DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
DC9 Nightclub (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
When you Google “DC9 Nightclub,” the search engine giant helpfully informs you that “the live music venue” is a “Tri-level hipster hangout with snug basement bar, music stage with dance parties and rooftop deck.”
What that doesn’t fully tell you, however, is that DC9 is perhaps the most chill spot to discover the best rising bands, find the best affordable cocktail to put you in the zone, and altogether check your troubles at the door.
Allison Moorer (Photo by Heidi Ross)
Singer-songwriter Allison Moorer released her autobiography Blood: A Memoir last year via Da Capo Press. She’s since been in the DC area a few times to chat about her book and play songs and to perform in a show with her husband Hayes Carll.
If you missed either of those concerts, you can catch her play a free livestream at Facebook Live on Saturday, March 28.
Eric Hall (left) and Scott Terry (right) of Red Wanting Blue perform on stage at Gypsy Sally’s, May 4, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Back in December of 2017, Eric Hall and Scott Terry from Red Wanting Blue went out on a two-week experimental tour with close friends, Tim Warren and Eric Donnelly from The Alternate Routes. They called the combined group ARWB and played small venues, crafting the show town to town, singing each other’s songs and sharing stories from their many years of friendship and travel.
Red Wanting Blue will steam the concert film in four parts over four days via YouTube from Wednesday, March 25, through Saturday, March 28.
The Birchmere (Photo by dontdothisathome)
With a history going back more than 50 years, The Birchmere enjoys an unparalleled prestige with both artists and fans among DMV venues. Known as the region’s center for roots music, the venue has hosted a staggering number of legendary artists.
Luna Honey (Photo courtesy Blight Records)
A few days ago, DC experimental pop band Luna Honey released a video for a new single, “Psalm,” and it sounds like the droning theme to the ambient post-apocalyptic space Western that we would like to see.
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.
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