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They Might Be Giants (Photo by Sam Graff)
They Might Be Giants released the dazzling album and coffee table art book project, BOOK, last Fall. And now they are finally hitting the road for an oft-delayed tour, rescheduled due to pandemic lockdowns.
Many dates on the tour are sold out, including three DC dates — at 9:30 Club on Thursday, June 9, and at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday, June 10, and Saturday, June 11. For those of us attending, these are sure to be shows to remember!
Geordie Greep leads black midi in a performance at Black Cat on April 5, 2022. (Photo by Casey Vock)
Once in a while, there comes a band with a presentation so volatile, so unruly that it almost becomes an endeavor to be navigated by its members.
Since forming in 2017, the London-based group known as black midi has experienced a gigantic leap in popularity. That popularity resulted in a smashing turnout for their most recent appearance at the Black Cat in DC.
Following a period that included the release of two singles, a residency at Brixton’s popular venue The Windmill, and then a key live (and recorded) performance during the Iceland Airwaves festival, black midi was signed to Rough Trade Records in 2019 leading up to its premiere studio album, Schlagenheim, which went on to earn a nomination for that year’s Mercury Prize.
Sparks perform at the Lincoln Theatre in DC on March 26, 2022. (Photos by Jason Nicholson; Words by Mickey McCarter)
Russell and Ron Mael are the quintessential two-fisted auteurs of art rock. You say go one way, they choose their own path. As Sparks, Russell and Ron now celebrate 50 years of being pop pioneers — forging and changing course in unique and surprising ways while still managing to cultivate a tremendous following.
Sparks had a remarkably successful year in which they received recognition for their movie musical Annette and they gained enhanced public exposure from a very good and very thorough documentary about their band directed by Edgar Wright. On this highest of highs, Sparks descended upon the Lincoln Theatre in DC recently to share their idiosyncratic talents with a happily sold-out venue.
black midi (Photo by Yis Kid)
black midi recently released Cavalcovers, an EP featuring covers of Taylor Swift, King Crimson, and Captain Beefheart, via Rough Trade. The band launched a tour this week, and they arrive locally to perform at Black Cat on Tuesday, April 5.
Foreign Air (Photo by Elizabeth Miranda)
A little over a week ago, Foreign Air released debut album Good Morning Stranger, a smooth collection of 15 songs that will keep you dancing along whether in the club or more likely today in your home.
Based in Los Angeles and DC respectively, Jesse Clasen and Jacob Michael formed the band more than five years ago, and they started working on the full-length debut album three years ago. The result was clearly worth the effort, as the new music swells with dynamic melodies and towering electronics.
Both gents formed Foreign Air fresh from other acts, and their natural chemistry kept them together while working across the country. Jesse and Jacob still collaborate from across the country, perhaps making them the perfect band for the pandemic times in which we live. Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter caught up with the duo to explore their working arrangements, the achievement of the new album, and living up to expectations.
Kristeen Young (Photo courtesy Tell All Your Friends PR)
Art-rock provocateur Kristeen Young recently released “American Landfill,” a reimagining of a song she recorded with David Bowie.
And You Will Know Us by the Trail of the Dead (Photo courtesy the band)
Following a successful global livestream kickoff event on July 31 and another on Aug. 7, …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead now prepare for their next highly anticipated livestream event. The final show in this series of livestreams happens on Friday, Aug. 14.
Failure playing during their tour with Swervedriver in March of 2019. (Photo by Marc Shea)
Editor’s note: Parklife asked our contributors to revisit some of the best shows they’ve ever seen in a series titled My Favorite Concert.
One of the best concerts I ever saw took place almost a year ago. Failure was co-headlining a bill with Swervedriver at 9:30 Club. I’ve been a fan of both bands since the mid-90’s and this was a chance to see two bands that I had never been able to see.
Wire (Photo courtesy Clarion Call Media)
Legendary English post-punks Wire are touring in support of their new album Mind Hive out now via pinkflag. Frontman Colin Newman and company perform at Union Stage in DC on Monday, March 9.
Dirty Projectors (Photo by Jason Frank Rothberg)
Deerhunter released Why Hasn’t Everything Already Disappeared?, the band’s eighth studio album, earlier this year via 4AD. Dirty Projectors dropped Lamp Lit Prose on Domino Records last year. The two bands now join forces for a tour, and they visit 9:30 Club on Sunday, Sept. 8!