DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
Gretchen Gustafson fronts White Ford Bronco at 9:30 Club on Feb. 9, 2018. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
White Ford Bronco, DC’s popular ‘90s cover band celebrates its 10th anniversary this spring! The band delivers high-energy performances to sell-out crowds throughout the DC area on a regular basis, and the band’s most recent performance at 9:30 Club on Friday was no exception.
Dilly Dally at Rough Trade on January 6, 2016 (Photo Credit: Paul Hudson)
Dilly Dally, a Canadian rock band from Toronto, opened the Grouplove show at Echostage to a rather somber post-election faction.
Everyone looked like they just found out their dog died…indeed if I had counted all the times someone voiced their displeasure from the bands (Muna was also opening) or from the audience, I’d have no time to watch the show!
So, as a much needed distraction, we were gifted live music. Lots of music.
TORRES (Photo Credit: Shawn Brackbill)
As the green and purple lights flickered in and out, casting an enigmatic glow upon the stage, Mackenzie Scott pleaded, ‘Come out wherever you are.’ in the thoughtful and sorrowful song “Helen”.
Known as TORRES, Mackenzie warmed up the 9:30 Club crowd on November 6th spilling in for the first night of Tegan and Sara’s two shows. Indeed, just to get in for doors open the line extended down the block and around the corner. Something I’ve rarely seen at the 9:30 Club.
TORRES (Photo Credit: Shawn Brackbill)
Both Tegan and Sara shows at the 9:30 Club (November 6th and 7th) are sold out, as you may have noticed.
If you don’t have a ticket yet (what?), be resourceful! But if you do already have your ticket, you’ll want to get there early to catch TORRES (aka Mackenzie Scott) as she once again visits DC, this time as the opener for both shows.
TORRES came through DC last January and I caught her performance as she pulled double duty as the opener of both Garbage shows in October 2015. Read that review here.
Her most recent album, last year’s Sprinter, includes the self-titled single and “Strange Hellos”, which glides slowly before jumping to a full-throttle growl of emotion and sound. A theme you will become familiar with.
Remember, get there early!
TORRES (Opening for Tegan and Sara)
9:30 Club
Sunday, November 6 and Monday, November 7, 2016
Doors 7pm
$36 (Sold Out)
All ages
Dilly Dally at Rough Trade on January 6, 2016 (Photo Credit: Paul Hudson)
If you’re planning on hitting the Grouplove show on Wednesday, November 9th at Echostage, make a point to get there early and catch the opener, Dilly Dally.
Even if you don’t currently have designs on the Grouplove show, still give Dilly Dally a listen and see if that 1-2 punch doesn’t change your mind!
Dilly Dally’s latest EP is titled fkkt, a remix of many of their songs from their debut album, Sore.
These alternative rock Canadians (from Toronto) haven’t been around long, they released Sore in 2015 but band members Katie Monks and Liz Ball were first connected in high school. Some have likened their sound to Sonic Youth or Yeah Yeah Yeahs, but either way it’s loud and growly, yet manages to include a pop-like sound, as evidenced by “Desire”.
Should be a good time for music discovery, so buy your tickets before it’s too late!
Dilly Dally (opening for Grouplove)
w/ Muna
Echostage
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Doors 7pm
$44.45
All ages
Garbage performs at Lincoln Theatre (Photo by: Mickey McCarter)
Garbage descended on DC for the second time in a year on August 3rd, this time at the seated Lincoln Theatre (although no one actually sat).
For this tour they are promoting their sixth album, Strange Little Birds, released in June. Of the 22 songs they played to the rapt crowd, only four were from the new album. “Even Though Our Love Is Doomed”, which Shirley Manson (lead singer) described as ‘the centerpiece of our new record’, is introspective and moving played live, and focuses more on the vocals.
Other new songs included the hard-charging “Blackout” and later during the encore, “Empty” and the slow, take-it-down-a-notch “Sometimes”.
Garbage (Photo Credit: Joseph Cultice)
Garbage returns to DC on Wednesday, August 3rd at the Lincoln Theatre!
Only a short 10 months has passed since they graced the 9:30 Club in October of 2015 with their two-month long, 20 Years Queer Tour (celebrating the release of their debut album). I attended that show, but only wrote a review for the opener, Torres.
I’ll somewhat correct that now, by saying it was a great performance. I was initially intrigued because I had yet to see Garbage play live.
Now Garbage is touring for their latest album, Strange Little Birds, their first since 2012 and second in a decade. Last year’s show started with great anticipation, much like waiting for their new album, when thick, black curtains hung in front of the whole 9:30 Club stage. The music started to slowly build and the minutes passed – something was happening behind the curtains. Finally, just at the perfect moment, the curtains fell dramatically and Shirley Manson and co. exploded into a crushing rendition of “Subhuman”. They went on to play 22 songs, ending with “Why Don’t You Love Me”.
Although I haven’t heard the entire new album, many of the new songs are strong entries to their catalog.
“Even Though Our Love Is Doomed” is a languid, introspective song, with spare instruments, focusing mostly on Shirley’s vocals. It builds slowly at the end, but never really tries for a rock climax.
“Empty” is the opposite. It soars to reach the epic hooks of their best early songs like “Stupid Girl” or “Only Happy When It Rains”. It doesn’t quite get to that level, but it is still a pretty good effort.
I’ll have to pick up Strange Little Birds after I witness Garbage play the new songs live.
Opening is Kristin Kontrol (Kristin Gundred of Dum Dum Girls).
Garbage
w/ Kristin Kontrol
Lincoln Theatre
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
Doors 6:30pm (Show 8:00pm)
$75
All ages
ambienteye
Andy Jillson
Brenda Reyes
Chester Simpson
chriscastilloweb
Chris R. Smyth
Daniel Webb
Ari Strauss
David LaMason
EDMit it
Shantel M Breen
isaiahhattix
Jason Nicholson "Le Mouton Flâneur"
jesternate
julesontheroadphotos
kristiechua
Mark Caicedo
Mark Engleson
Mathew Harkins
Corey Paterson
mdxpc
Mickey McCarter
Miyun Park
Neal Keller
Parklifer
Kyle Gustafson
paivi
Rebecca
regardingtess
Robert Smith
shedrickpelt
Matt Ruppert
Will Colbert
wefoughtthebigone