There’s something about the Norwegian artist Aurora that makes her connection with a crowded theater feel effortless. Over the past few years, I’ve seen Aurora Aksnes, who goes by simply Aurora, become increasingly more popular. In fact, her recent performance at The Anthem on was completely packed. Many fans in attendance wore elaborate costumes or were dressed like Aurora herself, but I think the most welcoming sight was the sheer range of concert goers in age, gender, and background.
Preview: Tab Benoit w/ Jesse Dayton @ The Birchmere, 12/17/24
Acclaimed Louisiana Bayou Blues guitarist Tab Benoit and his acclaimed I Hear Thunder 2024 Tour continues touring the USA, performing locally in Alexandria at The Birchmere on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Best of the Year: Top Concerts of 2024 by Mark C.
Don’t let the title of this piece fool you, every show I attended in 2024 was a favorite! For our purposes, though, I mainly chose artists that were new to me, while acknowledging a couple of longtime favorites. “Discovering” new music has been a powerful motivator for photographing shows for Parklife DC. As I become more enmeshed in the music scene in Bellingham, Washington, those opportunities to experience new musical artists have grown considerably.
Live Review: Ride @ 9:30 Club — 12/5/24
Welsh guitarist Andy Bell is rumored to be joining the reunion of Oasis in 2025, recommitting to a big arena group that is sure to break some records when they hit the road. Meanwhile, however, Bell has been doing some wonderful work as one of the two frontmen of his very good original group, Ride, which released a new album of fine shoegazing earlier this year.
Ride recently performed at 9:30 Club on a North American tour in support of the album, titled Interplay, the third record by the band since they themselves reunited 10 years ago.
Snapshots: Oh He Dead @ Capital One Hall — 12/5/24
DC’s own Oh He Dead recently performed at Capital One Hall, and Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show.
Poll: What Are the Best Bands, Festivals, and Venues in the DC Area for 2024?
Welcome to the 2024 Thrushie Awards!
Parklife DC will name the best local band, music festival, and venue of the year with your input. Write-in candidates are welcome in all categories. Parklife DC will honor DC bands and venues with our annual Thrushie Awards program, named for our mascot, DC’s own state bird — the Wood Thrush.
A best local DC band must perform in the continuum of indie rock clubs that we cover around the metro area, and they must have released new music in the past year.
The Thrushie Awards are open to DC-area music festivals. These festivals are in the National Capital Region, and often they occur annually.
The Thrushie Awards are open to DC-area music venues that host touring bands. These venues must be occupied by its owner-operator and not a “for-rent” concert hall operated by an independent agent.
Learn more about each nominee by clicking on their name in keywords.
As always, our Thrushie Awards are inspired by our mission to review live music concerts and spotlight bands and concert halls covered by Parklife DC. Voting for Thrushies runs through Wednesday, Dec. 11, at midnight, and you get to vote for your favorite DC band, festival, and concert hall!
Live Review: Clutch w/ Native Howl and Many Eyes @ Rams Head Live! — 12/6/24
In a bittersweet send off (for now) to Rams Head Live! in Baltimore, local hard rock heroes Clutch recently took to the stage to deliver a performance for the ages.
As fans lined up at both entrances to the venue, there was a feeling that this was the end of a long road. Back in September, it was announced that Rams Head Live! was closing its doors for the foreseeable future. There has been chatter that the spot where the venue sits would remain a live music venue, but there’s no real word on that as of this writing.
Live Review: Stone Horses @ The Fillmore Silver Spring — 12/5/24
Stone Horses Bring the Thunder to The Fillmore Silver Spring
Words and photos by Mike Sprouse/OddRocker Photography
The Fillmore Silver Spring recently was buzzing with anticipation, and the venue was the perfect setting for a night of raw, untamed rock ‘n roll. Stone Horses, a band that’s steadily building a name for itself with its fusion of Southern rock, hard-hitting blues, and gritty classic style rock, delivered a performance that had the crowds full attention from start to finish as the opening act for Steel Panther.
Live Review: Steel Panther @ The Fillmore Silver Spring — 12/5/24
Steel Panther Shined Bright in Silver Spring with a Glam Metal Spectacle
By Mike Sprouse
Steel Panther recently stormed into The Fillmore Silver Spring, transforming the iconic Maryland venue into a time capsule of ’80s glam metal excess. With their signature blend of outrageous humor, sharp musicianship, and infectious charisma, they left no doubt why they remain a standout act in a genre often overshadowed by nostalgia.
Snapshots: Jhené Aiko @ CFG Bank Arena — 12/5/24
Jhené Aiko added another run of dates to her Magic Hour Tour, and she recently performed at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore on one of the extended dates! Chris Castillo was there to photograph the show.