Matador (Photo courtesy Infamous PR)
Irish techno legend, Matador, today announced an eight-city North American tour for January 2018. Stops along the tour include Analog in Brooklyn, Flash in DC, Heart in Miami, Union in Los Angeles and more. He visits Flash in DC on Thursday, Jan. 11.
Ex Hex performs at Black Cat on Dec. 30, 2017.
For the past year, I personally wondered if Ex Hex, one of the strongest bands to emerge from DC in quite some time, were going to be a one-album project. After all, their debut album Rips dropped in 2014, and the last 12 months were relatively quiet for the female power pop trio.
Ex Hex crushed my fears in a sold-out show at Black Cat on Saturday, remarkable not only for the wall-to-wall crowd but also the wall-to-wall sound in an upbeat performance that included several new songs! Every show I’ve caught by the band has been good, but this was simply the best.
Alejandro Escovedo (Photo courtesy Yep Roc Records)
The legendary Alejandro Escovedo recently signed to Yep Roc Records, where he will release his next album later this year. Meanwhile, Alejandro launches his Think About the Link Tour, which spans 12 cities including DC on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at The Hamilton.
Collie Buddz (Photo by Phil Emerson)
Reggae artist Collie Buddz, born Colin Patrick Harper, recently released Good Life, his first full-length album in a decade, via Harper Digital, and he’s been touring the United States in support of it. He hits 9:30 Club during the next leg of his Good Life Tour on Monday, Jan. 15.
Philip Basnight fronts Broke Royals at Union Stage on Dec. 28, 2017. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Time is very important to Broke Royals, the DC Americana-flavored power pop band founded by Philip Basnight and Colin Cross. Their debut single, released in May 2014, was called “About Time,” an ode of encouragement dedicated to taking time to care for yourself.
Kimbra (Photo by Nick Spanos Photography)
New Zealand musician Kimbra, born Kimbra Lee Johnson, will release Primal Heart, her third studio album, via Warner Bros. Records on Jan. 19! Then Kimbra will sweep across the stage at 9:30 Club in a show on Tuesday, Jan. 30. You can win tickets to go with Parklife DC!
Amber Rubarth and Joe Purdy (Photo by Devin Whetstone)
Amber Rubarth and Joe Purdy teamed up for the soundtrack to the independent film American Folk, in which they also star! The film and soundtrack are due on Jan. 26, and — even better — Amber and Joe are visiting The Hamilton to play their songs on the American Folk Tour on Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Blaenavon (Photo by Scott Witt)
Update on Jan. 5: Blaenavon have dropped off the tour!
From the band: “Ben was hospitalised just prior to Christmas and is convalescing there under doctor’s orders. He is making good progress and should be out in the near future.
“We promise to return to the US soon to make up for it.”
The Wombats are touring on their fourth studio album, and they are bringing along British rock trio Blaenavon to open at 9:30 Club on Monday, Jan. 8. The show has sold out, but get there early to check out Blaenavon.
The Black Cat (Photo by Kevin Harber)
After its New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31, Black Cat, one of DC’s top indie rock clubs, closed its doors for roughly four weeks for repairs. The Back Cat intends to reopen on Sunday, Jan. 28, for a concert headlined by Destroyer, which features Dan Bejar of The New Pornographers.
I can safely say that all the concerts I attended in 2017 exceeded my expectations, but of course I say that about all live music. I was fortunate to photograph over 80 shows in 2017, from artists both well known to those just starting out. I’m truly inspired watching these talented musicians and their courage in getting up on a stage to lay their souls bare. Or as the L.A. Times’ David Ackert so eloquently put it, “…musicians and singers are willing to give their entire lives to a moment — to that melody, that lyric, that chord, or that interpretation that will stir the audience’s soul.”
