Music & Concerts
SPRING ARTS PREVIEW ALBUMS: Spring spotty for albums
Mya, Marina, Madonna and a bunch of maybes
It’s a big year for Madonna fans. Her album is out Friday and she plays the Verizon Center on Sept. 12. (Photos by Mert & Marcus)
Madonna releases her 13th studio album, “Rebel Heart” this week. She worked closely with Diplo to produce the album, along with several other collaborators such as Nicki Minaj and Kanye West. Her “Rebel Heart Tour” begins in August and the pop legend has been using Grindr to help promote her album and tour.
Before we get to the upcoming stuff, a few more just-out releases you may have missed.
Mýa, a gay rights and homeless LGBT youth advocate, released “Love Elevation Suite” on Feb. 14, her second Valentine’s Day EP, through her independent record label Planet 9. In the past, she has appeared in a NOH8 campaign and in Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors: Give A Damn PSA.
Kelly Clarkson released her seventh studio album, “Piece by Piece,” on Feb. 27. The lead single is “Heartbeat Song” and two of the album’s tracks were written in part by Sia. Clarkson is an active LGBT rights supporter.
RuPaul released “Realness,” his eighth studio album, on March 2, the same day as the season seven premiere of his show on Logo, “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
British R&B group Blue released “Colours” on March 2. Duncan James, a member of Blue, has identified as bisexual in 2009 and as gay in 2013.
Welsh singer-songwriter Marina and the Diamonds will release her third album, “Froot,” on March 16.
English folk singer Laura Marling will release “Short Movie” in the UK on March 23.
Björk’s ninth album, “Vulnicura,” was released Jan. 20 and “Björk: Archives,” a retrospective book on her career, will be released March 30. One of the album’s tracks features vocals by Antony Hegarty, a transgender English singer. An exhibition of Björk’s work will take place at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) from Saturday-June 7, and her “Biophilia” apps were featured as part of the museum’s permanent collection, the first app showcased in MoMA’s collection.
DC-native Wale will release “The Album About Nothing” on March 31.
Reba McEntire’s 27th studio album, “Love Somebody,” will come out April 14.
Deluxe reissues of Tori Amos’s first two solo albums, 1991’s “Little Earthquakes” and 1994’s “Under the Pink,” will be re-released in deluxe double-CD editions packed with B-sides, live cuts and other rarities on April 14. Both albums will also be issued on 180-gram vinyl for the first time in the U.S.
Shawn Mendes will release his debut album, “Handwritten,” on April 28. The teenage singer-songwriter will open up for Taylor Swift during the North American leg of her “1989 World Tour.”
Brandon Flowers will release “The Desired Effect,” his second studio album, on May 18. Along with his band, The Killers front man annually releases a Christmas-themed song and video to support Product Red.
Faith No More will release “Sol Invictus” on May 19, the band’s seventh studio album. Roddy Bottum, the band’s keyboardist, came out as gay in 1993. He’s said that as a gay teen, he never imagined he would play in a hard rock band.
Florence and the Machine will release their third album on May 29. In February, the band released “What Kind of Man,” the first single off of “How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful.”
Several artists have announced the titles of their 2015 releases but have not yet announced release dates. Adam Lambert will come out with “The Original High” this year. Ciara will release “Jackie,” and Emeli Sandé will release “Who Needs the World.”
Lana Del Rey is coming out with “Honeymoon,” which will include a song called “Music to Watch Boys to” as well as a cover of Nina Simone’s “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.”
Still more artists have confirmed 2015 albums but have not yet announced release dates or album titles. Look out for new releases by Adele, Becky G, Britney Spears, Carly Rae Jepsen, Christina Aguilera, Demi Lovato, Duran Duran, Ellie Goulding, Gwen Stefani, Grimes, Haim, Iggy Azalea, Kylie Minogue, Macklemore, Rihanna, TLC, and more.
Singer Adam Lambert, on right, with guitarist Tommy Joe Ratliff (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)
Music & Concerts
Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program
‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned
The full Washington Master Chorale will return for its annual holiday concert tradition with “Thine Own Sweet Light” on Friday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 21 at St. Ann’s Catholic Church (D.C.) and Church of the Epiphany (D.C.).
The concert will feature the rich sounds of the 50-voice, a cappella chorus performing lush, seasonal choral music inspired by the theme of light. Highlights include Edvard Grieg’s “Ave Maris Stella,” Eric Whitacre’s “Lux Aurumque,” and Christopher Hoh’s “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.” The program will also present a new work by Barcelona composer Josep Ollé i Sabaté, along with charming holiday folk songs and seasonal favorites.
For more details, visit the Washington Master Chorale website.
Music & Concerts
Queer mega stars (and allies) ready to take D.C. stages this fall
Watch LGBTQ icons light up stages across the DMV as they sing, dance, and drag their way through spectacular shows.
One of the best ways to welcome fall is by catching LGBTQ performers (and their allies) lighting up some of the D.C. area’s biggest stages. From country and pop to drag and rock, the season is packed with shows you won’t want to miss.
Maren Morris – The country, rock, and pop diva—known for hits like “The Bones” and for standing up against Nashville’s anti-LGBTQ voices—takes the stage at Wolf Trap (1551 Trap Rd, Vienna, Va.) on Friday, Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $64.
RuPaul – The mother of modern drag and host of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” will spin a DJ set at Echostage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd NE) in Northeast D.C. on Sept. 20. Before RuPaul swaps wigs for headphones, Trade and Number 9 owner Ed Bailey will warm up the decks. For tickets and details visit echostage.com.
Conan Gray – The queer pop prince, celebrated for his Gen Z anthems like “Heather” and “Maniac,” brings his Wishbone Pajama Show to EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA, (4500 Patriot Cir) on Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $113. For more info visit shop.conangray.com/pages/tour.
All Things Go Music Festival – With a lineup that includes Noah Kahan, Lucy Dacus, Kesha, Clairo, Doechii, and more, the beloved LGBTQ-friendly festival takes over Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, Md.) Sept. 26–28. For tickets and details visit allthingsgofestival.com.
BERTHA: Grateful Drag – This unique tribute brings drag artistry and the sounds of the Grateful Dead to The Atlantis (2047 9th St NW) on Sept. 27. Tickets start at $47 at theatlantis.com.
Peach PRC – Rising Australian pop star and out lesbian, whose confessional tracks like “Perfect for You” and “Forever Drunk” have made her a queer TikTok darling, performs at The Atlantis on Sept. 29 at 6:30 p.m. The show is general admission only. Additional details are on theatlantis.com.
Addison Rae – The TikTok star-turned-pop princess, who’s crossed over into music with glossy hits like “Diet Pepsi” brings her sold out show to The Anthem (901 Wharf St., S.W.) on Sept. 30. Tickets are sold out, but resale options start around $80. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Anniversary – Celebrate the cult classic that’s been a queer midnight-movie staple for decades, with Barry Bostwick (a.k.a. Brad Majors) at the Warner Theatre (513 13th St., N.W.) on Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $41 via Ticketmaster.
Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight & Stephanie Mills – Four legends, one stage. Between Khan’s funk, LaBelle’s soul, Knight’s R&B, and Mills’ powerhouse vocals, this concert at Capital One Arena (601 F St NW) on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. promises pure diva magic. Tickets start at $103. For more details visit capitalonearena.com.
Lorde – Joined by The Japanese House and Chanel Beads, the Grammy-winning New Zealand singer-songwriter behind “Royals” and “Solar Power” returns to The Anthem on Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. Lorde has long been embraced by queer fans for her dreamy pop and subversive lyrics. For more info visit theanthemdc.com.
Andy Bell (of Erasure) – The British queer rock icon, best known for synth-pop classics like “A Little Respect” and “Chains of Love,” brings his Ten Crowns Tour to the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $90.45.
Doechii – The self-described queer “Swamp Princess”—and WorldPride 2025 headliner—continues her breakout year with the Live from the Swamp Tour at The Anthem on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Known for blending rap, R&B, and avant-garde performance art, Doechii is one to watch. Tickets start at $153.
Neon Trees – The out-and-proud Utah rockers behind “Everybody Talks” and “Animal” perform at the Lincoln Theatre on Friday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. Lead singer Tyler Glenn, who came out publicly in 2014, has become a strong queer voice in alternative rock. For tickets and info visit impconcerts.com.
Sasha Colby – The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 15 winner strips down on the Stripped II Tour at the Warner Theatre on Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets available now on Ticketmaster.
Lola Young – The bisexual indie-pop sensation, whose raw songwriting has earned her millions of TikTok fans and multiple chart soaring hits visits The Anthem on Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. Tickets are still available.
Opera Lafayette
Featuring Mary Elizabeth Williams as Dido
+ Elijah McCormack, Chelsea Helm
Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m.
Sixth & I
PostClassical Ensemble
The Pale Blue Do: A Musical Voyage Inspired By Nature
Featuring National Geographic’s Enric Sala, Guest Curator
Wednesday, November 19, 7:30 p.m.
Terrace Theater
Washington Concert Opera
Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica
Nov. 23, 6 p.m.
Lisner Auditorium
Washington Master Chorale
An intimate a capella concert taking place in an architectural jewel, featuring cherished choral gems from Anglican and Catholic tradition and early American hymns. The concert will also present the world premiere of Christopher Hoh’s Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts, and hymn singing featuring Robert Church, organist and choirmaster at St David’s.
Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.
October 19, 5 p.m.
St. David’s Episcopal Church
Music & Concerts
Cyndi Lauper ready to have fun in Virginia
Superstar to bring final leg of farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live
Superstar Cyndi Lauper will bring the final leg of her farewell tour “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” to Bristow, Va., on Thursday, July 24 at Jiffy Lube Live.
Lauper’s international Farewell Tour – her first major headlining run in a decade – kicked off in North America last October, and included her first time ever headlining (and selling out) Madison Square Garden. Lauper’s performances have earned raves from the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and many more, and surprise guests have included Chaka Khan, Sam Smith, and Hayley Williams. The tour just visited the U.K. and Europe, and will head to Australia and Japan in April.
Tickets are available on Live Nation’s website.
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