DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
Dentist performs at DC9 on Sept. 29, 2019. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
When a band is named “Dentist,” you may well be tempted to make remarks about the members’ teeth as a way to ease into a review. Well, we are going to chat a little about their eyes instead.
New Jersey surf rockers Dentist dropped by DC9 recently to open Brick + Mortar, and these folks have some damn expressive eyes to accompany their truly catchy tunes.
The Rocket Summer (Photo by Braverijah Gregg)
Bryce Avary, aka The Rocket Summer, released his first EP nearly two decades ago at the age of 17. Earlier this year, Bryce released his latest album Sweet Shivers, and he showed fans that he’s still going strong with no signs of stopping soon. The multi-instrumentalist Texas native stopped by DC’s waterfront at Union Stage recently in support of the latest album.
Eli Lev performs at the DC Music Rocks Festival on Aug. 17, 2019. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
I’ve been following the District of Columbia’s live music scene for several years yet I’ve just barely begun to scratch the surface of the diversity, variety and joy that so many musical artists bring to this region. The same could be said about the third annual DC Rocks Music Festival recently — despite the line-up of a wonderful array of 12 bands and singer-songwriters, there is so much more to discover in our own backyard.
Squeeze (Photo by Rob O’Connor)
The pop masterminds of Squeeze sang the Difford and Tilbrook Songbook at The Kennedy Center recently, and a marvelous time was had by all at the sold-out show.
The Raconteurs (Photo by Olivia Jean)
Whether or not rock ‘n’ roll needs a cheerleader, it certainly has one in Jack White. From days of the White Stripes to collaborations with luminaries like Loretta Lynn and bands like the Dead Weather and Raconteurs to his own solo material there’s a constellation of work that values the history and power of the art. There’s that and the fact that he, literally, pumps up a crowd like few I’ve witnessed. As a case in point, take the packed house at The Anthem Saturday night.
Broke Royals frontman Philip Basnight performs at DC9, Aug. 16, 2019. (Photo by Ari Strauss/ aristrauss.com)
Broke Royals recently concluded an intensive 10-day tour with a hometown performance at DC9. The DC-based power-pop group, and winners of Parklife DC’s 2018 inaugural Thrushie Award for best local band, put in 12 performances across the Midwest and the Atlantic coast over 10 days, reaching as far as Milwaukee, to promote their new album, Saint Luxury.
The Raconteurs (Photo by David James Swanson)
The Raconteurs reunited for a third album, releasing Help Us Stranger in June via Third Man Records! The skillful bards arrive at The Anthem to play songs new and old on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Ben Folds performs at The Anthem on July 30, 2019. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
Ben Folds, a classical composer in addition to a classic singer-songwriter, came to The Anthem with a few tricks up his sleeve.
Jonny Grave performs at Black Cat on June 15, 2019. (Photo by Mark Caicedo)
At the Black Cat recently, Jonny Grave’s IMPALA EP release show demonstrated how musical diversity in reality (as Neil Young once said) “is all one song.”
Kim Petras performs at The Fillmore Silver Spring on June 15, 2019. (Photo by Katherine Gaines/ AmbientEye.com)
Hopping onto the stage at The Fillmore Silver Spring, Kim Petras recently proved herself every bit the stylish pop icon we need.
