The definitive record of live music in Washington, D.C. and beyond for the 2010’s
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Robert Ellis @ Songbyrd - 4/4/2019
Robert Ellis, once regarded as a canny Texas troubadour in Country and winsome rock, has adopted a fully formed persona in his current record as the “Texas Piano Man,” resplendent in an all-white tuxedo tinkling the ivories. He and his four-piece band, dressed stoically in all black suits, took their Texas Piano Man tour to the packed basement of the Songbyrd Music House and Record Café.
Jungle @ 9:30 Club - 3/21/2019
“We finally fucking sold it out!” Tom McFarland yells halfway through Jungle’s groove-filled set in DC on Thursday night. And with good reason. Despite a chilly and drizzly night in DC, Jungle transformed 9:30 Club into a heated and hazy 70’s club.
Gary Clark Jr. @ The Anthem - 3/30/2019
Gary Clark Jr. is done being just the blues guitarist staple at your neighborhood music festival.
Lucy Dacus @ Black Cat - 3/22/2019
Lucy Dacus’s Black Cat performance (and her US tour closer) was an impressive display as her parents and family watched from the side of the stage. And what better way to end a tour than that?
Maggie Rogers @ 9:30 Club - 3/26/2019
The meteoric rise of Maggie Rogers can’t be ignored. Once again, she danced her way into people’s hearts on night two of her sold-out two-night run at 9:30 Club.
CHAI @ Union Stage - 3/19/2019
The day after the conclusion of SXSW (and hot off some rave reviews), Japanese dance-punk band CHAI once again hopped on a plane to officially kick off their US tour at Union Stage in DC.
![SXSW Music 2019 Recap [Austin, TX] - 3/10/2019 - 3/16/2019](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6350538c4e985848148c1691/1669687831183-U2QJXPXVN8LDAOJC6YBT/IMG_8454.jpg)
SXSW Music 2019 Recap [Austin, TX] - 3/10/2019 - 3/16/2019
Among all the dumped dockless scooters, food trucks, and people on hoverboards holding boa constrictors (yes, really), Austin once again hosted countless numbers of great up-and-coming artists alongside established acts for SXSW 2019. Who were some of our favorites? Only one way to find out.
The Comet is Coming @ U Street Music Hall - 3/21/2019
Delivering what could best be described as an intergalactic dance party, this particular comet crashed into a nearly sold out room delivered not destruction, but ascension for the duration of their sixty-minute set.
Ed Schrader's Music Beat @ Pie Shop - 3/1/2019
The duo of vocalist Ed Schrader and bassist Devlin Rice could be described as offbeat, ridiculous garage punk. Their songs can be simultaneously explosive, contemplative, realist, and absurd. It’s never been easy to pin this group down.
Citizen Cope @ 9:30 Club - 3/3/2019
Singer and songwriter Clarence Greenwood was born in Memphis and raised in Washington, DC where he broke out of the local music scene as Citizen Cope in 2002. Just two days after releasing his first album in seven years, his hometown fans were ready to sing along to every song.
![2019 Luck Reunion Recap [Spicewood, TX] - 3/14/2019](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6350538c4e985848148c1691/1669688018580-N8YPDHAZ320Z5FACB698/IMG_9289.jpg)
2019 Luck Reunion Recap [Spicewood, TX] - 3/14/2019
Grab your best cowboy hat and don’t worry about paying for drinks. Willie Nelson has once again opened up his ranch for a day of well-curated music, from the likes of himself to Mavis Staples to Shakey Graves…and did we mention free drinks?
Le Butcherettes @ DC9 - 3/2/2019
With Teri Gender Bender serving as the eye of the storm, Le Butcherettes gave a performance that will be remembered for a long time to come.
Small Pools @ 9:30 Club - 3/13/2019
On their recent stop in Washington, D.C., Small Pools lead vocalist Sean Scanlon took the concept of “connecting with the audience” to a new level. Jumping into the crowd and standing on the barricades while belting their latest hits, Scanlon and the rest of the band kept the audience awake and jubilant all night.
![Vince Staples @ The Riviera Theatre [CHI] - 3/12/2019](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6350538c4e985848148c1691/1669688228823-WFJ2AGX97INPYZHQ3ZEA/2019-03-12_VinceStaples_RivieraTheatre%28%C2%A9AlexSchelldorf%29-1.jpg)
Vince Staples @ The Riviera Theatre [CHI] - 3/12/2019
At the Chicago stop on his Smile! You’re On Camera tour, Vince Staples reinforced what we already knew: Get the fuck off his dick, he’s going to do what he wants.
The Long Beach-born rapper, now known as much for his no b.s. interview responses and acerbic Twitter barbs as he is for his music, performed in front of a stage-width screen with cameras pointed at the audience, a play on both the constantly evolving dynamics of how audiences receive live shows (both Staples’ and more generally), as well as America’s all-seeing surveillance state.
Quinn XCII @ Fillmore Silver Spring - 3/1/2019
Quinn XCII (pronounced ‘Quinn 92’); though still a relatively younger artist, has managed to grow an incredibly diverse and large fan base. However; I’m not surprised for the fact he effortlessly mixes music of all genres including hip-hop, pop, reggae, rock, electronic, and soul. I remember the first song I ever heard from Quinn; “Another Day In Paradise” which immediately had me hooked and listening to his whole discography. Which at the time only consisted of his “Change of Scenery” EP and a few singles; but what I heard had me anxiously waiting for more Quinn!
Wet @ 9:30 Club - 3/5/19
Kelly Zutrau stood center stage barefoot, getting personal and chatting with her audience in between songs about her sweaty palms caused by nerves and the nation’s capital. The lead vocalist of Wet, could not have had a more authentic stage presence. Touring behind their latest LP Still Run The New York native band, comprised of Zutrau, Joe Valle, and Marty Sulkow, attracted audiences of all ages, at their recent stop at the nearly-full 9:30 Club.
Wet / Kilo Kish @ 9:30 Club - 3/5/2019
Kelly Zutrau stood center stage barefoot, getting personal and chatting with her audience in between songs about her sweaty palms caused by nerves and the constantly-dramatic news cycle.
Vundabar @ Rock and Roll Hotel - 2/28/2019
Touring in support of their 2018 release Smell Smoke, Boston Massachusetts Vunderbar stopped through D.C. recently tour share their autobiographical tunes and female fronted bands Lavender (DC), Indigo DeSouza and singer-songwriter Sidney Gish joined them on the bill.
Parcels @ U Street Music Hall - 2/20/2019
The funky (and Daft Punk-cosigned) bunch from Australia by way of Germany sold out U Street Music Hall weeks in advance for good reason. Did you bring your dancing shoes?
Liz Cooper and the Stampede @ Songbyrd - 2/22/2019
The Stampede’s rhythm section has an unobtrusive groove that allows Cooper to shine—whether it’s her quieter, finger-picked guitar work, overdriven vocal style, or the fuzzy and psychedelic fringes of her sound that have roots back to The Doors and Jefferson Airplane.