Music & Concerts

FALL ARTS 2016: Albums

Against Me!, Idina, Etheridge and more have fall albums ready

Published

9 years ago

September 16, 2016

Chris Gerard

Out singer Rachael Sage releases ‘Choreographic’ on Oct. 28. (Photo courtesy Matrix Management)

New music releases are generally sparse during the summer and then pick up dramatically during the fall months when record labels traditionally unleash some of the year’s most exciting offerings. This year proves no exception, as the calendar is jammed with a great roster of diverse new releases that should generate plenty of anticipation for fans of just about any musical genre.

The latest from Against Me!, featuring transgender vocalist Laura Jane Grace, is “Shape Shift With Me,” due today (Sept. 16). Look for her memoir “Tranny: Confessions of Punk Rock’s Most Infamous Anarchist Sellout” Nov. 15.

Today also brings new releases by British electronic duo AlunaGeorge, “I Remember”; South-African hip-hop combo Die Antwoord’s ‘Mount Ninji and Da Nice Time Kid”; Mac Miller with “The Divine Feminine” and the latest by R&B superstar Usher, “Hard II Love.”

Vocalist extraordinaire Idina Menzel will release her first non-holiday studio album since 2008 when “Idina” drops on Sept. 23. The same date brings a new album by Kristin Chenoweth, “The Art of Elegance”; “Natural Causes” by the talented pop vocalist Skylar Grey and the second album by 18-year-old Canadian sensation Shawn Mendes, “Illuminate.”

September 30 brings the long-awaited new album by the quirky and amazingly gifted pianist/singer/songwriter Regina Spektor, “Remember Us to Life.” Also due on the 30th is the latest from Bon Iver, one of the critics’ favorite artists of recent years, who returns with “22, A Million”; alternative icons Pixies’ second post-reunion studio album, ‘Head Carrier” and fast-rising singer/songwriter Banks with “The Altar,” featuring the single “Fuck With Myself.”

Some of the key new albums due in October include the latest by the long enduring punk-pop trio Green Day, who return Oct. 7 with “Revolution Radio,” the band’s first album in four years. Due the same day is the latest from LGBT icon and musical legend Melissa Etheridge, “Memphis Rock and Soul,” a tribute to the Stax record label. Also slated for Oct. 7 are new releases by acclaimed electro-indie duo Phantogram, OneRepublic, Norah Jones and a 20-year retrospective collection by influential British alternative rockers Placebo, “Place for Us to Dream.”

Electro pioneers the Orb are back on Oct. 14 with “Chill Out, World”, along with the latest by the Naked and Famous, “Simple Forms”; pop vocalist JoJo’s “Mad Love” and the extraordinary jazz saxophonist Donny McCaslin with “Beyond Now.”

Superstar crooner Michael Bublé is back with “Nobody But Me” on Oct. 21, which will feature a duet with pop star Meghan Trainor. Hair-metal survivors Bon Jovi, still a massive global concert draw, is back on the 21st with “This House is Not For Sale.” Also that day, gay-friendly gospel singer Amy Grant will release “Tennessee Christmas.” Despite the title cut (a song from her first holiday record in 1983), this is an all-new collection of recordings, her first such effort since 1999.

Pop sensation Tove Lo will unleash “Lady Wood” on Oct. 28, along with the latest by acclaimed lesbian artist and OUTmusic Award winner Rachael Sage, “Choreographic” and Australian electronic pop duo Empire of the Sun with “Two Vines.”

Upcoming releases already announced so far for November include the latest by Danish indie-popsters Efterklang, “Leaves — the Colour of Falling,” Nathan Sykes, former member of British boyband the Wanted, with “Unfinished Business,” trippy electronic pioneers Enigma with their first album in eight years, “The Fall of a Rebel Angel,” the first new rock album by Sting in 13 years, “57th and 9th” and the veteran heavy metal supergroup Metallica with “Hardwired … to Self-Destruct.”

There are plenty of other upcoming releases widely expected to land sometime this fall but without official release dates. The big one is the first solo studio album by Lady Gaga since her largely panned 2013 release “Artpop.”

Others include rapper 50 Cent with “Street King Immortal,” Azealia Banks with “Business and Pleasure,” a new studio album by pop/hip-hop hit makers Black Eyed Peas, the latest by iconic pop diva Christina Aguilera, a new batch of harmonic California pop from Haim, “Digital Distortion” by Iggy Azalea, a new release by dance/pop legend Kylie Minogue, the latest by rapper Wiz Khalifa and a string of new rock albums by heavy-hitters such as U2, Soundgarden, the Rolling Stones, Pearl Jam, the Offspring, Nine Inch Nails, Modest Mouse, Metric, Lush, Incubus, Guns N’ Roses, Brand New, Avenged Sevenfold and Linkin Park.

The big upcoming archival release this fall is coming from the massive catalogue of the late David Bowie. Last year Bowie announced a series of career-defining box sets that will ultimately represent the definitive library of his amazing and historic catalog, all remastered and presented with top-notch quality and attention to detail. “Five Years: 1969/1973” hit last fall and covered his albums from “Space Oddity” through “Pin-Ups,” along with live albums and a batch of rarities.

The highly anticipated second in the series hits on Sept. 23. “Who Can I Be Now? (1974–1976)” is the first posthumous set in the series, as the legendary superstar died in January shortly after his 69th birthday. The new set will start where the last one left off, including deluxe remastered versions of classic albums like “Young Americans,” “Diamond Dogs,” and “Station to Station.” Perhaps most intriguing is the previously unreleased studio album “The Gouster,” which Bowie eventually shelved. After extensive reworking it morphed into “Young Americans.”

Laura Jane Grace and her band Against Me! return with ‘Shape Shift With Me,’ their follow-up to 2014’s ‘Transgender Dysphoria Blues.’ (Photo by Jason Thrasher)

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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.