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The Black Cat (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
The Black Cat is regarded as home to DC’s punk music scene. It hosts the likes of Discord bands like Hammered Hulls and traveling skate punk bands like FIDLAR, for sure, but there’s much more to the Black Cat.
With its 700-person capacity, the Black Cat is the touring home to indie rockers of all stripes, whether climbing their way up the charts or legacy bands that have won a consistent and loyal following.
A sign announcing a coronavirus closing (Photo by Ted Eytan)
DC has closed its music venues to efforts to contain the coronavirus (COVID-19). As such, staffers at concert halls around town are out of work.
Management at several music venues have established relief funds for their workers, allowing the public to donate directly to efforts to provide money directly to venue staff.
Should you ever have enjoyed a show at any of the venues below, please consider a donation to thank the hard-working staff who helped make it a great experience. Parklife has compiled a list below of music venues administering support funds, along with a statement posted by the management of each.
Parklife will udpate this list as relevant. Feel free to add info on relief efforts for music venue staff in the comments.
Destroyer performs at Black Cat on March 9, 2020. (Photo by Casey Vock.)
Strange times are best scored with a bizarre and darkly complex soundtrack. We are clearly in such times, and thanks to the Black Cat’s eclectic schedule, including the occasional Canadian band, DC area fans were recently given a healthy dose of avant-garde rock, only a couple days before local venues started canceling shows.
Nap Eyes performs at Black Cat on March 9, 2020. (Photo by Casey Vock)
When Canadian bands make their way into the United States, they oftentimes tour with a posse of fellow Canucks. Such was the case recently at the Black Cat, where Nap Eyes performed as the opening act for a much-anticipated Destroyer show.
Wovenhand performs at Black Cat on March 2, 2020. (Photos by Marc Shea)
David Eugene Edwards is the creative force behind Wovenhand. After making his mark with the gothic sounding, alt-country band Sixteen Horsepower, David originally recorded his own solo work under the Wovenhand moniker. This has given him the opportunity to explore a variety of musical styles, but they are all connected by his inherent intensity.
His trademark fire and brimstone delivery was apparent in a recent show at Black Cat.
Destroyer (Photo by Ted Bois)
In support of the band’s new album, Have We Met, Destroyer plays Black Cat on Monday, March 9.
Wovenhand (Photo by Simon Skreddernes)
The music of Wovenhand and songwriter/multi-instrumentalist David Eugene Edwards has always had an unparalleled intensity. David’s rich, billowing and emotive voice is always the driving force of his music, but it’s catapulted by his spellbinding ability to transform instruments that many people might consider mundane relics — be it banjo, accordion, lesser-known folk instruments from around the world, or even an electric guitar — into devices of dark fury and poignant beauty.
Wovenhand returns to DC to open OM at Black Cat on Monday, March 2.
Algiers (Photo by Christian Högstedt)
Post-punk meets gospel? You don’t need faith to believe, my friends, as we have the living proof with Atlanta quartet Algiers! Frontman Franklin James Fisher and company return to their favorite place to perform in DC, the Black Cat, on Thursday, March 12!
You can win a pair of tickets to see the show with Parklife DC.
Rhett Miller (Photo courtesy Big Hassle)
Two things are immediately striking about Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller. First, his youthful appearance: Despite being, at 49, my senior by 10 years, Rhett looks younger than me. The second is his energy: Rhett has a heart-on-his-sleeve, sincere exuberance. He plays vigorously and sings with power, and, both times I’ve seen him live, he really seemed to be having a good time.
Rhett Miller (Photo by Ebru Yildiz)
Old 97’s frontman Rhett Miller drops by Black Cat for a solo show on Sunday, Feb. 9!
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