The Wombats (Photo by Tom Oxley)
UK indie rockers The Wombats will release Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life, their fourth studio album, on Feb. 9, 2018, via Kobalt Records. On the way to their record release, the band will tour with a stop at 9:30 Club on Monday, Jan. 8! You can win tickets to see them with Parklife DC.
Fat Trel performs at U Street Music Hall on Dec. 14, 2017. (Photo by Chris Castillo)
Fat Trel, born Martrel Reeves, performed at U Street Music Hall on Thursday, and he blew the crowd away. Parklife DC’s Chris Castillo was there to capture the action.
Angel Olsen performs at 9:30 Club on Dec. 15, 2017. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
The first time I heard Angel Olsen sing, the name Patsy Cline kept repeating through my mind, and not because Wikipedia describes Ms. Olsen’s music as indie folk, indie rock, or alternative country, and not because their voices sound anything alike. Perhaps one could make a case that underneath Angel’s county blues melodies, there lurks Patsy’s Cline’s spirit. But for me the purity of their voices share the same mix of vulnerability and world-weariness.
Shamir heats up the U Street Music Hall Dec. 15, 2017 (Photo by David LaMason)
Over the past year, Shamir Bailey, who records and performs under his first name, produced two entire albums. The first was a self released 12-track album entitled Hope earlier in the year. It’s filled with raw pop, punk, and even country gems that, according to the Soundcloud description, was written and recorded in a weekend. The second, Revelations, released on Father/Daughter Records, was delivered a mere seven months later in November. Both records are a significant change from the slick production of Ratchet but are more potent both lyrically and sonically than that LP.
Sleigh Bells (Photo courtesy Grandstand Media)
What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than to enjoy some REALLY LOUD GOOD MUSIC? If you agree, Sleigh Bells have you covered, as they come thumping back into DC for a show on Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 9:30 Club.
Claude VonStroke (Photo courtesy the artist)
Not too long ago, I was pleased to have been graced with some of the boldest sounds of house. Dirtybird, the illustrious house music label, has been around for almost 20 years, holstering 60 artists. Last month, they blessed us with a tag team set from five of their stars, including Ardalan, Walker & Royce, Justin Martin, Shiba San, and their founder Claude VonStroke. The crowd was anxious to see this jam packed session of music at Echostage.
Lil Uzi Vert (Photo by Spike Jordan)
Lil Uzi Vert, born Symere Woods, released his debut studio album in August via Generation Now and Atlantic Records. Love Is Rage 2, the album, followed several critically lauded mixtapes including 2015’s Luv Is Rage. Lil Uzi Vert embarked on a North American tour after releasing the album, and he arrives at The Anthem on Friday, Dec. 15, for a sold-out Christmas show!
Gogol Bordello (Photo by Rene Huemer)
Gogol Bordello loves a good New Year’s Eve show, and they are delivering one as openers for the Thievery Corporation at The Anthem on Sunday, Dec. 31.
The Dead Milkmen (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)
The Dead Milkmen will play 9:30 Club on Friday, Jan. 5! You can win tickets to go with Parklife DC.
George Michael, Bob Geldof, Sting, and Simon LeBon wish you a Merry Christmas. (Photo courtesy Band Aid)
In 1984, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure teamed up to write “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” and they recruited a bunch of pop stars to sing the song for a charity record dedicated to famine relief under the banner of Band Aid. On Thursday, we’ll celebrate the spirit of the song and play some other New Wave-supported Christmas tunes during Careless Memories: A New Wave Party at Dodge City. Get into the holiday spirit with us starting at 8pm!
