Nicholas David performs at 9:30 Club on Dec. 17, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Nicholas David, a finalist on the third season of NBC’s The Voice, brought some soul to DC when he opened for Samantha Fish at the 9:30 Club recently.
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Ray LaMontagne (Photo by Brian Stowell)
After a terrific opening set by the Canadian duo Kacy & Clayton, Ray LaMontagne took the stage at the Music Center at Strathmore recently. Accompanying him was Carl Broemel, the guitarist in My Morning Jacket. They began with “Be Here Now,” both playing acoustic guitar. The New Hampshire-born singer-songwriter followed with “Hold You in Arms,” from his first album, 2004’s Trouble.
Con Brio performs at The Hamilton Live on Oct. 10, 2019. (Photo by Rashad Polk)
The stage at The Hamilton was recently host to one of the funkiest bands to come out of the San Francisco Bay area — Con Brio. While Con Brio can easily be compared to other legendary groups from the same area such as Sly and the Family Stone or Tower of Power, another group that comes to mind is Metallica. Though there isn’t too much in common on the surface, both bands seem to continually deliver on the promise of their respective band names.
Jake Shimabukuro performs at The Birchmere on Sept. 18, 2019. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
Yeah, the name is tough to pronounce, but Jake Shimabukuro’s talent is easy to see. The Hawaiian-born ukulele performer and composer brought his gift to The Birchmere recently in a show that featured both brilliance and a beloved, special guest.
Pasture Palooza Music & Arts Festival is an annual weekend festival and camp out held in a field off Minniewood Lane west of beautiful Berryville, Virginia. It started as an outrageous party and has turned into a festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary on Sept. 13-14, attracting from 750 to 900 people.
STS9 (Photo courtesy the band)
For the first time ever, STS9 brings their acoustic Axe the Cables show to DC metro! The instrumental psychedelic funk band performs for three nights at the State Theatre in Falls Church, Virginia, on Thursday, Sept. 26, Friday, Sept. 27, and Saturday, Sept. 28, dedicating the first evening of the residency to Axe the Cables. All three nights are available at one special price.
Eli Lev performs at the DC Music Rocks Festival on Aug. 17, 2019. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
I’ve been following the District of Columbia’s live music scene for several years yet I’ve just barely begun to scratch the surface of the diversity, variety and joy that so many musical artists bring to this region. The same could be said about the third annual DC Rocks Music Festival recently — despite the line-up of a wonderful array of 12 bands and singer-songwriters, there is so much more to discover in our own backyard.