Shemekia Copeland (Photo by Mike White)
Shemekia Copeland took command of the stage at the AMP by Strathmore recently as her band played the opening notes of the blues-rock anthem “Ain’t Got Time for Hate.” Co-written by ace songwriters John Hahn and Will Kimbrough (who also produced), the song leads off her latest album, the roots-infused America’s Child.
Shakey Graves plays at The Anthem on Sept. 13, 2019. (Photo by Matt Ruppert)
Alejandro Rose-Garcia, better known by his hallucinogenic-given stagename Shakey Graves, further cemented his status as a harbinger of modern rock and roll with his most recent album, Can’t Wake Up. Any fans of his know well that he can write a song with a heavy groove, the kind of tunes that stutter-step into beauty.
Fontaines DC performs at U Street Music Hall on Sept. 11, 2019. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Stage performance defines a band — eager audiences arrive at a concert to determine if your songs are meant to be delivered live. In the case of young Irish band Fontaines D.C., the answer is a resounding yes, as seen in a sold-out show at U Street Music Hall recently, where the band dominated with pacing, presence, and something to say (which is best heard live).
Tyler, the Creator (Photo courtesy We Care a Lot PR)
Tyler Gregory Okonma, better known as Tyler, the Creator, released Igor, his fifth studio album, in May via Columbia Records. He kicks off a North American Tour with a concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Peter Frampton performs at The Anthem on Sept. 11, 2019. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
Reliving one’s youth isn’t always a good idea, but sometimes the past can return in the sweetest way, transporting us to a cherished place and time. I was reminded of my years in high school when Frampton Comes Alive! was all over the radio, car stereo players, and weekend parties, as I watched Mr. Frampton perform at The Anthem recently, nearly 6,000 of us singing in unison, “Do you feel like we do!”
Jillian Banks performs at The Fillmore Silver Spring on Sept. 11, 2019 (Photo by Brenda Reyes)
The last time I saw BANKS in DC was during her Goddess era, just five years ago. She arrived again recently to greet her loyal fanbase at The Fillmore Silver Spring, promoting her just-released third studio album III. I had a lot of catching up to do!
Battle Beast performs at The Fillmore Silver Spring on Sept. 10, 2019. (Photo by Paivi Salonen)
Battle Beast released No More Hollywood Endings in March through Nuclear Blast Records. The Finn party power metal band romped through The Fillmore Silver Spring recently to open Kamelot, and fellow Finn Paivi Salonen was there to capture all of the action.
Sonata Arctica performs at The Fillmore Silver Spring on Sept. 10, 2019. (Photo by Paivi Salonen)
Only days ago, Finnish melodic metal titans Sonata Arctica released Talviyö (“Winter Night”), the band’s 10th studio album. Sonata Arctica then appeared at The Fillmore Silver Spring to open Kamelot, and Paivi Salonen has the pix to prove it!
Kamelot performs at The Fillmore Silver Spring on Sept. 10, 2019. (Photo by Paivi Salonen)
Power metal stalwarts Kamelot performed at The Fillmore Silver Spring recently to launch the second leg of The Shadow Tour, and Paivi Salonen shot the show!
The late Doc Watson performs on July 11, 2019. (Photo by Joe Giordano)
Doc Watson was a musical giant. With a repertoire spanning bluegrass, folk, country, blues and gospel, his knowledge of traditional music was held in the highest regard. The seven-time Grammy award winner, and winner of a Lifetime Achievement Award, was considered a master of fingerstyle and flatpicking guitar. As was brought up at the “Remembering Doc” show at The Birchmere recently, he also had perfect pitch, and sung husky, rough-hewn vocals.
