To remember David Bowie on his birthday and to mark the fifth anniversary of his untimely death, producers Robert Fox and RZO Entertainment Inc. are exclusively releasing the stream of the London production of Lazarus, captured live on stage.
The streaming will be available for three performances only via Dice.fm on Friday, Jan. 8, Saturday, Jan. 9, and Sunday, Jan. 10.
Duran Duran (Photo by Stephanie Pistel)
New wave legends Duran Duran long have embraced their David Bowie influences. And the quartet also have covered Bowie’s songs, first grabbing attention with their fantastic cover of “Fame,” which they introduced on their first-ever US tour (which included a date at The Bayou here in DC back in 1981).
Today, in celebration of what would have been Bowie’s 74th birthday, Duran Duran release a cover of his epic “Five Years” from The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.
shame (Photo by Sam Gregg)
shame release a new single/video, “Nigel Hitter,” from their forthcoming album, Drunk Tank Pink, out next Friday, Jan. 15 on Dead Oceans.
A virtual Wammies Awards program will be held on March 28, 2021. (Photo by Elise Cai)
Voting for the 2021 Wammie Awards has officially begun. Residents of DC, Maryland, and Virginia can now vote for their favorite local artists and musicians for a 2021 Wammie Award. Nominations are still open through Jan. 31, so music lovers can both vote and nominate through the end of January.
SHAED (Photo by Jared Zagha)
DC trio SHAED releases a brand-new single, “Once Upon a Time,” featuring FAME’S Macedonian Symphonic Orchestra.
Alia Lene sings on YouTube. (Still courtesy Erika Tooker)
Alia Lene released a special version of “The Christmas Song” recently on YouTube. The track is taken from her Christmas Miracle EP released Dec. 11 on Contra Worldwide Recordings.
Covenant (Photo by Frank Machalowski)
Swedish electronic innovators Covenant today share a cover of “Winter Kills” by UK new wave duo Yazoo to mark the arrival of our coldest season.
What can be said for a year that began with so much promise but ends, well, like we are all feeling stuck in an alternate dimension. Looking back on my calendar which went so off the rails after two and a half months in, it really does look like a glimpse into a world that should have been but one that’s now alternate history.
But even in this bizarro world of COVID-19 there was some great music created at homes, online, socially distanced, and even on the streets! There is nothing that can beat the feel of a crowded show, the thrill of being there, and the joyous exhaustion that follows, but this past year we saw people pulling together – giving what they could – to keep live music alive despite every roadblock tossed in its way.
Since these lists are often limited by “best of” or Top 10, I want to include, well, all of those performances I caught this past year. There weren’t many, but each one I relive when I hear a song from a brilliant artist I’ve seen or go through photos from the past year. Here are my Top 12 Musical Moments of 2020 in chronological order.
Red Wanting Blue (Photo courtesy Michael J. Media)
Midwestern rock band Red Wanting Blue recently covered “Christmas All Over Again” by Tom Petty! Give it a listen and get into the Christmas spirit with the Ohio-based Americana quintet.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) calls for support for music venues outside Brookyn’s Baby’s All Right on Aug. 18, 2020. (Photo courtesy NIVA)
Congress on Monday passed a pandemic relief bill that includes $15 billion for independent venues and promotors, providing a vital lifeline to music venues such as DC’s 9:30 Club, Black Cat, DC9, and others.
