Music & Concerts
YEAR IN REVIEW: Milestones and missteps
Best 2010 gay musical treats were not always in the pop culture limelight
Gay singer Clay Aiken had one of the year's unexpected pleasures with his lovely standards collection, 'Tried and True.' (Photo courtesy of Decca)
It was a strange year musically, one that got rolling with a surreal all-star remake of “We Are the World” that had fossils like Barbra Streisand and Gladys Knight (where were they on the original?) rubbing shoulders with younger acts and found the Indigo Girls releasing a Christmas album of all things.
And while the mainstream was abuzz with new albums from Kanye and Eminem, several gay releases got some notice.
The Scissor Sisters, featuring gay front man Jake Shears, are, perhaps, the closest thing the gay world has to the Black Eyed Peas. On third album “Night Work,” which dropped in June, lyrics like “I think I need a rubber tonight” were splashed over neo-disco and new wave beats courtesy of Madonna vet Stuart Price.
Local indie lesbian singer/songwriter Mara Levi released her third album, “We Listen to Fools” (digital only release) in October.
It was, perhaps, Elton John’s least gay album in years, but his recent collaboration with forgotten vet Leon Russell, “The Union,” resulted in a critical triumph. Rolling Stone called the T Bone Burnett-produced disc worthy of the artists’ best work.
Taylor Swift may seem bland compared to Lady Gaga but her country crossover domination continued with this year’s “Speak Now,” a savvy collection of catchy hits.
Swedish diva Robyn — what is it with the Swedes and dance music? — delivered the year’s best dance album with “Body Talk,” a pummeling collection of memorable club rattlers like “Fembot,” “Dancing On My Own” and “Don’t Fucking Tell Me What To Do.”
Katy Perry, of “I Kissed a Girl” fame, teamed up with pop masterminds Max Martin and Dr. Luke for one of the year’s best pop albums, “Teenage Dream,” which dropped in August and topped the Billboard album chart. It’s also up for several Grammys.
Even with no new album out, Lady Gaga kept things interesting, if occasionally uneven, this year. Her “Telephone” video with Beyonce was an epic, nearly 10-minute clip on a Michael Jackson-scope scale, but her September D.C. concert appearance drew mixed reviews as did a half-hearted remix album. Look for a new studio album from her in 2011.
Rhianna’s “Loud” dropped in November and continued her hit streak with two No. 1 U.S. singles, “Only Girl (In the World” and “What’s My Name?”
There was a new “Glee” soundtrack album almost every month this year but April’s “Power of Madonna” collection was perhaps the most memorable. The “Glee” juggernaut will surely continue in the new year.
Electropop British gay-fronted group Goldfrapp released its fifth studio album “Head First” in March, featuring retro-’80s sounds.
Gay Sigur Ros frontman Jonsi released a solo effort in April, called “Go,” which received mostly strong reviews and had a strong chart showing in the U.S.
Gay singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright dropped his sixth studio album “All Days Are Nights: Songs for Lulu” in April. It’s a classy and stripped-down record that finds inspiration in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
Melissa Etheridge, perhaps the most famous lesbian rock star, released her 10th studio album “Fearless Love” in April. It’s more rock-oriented than her last few albums, which sometimes found her veering way too close to snoozeville. It’s great to hear her rocking out again.
Liza Minnelli released the little-noticed “Confessions” in September, her first studio album in nearly 15 years.
The Indigo Girls were all over the map with their surreal October release “Holly Happy Days” which, despite its nod to Hanukkah with a Woody Guthrie cover featured several surprising nods to Christianity such as the French carol “Angels We Have Heard on High” and a country version of “O Holy Night.” Annie Lennox had one of the year’s more interesting holiday albums with her “Christmas Cornucopia.”
Adam Lambert, the gay “Idol” runner-up, stayed busy this year with his first tour, “Glam Nation,” which made a memorable D.C. stop in June at the 9:30 club. A live EP dropped earlier this month. Look for a new studio album next year.
Cyndi Lauper, easily the world’s most gay-friendly straight act, released a blues album, “Memphis Blues,” in June and earned solid reviews and a Grammy nomination. Look for a live DVD from the tour, which came to D.C. last month, in 2011.
It was a great year for Kylie Minogue fans. Her 11th studio album “Aphrodite” was released worldwide in June and this month a Christmas EP was released on iTunes. Single “All the Lovers” topped the U.S. Dance Club chart and, though Minogue has always been more popular abroad, she still managed a decent showing on the album charts with a No. 19 peak, her second-highest charter here.
Gay singer Clay Aiken went retro in June with “Tried and True,” a standards collection. Though the concept has been run into the ground after umpteen releases from Rod Stewart, Aiken’s the kind of singer who, despite his youth, has the vocal oomph to breathe new life into these classics. His covers of “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” and “Mack the Knife” are especially good. He soars on the latter.
One of the year’s biggest disappointments was a dud from Christina Aguilera called “Bionic,” another June release that found the overwrought singer all over the stylistic map with few memorable results. The album bombed — it’s only halfway to gold status in the U.S. six months after its release.
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
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
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.
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