Preview: Arlo Parks @ Union Stage, 10/26/21

Posted on 10/21/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged England, folk, London, poetry, R&B, singer-songwriter, Union Stage.

Arlo Parks (Photo courtesy United Talent Artists)

At the beginning of this year, UK singer-songwriter Arlo Parks released Collapsed in Sunbeams, her debut full-length album, via Beatnik and Transgressive Records. Arlo now brings her Collapsed in Sunbeams Tour to Union Stage on Tuesday, Oct. 26!

Live Review: IDLES @ 9:30 Club –10/17/21

Posted on 10/20/2021 by Kyle Gustafson in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, England, Idles, post-hardcore, post-punk, punk.

IDLES perform at 9:30 Club on Oct. 17, 2021. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson)

You’d be hard pressed to name a better or more electrifying live band right now than Bristol, England’s IDLES. Hard and fast enough for the punk fans, heavy enough for the metal fans and progressive enough for the indie fans, IDLES hit a sweet spot that no other band can touch right now at 9:30 Club in the first of two-sold out nights on Sunday. Their songs address a wide range of topics such as politics, depression, and toxic masculinity and more importantly give listeners the release that great live music demands.

Live Review: Jungle @ The Anthem — 10/4/21

Posted on 10/08/2021 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged England, funk, Jungle, London, neo-soul, R&B, The Anthem.

Jungle perform at The Anthem on Oct. 4, 2021. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

The most remarkable thing about Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland is that they seem like two very approachable and laidback — if more hip than most — guys who would be really cool to chat with over a few pints.

Their breezy demeanor, however, hides the fact that the two Brits are fine tunesmiths who have a keen ear for hooks and beats in their work as electronic duo Jungle. As evidence, Jungle pulled a host of those tunes from their three studio albums at The Anthem recently, spinning the crowded venue into dancefloor mania with their upbeat and funky music.

Preview: Jungle @ The Anthem, 10/4/21

Posted on 10/01/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged electronic, England, funk, Jungle, London, neo-soul, The Anthem.

Jungle (Photo by Filmawi)

Out now on Caiola Records/AWAL, Jungle’s acclaimed new album Loving in Stereo debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Current Electronic Albums chart while also peaking at No. 3 on Independent Albums.

The British electronic funk duo now perform at The Anthem in DC on Monday, Oct. 4.

Book Talk: Beautiful Colors: The Posters of Duran Duran by Andrew Golub

Posted on 10/01/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged book talk, Duran Duran, England, new romantic.

In three weeks, Duran Duran will release Future Past, the legendary band’s 15th studio album, via Tape Modern for BMG. Should you want more Duran Duran prior to that, we recommend you acquire a copy of Beautiful Colors: The Posters of Duran Duran, curated by Andrew Golub (aka Durandy) and photographed by Christine Born with a foreword by Nick Rhodes!

Fans of Duran Duran know the band truly has been about more than just outstanding music — the gents always have concerned themselves with the visual aesthetics of their art as well. Nothing captures that fact better than Beautiful Colors.

Live Review: The Struts @ Lincoln Theatre — 9/7/21

Posted on 09/13/2021 by mdxpc in Live Review and tagged England, glam, Lincoln Theatre, The Struts.

The Struts perform at Lincoln Theatre on Sept. 7, 2021. (Photos by Rashad Polk)

The Struts rolled through D.C. recently, taking over the historic Lincoln Theatre to deliver a genuine rock and roll show.

Song of the Day: “Debt” by Molly Burman

Posted on 06/30/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged England, indie pop, London, Song of the Day.

Molly Burman (Photo by Dora Paphides)

19-year-old Molly Burman has made real inroads these last couple of months and continues to generate buzz with another slice of gold in perhaps her most immediate song yet with the empower-pop smarts of “Debt.”

Song of the Day: “Too Much” by Gary Kemp

Posted on 06/04/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged England, Gary Kemp, London, Song of the Day, sophistipop, Spandau Ballet.

Gary Kemp (Photo courtesy the artist)

Gary Kemp, best known for his dazzling work with Spandau Ballet, releases a solo album, titled INSOLO, on July 16. Gary now shares a single and video for “Too Much” from the upcoming album.

Song of the Day: “Fight” by The Subways

Posted on 04/30/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged England, garage, punk, Song of the Day, The Subways.

The Subways (Photo by Sarah Louise Bennett)

Having attended various marches during the band’s hiatus of 2016-2019, it was the Black Lives Matter marches in the summer of 2020 that inspired THE SUBWAYS guitarist Billy Lunn to go home and write “Fight” in just a few fiery hours.

Song of the Day: “Scratching at the Lid” by Piroshka

Posted on 04/27/2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged England, London, Miki Berenyi, Piroshka, shoegaze, Song of the Day.

Piroshka (Photo courtesy Bella Union)

Today Bella Union are thrilled to announce the release of Piroshka’s stunning second album, Love Drips and Gathers, that is due out on July 23. The album builds on the acclaim of the band’s 2018 debut LP Brickbat and the reputations of the former members of Lush, Moose, Elastica, and Modern English.

To celebrate the release, Piroshka have shared a video for lead track “Scratching at the Lid” directed by Connor Kinsey / Home Picture Films.