Live Review: Franz Ferdinand @ 9:30 Club — 8/10/22

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, Franz Ferdinand, Glasgow, new wave, post-punk, Scotland.

Alex Kapranos fronts Franz Ferdinand at 9:30 Club on Aug. 10, 2022. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

In a show otherwise as smooth as silk at 9:30 Club, Scots new wavers Franz Ferdinand’s recent concert saw a lone tumultuous moment during the fourth song of the set, “Evil Eye” (which hails from their 2013 album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action).

One troublemaker several rows back from the stage apparently started throwing punches, and Franz frontman Alex Kapranos stopped the show dead to check out the perpetrator’s *wrong* thoughts and wrong action! The house lights came up slightly, and Alex scoffed at the guilty party.

“Really? A fight!” Alex exclaimed. “We’re here for a good time. This is no place to fight.” With the assistance of the lights, 9:30 Club bouncers identified the troublemaker and escorted him out of the venue.

Snapshots: CHVRCHES @ 9:30 Club — 6/5/22

Posted on June 8, 2022 by Kyle Gustafson in Live Review and tagged 9:30 Club, CHVRCHES, Glasgow, new wave, Scotland, synthpop.

***CHVRCHES perform at the 9:30 Club on June 5, 2022. (Photo by Kyle Gustafson)***

Generally when a band comes back to town touring behind the same album, it’s because they’re playing a bigger venue after winning over more fans. CHVRCHES did things a bit different earlier this week, with a very sold-out three night run at the 9:30 Club for the latter part of their Screen Violence tour. It was the band’s first appearance at the club since way back in 2014.

Live Review: CHVRCHES @ The Anthem — 11/30/21

Posted on December 6, 2021 by ambienteye in Live Review and tagged CHVRCHES, Glasgow, new wave, Scotland, synthpop, The Anthem.

Lauren Mayberry fronts CHVRCHES at The Anthem in DC on Nov. 30, 2021. (Photos by Katherine Gaines (ambienteye.com); Words by Mickey McCarter)

“My social skills are gone,” quipped Lauren Mayberry. “I stayed inside for two years, staring at a wall. Now, I’m talking to you guys, and this is normal.”

Well, those guys were ecstatic that the CHVRCHES frontwoman was indeed talking to them, singing to them, and emoting like never before at a show bursting with energy at The Anthem DC recently. Maybe, however, it takes two years of lockdown experiences might result in a brilliant, memorable show like those on this tour, which has sent CHVRCHES around the world in support of their very good fourth album, Screen Violence.

Preview: CHVRCHES @ The Anthem, 11/30/21

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged CHVRCHES, Glasgow, new wave, Scotland, synthpop, The Anthem.

CHVRCHES (Photo courtesy Grandstand Media)

Synthpop trio CHVRCHES have took their impressive stage production on the road in support of their recently released, critically acclaimed album Screen Violence. The Scots play at The Anthem in DC on Tuesday, Nov. 30.

Live Review: Midge Ure @ City Winery — 11/2/21

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged City Winery, folk, Glasgow, Midge Ure, new romantic, new wave, Scotland.

Midge Ure performs at City Winery DC on Nov. 2, 2021. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)

Brimming with bonhomie, Midge Ure reflected upon the 2012 reunion of powerhouse quartet Ultravox and the resulting album Brilliant during his recent performance at City Winery DC.

Midge recalled reconnecting with his old bandmates for a series of performances, and the surprise offer of a record deal that was offered promptly to them.

Interview: Midge Ure (@ City Winery, 11/2/21)

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Mickey McCarter in Preview and tagged City Winery, folk, Glasgow, Interview, Midge Ure, new romantic, new wave, Scotland, Ultravox.

Midge Ure (Photo courtesy Erika Tooker)

Midge Ure, the legendary voice of new romantic outfit Ultravox, returns to the United States for a fresh solo tour this month. Taking time off his successful livestream series, Midge presents “Un-Zoomed And Face To Face” at City Winery DC on Tuesday, Nov. 2!

And speaking of Zoom, Parklife DC’s Mickey McCarter recently chatted with Midge via Zoom to get details on the tour and all of Midge’s other current creative endeavors.

Song of the Day: “He Said She Said” by CHVRCHES

Posted on April 20, 2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged CHVRCHES, Glasgow, Scotland, Song of the Day, synthpop.

CHVRCHES (Photo by Sebastian Mlynarski and Kevin J Thomson)

CHVRCHES have released their long awaited new single “He Said She Said,” available to stream and download via Glassnote Records. Recorded almost entirely remotely on two different sides of the Atlantic, the song arrives three years on from CHVRCHES’ acclaimed third album Love Is Dead.

Song of the Day: “A Tall Tale” by Union of Knives featuring Helen Marnie

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Parklifer in Preview and tagged electro rock, electronic, experimental rock, Glasgow, Helen Marnie, Scotland, Union of Knives.

Helen Marnie (Photo courtesy the artist)

Glasgow-based electro rockers Union of Knives self released “A Tall Tale,” their first of two collaborations featuring Ladytron’s lead vocalist Helen Marnie.

The trio is composed of Chris Gordon, Ant Thomaz (Dope Sick Fly), and drummer Pete Kelly, who returned from a decade on tour with The Kills and Ladytron, and brought Marnie into the fold. These songs will appear on their forthcoming album Endless from the Start, which will be released this spring.

Live Review: Midge Ure @ City Winery — 2/5/20

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Mickey McCarter in Live Review and tagged City Winery, Glasgow, Midge Ure, Nalinee Darmrong, new romantic, new wave, post-punk, Scotland, Ultravox, Visage.

Midge Ure performs at City Winery DC on Feb. 5, 2020. (Photo by Nalinee Darmrong)

Midge Ure, the gregarious former frontman of Ultravox, answered questions and performed tunes from his solo career, Visage, Ultravox, and even the Rich Kids, in a recent evening of story and song at City Winery in Washington, DC.

Preview: Midge Ure @ City Winery, 2/5/20

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Mickey McCarter in Preview and tagged City Winery, folk, Glasgow, Midge Ure, new romantic, new wave, Scotland.

Midge Ure (Photo courtesy Erika Tooker)

Midge Ure returns to DC with his open and honest Songs, Questions and Answers Tour 2020, which lands at City Winery on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The show is sold out, but here are some things to know before you go!