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Snapshots: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club w/ Humanist @ 9:30 Club — 10/12/25

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Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club performs live at 9:30 Club on Oct. 12, 2025. (Photo by Nalinee Darmrong)

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club recently returned to 9:30 Club with the swagger of a band that has been perfecting its nocturnal blues for more than two decades. The San Francisco trio — Peter Hayes, Robert Levon Been, and Leah Shapiro — commanded the darkened stage with their signature mix of fuzz-drenched riffs, throbbing bass, and hypnotic rhythms.

Nalinee Darmrong was there to photograph the show for this Snapshots photo essay.

Preview: Thomas Dolby @ The Birchmere, 10/23/25

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Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby (Photo courtesy the artist)

Thomas Dolby, the British singer and synthesist best known for his quirky hit single and MTV video “She Blinded Me With Science,” embarks on a club and theater tour of the U.S.A. this Fall to debut a new style of musical storytelling, with the help of two very special guests: Gail Ann Dorsey on bass guitar and vocals and multi-instrumentalist Andrew Lipke on guitars and vocals.

In the DC area, Professor Dolby performs live at The Birchmere on Thursday, Oct. 23.

Preview: Andy Bell (of Erasure) @ Lincoln Theatre, 10/17 + 10/18/25

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Andy Bell
Andy Bell (Photo by Andreas Blank)

Earlier this year, English singer-songwriter Andy Bell (one-half of the duo Erasure) released Ten Crowns, his third solo album. Ten Crowns marked a magisterial moment in Andy Bell’s 40-year career, and it reconfirms that he is one of the great pop vocalists of our time. Travelling into new dimensions and possibilities with gospel in his heart and dance in his soul clearly suits him.

Andy has embarked on the Ten Crowns Tour, which plays over two dates at the Lincoln Theatre in DC on Friday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Oct. 18.

Live Review: Maná @ CFG Bank Arena — 10/11/25

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Mana
Mana perform live at CFG Bank Arena on Oct. 11, 2025. (Photo by James Todd Miller)

The 4-time Grammy Award winners Maná recently arrived in Baltimore on on their current Vivir Sin Aire World Tour and played a sensational concert for fans, who were not only energetic throughout the evening but also sang along with each word of each song. It was an amazing night seeing the supergroup from Mexico play at the terrific CFG Arena.

Live Review: Blackberry Smoke w/ Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band @ Hollywood Casino Events Center (Charles Town, WV) — 10/11/25

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Blackberry Smoke
Blackberry Smoke performs live at Hollywood Casino in West Virginia on Oct. 11, 2025. (Photo by Michael Sprouse/ Odd Rocker Photography)

A fall night in West Virginia just feels right for Southern rock, when it’s cool enough for denim jackets and warm enough for cold beer.

The Hollywood Casino Events Center in Charles Town, West Virginia, isn’t exactly a honky-tonk, but Blackberry Smoke made it feel like one on Saturday night and the crowd, half small-town locals, half die-hard travelers in vintage tour shirts, buzzed with slow-building anticipation. But before Blackberry Smoke came out swinging, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band lit the fuse.

Snapshots: All Things Go DC 2025 @ Merriweather Post Pavilion — 9/26-9/28/25

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The Aces
The Aces pose for a photo at Merriweather Post Pavilion during All Things Go 2025 on Sept. 28, 2025. (Photo by Micaela Cerball)

All Things Go once again hosted its annual fall music festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion in the DC edition of its indie pop spectacular on Sept. 26-28.

The grand festival has expanded rapidly since its early days when it took place first in a DC park and later at a dock in Union Market. Nowadays, it’s a Merriweather juggernaut, and it has a companion festival in New York!

For All Things Go DC 2025, we were pleased once again to send Micaela Cerball to photograph the action. She captured major headliners Noah Kahan, The Marias, Lucy Dacus, Clairo, Doechii, DJO, and many others!

Live Review: Joss Stone @ Strathmore Music Center — 10/9/25

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Joss Stone
Joss Stone performs live at the Strathmore Music Center on Oct. 9, 2025. (Photo by James Todd Miller)

With a capacity just shy of 2,000, Strathmore isn’t a small venue. But in her recent appearance there, British blue-eyed soul singer Joss Stone made it feel intimate, in an evening filled with great songs, lots of warmth, and plenty of good vibes.

Growing up in Kent, England, Stone was influenced by the classic R&B of Aretha Franklin and Dusty Springfield. She burst onto the music while she was still in her teens, releasing her debut, The Soul Sessions, when she was just 16.  The album received a Grammy nomination, as did its single “You Had Me,” and Joss herself was nominated for Best New Artist. In the two decades since, she’s continued to achieve critical acclaim and commercial success. 

Live Review: Sierra Hull and John Craigie @ The Birchmere — 10/8/25

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Sierra Hull
Sierra Hull performs live at The Birchmere on Oct. 8, 2025. (Photo by James Todd Miller)

Sierra Hull, one of the finest mandolin players in the world recently stopped by The Birchmere, with John Craigie opening the outstanding night of some of best bluegrass, folk, and Americana music on the planet. Hull is currently touring the country in support of her latest album, A Tip Toe High Wire, and the fans at the show were very enthusiastic that Hull and band made the stop in Alexandria.

Live Review: My Morning Jacket @ The Anthem — 10/8/25

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My Morning Jacket
My Morning Jacket performs live at The Anthem on Oct. 8, 2025. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson)

Originally hailed as heroes of the ’90s alt-country scene, My Morning Jacket has, like their peers in Wilco, evolved into something very different and much more expansive. In their recent performance at The Anthem, they showed just how far they’ve come.

Live Review: Alex G @ The Anthem — 10/7/25

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ALEX G
Alex G performs live at The Anthem on Oct. 7, 2025. (Photo by James Todd Miller)

Alex G Vibes at The Anthem
The artist’s mix of songs and instrumentals with strong melodies and a psychedelic light show engulfed The Wharf venue.
Words by Matt Bailey
Photos by James Todd Miller

Singer-songwriter Alex G packed about 30 songs into just over two hours. A gifted triple threat (writer, instrumentalist, and vocalist), Alex’s legions of fans seem to recognize each number by the opening note.

Alex G opened his recent set at The Anthem with “Louisiana.” The number showed off his normal vocals as well as his ability to access a near-grating nasal falsetto. It was perfectly weird, which may have been the point.