DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
Paul Weller (Photo courtesy Black Box)
We may be cursed to be in the midst a global pandemic, buffeted by all of its stresses and pain, but everyone knows that art provides succour, that music is the most reliable balm.
For many there is further significant comfort to be drawn from the knowledge that Paul Weller is in the midst of an unbelievably prolific purple patch. Paul Weller will not let us down when we need him most, as evidenced by his most recent single, “Cosmic Fringes.”
Lake Street Dive (Photo by Shervin Lainez)
Obviously, the new album from beloved band Lake Street Dive, is set for release on March 12 via Nonesuch Records. In celebration of the forthcoming record, the group premieres its new single “Nobody’s Stopping You Now,” a letter of encouragement from lead vocalist Rachael Price to her teenaged self, co-written with bassist Bridget Kearney.
Alia Lene sings on YouTube. (Still courtesy Erika Tooker)
Alia Lene released a special version of “The Christmas Song” recently on YouTube. The track is taken from her Christmas Miracle EP released Dec. 11 on Contra Worldwide Recordings.
Wallis (Photo courtesy Michael J. Media Group LLC)
15 year-old Wallis, a heretofore unknown young singer/songwriter from Philadelphia, has continued to create and perform — despite the challenges of 2020 — by writing songs with her father.
“Lonely Christmas” is Wallis’ very first single, and the perfect tune for this unprecedented holiday season.
Cory Henry (Photo by Raymond Alva)
Music virtuoso Cory Henry released a holiday album “Christmas With You” on Dec. 11. The project showcases soulful renditions of classic holiday songs with collaborations from Jay White and Gospel Legends Lenny Smith and Anaysha Figueroa-Cooper.
Aaron Frazer (Photo by Alysse Gafkjen)
Aaron Frazer (of Durand Jones & The Indications) releases new single, “If I Got It (Your Love Brought It),” from his Dan Auerbach-produced debut album, Introducing…, out Jan. 8 on Dead Oceans/Easy Eye Sound.
Toto (Photo courtesy SKH Music)
Steve Lukather (aka Luke) and Joseph Williams are lifelong friends since they were kids, and bandmates sharing a deep colorful history that has thrived professionally on a global basis over the past decades. Today, the duo has announced the formation of a new band, with world class players. They will continue to tour as Toto, and are in motion to bring their Dogz of Oz tour worldwide as the pair looks forwards.
The new Toto lineup performs in a livestream via Dice.fm on Saturday, Nov. 21.
Grace Potter performs at the Frederick County Fairgrounds on Oct. 21, 2020. (Photo by Casey Vock)
While performing musicians painfully prepare for what could be a long winter with limited options for reaching their fans in the flesh, some have made the trip to Maryland as of late to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the newly dubbed Showtime at the Drive In series of concerts being held at the Frederick County Fairgrounds.
Last week, Grace Potter made the trip down from her current home in the mountains of Vermont to take the stage for a solo performance organized by All Good Presents and Baltimore Soundstage.
Grace Potter (Photo by Pamela Neal)
Last year, Grace Potter released her latest studio album, Daylight, and she toured the country earlier this year with a stop at The Anthem in DC. Soon after, COVID-19 shut the country down, and live touring stopped.
But Grace is among a number of pioneers bringing live performances back with drive-in shows where audiences experience a big concert from their car. Catch Grace Potter in Showtime at the Drive in locally at the Frederick Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Oct. 21, in a show presented by All Good Presents and Baltimore Soundstage.
Bishop Briggs performs on The Late Late Show with James Corden on Oct. 7, 2020. (Photo courtesy Island Records)
Bishop Briggs returns to the stage, virtually, with The Champion Tour Livestream on Saturday, Oct. 17, via Veeps.
