Parklife DC today announces the best in DC concerts with our annual awards program, named for our mascot, DC’s own state bird — the Wood Thrush. Our Thrushie Awards salute bands, venues, and music festivals in line with our mission to review live music concerts.

Congratulations to the 2024 Thrushie Awards winners!

Here are the winners of the 2024 Thrushie Awards, along with the percentage of the vote they took and a bit of analysis pertaining to the win:

Who is the best local band in DC?

1. Kinda Evil, 41.7%
2. The Montaines, 18.2%
3. Mystery Friends, 11.2%

Earlier this year, DC’s Kinda Evil released Hard to Believe, their debut studio album. It’s not hard to believe that they capitalized on a well-received album debut show at Black Cat and other appearances around town to nab the No. 1 spot on our readers poll this year! They next perform at Songbyrd Music House on Dec. 20!  Coming in second, DC indie rockers The Montaines jumped onto our results thanks to a write-in campaign. Clearly these guys are doing something right! Catch them next at Pie Shop on Jan. 17. The very cool Mystery Friends appear at No. 3, and you can catch them headlining The Atlantis on Jan. 11.

What is the best concert venue in DC metro?

1. Songbyrd Music House, 31.9%
2. DC9, 30.4%
3. 9:30 Club, 14.5%

Parklife readers love small venues, and small venues always do well in our readers poll. Just as in 2023, Songbyrd Music House and DC9 capture the No. 1 and No. 2 spots respectively on our readers polls. It’s no wonder to us: Both places feel like a comfortable home away from home where you can enjoy a beer and great music while consorting with cool people. The Mighty 9:30 Club, our city’s most famous venue, places at No. 3. Keep in mind again that those small venue loyalists really show up for our poll.

What is the best music festival in the DC area?

1. Appaloosa Music Festival, 82.6%
2. M3 Rock Music Festival, 5.8%
3. National Cannabis Festival, 5.8%

Appaloosa Music Festival, run by local Celtic heroes Scythian, almost always wins the top spot on our readers poll, and this year it did so *overwhelmingly.* Last time, All Things Go Music Festival was recognized for what everyone agrees was a banner year. But Appaloosa first took top honors as a write-in candidate and its supports continue to share their love!

Congrats again to our winners!