DC’s top blog for live concert reviews
David Byrne performs at Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 28, 2018. (Photo by Mickey McCarter)
David Bryne brought the music concert of the year to Merriweather Post Pavilion recently for a second visit to the DC metro area after an appearance at The Anthem earlier in the year.
Joachim Cooder (Photo by Amanda Charchian)
Legendary roots musician Ry Cooder has a son who also is a very talented musician. Joachim Cooder, who released his first proper EP, Fuchsia Machu Picchu, on March 30, will open for his legendary father, and then he play drums in his dad’s band, at The Birchmere on Monday, June 4, and Monday, June 11. The first date has sold out, but tix remain for June 11.
Rostam (Photo courtesy Motormouth Media)
Rostam Batmanglij, best known simply as Rostam, released his debut solo album, titled Half-Light, last year via Nonesuch Records. Rostam launches a North American Tour in Atlanta on Jan. 29, and he arrives in DC a few days later to perform at U Street Music Hall on Thursday, Feb. 1.
Baio performs at The Anthem on Nov. 2, 2017. (Photo by Paivi)
Chris Baio, bassist for Vampire Weekend, tours as a solo act as Baio. He dropped by The Anthem on Thursday to open for The Shins, and Paivi photographed his show. (Check out Paivi’s photos of The Shins here.)
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Rostam Batmanglij, the former member of Vampire Weekend who goes only by his first name, is gearing up to drop his first full-length solo album, and he’s performing at 9:30 Club on Tuesday, May 2. You can win tickets to see him!
Matthew Vlahovich of Young Empires at Royal Athletic Park during Rifflandia/BreakOut West on Sept. 19, 2015 (Photo by Tyson Elder/Used with permission/See more of Tyson’s photos)
Vocalist Matthew Vlahovich has some charisma to spare, and he was ready to share it as he danced to his own music at U Street Music Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 25.
Matthew and his band Young Empires performed as openers for Canadian trio Dragonette, providing a smooth, soulful counterpoint to the sparkling house compositions of their countrymen. Technically a trio themselves, Matthew, bassist Jacob Palahnuk, and drummer Taylor Hill toured as a quintet with the support of a touring guitarist and keyboardist.
The total group produced waves of deep sound that benefited the numbers on the debut album by Young Empires, The Gates (released in September) — numbers that generally were uplifting electropop punctuated by worldbeat rhythms and carried by Matthew’s pleasing voice.
Young Empires (Photo courtesy Young Empires)
Canadian trio Young Empires have a fondness for soaring world music and themes of redemption and elevation. They are a band in search of better things, and you have an opportunity to join their soulful exploration Wednesday night at U Street Music Hall.
Young Empires released their debut album, The Gates, on Sept. 4, and they are touring in support of it as openers for another Canadian trio, Dragonette.
On The Gates, Young Empires treat us to “Mercy,” a song calling for forgiveness; “So Cruel,” about the tortures of love; and “The Gates,” about the search for a higher place spiritually.
Watch the official music video for “The Gates” on YouTube:
Note the doors open at 6pm for this early show, and so be sure to get there early to allow vocalist and keyboardist Matthew Vlahovich, bassist Jacob Palahnuk, and drummer Taylor Hill elevate your spirit.
Tickets are available online and at the door.
Young Empires
(Opening for Dragonette)
U Street Music Hall
Wednesday, Nov. 25
Doors @6pm
$20
All ages
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