Goo Goo Dolls rock out at Jones Beach Theater in Long Island, New York, on June 14, 2014. (Photo by Alexa Spieler)
Watching John Rzeznik and Robby Takac on stage at Wolf Trap on Tuesday, it dawned on me that the duo is rather like the Daryl Hall and John Oates of ’90s alternative music, aren’t they?
Wire (Photo by Mike Hipple)
Wire released Silver/Lead, the band’s 16th studio album via their own Pinkflag label in March, and they return for a North American tour in September. Colin Newman and company perform at Black Cat in DC on Monday, Sept. 25!
Izzy Bizu sings at FedEx Field on Sunday, Aug. 6, 2017.
Soul singer Izzy Bizu charmed the early audience during Coldplay’s concert at FedEx Field on Sunday, treating the gathering crowd to upbeat R&B numbers with passion and grace.
Only You (Photo by Sydney Wired)
As every fan of Depeche Mode knows, the band will perform at Capital One Arena (formerly Verizon Center) next month. To celebrate, we are exploring the early days of Mute Records, Depeche Mode’s long-time UK label, with a listening party at Dodge City on Thursday, Aug. 10.
Waxahatchee (Photo courtesy Merge Records)
Kate Crutchfield aka Waxahatchee released Out in the Storm, her fourth studio album, via Merge Records on July 14. She’s performing at 9:30 Club on Monday, Aug. 21 in support of the record, and you can win tickets to see her with Parklife DC.
Earth Wind & Fire dance at MGM National Harbor on Feb. 18, 2017. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
If you ever have heard Philip Bailey sing, you know what an amazing voice the gent has. But I would say you really have to see him live to get the full effect of how he turns on a dime to raise a falsetto and drop it into a baritone, such as when he sings “Betcha by Golly, Wow,” made famous by Philadelphia soul group The Stylistics. Thankfully, you have an opportunity to do just that as Philip’s powerhouse disco and funk group Earth, Wind & Fire are here in DC Wednesday, Aug. 9, for a show at Verizon Center.
And even better, they are teaming up with their contemporary Nile Rodgers, who is bringing the CHIC collective along with him.
Britt Daniel fronts Spoon at Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 30, 2017. (Photo by Theresa C. Sanchez)
Neil Young was right. “Rock and roll will never die.” And no, that’s not an allusion to the seemingly myriad musical festivals or anniversary tours featuring reunited elders of sound like 2016’s Desert Trip — affectionately dubbed “Oldchella” — or most recently, the bicoastal weekend-long fêtes Classic East and Classic West last month. “Rock and roll is here to stay,” thanks to bands like Spoon (whose title is not a reference to the culinary utensil, but an homage to the 1970s German avant-garde collective called Can #themoreyouknow). These indie musicians heralding from the capital of the Lone Star State embody the notion that evolution is a form of revolution.
With the March 2017 release of their ninth studio album, Hot Thoughts, a promotional tour was sure to follow and it did. Their July 30 appearance at the newly renovated Merriweather Post Pavilion was not a solo headlining gig, but they most certainly performed like it was.
Jonas Bjerre fronts Mew at 9:30 Club on Aug. 5, 2017. (Photo by Paivi)
Danish dreampoppers Mew received a warm welcome upon their return to 9:30 Club Saturday, when a crowded room lapped up tunes familiar and new from the touring trio.
Goo Goo Dolls (Photo by Bob Mussel)
Vocalist/guitarist John Rzeznik and bassist Robby Takac are best known as the Goo Goo Dolls. As a follow-up to 2016’s Boxes, their 11th studio album, the duo released You Should Be Happy, a five-song EP, physically on June 9 (after a May 12 digital release) via Warner Bros. Records.
John and Robby have hit the road for their Long Way Home headlining tour, accompanied by touring bandmates Brad Fernquist (guitar), Korel Tunador (keyboards), and Craig Macintyre (drums). The tour stops at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia, on Tuesday, Aug. 8.
JR Russell fronts The Reflex in a show at Cathdral Commons on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.
“In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum-security stockade to the Los Angeles underground.
Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire…” “THE REFLEX!”
So goes the audio track introducing the DC area’s tuffest ’80s cover band — The Reflex. In all seriousness, The Reflex, who usually perform as a quintet, deliver terrific carefree fun, mixing every single one of your favorite songs from the ’80s into a kitsch-laden show sure to please — as they proved in a Friday evening performance at Cathedral Commons in DC.
