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FALL ARTS 2015: Triumphant returns?

Janet, Adele, Beiber and others prep fall releases

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Duran Duran returns Sept. 18 with its 14th studio album. (Photo by Stephanie Pistel)

Leading the pack for highly anticipated new releases this fall is British songstress Adele, who will reportedly release “25” in November. She’s been working with hitmakers Danger Mouse, Max Martin, Tobias Jesso Jr. and Ryan Tedder, so the heavy guns are out to make sure it’s a worthy follow-up to the mega-smash “21.”

The other big pop releases this fall are due from Justin Bieber, whose as-yet-untitled album is expected sometime in November, and dance/pop icon Janet Jackson, who will release “Unbreakable,” her first new album in over seven years, on Oct. 2.

In addition to these, there are plenty of other new releases on the horizon that should appeal to just about any taste. Animal Collective is issuing a new live album recorded in D.C. earlier this summer, “Live at 9:30,” which is available for digital download or in a limited edition vinyl set. On Sept. 11, piano-rocker Ben Folds is back with “So There” and acclaimed blues guitarist Gary Clark Jr. returns with “The Story of Sonny Boy Slim,” along with new offerings by ‘90s folk-pop staple Jewel and pop vocalist Leona Lewis. Norwegian legends a-ha also returns five years after announcing their retirement with a comeback album, “Cast in Steel.” Grammy-winning UK singer/songwriter Jess Glynn is out with her solo debut album “I Cry When I Laugh” also on the 11th.

Sept. 18 is a big release date, with British pop legends Duran Duran back with their 14th studio album, “Paper Gods.” The album is produced by Mark Ronson and Nile Rodgers, and includes the first single “Pressure Off,” featuring a guest appearance by Janelle Monáe. Lana Del Rey returns with her eagerly anticipated third album “Honeymoon,” and Mac Miller is back with “Good A.M.” Also due on the 18th is the latest by new wave revivalists Metric, “Pagans in Vega,” and the latest solo album by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, “Rattle That Lock.” Speaking of legendary guitarists, Keith Richards will hit on the same date with his third solo effort, “Crosseyed Heart.”

Sept. 25 is perhaps the biggest day of the fall for big new releases. The British electronic dance duo Disclosure will follow-up its acclaimed debut “Settle” with “Caracal,” and once again they feature talented guest vocalists — this time Sam Smith is joined by Lorde, the Weeknd and Miguel. The Scottish synth-pop group Chvrches release their second album “Every Open Eye.” The outrageous electro-punk pioneer Peaches is back with “Rub.” New Order returns with “Music Complete,” their first new studio album in a decade. New albums by Kurt Vile, the Dears, Darkstar, Los Lobos, Silversun Pickups, the Game, the Dead Weather and Widespread Panic are also expected Sept. 25.

EDM superstar Avicii will follow-up his smash 2013 release “Time” with “Stories,” due Oct. 2. Pop vocalist Matt Nathanson also returns on Oct. 2 with “Show Me Your Fangs.” ‘90s rockers Collective Soul hits the same day with “See What You Started by Continuing,” along with British post-punk revivalists Editors, “In Dream” and songwriter John Grant’s latest “Grey Tickles, Black Pressure,” the follow-up to 2013’s acclaimed “Pale Green Ghosts.” Girls Names, Children of Bodom, Autre Ne Veut, Eagles of Death Metal and Wavves also have new releases due on the 2nd.

Legendary songstress Tori Amos will release the cast recording to the musical she co-wrote with Samuel Adamson, “The Light Princess,” on Oct. 9. Progressive rockers Coheed and Cambria will release their latest on the same date, “The Color Before the Sun.” Also due that day are new offerings by Toby Keith, Selena Gomez, a live album by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, and the latest by electronic indie-pop group City and Colour, “If I Should Go Before You.”

Later in the fall we can expect new albums by Carrie Underwood, “Storyteller,” indie-folk heroine Joanna Newsom, Vanessa Carlton, Rod Stewart, the return of ‘90s R&B combo SWV, the first album by New Zealand rockers the Chills in two decades, Puscifer, and Seal. Also expected are big-name titles from Bloc Party, Christina Aguilera, Crystal Castles, Panic! At The Disco, Deftones, PJ Harvey, Don Henley, Rihanna, Drake, Santigold, Frank Ocean, Gwen Stefani, Incubus, Haim, Tim McGraw, Grimes, Demi Lovato, Gorillaz, Jennifer Nettles, Kanye West (possibly 2016), M.I.A., Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, T-Pain, T.I., Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, TLC, Kings of Leon, GZA, James Blake, Metronomy, and Cee Lo Green, none of which have official release dates yet.

Autumn is a great time for archival releases, and this year is no exception. Save up your funds for a couple big ticket items coming in September. On the 25th, British supergroup Queen will issue an 18-LP set of all their albums on deluxe colored vinyl called “The Studio Collection,” but be prepared to pay about $450. The same day,  David Bowie will unleash the first of a series of lavish box sets: “Five Years (1969 to 1973),” which will included remastered versions of all of his album releases during that period as well as a two-disc set of rarities and b-sides. Velvet Underground will release a massive 45th anniversary edition of “Loaded” on Oct. 30. A deluxe two-disc 20th anniversary edition of Alanis Morissette’s iconic “Jagged Little Pill” is set for release on Oct. 30 (yes, it’s been 20 years!). It will include a remastered version of the original album plus a selection of unreleased tracks selected personally by Morissette from her archives. Garbage will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut with a deluxe three-LP edition complete with a bonus disc containing b-sides.

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Music & Concerts

Musical icons and newer stars to rock D.C. this spring

Brandi Carlile, Bad Bunny, Nicki Minaj, and more headed our way

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Brandi Carlile plays the Anthem this month.

Bands and solo artists of all different genres are visiting D.C. this spring. Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight will team up to perform at the Wolf Trap in June, and girl in red will play at the Anthem in April. Some artists and bands aren’t paying a visit until the summer, like Janet Jackson and Usher, but there are still plenty of acts to see as the weather warms up. 

MARCH 

Brandi Carlile plays at the Anthem on March 21; Arlo Parks will perform at 9:30 Club on March 23; Girlschool will take the stage at Blackcat on March 28.

APRIL 

Nicki Minaj stops in D.C. at Capital One Arena as part of her North American tour on April 1; Bad Bunny plays at Capital One Arena on April 9 as part of his Most Wanted tour; girl in red performs at the Anthem on April 20 and 21; Brandy Clark plays at the Birchmere on April 25; Laufey comes to town to play at the Anthem on April 25 and 26. 

MAY 

Belle and Sebastian play at the Anthem on May 2; Chastity Belt performs at Blackcat on May 4; Madeleine Peyroux stops at the Birchmere on May 5; The Decemberists play at the Anthem on May 10; the rock band Mannequin Pussy performs at the Atlantis on May 17 and 18; Hozier plays at Merriweather Post Pavilion on May 17 as part of the Unreal Unearth tour. 

JUNE 

Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight will sing soulful melodies at Wolf Trap on June 8; Joe Jackson performs at the Lincoln Theatre on June 10; the Pixies and Modest Mouse are teaming up to play at Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 14; Maggie Rogers plays at Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 16 as part of The Don’t Forget Me tour; Brittany Howard headlines the Out & About Festival at Wolf Trap on June 22; Sarah McLachlan plays at Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 27; Alanis Morissette performs at Merriweather Post Pavilion on June 29 and 30

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Music & Concerts

Grammys: Queer women and their sisters took down the house

Taylor Swift won Album of the Year

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When the late, great Ruth Bader Ginsburg was asked when there will be enough women on the Supreme Court, her answer was simple: Nine. She stated: “I say when there are nine, people are shocked. But there’d been nine men, and nobody’s ever raised a question about that.” RBG did not attend the Grammy’s last night, but her spirit sure did. Women, at long last, dominated, ruled and killed the night.

Cher, in song a decade ago, declared that “this is a woman’s world,” but there was little evidence that was true, Grammy, and entertainment awards, speaking. In 2018, the Grammys were heavily criticized for lack of female representation across all categories and organizers’ response was for women to “step up.”

Be careful what you wish for boys.

The biggest star of the 2024 Grammys was the collective power of women. They made history, they claimed legacy and they danced and lip sang to each other’s work. Standing victorious was Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, SZA (the most nominated person of the year), Lainey Wilson, Karol G, boygenius, Kylie Minogue and Victoria Monét. Oh, yes, and powerhouse Taylor Swift, the superstar from whom Fox News cowers in fear, made history to become the first performer of any gender to win four Best Album of the Year trophies.

In the throng of these powerful women stand a number of both LGBTQ advocates and queer identifying artists. Cyrus has identified as pansexual, SZA has said lesbian rumors “ain’t wrong,” Phoebe Bridgers (winner of four trophies during the night, most of any artist) is lesbian, Monét is bi and Eilish likes women but doesn’t want to talk about it. Plus, ask any queer person about Swift or Minogue and you are likely to get a love-gush.

Women power was not just owned by the lady award winners. There were the ladies and then there were the Legends. The first Legend to appear was a surprise. Country singer Luke Combs has a cross-generational hit this year with a cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” When originally released, the song was embraced as a lesbian anthem. When performing “Fast Car,” surprise, there was Chapman herself, singing the duet with Combs. The rendition was stunning, sentimental and historic.

Chapman, like many of the night’s female dignitaries, has not been public with her sexuality. Author Alice Walker has spoken of the two of them being lovers, however.

The legend among legends of the night, however, was the one and only Joni Mitchell. Not gay herself, she embodies the concept of an LGBTQ icon, and was accompanied by the very out Brandi Carlile on stage. On her website, Mitchell’s statement to the LGBTQ community reads, “The trick is if you listen to that music and you see me, you’re not getting anything out of it. If you listen to that music and you see yourself, it will probably make you cry and you’ll learn something about yourself and now you’re getting something out of it.”

Mitchell performed her longtime classic “Both Sides Now.” The emotion, insight and delivery from the now 80-year old artist, survivor of an aneurism, was nothing short of profound. (To fully appreciate the nuance time can bring, check out the YouTube video of a Swift lookalike Mitchell singing the same song to Mama Cass and Mary Travers in 1969.) In this latest rendition, Mitchell clearly had an impact on Meryl Streep who was sitting in the audience. Talk about the arc of female talent and power.

That arc extended from a today’s lady, Cyrus, to legend Celine Dion as well. Cyrus declared Dion as one of her icons and inspirations early in the evening. Dion appeared, graceful and looking healthy, to present the final, and historic, award of the night at the end of the show.

Legends did not even need to be living to have had an effect on the night. Tributes to Tina Turner and Sinead O’Conner by Oprah, Fantasia Barrino-Taylor and Annie Lennox respectively, proved that not even death could stop these women. As Lennox has musically and famously put it, “Sisters are doing it for themselves.”

Even the content of performances by today’s legends-in-the-making spoke to feminine power. Eilish was honored for, and performed “What Was I Made For?,” a haunting and searching song that speaks to the soul of womanhood and redefinition in today’s fight for gender rights and expression, while Dua Lipa laid down the gauntlet for mind blowing performance with her rendition of “Houdini” at the top of the show, Cyrus asserted the power of her anthem “Flowers” and pretty much stole the show.

Cyrus had not performed the song on television before, and only three times publicly. She declared in her intro that she was thrilled over the business numbers the song garnered, but she refused to let them define her. As she sang the hit, she scolded the audience, “you guys act like you don’t know the words to this song.” Soon the woman power of the room was singing along with her, from Swift to Oprah.

They can buy themselves flowers from now on. They don’t need anyone else. Cyrus made that point with the mic drop to cap all mic drops, “And I just won my first Grammy!” she declared as she danced off stage.

Even the squirmiest moment of the night still did not diminish the light of women power, and in fact, underscored it. During his acceptance of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, Jay-Z had a bone to pick with the Grammy voters. He called out the irony that his wife Beyoncé had won more Grammys than any other human, but had never won the Best Album of the Year. Yeah, what’s with that?

But then, it brought additional context ultimately to the fact that the winner of the most Grammys individually … is a woman. And to the fact that the winner of the most Best Album of the Year awards … is a woman.

Hopefully this was the night that the Grammys “got it.” Women are the epicenter of The Creative Force.

Will the other entertainment awards get it soon as well? We can hope.

Most importantly, in a political world where women’s healthcare is under siege. Will the American voters get it?

A little known band named Little Mix put it this way in their 2019 song “A Woman’s World.”

“If you can’t see that it’s gotta change
Only want the body but not the brains
If you really think that’s the way it works
You ain’t lived in a woman’s world

Just look at how far that we’ve got
And don’t think that we’ll ever stop…”

From Grammy’s mouth to the world’s ear.

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Music & Concerts

Janet Jackson returning to D.C, Baltimore

‘Together Again Tour’ comes to Capital One Arena, CFG Bank Arena

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Janet Jackson is coming back to D.C. this summer.

Pop icon Janet Jackson announced this week an extension of her 2023 “Together Again Tour.” A new leg of the tour will bring Jackson back to the area for two shows, one at D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Friday, July 12 and another at Baltimore’s CFG Bank Arena on Saturday, July 13.  

Tickets are on sale now via TicketMaster. LiveNation announced the 2023 leg of the tour consisted of 36 shows, each of which was sold out. The 2024 leg has 35 stops planned so far; R&B star Nelly will open for Jackson on the new leg. 

Jackson made the tour announcement Tuesday on social media: “Hey u guys! By popular demand, we’re bringing the Together Again Tour back to North America this summer with special guest Nelly! It’ll be so much fun!”

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