Jay Som (Photo by Ebru Yildiz)
Melina Duterte, better known as Jay Som, released Everybody Works, her sophomore album, via Polyvinyl Records and Double Denim Records in March. She’s been subsequently touring quite a lot, and she stops at Rock and Roll Hotel for a headlining show on Saturday, Sept. 23.
Guided by Voices play to a sold-out Ottobar on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017. (Photo by David LaMason)
Bob Pollard at this point could rest soundly on his impressive laurels — 25 Guided by Voices albums as of this writing, spanning nearly 35 years and 100 albums in total for Pollard himself. But as Bob pointed out very clearly at the Ottobar in Baltimore Thursday night, he’s not about to just play the hits! Teamed with Kevin March (drums), Bobby Bare, Jr. (guitar), Mark Shue (bass), and Doug Gillard (guitar), and a sizable cooler filled with Miller Light and tequila, the band played a sweaty and fun set to this sold-out crowd.
Rob Grote fronts The Districts at 9:30 Club on Aug. 18, 2017. (Photo by Theresa C. Sanchez)
The Districts Refresh Dehydrated Fans with Tall Serving of Rock
“Hydrate yourselves: naturally, mentally, in every way you possibly can. Even, politically […]” said songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Sam Owens at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., on a recent Friday.
Who better to advise on matters of liquid nourishment than the frontman for the New York-based band Sam Evian, who shares part of its moniker with the French brand of premium (see what I did there) mineral water that boasts the tagline “Live Young.” Given the demographic of the audience, he was spot on.
Apocalyptica (Photo courtesy Odyssey Music)
In 1996, a Finnish cello band released their debut album, where they promptly shattered expectations and produced an album of Metallica covers. Apocalyptica thus published Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, an instrumental rock opus dedicated to songs by the famous heavy metal band. To mark the 20th anniversary of the album, Apocalyptica remasters it with bonus tracks in 2016 and launched a tour — and that tour arrives at the Lincoln Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Warpaint (Photo courtesy Beggars Group)
Last year, Warpaint released Heads Up, their third studio album, and the shoegazing quartet took their album on the road in a successful tour that hit 9:30 Club. This year, ladies from Los Angeles return to DC as the opening act for Depeche Mode at Capital One Arena (formerly Verizon Center) one week from today on Thursday, Sept. 7. If you’re going to see Depeche Mode, get there early to catch Warpaint!
Big Thief (Photo by Shervin Lainez)
Folk quartet Big Thief released their second album Capacity on June 9 via Saddle Creek, and they have been touring extensively to support it. Big Thief perform next in DC at Black Cat on Saturday, Sept. 9 in a co-headlining show with Lucy Dacus.
Tank (Photo courtesy Howard Theatre)
This fall, R&B singer Tank will release his eighth studio album Savage via Atlantic Records. He will launch the Savage Tour on Sept. 5, and that tour brings him to the Howard Theatre on Friday, Sept. 8.
Betsy Wright fronts Bat Fangs at Rock and Roll Hotel on Saturday, Aug. 26, 2017. (Photo by Paivi)
The dynamic Betsy Wright, bassist for Ex Hex, launched another band last year, forming Bat Fangs with drummer Laura King. The band performed as a trio opening for War on Women at Rock and Roll Hotel on Saturday, Aug. 26, and Paivi got some pix. (Check out her pix of War on Women also.)
Shawna Pottter fronts War on Women at Rock and Roll Hotel on Aug. 26, 2017. (Photo by Paivi)
War on Women is a hardcore punk band with a mission. The Baltimore quintet released its self-titled debut album in 2015 and then launched into constant touring to spread their musical messages on rape culture, street harassment, wage gaps, transphobia, and other social issues. In their most recent visit to DC, War on Women rocked the Rock and Roll Hotel on Saturday, Aug. 26.
The venerable Afghan Whigs released In Spades, their eighth studio album, in May via Sub Pop Records. Their accompanying tour hits 9:30 Club on Saturday, Sept. 9, and you can win tickets to go with Parklife DC.
