Live Review: Twiddle @ 9:30 Club — 1/25/20

Posted on 01/29/2020 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, jam band, Twiddle, Vermont.

Twiddle performs at the House of Blues in Boston on Dec. 31, 2019. (Photo by Andrew Gardecki)

If you had said the word “twiddle” to me three years ago, it would’ve meant virtually nothing. Twiddle your thumbs? I never really understood that anyways. Fast forward to present day — the moment I see the word “Twiddle” next to a date and location in DC, I’m ecstatic. That’s how I felt when I found out one of my favorite bands, Twiddle, was making a stop at the 9:30 Club. I couldn’t wait to see them again.

Live Review: Blue October @ Baltimore Soundstage — 11/14/19

Posted on 11/18/2019 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged Alternative rock, Baltimore Soundstage, Blue October, Houston, Texas.

Justin Furstenfeld of Blue October (Photo by Chris Barber)

I had the pleasure of seeing Blue October for the second time this year recently. Justin Furstenfeld and company made a stop in Baltimore at one of my personal favorite venues — Baltimore Soundstage — as they finished the last few dates of their current tour.

Live Review: The Rocket Summer @ Union Stage — 9/24/19

Posted on 09/30/2019 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged Bryce Avary, Dallas, power pop, singer-songwriter, Texas, The Rocket Summer, Union Stage.

The Rocket Summer (Photo by Braverijah Gregg)

Bryce Avary, aka The Rocket Summer, released his first EP nearly two decades ago at the age of 17. Earlier this year, Bryce released his latest album Sweet Shivers, and he showed fans that he’s still going strong with no signs of stopping soon. The multi-instrumentalist Texas native stopped by DC’s waterfront at Union Stage recently in support of the latest album.

Live Review: Pasadena @ Baltimore Soundstage — 8/3/19

Posted on 08/05/2019 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged Baltimore Soundstage, Celtic rock, folk, Joe Harkum, Maryland, Pasadena, reggae.

Joe Harkum (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)

Baltimore’s reputation has taken a hit over the past year or so due to a recent spike in violence and crime in the city. Friday night, I got to witness first-hand how music can bring people together and help us to be bigger than our problems at Baltimore Soundstage thanks to Maryland’s own Pasadena.

Live Review: Ocean Alley @ Rock and Roll Hotel — 6/22/19

Posted on 06/26/2019 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged Australia, Ocean Alley, reggae, reggae fusion, Rock and Roll Hotel.

Ocean Alley (Photo courtesy ngage)

If you’re still looking for this year’s summer jams, look no further than Australia — and more specifically, Australian band Ocean Alley. The band brought summer to the Rock and Roll Hotel recently!

Live Review: Blue October @ 9:30 Club — 4/25/19

Posted on 04/29/2019 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, Blue October, post-grunge, Texas.

Blue October performs in the HEB Center in Cedar Park, Texas, on Dec. 14, 2016.(Photo by Ralph Arvesen)

I recently had the privilege of going to see one of the great bands of the aughts at 9:30 Club — Blue October. This was a band I listened to in high school and got back into recently. And Blue October is now on tour promoting their most recent album — I Hope You’re Happy.

Live Review: The Dip @ Union Stage — 4/16/19

Posted on 04/22/2019 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged Seattle, soul, The Dip, Union Stage, Washington.

The Dip performs live. (Photo by Abi Kalkur)

Seattle-based soul group The Dip took DC’s Union Stage back to the ’60s recently with their passionate and authentic performance that left the audience wanting more.

Live Review: Mother Mother @ Rock and Roll Hotel — 3/13/19

Posted on 03/18/2019 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged Canada, folk, Mother Mother, Rock and Roll Hotel.

Mother Mother (Photo by James O’Mara)

Combine Grouplove and The Pixies and you might get an idea of what Canadian indie rock band Mother Mother sounds like. Fans recently packed into a sold-out Rock and Roll Hotel to enjoy the band’s melodic and energetic music.

Live Review: James Bay @ The Anthem — 3/8/19

Posted on 03/12/2019 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged England, James Bay, R&B, singer-songwriter, soul, The Anthem.

James Bay performs at Lotto Arena on March 26, 2016. (Photo by Tom Van Ghent)

James Bay took to the stage for a long-awaited performance at The Anthem recently, and he proved without a doubt that he’s more than just a pretty face.

Live Review: St. Paul and the Broken Bones @ Rams Head Live — 2/15/19

Posted on 02/19/2019 by Corey Paterson in Live Review and tagged Alabama, Rams Head Live, soul, St. Paul and the Broken Bones.

Paul Janeway fronts St. Paul and the Broken Bones at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas, on March 31, 2017. (Photo by David Brendan Hall)

As a ’90s kid, I certainly love much of the music from the decade of my childhood, but I have often wished I could go back to the ’60s and ’70s to see some of the bands we will never see the likes of again. Listening to St. Paul and the Broken Bones makes me feel like I’m listening to something from those eras and yet, they just formed in 2012. I got to experience the eight-piece soul group live recently at Rams Head Live in Baltimore.