Music & Concerts

Tyler Glenn’s ‘Excommunication’ statement

On the outs with Neon Trees, gay frontman cuts loose

Published

9 years ago

September 22, 2016

Tyler Glenn, Neon Trees, gay news, Washington Blade

Tyler Glenn’s new solo album is more daring than anything he did with former band Neon Trees. (Photo by Meredith Traux)

Utah-based electro-new wave revivalists Neon Trees rode their breakthrough single, 2009’s “Animal,” to an impressive wave of success. Similar stylistically to the Killers (for whom Neon Trees opened) with perhaps a bit more manic energy, Neon Trees’ sound was perfect for a period in which the pop charts were blitzed with ‘80s-inspired electronica.

They scored a Top 10 hit in 2011 with the upbeat dance/pop “Everybody Talks” and their second album “Picture Show” made the Top 20.

Meanwhile, things were changing for lead vocalist Tyler Glenn. Neon Trees were all members of the Mormon Church, which holds a decidedly dim view on homosexuality. Glenn came out publicly as gay in April 2014, just two weeks prior to the release of the band’s all-important third album “Pop Psychology” (which ultimately sold far fewer copies than the band’s first two releases). Glenn’s announcement predictably caused a rift among fans, and it also evidently fractured Glenn’s family and Neon Trees itself.

According to a July 21, 2016 piece in Billboard Magazine, Glenn’s brother and the still-practicing Mormon members of Neon Trees were, at least as of the time of that interview, no longer on speaking terms with the singer. Another reminder, as if we needed one, of the steep price some individuals are forced to pay to be who they truly are as a person and an artist.

The good news for Glenn is that his first solo album, “Excommunication,” is as electrifying and upbeat as anything Neon Trees might have produced and boasts the added poignancy of exploring Glenn literally losing his religion. He addresses this trauma with piercing directness on songs like “G.D.M.M.L. GIRLS (God Didn’t Make Me Like Girls),” an explicit and defiant embrace of his sexuality in the face of superstitious rejection. Glenn pushes back against the condescending term “tolerated” and stands up proudly for exactly who he is.

Glenn has a well-developed sense of caustic sarcasm, which he liberally sprinkles through the album’s nakedly confessional lyrics. He explores the doubt, confusion, rejection and ultimate determination and yearning for freedom that Glenn experienced while going through such a pivotal period in his life. This was a real change in personal spirituality for Glenn. He was a devout Mormon, a true believer and yet he knew he had same-sex attraction from an early age.

That long simmering sense of shame and confusion finally gave way to acceptance, defiance and affirmation that he has every right to be the person he should be and he is in no way lesser than those who choose to follow a mythology that they believe elevates them to a spiritual and moral superiority to their fellow humans. He explores these concepts with a pulsing modern pop energy, an album that’s simultaneously fun and deeply meaningful. On songs like the kinetic “Trash,” Glenn skewers the self-righteous with their own hypocrisy, derisively sneering “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

At times, like on the retro groove “Shameless” and the manic new wave thriller “First Vision,” Jake Shears and Scissor Sisters seem to be an obvious influence on Glenn’s sound, and that’s not a bad thing. Glenn doesn’t stray too far from the general vibe he helped cultivate with Neon Trees, but “Excommunication” is ear candy more daring and sonically adventurous than any of his past work. He also shows himself once again to be a first-rate vocalist, especially on the dramatic ballad “Midnight.”

The album closes with “Devil,” a cunning mix of heavy electronic pop with gospel influences and the recurring hook “I found myself when I lost my faith” that is ultimately the album’s defining theme. Glenn’s solo debut finds himself reveling not only in his ability to finally, without reservation, come to terms with his true self, but in his ability to finally shrug off those who can’t accept it. “Don’t pray for me, don’t pray for me, no,” he sings derisively.

“Excommunication” is not only a declaration of self, it’s a road-map for those who may be where Glenn was several years ago, filled with fear, doubt, confusion and an absence of self-worth. This album is exactly the kind of testimony they need to hear.

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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.