Music & Concerts

A diva holiday

Down Under wonder Minogue releases Christmas album

Published

9 years ago

November 19, 2015

Kylie Minogue, gay news, Washington Blade

Kylie Minogue leaves her dancing beats mostly behind on a warm and lush new Christmas album. (Photo courtesy the Karpel Group)

It’s that most wonderful time of the year again — the annual rush of new holiday albums is upon us.

This year Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue gets into the festive spirit with her first holiday album, “Kylie Christmas.” Holiday albums are ubiquitous this time of year and it’s easy to understand why. They can be produced rather quickly and can be reintroduced for a new round of sales every holiday season.

Of course, some are better than others. Many artists go through the motions and produce what amounts to a karaoke collection of the same old Christmas standards that we’ve heard a million times before, while others put more care and ingenuity into their project. Thankfully “Kylie Christmas” is of the latter variety. It’s an engaging and entertaining mix of old standards and new songs with a couple of duets and surprises thrown in for good measure.

“It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” is the buoyant opener and it’s brimming with good cheer and smiles. For the most part, Minogue goes for a more traditional arrangement and instrumentation, giving “Kylie Christmas” an elegant warmth. Apart from a couple tracks, this is not dance diva Christmas with heavy electronic beats. Through the magic of studio technology, Minogue duets with Frank Sinatra on “Santa Claus is Comin To Town,” again mixing the classic with the modern and creating a sheer delight.

It’s hard to match Chrissie Hynde’s exquisite vocal on the Pretender’s bittersweet classic “2000 Miles,” but Minogue does her best. She sings the song with grace and reverence. Minogue and British comedian James Corden deliver a beautiful duet on the old Yaz classic “Only You.” While it’s not a holiday song per se, the romantic ballad’s expression of love fits beautifully with the festive favorites.

Chris Martin of Coldplay wrote “Everyday Is Like Christmas,” and it’s the one track on the album produced by Europop hitmakers Stargate (who also produced Coldplay’s upcoming album “A Head Full of Dreams”). Not surprisingly, it’s the one song that sounds like it could fit on just about any of Minogue’s recent albums, with soaring vocals and keyboards over a smooth electronic beat. While it does have a more modern vibe than the old-school stylings of most of the album, it still fits nicely into the collection as it has such joyous charm.

Minogue resurrects the new wave chestnut “Christmas Wrapping,” originally recorded by the Waitresses, and reinvents it as a duet with Iggy Pop. “I’m Gonna Be Warm This Winter” is a pleasantly nostalgic holiday gem originally recorded by Connie Francis.

“Santa Baby” seems like an obvious choice for Minogue and she delivers it with plenty of verve. She coos through the song with an obvious nod to Madonna’s famous take from the 1987 classic compilation “A Very Special Christmas.” “Christmas Isn’t Christmas ‘Til You Get Here” is one of several new tracks co-written by Minogue, and while it probably won’t go down as a new Christmas classic, it’s a jubilant holiday confection that will immerse even the Grinchiest into good holiday cheer.

Minogue closes the main disc with a sparkling version of the standard “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” It’s one of the season’s most magical carols and even though we’ve all heard it a million times, Minogue gives us ample reason to enjoy it yet again. The deluxe edition of “Kylie Christmas” is worth seeking out for the three bonus tracks, especially the high energy duet with her sister Dannii, “100 Degrees.”

“Kylie Christmas” is fun and festive, with moments of real heart and emotion. Minogue clearly tried to make this project a treat for her fans and she succeeds beautifully. Whimsical and nostalgic but with a modern sheen, “Kylie Christmas” is a delight for anybody who loves to get into the holiday spirit by singing along.

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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.