Music & Concerts
Pink Tuesday?
With Cher, Elton, Pink Martini and Icona Pop ready to release, Sept. 24 may be music’s gayest release day ever
Cher, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga (Cher photo courtesy Fly Life Inc., Miley Cyrus photo courtesy Enlina Beck; Gaga photo courtesy Trung Nguyen)
By RYAN ROSADO
Get ready for some major diva action this fall — from legends like Cher and Elton to red-hot-at-the-moment Icona Pop, this fall’s album releases should pack some major aural wallop.
Gloria Estefan returns with her latest offering “The Standards,” which dropped this week. Estefan takes on The Great American Songbook this time around, experimenting with jazz and soulful classics such as “What a Wonderful World” and “The Way You Look Tonight.” The lead single for the album is “How Long Has This Been Going On.” Listen for guest work from gay sax man Dave Koz.
Gay staple Goldfrapp also has an album out this week, “Tales of Us,” which finds the group returning to its ambient down-tempo sound featured on their debut album, “Felt Mountain.” Their most conceptual LP to date, “Tales of Us” leads off with the melodic ballad single “Drew.”
Sheryl Crow released “Feels Like Home” this week. It’s being billed as her most country-influenced album to date.
Gay singer, activist and feminist Sonia Rutstein and Disappear Fear release their 17th album “Broken Film” on Sept. 17. Fun/peppy “Be Like You” is the first single.
Cher’s “Closer to the Truth” is out Sept. 24, her first studio album since 2001’s “Living Proof.” Lead single “A Woman’s World” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Chart. The album also features production from Pink co-writing two tracks and Timbaland producing one. Scissor Sisters front man Jake Shears joins her for duet “Take It Like a man.”
It doesn’t get much gayer than Pink Martini, the gay-helmed band set to release “Get Happy” on Sept. 24. Guests include everyone from the late Phyllis Diller (on a cover of Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile” of all things) to the Von Trapps to regular collaborator Are Shapiro to gay singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright.
Capital Pride vets Icona Pop also have a Sept. 24 project planned — debut album “This is … Icona Pop,” which will feature double platinum hit “I Love It,” second single “All Night” and nine other cuts from the EDM duo.
The 24th is shaping up to be perhaps the gayest musical release day in history. Besides those already mentioned, Elton John’s “The Diving Board” is also set to drop that day. Written and recorded in 10 days, expect 12 new songs and three piano interludes from John who worked with usual suspects Bernie Taupin and T Bone Burnett for this first solo album in seven years.
Sweeping the MTV Video Music Awards recently by winning the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award and Video of the Year, Justin Timberlake is back with “The 20/20 Experience Pt. 2.” Set for release on Sept. 30. Timberlake’s fourth full-length LP will feature collaborations with Jay-Z, Drake and trademark sounds by Timbaland.
Also making quite the impression at the VMAs earlier this year was diva in the making, Miley Cyrus. Her latest offering “Bangerz” is scheduled to drop on Oct. 8. Along with the summertime top five smash “We Can’t Stop,” Cyrus’ fourth disc will feature collaborations with Britney Spears and Ludacris. Hannah Montana is all grown up folks.
TLC plans another retrospective, this time with four new songs, slated to drop Oct. 15.
Katy Perry returns with her third studio album “Prism” set for an Oct. 22 release. The lead-off single “Roar” has already reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Perry’s latest set will also include a song co-written by 2013 Capital Pride performer Emeli Sandé. The ferocious diva has revealed her latest record is “more stripped down” and won’t contain “any darkness,” despite a recent divorce.
Gay pop legend Boy George is set to release his first studio album in 18 years on Oct. 28. His new disc “This Is What I Do” includes 12 new tracks produced by longtime collaborators such as Richie Stevens and John Themis. George revealed his new album is a “baggy” record and “not overproduced.”
After two years of recording, Lady Gaga remerges also with her third studio album “Artpop” dropping Nov. 11. “Artpop’s” first single “Applause” has reached the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 already. The pro-LGBT diva’s latest offering will feature production by several DJs including DJ White Shadow, Madeon and Zedd.
Music & Concerts
Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program
‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned
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.
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
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
Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica
Nov. 23, 6 p.m.
Lisner Auditorium
Washington Master Chorale
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
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.
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