The Oyster Riot Was Very Cool Indeed
Words by Dan Rozman
Photos by Mark Raker
The Oyster Riot is one of the coolest food parties in DC, and this past year marked its 27th incredible celebration. Every year, right before Thanksgiving, the Old Ebbitt Grill atrium transforms into one of the most exciting events in the city, hosting an unforgettable feast that food lovers can’t stop talking about.
Following an extensive fall European tour, San Francisco-based singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes, which features two members of the celebrated Salinas, CA-based cumbia band ¿Qiensave? along with Prophet’s long-time band, The Mission Express, extend their tour into 2025 with stops along the East Coast of the USA and throughout the UK in support of their critically lauded collaborative album, Wake the Dead, out now on Yep Roc Records.
Chuck Prophet and His Cumbia Shoes perform at The Hamilton Live in DC on Wednesday, Jan. 22!
New Orleans rapper Curren$y visited the Howard Theatre in DC recently for a one-off show, and Chis Castillo was there to photograph the event!
Danger Bird and Grateful Allman Band Experience Turned the State Theatre into a Classic Rock Paradise
The historic State Theatre in Falls Church recently hosted an incredible show of classic rock covers. First up was Danger Bird, who covers Neil Young songs. Their performance was so authentic that at times it was hard to tell the difference between them and Neil Young himself!
From singer, songwriter, music producer, visual artist, and writer Neko Case comes The Harder I Fight the More I Love You, a memoir of a poverty-stricken childhood, obsessive desires, and indispensable friendships.
Neko Case is on a book tour, and she discusses The Harder I Fight the More I Love You with Hanna Rosin in a conversation at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Moran Tripp Band and Jag Robinson Were Refreshingly Old School
Words by Rahsaan “Wordslave” Eldridge
Photos by Steve Satzberg
Last Friday was a cold night in downtown Annapolis, Maryland. But while the temperature outside was just above freezing, inside Rams Head On Stage was on fire!
On Jan. 9, DC indie poppers Mystery Friends release On the Floor!, a five-song EP. They celebrate the EP release with a show at The Atlantis on Saturday, Jan. 11.
DMV concert goers don’t often see a country band listed on the 9:30 Club calendar. In an even rarer feat, 49 Winchester was slotted to play not one but two nights to close out 2024 at the legendary DC venue this week — on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31.
Billing itself as “Appalachian country soul music,” 49 Winchester is based in Castlewood, near the southern border of Virginia. But the six-man posse is quickly making a name for itself, hooking fans from all over the map after a series of dates opening for Luke Combs.
Lead singer/guitarist Isaac Gibson started the group over a decade ago, and he’s now joined by guitarist Bus Shelton, bassist Chase Chafin, pedal steel guitarist Noah Patrick, pianist/organist/keyboardist Tim Hall, and drummer Justin Louthian.
His uncommon path makes him an artist like no other, and two decades after breaking out as both a band leader and an actor, Eugene Hütz is as driven as ever to use his music and his heritage as an inspirational and vitalizing force.
The New Year finds him busy as can be. The frontman of the popular New York City gypsy punk outfit Gogol Bordello, Hütz recently launched Casa Gogol Records in the Big Apple, and just in the past few months he’s made his way around the country to promote burgeoning artists on the new label as well as a Liev Schreiber-produced documentary film titled “Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story.”
But recently in the Charm City, Hütz and his band packed Baltimore Soundstage and delivered an amplified, impassioned, and uproarious performance that left most in the room dripping with sweat and sent everyone home satisfied. It confirmed what so many already know: that Gogol Bordello is simply not to be missed.
2024 was a banner year making photos for DCs outstanding music publication, Parklife DC. The year brought numerous outstanding artists to the DC metro area for continual shows during the year.
I was fortunate enough to work with senior writer Mark Engelson this year, and together we were able to cover several great shows in the DC area.