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Snapshots: Dom Flemons w/ Sunny War @ Rams Head on Stage — 7/2/25

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Dom Flemons
Dom Flemons performs live at Rams Head on Stage on July 2, 2025. (Photo by Steve Satzberg)

Although now a resident of Chicago, Piedmont blues and neotraditional country musician Dom Flemons maintains strong ties to the DC area, where he lived for several years. He recently returned to region for a show at Rams Head on Stage, where he was joined on the bill by Sunny War.

Live Review: Keyshia Cole w/ Wale and Elijah Blake @ CFG Bank Arena — 7/1/25

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Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole performs live at CFG Bank Arena on July 1, 2025. (Photo by Tonya Caver)

Summer officially kicked off in Baltimore recently as Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is Tour touched down in Charm City. The tour marked the remarkable 20th anniversary of the songstress’ debut album. That album marked a shift in R&B culture as it blended heartbreak ballads and hip-hop culture. The nearly sold-out crowd came prepared for nostalgia as Cole promised not to disappoint.

Live Review: The Roots @ Wolf Trap — 6/29/25

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Roots
The Roots drummer and cofounder Quest Love performs live at Wolf Trap, June 29, 2025. (Photo by Ari Strauss)

The Roots recently brought their signature fusion of hip-hop, jazz, soul, and funk to The Filene Center at Wolf Trap, delivering a masterclass in live musicianship that proved why they remain one of the most compelling acts in modern music — nearly four decades after their formation.

Live Review: Samantha Fish @ Baltimore Soundstage — 6/29/25

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Samantha Fish
Samantha Fish performs live at Baltimore Soundstage on June 29, 2025. (Photo by Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography)

A bluesy spell was cast in Baltimore

You ever walk into a place and just feel the voltage in the air?

I’m not talking static cling or nervous excitement here: I mean full-blown, skin-prickling, ribcage-thumping electricity. That kind of buzz that hits you before the lights even dim, before a single chord is struck, before the first “whoo!” ricochets off the walls.

That was the Baltimore Soundstage on Sunday night, June 29. A night pinned between a muggy Mid-Atlantic heatwave and the tail end of Pride weekend. The humidity was thick enough to bite through, but no one gave a damn — we were all packed shoulder to shoulder and already sweating bullets by the time Samantha Fish took the stage.

Live Review: Car Seat Headrest @ The Anthem — 6/28/25

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Car Seat Headrest
Car Seat Headrest bring The Scholars to a sold-out show at The Anthem on June 28, 2025. (Photo by David LaMason)

Car Seat Headrest are back! And at their tour opener at The Anthem Saturday night, the band that started in Northern Virginia made their return to an enthusiastic sold-out crowd.  

It’s an understatement to call the journey back from 2020’s Making a Door Less Open to their just released thirteenth album, The Scholars a roller coaster. The last time I saw Car Seat Headrest was also at The Anthem and right after things started opening back up after the start of Covid. After that show, Will Toledo – front person and creative lead – would be affected by and start on his long road through Long Covid and related health concerns. The result would lead eventually into a sort of conceptual record that took as much from lush 1970’s rock as it does from the sound of bands like The Talking Heads. 

Live Review: Kasey Chambers w/ Sunny Sweeney @ The Birchmere — 6/28/25

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Kasey Chambers
Kasey Chambers (Photo courtesy of artist)

We don’t get a chance to see Australian country musician Kasey Chambers often in the States, but when she makes it here, she delivers the goods. She recently put on a stunning show at The Birchmere filled with great songs and stories, filled with heart and humor, celebrating family, that was one of the most emotionally powerful performances I’ve ever seen.

Live Review: JP Harris w/ Brent Funkhouser @ Jammin’ Java — 6/25/25

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JP Harris
JP Harris (Photo courtesy Propeller Publicity)

Country music’s roots lie in folk music: That is to say, it is music of the people. With its commercialization, its mainstream has increasingly become sanitized in both its sonic and lyrical content, growing closer to pop and largely abandoning its populist roots.

But the old ways have not disappeared. They’ve just gone underground, where they’re maintained by artists like JP Harris, who now lives in — but is not a creature of — Nashville and its establishment. In his recent appearance at Jammin’ Java, Harris and his band brought the beating heart of tradition up to the present day.

Live Review: Blondshell w/ Daffo @ 9:30 Club — 6/24/25

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Blondshell
Blondshell performs live at 9:30 Club on June 24, 2025. (Photo by James Todd Miller)

Blondshell came on stage, set her tone, got the crowd support from the onset, and played an excellent show at recently at 9:30 Club. Her ability to set pace and get fans into her set has become a huge part of her presentation and entertainment ability — in addition to her great vocals. Blondshell is currently on tour in the USA in support of her latest release, If You Asked for a Picture.

Live Review: Peach Pit and Briston Maroney @ The Anthem – 6/22/25

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Peach Pit
Peach Pit perform live at The Anthem on June 22, 2025. (Photo by Marc Shea)

There are some amazing bands and artists touring at the moment and there’s nothing like seeing a great band perform live. What could be better than that for a music fan? Two bands touring together and co-headlining a tour! That’s what I ran into on a recent evening at The Anthem when I caught Briston Maroney playing with Peach Pit on their Long Hair, Long Life Tour.

Preview: Lost 80s Live feat. A Flock of Seagulls, Peter Godwin, China Crisis, General Public, and more @ Various Cities, 7/31-8/31/25

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China Crisis
China Crisis (Photo courtesy of Paradise Artists)

Crank up the synthesizers because Lost ’80s Live, the ultimate retro music experience, is returning for its highly anticipated 23rd anniversary tour in 2025!

Hosted by legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame DJ Richard Blade, this electrifying celebration of ’80s music features an incredible lineup of the decade’s most iconic artists and hitmakers.