The Psychedelic Furs perform at The Birchmere on Oct. 4, 2017. (Photo by Chester Simpson)
Richard Butler was a joy to behold.
With boundless energy, the frontman of The Psychedelic Furs swept the audience up in a dance for an 18-song set on the band’s Singles Tour on Wednesday at The Birchmere. He so relished the opportunity to perform live that he couldn’t stop beaming.
The Church perform at 9:30 Club on Oct. 1, 2017. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Steve Kilbey was a little bit cantankerous at 9:30 Club on Sunday. He weathered numerous calls for the best-known singles by his band The Church. One enthusiastic audience member for example bellowed for “Under the Milky Way,” prompting Steve to shout, “No!” — right before playing the wonderfully forlorn hit toward the end of his main set.
The Psychedelic Furs (Photo courtesy Ticketmaster)
The Psychedelic Furs released their last album, World Outside, in 1991. They took a break for about 10 years shortly after, but the band have become a worldwide touring phenomenon since reuniting in 2000. No strangers to DC, The Psychedelic Furs return tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 4, to The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia.
Rainer Maria brings magic to the Rock & Roll Hotel on Sept. 28, 2017. (Photo by David LaMason)
Some shows are good, some shows are great, and some have the power to simply lift spirits. Rainer Maria brought what can only be described as a feeling of homecoming on Thursday at the Rock & Roll Hotel (even though the band originally formed in Madison, Wisconsin, and reformed together in New York after years of living in various corners of the globe).
Colin Newman performs with Wire at Les Guess Who Festival in Utrecht on Nov. 22, 2014. (Photo by Rene Passet)
Crisp waves of psychedelic guitar washed over the audience as Colin Newman, guitarist and vocalist for legendary English band Wire, peered out from under a ballcap. In his soothing accent, Colin sings the cryptic words of “Silver/Wire,” which could perhaps be about making choices for moving ahead (silver) or being weighted down by your past (lead) maybe.
Whichever interpretation, Wire is a band that certainly continues to move ahead *while also* embracing its significant past. And the small but intensely loyal crowd at Black Cat on Monday night wanted it all — silver and lead.
Drab Majesty perform at Songbyrd Music House on Sept. 22, 2017. (Photo by Paivi)
Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone, one of my favorite music and cultural commentators, described New Order as “goth-disco kingpins” in his review of a New York City performance in 2016.
Adam Ant performs at Baltimore Soundstage on Sept. 19, 2017. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Adam Ant was on fire!
