Charm City Bluegrass Festival (Photo by Brady Cooling Photography)
The award-winning Charm City Bluegrass Festival will take over Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park for a seventh annual celebration of bluegrass, folk, and Americana, headlined by The Bridge, Deer Tick, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Jeff Austin Band, for two days on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27.
Snow Patrol (Photo by Simon Lipman)
Snow Patrol released Wildness, the Northern Irish band’s seventh studio album, in 2018, and the post-Britpop group is on a 21-date North American tour in support of the record. Snow Patrol performs at The Anthem on Friday, April 26.
Com Truise performs at Union Stage on April 12, 2019. (Photo by Paivi)
Com Truise will release Persuasion System, his fourth full-length album, on May 17 via Ghostly International. Along the way, he recently appeared at Union Stage to present some of his new electronic numbers, and Paivi Salonen caught him in action.
Parachute (Photo courtesy Independent Music Media)
Will Anderson (vocals, guitar), Johnny Stubblefield (drums), and Christopher “Kit” French (saxophone, keyboards) formed Parachute more than a decade ago when they were still in high school. Now the gents from Charlottesville will release a new self-titled album on May 10 via Thirty Tigers. Parachute performs at 9:30 Club on Wednesday, May 1, and you can win tickets to go with Parklife DC.
Update: Parachute has sweetened the deal — our winner also gets their picture taken with the band at 9:30 Club!
Blue October (Photo by Chris Barber)
Blue October released I Hope You’re Happy, their bold new album, last year, and the band is now touring in support of it. Blue October performs at 9:30 Club on Thursday, April 25.
Martin Barre performs at Jammin’ Java on Oct. 14, 2018. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
“I just want to be a good musician, I want to be a good songwriter, I want to get better.”
Refreshing words coming from a musician who’s been at the top of his game for over 50 years. Martin Barre is well-known as the long-time lead guitarist (1969-2012) for Jethro Tull. I spoke with Martin in anticipation of his “Martin Barre Celebrates 50 Years of Jethro Tull Tour,” which will come to the DC Metro area for two shows on April 22 at The Birchmere and April 23 at Rams Head on Stage. (This interview has been edited for clarity and flow.)
Trio Sefardi (Photo courtesy the band)
On a recent night at Carroll Cafe, Howard Bass of Trio Sefardi had a tale to tell — a tale that stretches back to the beginnings of recorded time.
Rival Sons (Photo courtesy the band)
Hard rockers Rival Sons released Feral Roots, the band’s sixths studio album, in January via Low Country Sound and Elektra Records. Rival Sons play 9:30 Club on Monday, April 22.
Spandau Ballet with Gary Kemp (far right) (Photo by Denis O’Regan)
Is there any more versatile performer than Gary Kemp? The charismatic musician and actor can play stadiums with his band Spandau Ballet and then light up the stage in London Theatreland. The creative genius today is on a US tour as a guitarist and vocalist for Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, supporting the legendary drummer of Pink Floyd in a performance of the seminal psychedelic band’s early material. The supergroup will perform in DC at DAR Constitution Hall on Monday, April 22.
Mickey McCarter of Parklife DC chatted with Gary Kemp about Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets and Spandau Ballet to discuss the future of both bands and what they mean to him. (This interview has been edited for length and clarity.) For more information on Nick Mason, visit the website of Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets.
Strand of Oaks performs for KEXP on April 16, 2016. (Photo by Dan)
Strand of Oaks, the project of singer-songwriter Timothy Showalter, opened its set with “Weird Ways,” the lead cut from the recently released album Eraserland. Addressing the crowd at U Street Music Hall, Tim stumbled into a joke: “That’s my brilliant commentary: good to play music. Line up that Pulitzer.”
