Thurston Moore performs at Rock and Roll Hotel on Sunday, July 23, 2017.
Happy birthday, Thurston Moore! The 59-year-old singer songwriter beguiled a very full house at Rock and Roll Hotel in DC on Sunday, taking us on a journey of psychedelic vibes and experimental noise.
Mew (Photo courtesy Ticketfly)
Mew released their seventh studio album Visuals in April via Play It Again Sam. The trio are on tour with a visit to 9:30 Club on Saturday, Aug. 5, and you can win tickets to go with Parklife DC.
Sarah Lipstate, aka Noveller, performs at Rock and Roll Hotel on June 6, 2017.
Los Angeles guitarist Sarah Lipstate, better known as Noveller, visited DC’s Rock and Roll Hotel to open for Mary Timony touring the songs of her former band Helium on June 6. (Read our Parklife DC review of Mary Timony!) During the sold-out show, Noveller deftly looped guitar loops through an impressive array of pedals, producing a languid noise rock that proved a great counterpart to Helium’s music.
Cloud Nothings (Photo by Jesse Lirola)
Cloud Nothings released its latest album Life Without Sound in January via Carpark Records. The band launched a lengthy North American tour right before its release, and they finally make their way to 9:30 Club to play on Saturday, May 20. You can win tickets to go with Parklife DC!
J Mascis performs with Dinosaur Jr. at Best Kept Secret Festival on June 18, 2016. (Photo by Kmeron)
Dinosaur Jr. took the stage in front of a sold-out 9:30 Club on Thursday night. Two hours later, I sat in my car and could hardly hear anything over the ringing in my ears. This is not a bad thing (although I have rethought my stance on wearing ear-plugs) because it was a result of J Mascis’ roaring guitar solos!
J’s Jazzmaster screamed as Emmett Jefferson “Murph” Murphy III (drums) and Lou Barlow (bass) provided a heavy and steady rhythm foundation. I had read about J’s ability on the guitar and seeing it for myself backed up everything I read. It’s no surprise Rolling Stone ranked him 86th on their list of 100 greatest guitarists.
Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells (Photo Credit: Molly Dauphin)
“It’s so loud, I can’t hear myself think!” boomed Alexis Krauss, lead singer of Sleigh Bells, during their sold out show at the U Street Music Hall on 9/7/16.
Sleigh Bells are back in full force. Their upcoming fourth album, Jessica Rabbit, releases in November. Yet, they only played three new songs, including “Hyper Dark”, which Alexis asked the crowd if they could practice playing for the first time live. Sure! “Hyper Dark” is a departure from the usual frenetic, fuzzy, distorted anthems they typically play. It leisurely builds to a chorus, “So, you like trouble, I think we have a problem”, where Alexis’ voice slowly and confidently burns over synth-laden beats. Played live, it’s hard not to love (and to stay still to). Thanks for practicing on us.
Sleigh Bells (Photo Courtesy of Grandstand Media)
Sleigh Bells descends on DC next Wednesday, September 7th at the U Hall Music Hall.
Stepping up with their energetic brand of noise rock, they are touring in support of their upcoming fourth album, Jessica Rabbit (out November 11th).
I’ve had a chance to listen to a couple of the songs, and the first single “Hyper Dark” is a funky, slow burning song that doesn’t shred and kick like many of their previous songs. Intriguing. And for something completely different, “Rule Number One” brings us back and thrashes just as we’d expect from the Sleigh Bells.
Their newest video (released August 29th) is “It’s Just Us Now” and toes the line between the other two songs. It’s pop without the noise.
Sleigh Bells is the duo of Alexis Krauss on vocals and Derek Miller on guitar and production.
The show is sold out, but if you want it bad enough, I’m sure you can find someone willing to sell you a ticket.
Sleigh Bells
w/ Miya Folick
U Street Music Hall
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Doors 7:00pm
$25 (Sold Out)
All ages
