DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
Failure playing during their tour with Swervedriver in March of 2019. (Photo by Marc Shea)
Editor’s note: Parklife asked our contributors to revisit some of the best shows they’ve ever seen in a series titled My Favorite Concert.
One of the best concerts I ever saw took place almost a year ago. Failure was co-headlining a bill with Swervedriver at 9:30 Club. I’ve been a fan of both bands since the mid-90’s and this was a chance to see two bands that I had never been able to see.
Rhett Miller (Photo by Ebru Yildiz)
With more time at home, folks are flocking to broadcast avenues like Twitch and Zoom. While it’s not easy to replace the live concert experience, StageIt, another broadcast site gaining popularity, is giving it a go with remarkable results.
See for yourself by catching Old 97s frontman Rhett Miller in a solo show at StageIt on Wednesday, March 25.
The English Beat performs at 9:30 Club on Oct. 11, 2016. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
The 9:30 Club may be closed at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but you still can visit the nation’s No. 1 music hall virtually.
In 2016-17, 9:30 Club teamed up with PBS for a live concert series called Live at 9:30 Club. Those concert performances are available for you while you’re home alone (or any other time you may want to watch)!
The Black Cat (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
The Black Cat is regarded as home to DC’s punk music scene. It hosts the likes of Discord bands like Hammered Hulls and traveling skate punk bands like FIDLAR, for sure, but there’s much more to the Black Cat.
With its 700-person capacity, the Black Cat is the touring home to indie rockers of all stripes, whether climbing their way up the charts or legacy bands that have won a consistent and loyal following.
Eli Lev performs at 9:30 Club on Aug. 17, 2019. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
“Missing live music? So are we! That’s why we’re about to embark on our own ‘Virtual Tour’.”
So said local recording and touring artist Eli Lev recently on his Twitter feed. He and musical partner Megan Leigh will broadcast two livestreams via Facebook Live this Tuesday, March 24, and Sunday, March 29.
Duran Duran performs at The Fillmore New Orleans on Feb. 19, 2019. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Editor’s Note: Parklife DC asked its contributors to write essays about their favorite bands. These essays appear in an occasional series, My Favorite Artist, and provide our readers with insights into our bloggers, their motivations, and their approach to covering concerts.
To my ear, music is at its best when it motivates and inspires. Popular music provides a forum for catharsis, surely, but I am most excited when I hear something that stirs my soul, lifts my head, and moves my feet.
Cue Duran Duran.
A sign announcing a coronavirus closing (Photo by Ted Eytan)
DC has closed its music venues to efforts to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19). As such, staffers at concert halls around town are out of work.
Management at several music venues have established relief funds for their workers, allowing the public to donate directly to efforts to provide money directly to venue staff.
Should you ever have enjoyed a show at any of the venues below, please consider a donation to thank the hard-working staff who helped make it a great experience. Parklife has compiled a list below of music venues administering support funds, along with a statement posted by the management of each.
Parklife will udpate this list as relevant. Feel free to add info on relief efforts for music venue staff in the comments.
Angel K
AJ Waugh
ambienteye
Ari Strauss
Andy Jillson
Brenda Reyes
Chester Simpson
chriscastilloweb
Chris R. Smyth
Casey Vock
Daniel Webb
David LaMason
EDMit it
Shantel M Breen
isaiahhattix
Jason Nicholson "Le Mouton Flâneur"
jesternate
julesontheroadphotos
jwillview
kristiechua
marcshea2
Mark Caicedo
Mark Engleson
Mathew Harkins
Corey Paterson
mdxpc
Mickey McCarter
Miyun Park
Neal Keller
Parklifer
Kyle Gustafson
paivi
Rebecca
regardingtess
Robert Smith
shedrickpelt
theeternalname
Matt Ruppert
Will Colbert
Andrew Goodwin
wefoughtthebigone