex Ray

Rex Ray’s eclectic work in concert poster design combines a retro feel with a piercing, modern attitude that explodes from within his work and captures the attention while tickling the imagination. Rex Ray’s stimulating style can not, and should not be ignored.

Beck by Rex Ray

Nine Inch Nails by Rex Ray

PJ Harvey by Rex Ray

U2 by Rex Ray

Bjork by Rex Ray

Oasis by Rex Ray

Jermaine Rogers

Jermaine Rogers is one of those raw expressive aritsts whose work makes you feel like an addict. It seeps into your skin and excites your senses with it’s bite and it’s dark beauty leaving you longing for more. With his sharp and edgy style, Jermaine Rogers’ work will be inspiring artists for years to come.

Ween by Jermaine Rogers

The Deftones by Jermaine Rogers

The Mars Volta by Jermaine Rogers

Tool by Jermaine Rogers

Morrissey by Jermaine Rogers

Radiohead by Jermaine Rogers

Frank Kozik

Frank Kozik stylishly blends a punk rock attitude with intense colors and textures to stamp an imaginative mark on the design community. His no-holds-barred and uncompromising approach to his work, make it easy to see why this creative giant has been credited with reviving this lost artform.

Iggy Pop by Frank Kozik

Red Hot Chili Peppers by Frank Kozik

Sweet Vine by Frank Kozik

Emo's by Frank Kozik

The Beastie Boys by Frank Kozik

High On Fire by Frank Kozik

Chris Shaw

Some artists’ work has an aura about it, that creates a tone which radiates from the piece and infects the environment around it. There are not many artists with a voice this vibrant and alive, but Chris Shaw is one of them, and a concert poster list would not be complete without giving this titan of artistic style and complex composition a nod.

Pearl Jam by Chris Shaw

Primus by Chris Shaw

Hole by Chris Shaw

Matchbox Twenty by Chris Shaw

Widespread Panic by Chris Shaw

Violent Femmes by Chris Shaw

Nel ‘Jagmo’ Jacobson

Some artist’s style speaks volumes with the depths of their designs, and the intricate weaving of different elements throughout their work. Nel Jacobson, known also as Jagmo, is the type of artist that can accomplish these amazing feats with ease and simplicity. This inspiring artist consistently uses minimalistic design elements, and then fills the space brilliantly incorporating massive typography with balance and skill.

Grace Face by Jagmo

Dee Lite by Jagmo

The Proclaimers by Jagmo

The B52's by Jagmo

Bob Dylan by Jagmo

Dead Kennedys by Jagmo

Craig Howell

For nearly a decade, Craig Howell, has led a charge through the concert poster design community leaving a vibrant and explosive mark in his path. His highly original work has kept his name circulating throughout the industry, and has kept this talented artist in popular demand. With an unmatched voice, and unparalleled vision, this behemoth of beauty is destined to be a classic in the field.

Jay Farrar by Craig Howell

System of a Down by Craig Howell

Godsmack by Craig Howell

Coldplay by Craig Howell

Phish by Craig Howell

Fatboy Slim by Craig Howell

James Rheem Davis

As far as insipiration goes, the work of James Rheem Davis is that rare breed of designer that adeptly captures the very essence of beauty in the dark and macabre. Flawlessly conveying the desired message with near nightmarish representations of a twisted take on the world around. With morbid and melancholy tones to match the images, Davis’ posters have a haunting effect on the viewer.

Poison The Well by James Rheem Davis

The Devil Wears Prada by James Rheem Davis

Flyleaf by James Rheem Davis

Slayer by James Rheem Davis

Tool by James Rheem Davis

Bleeding Through by James Rheem Davis

Last Click

Again, with Chris Shaw’s amazing talents having inspired so many artists in the field, we felt the last click should go to him.

Billy Idol by Chris Shaw

Resources

Robert Bowen is an emerging author, celebrated podcaster and poet, and most recently the co-founder and imaginative co-contributor of the creative design and blogging duo at the Arbenting Freebies Blog and Dead Wings Designs.

  1. 101

    these are freakin awsome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :]

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  2. 102

    very inspiring. ooh ahhh :)

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  3. 103

    And then there’s…

    Pedro Bell

    Perhaps the best-known P-Funk artist, Bell and his distinctive style were responsible for illustrating Funkadelic classics such as Cosmic Slop, Tales of Kidd Funkadelic, One Nation Under A Groove, Hardcore Jollies and Uncle Jam Wants You, as well as more recent solo albums for George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars. Bell also pioneered the song illustrations that would accompany P-Funk liner notes.

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  4. 104

    There are far better Mars Volta posters available for sale on their site than what was posted here by them

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  5. 105

    Nice post. I am a collector of Concert Posters and there are some good designs here. I always appreciate peoples points of view, and tastes (i dont always agree:) . Maybe you could do a post on early artists like Griffin (He was mentioned). Mouse & Kelley or some of Pollacks works… just a thought. Thanks for the time you put into this post.

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  6. 106

    oh man, this post is great!
    i am trying to design a concert poster myself, and this post gave me a shitload of ideas.
    thanks!

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  7. 107

    Music Executive

    February 16th, 2009 2:15 pm

    I can’t believe Jefferson Wood is not listed here. He is considered by many to be the best tour poster artist in the world, has won 1st place in the Pollstar poster contest several times, and is possibly the most sought after concert poster artist of our time.

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  8. 108

    Music Exec, are you retarded? pimping yourself under a thin disguise is pathetic. That J. Wood is not known or recognized as anything. Wake up and get a clue.

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  9. 109

    Mediocre list, nothing to groundbreaking. There are so many unmentioned amazing poster designers that are re-defining what poster art is.. not just re-hashing old ideas. If this list came out 10 years ago, I would have been impressed

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  10. 110

    Aciu uz idomia informacija

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  11. 111

    Tim Poster Collector

    February 11th, 2010 11:07 am

    “Mick Jagger”, are YOU retarded? Hello, do you not pay attention to the Pollstar poster contest? That is where actual industry people (agents, managers, talent buyers, marketing, and promoters) vote on the best poster of the year. Out of 700+ posters each year, Emek and Jefferson Wood have one won 1st place in that contest more than anyone. The posters are sent in by the promoters themselves, not the artists.

    Furthermore, Emek Golan, Jefferson Wood, Frank Kozik, Rick Griffin, and Bob Masse were listed by Billboard as artists for the Top 25 rock posters of all time. That is out of tens of thousands of posters from the 1950′s to the present. Emek and Griffin have several each in there.

    That is what is so nice about art. Everyone draws a little different, and everybody has different taste. So a poster that one person likes, another person could hate. But there are some posters, and artists that stand out from the crowd.

    This is what I hate about the internet. I am probably arguing with a 12 year old kid.

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  12. 112

    eden ferraro

    May 8th, 2010 10:42 am

    these are posters for a concert . oh wow real cool i am going to make one like this . problaly not exactly the same
    thank for the ideas

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  13. 113

    Hey can you make a new post about posters 2010, please? I think there came so much new cool stuff out, which is worth a refresh. I recently discovered a José Gonzáles Tour poster (http://en.zwoelf.net/permalink/80) which starts to rust and the typo fades away. I havent seen such poster yet, especially if you know the music it stands for. I would love to see a new posting of what posters you would choose 2010! Redo it! Please :-)

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  14. 114

    Killer post – thanks for putting this together. Just my 2 pennies, but – a not so well known kid making some great work is Josh Hunter. Check out his Widespread Panic Las Vegas and Reno poster from October 2010 – It’s sexy, it’s dark and he always throws it down when inspired to do so.

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  15. 115

    Some nice posters not much a fan of the fu manchu one looks like a free vector but love the flow of the Simian Mobile one and really love the Iggy one.

    Anyone seen some of Bill Bartlett’s ones (http://www.gigposterdesign.com).

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  1. 1

    Doublenaut in Toronto does really great posters. Check them out!
    http://www.doublenaut.com/work/posters/

    +1
  2. 2

    Samuel Cotterall

    September 28th, 2008 1:39 pm

    Some really excellent work, but a lot of that is really awful.

    I understand that a lot of gig posters are designed to commemorate the gig, rather than advertise it, but the first thing you notice should be the band’s name, then the date, then the venue – not the artwork.

    Also, a lot of these are really out of keeping with the band’s image.

    And, where were the Small Stakes?

    +1

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