Jake Shimabukuro performs at The Birchmere on Sept. 18, 2019. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
Yeah, the name is tough to pronounce, but Jake Shimabukuro’s talent is easy to see. The Hawaiian-born ukulele performer and composer brought his gift to The Birchmere recently in a show that featured both brilliance and a beloved, special guest.
Joseph (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)
Recently, Portland-bred sister trio Joseph release their new album, Good Luck, Kid, via ATO Records. Joseph arrive at 9:30 Club for a show on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and you can win tickets to go with Parklife DC.
Cat Power (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)
Charlyn Marie “Chan” Marshall, aka Cat Power, released Wanderer, her 10th studio album, last year via Domino. She’s been wandering the concert circuits, and she settles down for an evening at the Lincoln Theatre on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
The Long Ryders perform at Pearl Street Warehouse on Sept. 20, 2019. (Photo by Rashad Polk)
At the beginning of The Long Ryders’ concert Friday night at the Pearl Street Warehouse, lead singer Sid Griffin urged the crowd, “Please come forward so we have something to play to.”
Ray Wylie Hubbard (Photo courtesy Red 11 Music)
You can call it country-rock, outlaw country, progressive country, or Americana. Whatever you call it, Ray Wylie Hubbard, who’s “been doing this a long time,” and calls himself “an acquired taste,” found a receptive, appreciative audience in a sold-out house at City Winery recently. The legendary Texas troubadour, feted lately with a tribute album and a book about his life and music, gave patrons a special live experience, punctuating his songs with conversational asides and injecting good-natured humor throughout his show.
Billy Bragg performs at The Birchmere on Sept. 19, 2019. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson)
Not many solo artists armed with only an amp and a guitar have done it longer or better than Billy Bragg. Accordingly, the recent trend of artists playing classic albums in their entirety is a great opportunity for Bragg, a master storyteller in addition to being a master songwriter, to look back on his career, but with a bit of a twist.
Marina performs at The Anthem on Sept. 18, 2019. (Photos by Katherine Gaines/ ambienteye.com; Words by Mickey McCarter)
When examining the whole of pop music through a rear-view mirror, it becomes clear that most musicians have little new to say after their first and second records.
Marina Diamandis, known eponymously as Marina and formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds, doesn’t have that problem. The Welsh chanteuse released Love + Fear, in April via Atlantic Records, drawing from some study she did on psychology and how the two emotions in the title of the record drive all of human behavior. She broke it down for her audience in a very crowded show at The Anthem recently.
Brent Cobb (Photo by Don Van Cleave)
Grammy Award nominee Brent Cobb understands how to put a show together. Southern rap played him onto the stage at the Rock & Rock Hotel recently, ending with a flourish of horns. Strumming a few notes on his acoustic guitar, Brent conversationally told the audience he was going to “ease you on in.” He started his set with the beautiful “Keep ’Em on Their Toes,” about “the best thing you can do when the ignorance shows.” He stopped to acknowledge an especially gorgeous riff by his bushy-bearded lead guitarist, remarking, “Isn’t that pretty?”
The Lox Performs at Howard Theatre on Sept. 17, 2019. (Photo by @Waufflez – wauffleznotwaffles.com)
Legendary New York rap group, The LOX stopped through Howard Theatre recently for a classic hip-hop show in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their platinum debut album Money Power Respect. With assistance from opening act Tony Moxberg, Jadakiss, Styles P, and Sheek Louch gave the crowd all the bars they could ever ask for performing classic solo and group records such as “We Gon Make It,” “Knock Yourself Out,” and “Mighty D-Block.”
Elton John (Photo by Ernst Vikne)
Interest in all things Elton John is soaring in 2019, thanks to the recent biopic Rocketman and the rock legend’s ongoing three-year farewell tour.
While it’s no secret that the former Reginald Dwight has lived an amazing musical life – overcoming personal challenges during his six decade-spanning career – you might be surprised to learn these five interesting details about Sir Elton.
