Timecop1983 and Droid Bishop transported DC’s Union Stage to a neon-drenched, cocaine-free fever dream of the 1980s during their recent show at Union Stage, captivating an enthusiastic crowd of polite millennials out for a date night on the town.
On March 7, Droid Bishop opened the evening — a charismatic one-man band whose talent made clear the demanding nature of performing solo while seamlessly handling vocals, guitar, and synth. Droid Bishop channeled the energy of a lost era, as if Peter Gabriel had been frozen in the ’80s and thawed for a night of fresh, infectious synthpop beats. He commanded attention and demanded the crowd either break into a circle pit or close the gap between them and the stage. The millennials obliged.
Between crowd-participation calls and playful banter (“Take it, take the pick, TAKE THE PICK BRO!”), it was clear Droid Bishop thrived in engaging his audience, with his stage presence electrifying the room. At one point, he took to the crowd to perform guitar from the club floor. He insisted he would return to DC once more after his finale, and one can’t help but hope that he does so with the support of a live drummer.
Stream “Higher” by Droid Bishop on YouTube:
When Timecop1983 took the stage, the teal and magenta hues intensified, silhouetting faux palm fronds. Timecop1983, primarily playing his vintage synthesizers and his laptop, collaborated live with musicians Josh Dally on guitar and vocals and Juan “Jay Cali” Calixto on the impeccably illuminated drums. Dally brought shoegaze-tinged vocals, though he was easily distracted during crowd interactions by the siren song of a British accent and proclamations of “Liverpool.”
Mr. Timecop himself also frequently engaged with the crowd, remarking on his writing collaborators “They’re with us in our hearts… in spirit! Anyway, this one is called ‘River of Darkness.'” Instrumental tracks like “Dimensions” and “The Return” highlighted Timecop1983’s lush, cinematic soundscape, powerfully driven by the undeniable energy of Calixto’s live drumming — even confined to the narrow aperture of disco beats, his presence amplified the band’s overall impact, proving the undeniable difference a live drummer can make.
Stream “The Return” by Timecop1983 on YouTube:
Ultimately, the dual-act provided a memorable evening of nostalgia-infused synthpop, effortlessly capturing both the hearts and dancing feet of the crowd. For my part, I look forward to both of their triumphant returns to DC.
Here are some photos of Timecop1983 performing at Union Stage on March 7, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Gerald Henry.
Here are some photos of Droid Bishop opening Timecop1983 at Union Stage on March 7, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Gerald Henry.
