Music & Concerts

The year in pop music

Published

16 years ago

January 3, 2010

This year, pop had the makings of a Broadway spectacle. Conflict, death, love woes and randy delight abounded, with the cast of characters bringing one of the more interesting blends of music and melodrama in recent years to a fever pitch.

And it was quite a ride.

The death of “King of Pop” Michael Jackson eclipsed all things in the realm of recorded music. Jackson’s untimely death at 50 spurred reflection on not only his musical legacy but just how much, for better or worse, the kingdom he ruled has changed. While the likes of Beyonce and Justin Timberlake are icons for today’s listeners, performers these days just don’t produce events that burst forth with the vibrancy of an “Off the Wall” or “Thriller.” And in an era of 24-hour cable news and gossip blogs, the joy that once made pop music what it was is no more. But Jackson’s magic is indeed working: The lavish concert film “This Is It” and its soundtrack album both went to No. 1, while the late singer collected a whopping four trophies at the 2009 American Music Awards. No matter what you think of him, he’s still the blueprint.

In a year replete with goodies for the children to savor, Beyonce was pegged by many to pick up Jackson’s mantle. It’s not likely she’ll reach those heights, but she could come close. Though “I Am … Sasha Fierce” hit shelves late last year, the album and its half dozen hit singles are still going strong, with “Single Ladies” and its video remaining staples at radio, YouTube and beyond. “Video Phone,” her latest outing, pairs her with aspiring gay icon Lady Gaga, whose blend of hooks and histrionics yielded four chart-topping singles and made her the year’s breakout star and a top concert attraction. Pop princess Britney Spears capped an amazing comeback with the catchy single “3,” a surprise No. 1 hit this past October that proves she can still make you move. And while not yet stars Stateside, U.K. duo La Roux offered up one of the best jams of the year with the synth-happy “Bulletproof,” a ditty that would make The Human League and Depeche Mode proud.

Whitney Houston proved the leader among the cornerstone gay divas, as her solid comeback effort “I Look to You” topped the charts and birthed hits in the title track and the ultra-glam disco throwback “Million Dollar Bill.” Critics were quick to point out that her pipes aren’t what they used to be, but writing her off may be premature. If time can do for Nippy what it did for Natalie Cole, we may get glimmers of the “You Give Good Love” gold in the future. For now, it’s just good to have her back.

Elsewhere, Madonna commemorated more than two decades of divadom with “Celebration,” a multi-format career retrospective. The single and video of the same name were frenzied and fresh, complete with Madonna getting her dance on like no other chick over 50.

Fellow icon Janet Jackson, who issued the outstanding compilation “Number Ones,” set things ablaze hot on the heels of her MTV VMA tribute to her late brother with “Make Me,” easily her best single in years and a No. 1 smash on the Billboard dance chart. As for Mariah Carey, her “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel” proved a disappointment in comparison to “The Emancipation of Mimi” and “E=MC2.” However, Carey’s got another reason to sing: Her minimalist portrayal of a social worker in “Precious,” based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire, has earned the singer the strongest notices of her low-key acting career.

Pop and controversy go together like horse and carriage, and this year was no exception. There was Kanye West’s infamous interruption of Taylor Swift’s MTV VMAs acceptance speech, an outburst that’s proved a boon to the country upstart’s career. The comical part? West and Swift were Billboard’s top male and female artists for 2009. Then we had out power-pop divo Adam Lambert, who caused a collective gasp with his oral-sex simulating American Music Awards performance. Still, no two stars proved more polarizing than Chris Brown and Rihanna, whose sordid tale of domestic abuse still seems surreal. They’ve both spent plenty of time in the press opining about the lessons they’ve learned but their art doesn’t show it, as Brown’s “Graffiti” and Rihanna’s “Rated R,” while competent, are hardly career-defining achievements. A little time out of the spotlight would do them both some good.

Without a doubt, 2009 kept us dancing with feet planted in the past and the future. Considering that the start of a decade brings new icons, trends and good-old fashioned drama, this year just might have been a prelude to the best show yet.

It will be tough to top, that’s for sure.

Music & Concerts

Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program

‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned

Published

1 week ago

December 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by orson/Bigstock)

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.

Published

3 months ago

September 9, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Doechii performing at WorldPride 2025's closing concert in June earlier this year. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas

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

Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride

Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica

Nov. 23, 6 p.m.

Lisner Auditorium

Washington Master Chorale

Sacred Jewel Box

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

Published

5 months ago

July 18, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Pop icon Cyndi Lauper brings her farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live on July 24. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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.