Interview: Belouis Some (@ City Winery Philadelphia), 4/8/25

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April 2, 2025

Neville Keighley, better known as Belouis Some, recorded three potent new wave albums from 1985-1993, creating memorable dancefloor classics like “Imagination” and “Some People.” He also recorded the hit song “Round, Round” for the Pretty in Pink soundtrack!

Belouis Some last toured the United States in 1988, but the British singer-songwriter hits the roads in America once again starting at City Winery Philadelphia on April 8, opening dates for Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel throughout the month. He then returns for more tourdates with Lost ’80s Live for a lot of shows in July and August!

Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter chatted with Belouis Some about recording albums in the USA, some stories behind songs like “Imagination” and “Round, Round,” and his touring plans!

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Live Review: Cassandra Jenkins w/ Merce Lemon @ Songbyrd Music House — 3/26/25

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Mark Engleson

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April 2, 2025

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Cassandra Jenkins performs live at Songbyrd Music House on March 26, 2025. (Photo by Casey Vock)

Pop often gets maligned as being shallow, both musically and lyrically. And while that’s certainly true of some of it, there’s plenty of dumb music in other genres, too. Pop at its best can be sophisticated and intelligent music, and Manhattan native Cassandra Jenkins is making some of the best pop music today. In her recent performance at the Songbyrd Music House, Cassandra Jenkins enchanted the sold-out audience with her gorgeous songs.

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Ticket Giveaway: Sunflower Bean @ The Atlantis, 5/23/25

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Parklifer

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April 1, 2025

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Sunflower Bean — Julia Cumming (vocals, bass), Nick Kivlen (vocals, guitar), and Olive Faber (drums) — release their transformative new album Mortal Primetime, on April 25 via Lucky Number. Soon after, they embark on a tour that includes a date at The Atlantis in DC on Friday, May 23.

You can win tickets to go with Parklife DC!

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Live Review: Rebecca Black w/ Blue Hawaii @ 9:30 Club — 3/30/25

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Sami Pye

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April 1, 2025

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Rebecca Black’s “Friday” is a household tune for most people with access to the internet in the early 2010s. The catchy tune uploaded to YouTube in 2011 went on to receive 174 million views, remixes, countless memes, and, of course, loads of hate. Rebecca Black used her viral moment as a springboard to build a legitimate music career today.

Besides growing up, Rebecca also turned to DJing, electric pop, hip-hop choreography, and crafting her queer anthems to sold-out venues, such as her recent turn at 9:30 Club. She’s embraced her identity as a queer artist and continues to explore her creative voice.

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Live Review: Korpiklaani and Ensiferum w/ Trollfest and NiNi @ Baltimore Soundstage — 3/28/25

By

Evan Henry

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April 1, 2025

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Korpiklaani performs at Baltimore Soundstage on March 28, 2025. (Photo by David LaMason)

“We’re going to be late” I intoned to Virgil as he fondled one of the cherry blossoms while lollygagging at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC.

“Don’t you understand? We’re going to see masters of folk metal this evening in Baltimore! It is essential we attune ourselves to nature before we expose ourselves to that kind of ancient magic lest we be turned into newts or worse things.”

“The Baltimore-Washington Parkway takes no prisoners and it’s rush hour,” I retorted.

The doors at the Baltimore Soundstage were set to open for Korpiklaani and Ensiferum at 5:30pm, and I was eager to depart. Virgil whispered sweet nothings at one of the resplendent specimens of Sakura and then hastily retreated to the car. We were finally on the road after 4pm.

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Book Talk: Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music @ Howard Theatre — 3/25/25

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Mickey McCarter

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April 1, 2025

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In 1971, Phil Manzanera responded to an ad in Melody Maker seeking “the perfect guitarist for avant-rock group.” He was invited to meet with Roxy Music’s Bryan Ferry and Andy Mackay, who were sharing a house at the time.

“I got on really well with them but I failed the audition,” Manzanera told a mesmerized audience at the Howard Theatre during a recent stop to promote his new memoir.

It’s one of the many stories contained in “Revolución to Roxy,” published a year ago by Wordzworth Publishing. In recent weeks, Mr. Manzanera talked about the life experiences captured in the book in a few select USA appearances.

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Live Review: The Hard Quartet @ 9:30 Club — 3/25/25

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Casey Vock

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April 1, 2025

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The Hard Quartet @ 9:30 Club Washington DC - 03.25.25 Photo by Casey Ryan Vock — Stephen Malkmus performs with the Hard Quartet at 9:30 Club on March 25, 2025. (Photo by Casey Ryan Vock)

What the music industry might call a supergroup could just simply be a group of longtime pals getting together to write some tunes and jam the hell out of them.

But when one of the buddies is one most influential indie rock figures alive, it’s sensible that the media and fans alike will attach lofty expectations to the project, even before it shapes up as a tour.

To be fair, the Hard Quartet did come up with a pretty bold name for itself. Featuring Stephen Malkmus of Pavement fame, the band formed a couple years ago, but word of it took some time to get out. Even that news was perhaps a bit muffled by all the buzz about Pavement and the soon-to-be-released fictional biopic, Pavements.

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Live Review: Maruja w/ Hungry Bug @ Union Stage — 3/25/25

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marcshea2

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April 1, 2025

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Recently, I was approached about shooting a band I had never heard before. The band is called Maruja. They’re from the UK and have been playing some incendiary gigs back home. In fact, Alt Press said the shows were “unruly live shows akin to an exorcism.” That got my attention. So, I decided to go about this one differently. I didn’t listen to any of their music beforehand. I wanted my first impression to be the show at Union Stage. And that first impression was that I was definitely one of the oldest people in the building.

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Around Town: Rock and Roll for Children Foundation @ The Fillmore Silver Spring — 3/22/25

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Dan Rozman

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April 1, 2025

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Steve Smith and The Nakeds perform at The Fillmore Silver Spring on March 22, 2025. (Photo by Mark Raker)

Rocking for a Cause: An Unforgettable Night of Music and Hope
Words by Dan Rozman
Photos by Mark Raker

The latest Rock and Roll for Children Foundation charity concert was a night to remember, packed with fantastic music, exciting auction items, and the power to make a real difference in kids’ lives.

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