Music & Concerts

Odd pairings

From Babs and Elvis to Bennett and Gaga, unlikely duet partners among fall albums

Published

11 years ago

September 11, 2014

Santiago Melli-Huber

Barbara Streisand and Jennifer Hudson (Photos courtesy Karpel Group)

Barbra Streisand will release her 34th album, “Partners,” on Sept. 16. It is her second duets album and features performers such as Michael Buble, John Mayer, Josh Groban and Elvis Presley.

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga will release their collaborative jazz album, “Cheek to Cheek,” on Sept. 19. The two previously worked together in 2011 on Bennett’s “Duets II.”

English synthpop duo Erasure will release their latest album, “The Violet Flame,” on Sept. 23. The band, with openly gay lead singer Andy Bell, is popular with the LGBT community.

Jennifer Hudson will release “JHUD” on Sept. 23. The project is inspired by the 1970s. The track “He Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere” features Iggy Azalea. Four singles from the album have already been released over the past year.

“Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane is coming out with “Holiday for Swing,” a Christmas-themed album. Norah Jones and Sara Bareilles are both featured on the album, slated for a Sept. 30 release.

Prince will release two new albums on Sept. 30. Their titles are “PlectrumElectrum” and “Art Official Age.”

Saxophonist Dave Koz will release his fifth Christmas album, “The 25th of December,” on Sept. 30. It will be a duet album featuring Gloria Estefan, India.Arie, Fantasia and Stevie Wonder, among others.

Stevie Nicks is coming out with “24 Karat Gold: Songs from the Vault” on Oct. 7. The album features new versions of demos she recorded between 1969 and 1987.

Ani DiFranco is set to release “Allergic to Water” on Oct. 14. The album is DiFranco’s 20th since 1990.

Hilary Duff will release a new album on Oct. 14. The title is still unknown and the album will be her first in about seven years. Duff recently released two singles in anticipation of the album called “Chasing the Sun” and “All About You.”

Idina Menzel will release her Christmas album, “Holiday Wishes,” on Oct. 14^.It has been reported that her former “Wicked” co-star, Kristin Chenoweth, will also release a holiday album this year.

Charlie XCX, who was prominently featured on the hit songs “I Love It” by Icona Pop and “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea, will release her third album, “Sucker,” on Oct. 17.

Annie Lennox will release “Nostalgia” on Oct. 21 and will be her first LP in four years. Her third cover album, it will feature a collection of Lennox’s favorite songs from years past.

Taylor Swift will release her fifth studio album, “1989,” on Oct. 27. It will be her “first documented, official pop album,” though her previous efforts have laid the foundation for Swift’s transition from country to pop. The lead single, “Shake It Off,” debuted at No. 1.

“The London Sessions” is Mary J. Blige’s 13th studio album. In this project, Blige experimented with a new sound and incorporated London culture. It will release in November.

Nicki Minaj will release “The Pinkprint” on Nov. 28. The album will feature her latest smash hit, “Anaconda.”

Albums that have been announced but for which release dates were not available include:

• Queen’s “Queen Forever,” it’s first new studio album in nearly 20 years. Adam Lambert has been touring with the band of late.

• Emeli Sandi, a veteran of Capital Pride last year, with “Who Needs the World.”

• Selena Gomez with a greatest hits album in December. No title announced yet but two new tracks are expected.

• Rihanna is said to be planning a November release.

• Azealia Banks with her studio debut “Broke with Expensive Taste.”

Other acts rumored to have fall releases include out rapper Frank Ocean, Adele, Rita Ora (who performed at Capital Pride this year), Madonna (she’s had studio time with several big-name producers), fun., Marina & the Diamonds, One Direction and Solange Knowles.

Up Next

Tough choice for theater fans

Don't Miss

Eclectic offerings

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Music & Concerts

Kylie brings ‘Tension’ tour to D.C.

Performance on Tuesday at Capital One Arena

Published

2 weeks ago

April 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Kylie Minogue visits D.C. on Tuesday.

Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.

The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”

Music & Concerts

Busy season for live music in D.C.

Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring

Published

1 month ago

March 14, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Cynthia Erivo plays WorldPride in D.C. on June 7. (Photo courtesy of World Pride)

One sure sign of spring’s arrival is the fresh wave of live music coming to Washington. With more than 10 venues and a diverse lineup of artists, the city offers no shortage of live performances for the new season.

In addition to this impressive list, don’t forget the many artists coming to town for WorldPride, May 17-June 8. In addition to headliner Cynthia Erivo performing on Saturday, June 7 at the two-day street festival and concert, many other performers will be in town. Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, and RuPaul are among the featured performers at the WorldPride Music Festival at the RFK Festival Grounds, June 6-7. Visit WorldPrideDC.org for a list of other performers.

MARCH

Grammy and Emmy Award-winning Mary J. Blige will take the stage at Capital One Arena on March 26 for her For My Fans tour. Two days later, on March 28, J Balvin will also perform at Capital One Arena for his Back to the Rayo tour.

The Lincoln Theatre will host the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington for three performances—one on March 15 and two on March 16.

If dance parties are more your vibe, you’re in luck. DC9 is hosting a series of themed dance parties this month, starting with Poker Face: 2000s + Dance Party on March 14, the ever-popular Peach Pit ’90s dance party on March 15, H.O.T.S.: A Sapphic Dance Party on March 22, and RageRiot!—a burlesque and drag revue featuring a lineup of local drag kings, queens, and everything in between on March 29.

APRIL

Australian queen of pop Kylie Minogue will bring her Tension tour to Capital One Arena on April 8, with British dance artist Romy as her special guest.

Indie singer-songwriter mxmtoon will stop in D.C. for their Liminal Space tour on April 4 at the 9:30 club, followed by indie rock band Gossip on April 5. The 9:30 club will also host two dance parties in April: Gimme Gimme Disco – a dance party inspired by ABBA on April 11 and Broadway Rave on April 18.

The Atlantis will feature Brooklyn-based indie rock band Pom Pom Squad on April 2.

Comedy duo Two Dykes and a Mic will bring their Going Hog Wild tour to the Howard Theatre on April 19.

DC9 has two dance parties lined up this month: Bimbo Night on April 4, hosted by Baltimore’s “premier red-tattooed Filipina diva” Beth Amphetamine, and Aqua Girls: A QTBIPOC Dance Party on April 5, celebrating “queer transcendence through music, movement, and community.”

The Anthem will welcome a lineup of big names in April, starting with Alessia Cara on April 8. Lucy Dacus will take the stage on April 18 and 19 for her Forever Is a Feeling tour, while funky pop artist Remi Wolf will headline on April 27, joined by special guests Dana and Alden.

MAY

Indie-pop artist Miya Folick will bring her Erotica Veronica tour to The Atlantis on May 1, followed by multi-genre musician SASAMI on May 2. Pop artist Snow Wife will close out the month at The Atlantis on May 31 as part of an official WorldPride 2025 event.

Queer rock band Lambrini Girls will perform at the Howard Theatre on May 4, while rock trio L.A. Witch will take the stage at DC9 on May 12.

Union Stage will feature Rachel Platten on May 3 for her Set Me Free tour, followed by Femme Fatale: A Queer Dance Party later that night.

The popular DJ festival Project Glow will return to RFK Stadium grounds on May 31 and June 1.

JUNE

Pride month kicks off with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” star Trixie Mattel, who will perform at Echostage on June 3 as part of a series of official WorldPride 2025 events.

Queer icons Grace Jones & Janelle Monáe will take over The Anthem on June 5 for a WorldPride 2025 event performance.

Perfume Genius will bring his signature sound to the 9:30 club on June 7 as part of WorldPride 2025 festivities. Later in the month, Blondshell will hit the 9:30 club for her If You Asked for a Tour on June 24.

Music & Concerts

Pride concert to take place at Strathmore after Kennedy Center rescinds invitation

International Pride Orchestra ‘heartbroken’ event ‘would no longer be welcome’ at DC venue

Published

2 months ago

February 27, 2025

Jaylon Curry-Hagler

The Kennedy Center (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

The International Pride Orchestra has announced its Pride concert will take place at the Strathmore Music Center on June 5 after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts disinvited the group.

Since President Donald Trump took over the Kennedy Center during his first month in office, LGBTQ events and performances have been banned with community allies withdrawing in solidarity.

The Kennedy Center has cancelled “A Peacock Among Pigeons: Celebrating 50 Years of Pride,” a May 21 concert that was to feature the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. The International Pride Orchestra on Monday said its concert will now take place at the Strathmore.

“We were heartbroken when we learned that our concert would no longer be welcome at the Kennedy Center,” said International Pride Orchestra Founding Artistic Director Michael Roest in a statement released by the orchestra’s media page. “The Kennedy Center has long been a symbol of artistic excellence, inclusivity, and freedom of expression. However, we are profoundly grateful to the Strathmore Music Center for opening their doors to us. Their willingness to host our Pride Celebration Concert ensures that our message of love, pride, and resilience will be heard on the doorstep of the nation’s capital.”

The Pride concert is among the events that have faced uncertainty since the Trump-Vance administration took office on Jan. 20. Many, however, are fighting back and looking for ways to push back against the bans and cancellations.

“We aim to create a powerful and positive representation of the queer community through music,” said Roest. “We want to show the world who we are, celebrate our queer identities, and amplify the work of organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community.”

WorldPride is scheduled to take place in D.C. from May 17-June 8.