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.
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.
Billy Idol performs at the Pearl Theater at Palms Casino Resort on March 13, 2020. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Billy Idol’s dad was a helluva salesman. He worked hard all of his life, and he never really seemed to have time for Billy’s music as his son shot up the charts in the early ’80s.
In 2014, Billy was working on Kings & Queens of the Underground, his eighth studio album, and he took a mix over to his parents to get their feedback. To Billy’s delight, his dad was not only very interested in the album, but he liked the songs quite well.
Soon after, Billy’s dad passed away at the age of 90. In his bed at the time, he was listening to Billy’s “Ghosts in My Guitar,” a song that Billy performed with considerable emotion at the Pearl Theatre at Palms Resort Casino recently.
The Districts perform at 9:30 Club on March 10, 2020. (Photo by Casey Vock.)
Sometimes an album comes to life when a band needs it most, and the tour to support it is how the group actually reaps the spiritual, and financial, benefits of their work.
The Districts’ latest release — You Know I’m Not Going Anywhere — is said to have almost never happened: the band had nearly exhausted itself after an intense few years on the road and seemed to be searching for direction when founder and head singer Rob Grote isolated himself and put pen to pad to nurture the words that would comprise the newest LP.
