DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
Gorillaz with ScHoolBoy Q (Art courtesy Nasty Little Man)
It’s no secret by now that Gorillaz are making some of the most alluring music of the pandemic. With the animated band’s Song Machine project, 2-D, Murdoc, Noodle, and Russel are turning out banger after banger with special guest stars.
Gorillaz’s latest is no exception as the band team with American rapper ScHoolboy Q for “Pac-Man.”
Doves (Photo by Jon Shard)
Doves recently revealed their first new music in 11 years and broke their silence on new album rumors by announcing their long awaited fifth studio album, The Universal Want, set for release on Sept. 11 through IMPERIAL in the United States.
Buoyed by refreshed chemistry, restless studio creativity, and public reaction to their return, Doves have set free the album’s first single, “Prisoners.”
Gorillaz with Octavian (Photo art courtesy Nasty Little Man)
Animated downtempo ensemble Gorillaz has been soundtracking the pandemic lockdown here at Parklife DC, and that’s A-OK.
Gorillaz have turned to virtual studio Song Machine to fill the air with new music and good vibes to counter the coronavirus, and the fourth episode of the band’s new series is called “Friday 13th,” a hypnotic meditation featuring French-British rapper and singer Octavian (winner of the coveted BBC Sound of 2019) along with a video self-filmed at home during lockdown.
Gorillaz (Photo by Bernard Benant; Art courtesy Nasty Little Man)
Tony Allen died aged 79 of an aortic aneurysm on April 30. He of course was a co-creator of Afrobeat, the fusion of funk, jazz, and African styles that he produced in Nigeria in partnership with Fela Kuti in the late ’60s and ’70s.
Animated downtempo quartet Gorillaz featured Tony on their latest track “How Far,” taken from their new album Song Machine, and it is our Song of the Day.
Gorillaz with creator Damon Albarn, right (Art by co-creator Jamie Hewlett, left.)
“Aries” is the third episode of Song Machine from Gorillaz. Featuring the legendary Peter Hook on bass, with alt-pop singer and producer Georgia on drums, “Aries” sees our virtual heroes capture much of the current mood with a soaring affirmation of human connection.
If you like the song, tune into Liberation Dance Party tonight for Gorillaz and more new music. Details below!
Peter Hook performs at Union Transfer on Oct. 24, 2019. (Photos by Jason Nicholson; Words by Mickey McCarter)
If you’re a new wave lad like myself, Peter Hook, famed co-founder of Joy Division and New Order, is one of the top bassists alive. He has an unmistakable groove rooted in the glam, and I daresay even blues, of the 1970s — but one that grows and spreads forward into the digital age and beyond.
Hooky remains today a singular and unmistakable musician, keeping his work alive with Peter Hook & The Light, which kicked off a North American Tour in Philadelphia recently to pay tribute to the New Order albums Technique and Republic. Jason Nicholson took some pictures of the band at Union Transfer.
Peter Hook performs at Union Transfer on April 26, 2018. (Photo by Jason Nicholson)
Peter Hook, former bassist of Joy Division and New Order, pays tribute to both acts with a 15-date tour that begins in Philadelphia on Thursday, Oct. 24. Appearing at Union Transfer, Peter Hook & The Light revisit New Order’s Technique, the band’s 1989 album, as well as Republic, their 1993 record, in concert.
Morrissey sings at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sept. 5, 2019. (Photos by Jason Nicholson; Words by Mickey McCarter)
Steven Patrick Morrissey is an entertainer, and a really good one at that. Morrissey launched a North American Tour recently in support of a new album of covers, titled California Son, at Merriweather Post Pavilion, and he presented a straightforward but rousing show that rewarded fans with rarely performed songs and his glorious baritone.
Morrissey (Photo by Sam Rayner)
Earlier this year, Morrissey dropped California Son, his latest studio album and a collection of cover songs drawn from the artist’s favorites from the ’60s and ’70s. Around the same time, Morrissey drew critical acclaim for a sold-out run of shows on Broadway. Now, he’s touring in support of the new album, and he opens the tour with support from post-punk rockers Interpol at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Noel Gallagher performs at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Aug. 17, 2019. (Photo by Chris Smyth)
As the setting sun painted the sky pink above Merriweather Post Pavilion on Saturday, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds took the stage. Returning to the DMV for the second time in a year and a half, NGHFB played a show that impressed.
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