Hayes Carll (Photo courtesy High Road Touring)
Hayes Carll plans to release a new album in 2019. Meanwhile, the straight-talkin’ Texan has been on tour, and he visits City Winery in DC on Saturday, Aug. 4.
Zac Brown fronts the Zac Brown Band at Nationals Park on July 27, 2018. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Despite the threat of severe weather and flash floods in the region, the long-awaited Zac Brown Band concert at Nationals Park went off without a hitch on Friday when the band’s Down the Rabbit Hole Live Tour paid a visit to the nation’s capital.
Sylvan Esso dazzles a packed The Anthem on July 26, 2018. (Photo by David LaMason)
There’s a magic that Amelia Meath (vocals) and Nick Sanborn (producer/sound engineer) create. It’s an infectious feeling generated by Amelia’s compelling voice and energetic dance moves — itself buoyed by the soundscapes formed and molded by Nick’s panel of sounds. Over the past two LPs (2014’s self-titled Sylvan Esso and last year’s What Now), the North Carolina-based Sylvan Esso created beat-soaked tunes that stick in your head. But it’s their live show that’s a force to behold.
On Thursday night at The Anthem, the duo pulled no punches.
Fantastic Negrito performs at Sixth and I Synagogue on July 25, 2018. (Photo by Will Colbert)
There’s only one Fantastic Negrito — and he was at DC’s Sixth & I recently. The historic synagogue isn’t the typical blues venue, but the Grammy Award-winning musician isn’t your typical bluesman. Xavier Amin Dphrepaulezz, better known by his current musical incarnation Fantastic Negrito, is the embodiment of new blues.
Ian McCulloch fronts Echo & the Bunnymen at The Anthem on July 25, 2018. (Photos by Jason Nicholson and words by Mickey McCarter)
Toward the end of a welcome appearance by Echo & the Bunnymen, Ian McCulloch’s microphone appeared to go out during “The Killing Moon” on Wednesday — nominally the worst possible calamity ever, made more glaring in that the rest of the show had been picture perfect.
But the very giddy audience didn’t miss a beat, and the crowd started singing the song when Ian went momentarily silent: “He will wait until/You give yourself to himmmmmm!” A briefly confounded look gave way to a smile with the affirmation that Ian and the audience were very happy to see each other indeed.
Shelby Lynne performs at The Birchmere on July 25, 2018. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Part way through her set Wednesday at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Shelby Lynne, brought up the topic of her hair.
Sons of Bill (Photo by Anna Webber)
Americana brothers Sons of Bill are literally sons of Bill — Bill Wilson, a professor at the University of Virginia. Sam, Abe, and James Wilson, who hail from nearby Charlottesville, Virginia, released their first album, A Far Cry from Freedom, in 2006 and their most recent, Oh God Ma’am, on June 29 via Loose Music.
The brothers, along with bandmates bassist Seth Green and drummer Todd Wellons, will perform at Union Stage on Friday, Aug. 3.
Jason Isbell rocks Wolf Trap on July 24, 2018. (Photo by Jay Premack)
Amidst light rain, a dedicated crowd came to see four-time Grammy winner Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit perform at Wolf Trap on Tuesday. While the weather may have been a little wet, Jason and his band were on fire, going into their bag of tricks, bringing out the hits, and busting out some badass jamming. It was a rare mix of top-notch lyrics, singing, and instrumentals!
Steve Howe performs with Yes at the Warner Theatre on July 23, 2018. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
The 1970s are widely regarded as the golden age of prog rock. Many bands to emerge during that era had tremendous commercial and critical success. Emerson, Lake and Palmer! Genesis! King Crimson! These bands represented the most innovative edge of the genre, pushing musical and lyrical boundaries by combining standard blues-based song structures with sweeping compositions featuring musical arrangements most often found in classical pieces.
But no prog-rock band has had the longevity or breadth of experience as Yes, which celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Warner Theatre on Monday.
Blackberry Smoke performs at The Fillmore Silver Spring on July 22, 2018. (Photo by Chris Smyth.)
Bringing a taste of Southern rock ‘n’ roll to The Fillmore Silver Spring recently, the guys of Blackberry Smoke performed a long set for their fans. Touring in promotion of their new album, Find a Light, released in April, Blackberry Smoke mixed numerous new songs into their set — “Medicate My Mind,” “Run Away from It All,” “Lord Strike Me Dead,” and “I’ll Keep Ramblin'” were all played as part of their 19-song performance.
