Rostam (Photo by Tara Ziemba)
Rostam Batmanglij has a sometimes lengthy songwriting process. The former member of Vampire Weekend can sometimes work up a concept and then revisit it and revise it months and months later.
In the case of “Gwan,” his most recent single, Rostam drew it up as sheet music some time ago before sitting down to refine it. Now it’s one of his favorite songs to play live. And play it live he did to an attentive gathering at 9:30 Club on May 2.
Szjerdene sings with Bonobo at 9:30 Club on Monday, May 1, 2017.
Bonobo may be a man, specifically Englishman Simon Green, but he’s got an impressive team. That team took a sold-out crowd at 9:30 Club on a lengthy tour of majestic sonic landscapes on Monday, dazzling us with engaging electronics, uplifting orchestral arrangements, and a soulful, winsome vocalist.
Shonen Knife perform at Black Cat on Sunday, April 30, 2017.
After missing DC on their perpetual world tours in the past several years, Shonen Knife paid a visit to DC and the Black Cat on Sunday in support of their most recent album, Adventure, their 20th studio album! Pairing their record with the band’s penchant for food-themed fun, founder and lone consistent member Naoko Yamano gave Shonen Knife a mission to eat and promote ramen, and thus hatched the Shonen Knife USA Ramen Adventure 2017.
San Fermin, Ellis Ludwig-Leone’s chamber pop collective, released Belong, its third studio album, via Downtown Records on April 7. The band perform at 9:30 Club on Wednesday, May 10, and you can win tickets to go with Parklife DC!
Chad Clark fronts Beauty Pill at Black Cat on April 29, 2017.
Chad Clark, the creative force behind DC’s Beauty Pill, seems like the sincerest fellow you could ever hope to meet, which is partly why his songs are so appealing.
Slowdive (Photo by Ingrid Pop)
UK shoegazers Slowdive return with a self-titled new album on May 5 via Dead Oceans — their first album in 22 years! Oh, and the band begin a US tour, starting tonight May 2 in St. Paul, Minnesota. That tour lands at 9:30 Club on Sunday, May 7 for a sold-out show.
Ricky Martin at a press conference in Las Vegas on Nov. 16, 2016. (Photo by Denise Truscello)
Last fall, Latin superstar Ricky Martin announced a residency, “Ricky Martin ALL IN,” at Park Theater at Monte Carlo in Las Vegas, and MGM Resorts International, owner and operator of Monte Carlo, also booked him for two dates at our own MGM National Harbor on May 5 and 6. You can still buy tickets to see Ricky Martin in The Theater at MGM National Harbor this Friday or Saturday!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (Photo courtesy Nasty Little Man PR)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will release a long-awaited greatest hits complication, Lovely Creatures: The Best of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds 1984-2014, on May 5 through Mute/BMG. The package covers the first 15 albums by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, From Her to Eternity to Push the Sky Away. Meanwhile, Nick and company will hit the United States later this month to begin a tour in support of their 16th studio album, Skeleton Key.
While the band have no DC date, they land somewhat nearby in Philadelphia at Electric Factory on Monday, June 5.
Wendy & Lisa perform with The Revolution at The Fillmore Silver Spring on April 27, 2017.
More than three-quarters of the way through a very full show at The Fillmore Silver Spring on Thursday, Wendy Melvoin took to the microphone to share some feelings about her former mentor and collaborator Prince.
Taylor Momsen fronts The Pretty Reckless at 9:30 Club on April 26, 2017. (Photo by Paivi)
Wow! It’s amazing to think Taylor Momsen, vocalist of The Pretty Reckless is only 23. Don’t get me wrong — the blonde former actress certainly appears vital and fresh, but her looks belie her voice. That voice is big and booming, and surprisingly weathered while still occasionally sliding into bluesy romance.
Taylor’s voice was on full display Wednesday in a very crowded show at 9:30 Club, where she demonstrated her vocal power. I was impressed by how no matter how loud her bandmates played their instruments, that strong voice remained out front, incapable of being drowned out by the din.