Music & Concerts

SPRING ARTS 2019 ALBUMS: Melissa, P!nk, Reba and more

As more artists take surprise approach, spring season harder to predict

Published

6 years ago

March 2, 2019

albums, gay news, Washington Blade — Openly gay Broadway actor/singer **Ben Platt** releases his solo debut in late March. (Image courtesy of Atlantic Records)

Two-thousand-nineteen seems so far to be a quieter year for major pop releases, but there’s still plenty of new music to look forward to in the coming months.

First, some recent releases you may have missed.

Ariana Grande just released “Thank U, Next,” her second album in six months, on the heels of “Sweetener,” which won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. R&B legend Chaka Khan came out with her 12th solo studio album, “Hello Happiness,” her first in 12 years.

On Feb. 22, non-binary artist Beth Jeans Houghton, known as Du Blonde, released a third album entitled “Lung Bread for Daddy.” And Australian folk rocker Julia Jacklin, who is also the frontwoman for Phantastic Ferniture (which released its self-titled debut last year), released her second solo album, “Crushing.”

Young Norwegian singer and songwriter Sigrid is coming out with a debut album entitled “Sucker Punch,” on March 1, following the release of her 2018 EP “Raw.” For the project, she’s working with writer and producer Oscar Holter, who has co-written and produced music with artists such as Tiësto, Carly Rae Jepsen, Katy Perry, P!nk, Troye Sivan and Charlie XCX. On the same day, American rock band Weezer is scheduled to release its 13th studio album, entitled “Weezer (The Black Album).”

On March 8, the English pop singer Dido is expected to release a new album entitled “Still On My Mind.” This would be her first release since her 2013 album “Girl Who Got Away.” Lead single “Give You Up” was released in January and landed at no. 22 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart. It’s a sign of some momentum for a singer who has been out of the spotlight in the U.S. since 1999 (though she has remained a fixture in Europe).

On March 29, Ben Platt releases his first solo album, entitled “Sing to Me Instead.” Platt is well known for his major Broadway roles, most recently as Evan Hansen in the acclaimed musical “Dear Evan Hansen.” He also played the role of Benji Applebaum alongside Anna Kendrick in the movies “Pitch Perfect” and “Pitch Perfect 2.” The same date will see the release of the legendary Marvin Gaye’s “You’re the Man,” an album that was recorded four decades ago but never released.

While there’s no official release date, P!nk’s “Hurts 2B Human” is expected to be released this April. The first single, “Walk Me Home,” from the singer’s eighth studio album was released last week, signaling the arrival of the new album relatively soon.

On April 5, country music legend Reba McEntire will release her 29th studio album, entitled “Stronger Than the Truth.” And on the same date, American psychedelic-pop singer Weyes Blood will release her album “Titanic Rising.” Weyes Blood has risen in popularity since her most recent album, “Front Row Seat to Earth,” and has been touring extensively in Europe and the U.S. The new album is her first on the Sub Pop label (Warner Music Group), which signed artists like Nirvana and Father John Misty.

Sara Bareilles will likewise release her new album, “Amidst the Chaos” on April 5. Bareilles has been enjoying the spotlight a lot recently, following the Broadway production of “Waitress,” for which Bareilles wrote lyrics and music. She also recently appeared in the widely acclaimed television adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber musical “Jesus Christ Superstar.” “Amidst the Chaos” is Bareilles’ first album since the 2015 release of “What’s Inside: Songs from Waitress.”

Lesbian rock icon Melissa Etheridge releases “The Medicine Show” April 12. She said in a Blade interview last year the album contains some of her strongest-ever writing.

Welsh singer Marina (formerly Marina and the Diamonds) is slated to release a new album on April 26 called “Love+Fear.” It’s her album since the 2015 “Froot.” Marina remains popular among gay audiences and has performed at New York Pride.

On May 10, Chicago artist Jamila Woods is scheduled to release her second album, “Legacy! Legacy!” Woods, who is regularly collaborates with Chance The Rapper, is producing music that directly engages with her home in Chicago. She is definitely someone to keep an eye on.

New album releases are rumored for Adele, Frank Ocean, Carly Rae Jepsen, Sheryl Crow, Vampire Weekend and Madonna, though there have been no official announcements. And there will most certainly be a few unexpected releases along the way.

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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.