Music & Concerts

Albums: Into the groove

Divas stingy with details, but spring album releases span gamut from Elton to indies

Published

12 years ago

February 27, 2013

Mykki Blanco, a trans hip-hop artist, has a new album out this month and will also be in D.C. for a performance March 27 at Comet Ping Pong. (Photo courtesy Christine Morales)

A caveat before we start — since it dropped in late January, we can’t call it a spring album release, but the hottest queer disc out right now without a doubt is “Heartthrob” from Canadian rock duo (and twin lesbians) Tegan and Sara. After years of working the indie circuit, they came storming out of the gate this year with a shockingly high U.S. debut (No. 3 on the Billboard 200), their highest chart position to date and a more mainstream pop sound that’s earned them strong reviews. Look for them on tour this summer with Fun.

Fresh sounds dominate this spring season with new album releases from Mykki Blanco, Lucas Silveira, the Flaming Lips and more. But others are also reviving some old-yet-classic beats, as Elton John and David Bowie return to form this season and release albums that harken back to their glory days.

Mykki Blanco, a trans hip-hop artist who’s performing at Comet Ping Pong on March 27, is dropping his EP “Betty Rubble: The Initation” at the end of March. A follow up to last year’s mix tape “Cosmic Angel,” the track “Feeling Special” has already been leaked and Blanco has been described as being aggressive as ever. Alter ego for Michael David Quattlebaum Jr., Blanco is a New York-based poet and hip-hop musician who blends traditional rap genres while also making reference to several hip-hop female artists. For more information, visit mykkiblancoworld.com or visit his Facebook page to listen to the leaked track.

David Bowie, straight but perhaps the most androgynous mainstreamer in all of rock, returns with all new material for his 24^th studio album “The Next Day” which drops March 12. This will be his first album with new material since 2003. The album took two years and a sporadic recording schedule to finish. The subject matter of the album ranges from Bowie’s personal struggles to a song about a high school shooting, to a story related to a World War II soldier. For more information, visit davidbowie.com.

Grammy-winning alternative rock band the Flaming Lips releases its 13^th studio album “The Terror” on April 2. The album consists of nine original tracks that take on an incredibly introspective and darker tone than prior albums. For more information, visit flaminglips.com.

Lucas Silveira, transgender lead singer of Toronto-based band The Cliks, returns after a five-year hiatus to release the album “Black Tie Elevator” on April 16. Silveira comes back with a new sound after discovering his true voice. He is successfully going through the female-to-male transition process, thus making his voice a little huskier but with soul. The Cliks were founded in 2004 and Silveira became the first out male transgender to be signed to a major record label. He also went on to be the first transgender man to be voted “Sexiest Canadian Man” by ChartAttack.com. After living as a man for five years but appearing to the public as a woman, he began the testosterone hormone therapy and found himself reborn in Brooklyn in 2010. The band is expected to be touring in the Washington area when they visit DC9 (1940 9^th St., NW) in May. For more information, visit theclicks.com.

On April 23, straight-but-adorable crooner Michael Buble releases his new album “To Be Loved,” his sixth studio album. The new album has Buble’s smooth voice singing a variety of standards along with some of his original music. The single “It’s A Beautiful Day” was released Feb. 25. For more information, visit michaelbuble.com.

The same day, hip-hop recording artist Kid Cudi releases his third studio album “Indicud.” Cudi received attention as an artist after his debut mix tape “A Kid Named Cudi” was released in 2008. For details, visit kidcudi.com.

Despite chronic evasiveness on gay issues, gospel music legend Amy Grant maintains a massive gay following. “How Mercy Looks From Here,” her first studio collection of all-new material since 2003’s mellow “Simple Things,” drops May 14. James Taylor provides backing vocals on first single “Don’t Try So Hard.”

Look out for Elton John’s 30^th solo album, “Voyeur,” in May, after the release date was pushed back twice. The album was written by John and Bernie Taupin in collaboration with John. For more information, visit eltonjohn.com or Bernie Taupin’s official website berniejtaupin.com.

Details are sparse but Cher is also rumored to be very close to releasing a new album, her first in more than a decade. According to her website cherworld.com, Warner Bros announced the release of her new album in March. This would be her first album in 12 years and she has described it as “eclectic” with lots of dancing. Mariah Carey is also rumored to have a March release in the works.

Other releases of note include international dance pop diva Inna with “Party Never Ends” (slated to drop today), Dido with “Girl Who Got Away” (Tuesday), former teen heartthrob Justin Timberlake with “The 20/20 Experience” (March 15) which he teased at last month’s Grammys, and Lady Gaga with “ARTPOP” (date TBD).

Details are vague but other artists rumored to have 2013 releases up their sleeves include Beyonce, Britney Spears, possibly Janet Jackson, Christina Aguilera (a Spanish album), Jennifer Lopez, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue and Nicki Minaj. And if you ever got into the boy band thing, both New Kids and Backstreet Boys are said to be working on new material

Up Next

Concerts: Strike up the band!

Don't Miss

Al Sura annual black attire soiree, Saturday

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.