DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
Umphrey’s McGee (Photo courtesy IVPR)
Not unlike the rest of the country and the world, improv-rock gurus Umphrey’s McGee have found themselves with an empty-for-now itinerary and, in isolation, the strange daily balance of making sense of it all and making use of the extra time. Today, UM released “Easter in Quarantine.”
John Hiatt (Photo by Jim McGuire)
In a solo acoustic performance, John Hiatt used his substantial charm to engage the sold-out crowd at The Birchmere Tuesday. And, of course, the songs. John played songs that have been covered by Buddy Guy (“Feels Like Rain”), Bonnie Raitt (“Thing Called Love”), and I’m With Her (“Crossing Muddy Waters”).
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band (photo courtesy the Big Damn Band)
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band put on an authentic blues performance at The Hamilton Live recently. The good Reverend and his wife, who plays the washboard, and his drummer are “real people playing real instruments.” The Reverend derided the use of taped tracks, which, he said, even some blues bands have come to practice. Not only is it phoney, “it still sounds like shit,” he said.
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band with Rev’s Cadillac (Photo courtesy the band)
The Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band released Poor Until Payday, the band’s ninth studio album, last fall, and the trio has been on the road ever since. The Reverend and his bandmates perform at The Hamilton Live on Sunday, July 21, and you can win tickets to go with Parklife DC!
Freddie Gibbs performs at U Street Music Hall on Nov. 27, 2018. (Photo by Victoria Ford/Sneakshot Photography, www.sneakshot.net)
Pressure makes diamonds — and as far as hip-hop goes, Freddie Gibbs is a cut above the rest. The versatile emcee dug deep into his discography during a recent performance at DC’s U Street Music Hall. The Gary, Indiana rhymer’s performance catered to both his gangster rap fans and underground hip-hop aficionados.
Freddie Gibbs (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)
Rapper Freddie Gibbs released a self-titled fourth album in June, and he’s sliding into U Street Music Hall for a show on Tuesday, Nov. 27.
Lauren Sanderson performs at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Nov. 17, 2018. (Photo by Ari Strauss)
Twenty-two-year-old alternative hip-hop artist Lauren Sanderson performed to a room of exuberant young fans over the weekend at the Rock and Roll Hotel. She recently signed a record deal with Epic Records, and she is touring in support of her recent EP release, Don’t Panic.
Murder by Death performs in Ybor City, Florida, on March 10, 2011. (Photo by Nicole Kibert)
Normally, the 9:30 Club has the latest shows in town. On weekends, those shows go even later. Headliners regularly go on after 10. It was a lucky thing that I checked the showtime, because it turned that the Murder by Death concert was an early show!
Murder By Death (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)
Indie folk rockers Murder by Death released The Other Shore, their eighth studio album, earlier this year, and they are charging toward a show at 9:30 Club on Friday, Oct. 12!
John Hiatt performs at The Birchmere on Aug. 21, 2018. (Photo by Glenn Cook)
Singer-songwriter John Hiatt has often spoken of his affection for The Birchmere. On Monday, the first of a two-night engagement, he said, “This is almost like home.”
Playing to a sold-out house on his 66th birthday, John was clearly energized and having a great time, launching into his songs with a wide smile across his face. His mood was infectious, and the crowd was uplifted by his joyful presence as well as his beautiful music.
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