Home Blog Page 34

Live Review: Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark @ Lincoln Theatre — 5/22 + 5/23/25

1
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark perform live at the Lincoln Theatre in DC on May 22, 2025. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

The best music is heartfelt and true, and it is played by musicians who possess great talent and powerful insight in bringing it to life.

Consider then four Englishmen who play electronic music and do so with such passion and skill that they win praise around the world for their continually fresh new wave sound. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark recently showcased that very prowess when opening their 2025 North American tour over two nights at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, DC.

Snapshots: Amyl and The Sniffers @ The Fillmore Silver Spring — 5/21/25

0
Amyl and the Sniffers @ FIllmore Silver Spring MD 05.19.25 Photo by Casey Ryan Vock
Amy Taylor leads the award-winning Australian pub rock band Amyl and the Sniffers in a performance at Fillmore Silver Spring on May 19, 2025. (Photo by Casey Ryan Vock)

Amyl and the Sniffers have been doing whatever the hell they want since the Melbourne-based group took shape in 2016. Repulsive ways and foul-mouthed lyrics have yielded a long list of awards and even more nominations and made the outfit one of Australia’s hottest attractions.

Led by vocalist and songwriter — and activist — Amy Taylor, Amyl and the Sniffers push the limits of what a pub rock band can concoct in terms of commotion and irritation. Some of the group’s videos on YouTube have been censored due to excessive bare skin. Even the cover for the latest album, Cartoon Darkness, gets a blur.

Preview: Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe @ The Anthem, 6/5/25

0
Grace Jones
Grace Jones (Photo by Andrea Klarin)

Grace Jones and Janelle Monáe perform live at The Anthem on Thursday, June 5, for World Pride 2025!

This spectacular show is not to be missed. Read on for details.

Live Review: Chaka Khan, Stephanie Mills, and Gladys Knight @ CFG Bank Arena — 5/23/25

0
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan performs live at CFG Bank Arena on May 23, 2025. (Photo by Tonya Caver)

Royalty recently landed in Baltimore: The Black Promoters Collective brought the Queens to town! Gladys Knight, Stephanie Mills, and Chaka Khan put on a master class of fine art and elegance. With decades of experience and endless amounts of accolades between the trio, we knew we were about to witness an unforgettable evening of music.

Live Review: Central Cee @ The Fillmore Silver Spring — 5/22/25

0
Central Cee
Central Cee performs live at The Fillmore Silver Spring on May 22, 2025. (Photo by Thomas Sellers IV)

UK-born rap sensation Central Cee recently brought unstoppable energy to Silver Spring, Maryland, as part of his Can’t Rush Greatness Tour. The Fillmore Silver Spring was packed wall-to-wall with fans who had been anticipating the sold-out show for weeks.

With his new album making waves, Cench proved why he’s one of the most exciting voices in global rap right now.

Snapshots: Five for Fighting @ Rams Head on Stage — 5/19/25

0
Five for Fighting
Five for Fighting performs live at Rams Head on Stage on May 19, 2025. (Photo by Steve Satzberg)

Grammy nominated, platinum-selling Five for Fighting (aka John Ondrasik) recently capped a series of special string quartet shows with a tour that ended locally. He recently played the penultimate date of his string quartet tour at Rams Head on Stage, and Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show.

Snapshots: Ben Folds w/ Howard County Youth Orchestra @ Merriweather Post Pavilion — 5/18/25

0
Ben Folds
Ben Folds performs live at Merriweather Post Pavilion on May 18, 2025. (Photo by Steve Satzberg)

Ben Folds recently swept through our region on his 2025 Orchestral Tour, visiting Merriweather Post Pavilion. In a delightful twist, the orchestra backing Mr. Folds was the local Howard County Youth Orchestra, comprised of students assembled from the school system in Howard County, Maryland, home to Merriweather Post Pavilion.

Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show.

Live Review: Stella Cole @ The Birchmere – 5/15/25

0
Stella Cole
Stella Cole performs live at The Birchmere on May 15, 2025. (Photo by Marc Shea)

I see a lot of shows; most of them rock. The majority of them are also in a club or venue where I’ll be standing all night (when I’m not shooting photos). Occasionally, I get to cover something totally different. That’s what Stella Cole’s recent show at The Birchmere was. This show was her second time around in about six months. You can read my first review here.

Since I saw her first show, I knew what I was in store for and I was not disappointed. There is no opener. It’s simply an evening with Stella and The Great American Songbook! You can watch the video of here version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” if you’re not already familiar with Stella.

Live Review: OAR @ Nationals vs. Cardinals — 5/9/25

0
OAR
OAR performs live at Nationals Park on May 9, 2025. (Photo by Mark Raker)

While the baseball game wasn’t one of the Nationals finest performances this year (10-0 loss to the Cardinals), a large crowd stayed to the end for the post-game OAR concert. On a beautifully cool baseball weather night, hometown favorites, OAR kicked of the Summer Concert Series with a great on-field concert on May 9.

Live Review: Night Ranger @ Hollywood Casino (Charles Town, WV) — 5/16/25

0
Night Ranger
Night Ranger perform live at Hollywood Casino on May 16, 2025. (Photo by Michael Sprouse/Odd Rocker Photography)

Night Ranger at Hollywood Casino, Charles Town, West Virginia
“When the Sun Goes Down, the Real Ones Come Out”
Words and photos by Michael Sprouse/Odd Rocker Photography

Some shows you go to out of curiosity. Others for nostalgia. And then there’s that rare breed of night where the music grabs you by the collar, smirks like an old friend, and says: “C’mon, let’s go raise some hell.” That was Night Ranger at the Hollywood Casino in Charles Town on May 16 — a Friday night in 2025 that felt more like 1987.