Music & Concerts

‘80s snapshot

Swift’s latest lacks craftsmanship of earlier efforts

Published

11 years ago

October 30, 2014

Santiago Melli-Huber

Taylor Swift, 1989, gay news, Washington Blade

Taylor Swift drifts more heavily into pop on her new album ‘1989,’ out this week. (Photo courtesy Big Machine)

Taylor Swift’s fifth studio album “1989” marks a new phase in the young star’s career.

The title refers to Swift’s birth year and the era from which she drew inspiration. Despite a few shining moments, the album, out this week, would not be out of place in the late ‘80s. While it’s terribly catchy, the pop-country star’s debut into a pure pop arena fails to match the innovative sounds of “Red” or the lyrical prowess and storytelling of songs like “15,” despite its mildly profane and rowdier lyrical content.

“Welcome to New York” is the appropriately named and positioned lead track, an ode from the earnest, wide-eyed perspective of a newcomer. It also introduces fans to her “new soundtrack.” She’s gone from a bushy-haired Nashville country singer to a slick Manhattan pop star, as evidenced by an electronic backing track and heavily auto-tuned vocals.

Queer fans will appreciate the mostly silent ally’s supportive couplet “You can want who you want/Boys and boys and girls and girls.” Overall, the synthpop track may be catchy and could lead to new directions for Swift, but it’s wholly unoriginal and could have been performed by a half dozen other pop princesses.

“Blank Space” seems to have borrowed elements of trap and applied it to a hopeful love song. These influences coupled with the lyrics, some of the better writing on the album (in addition to “Out Of The Woods,” aside from its repetitive chorus), elevate the song to the level of “Mine,” Swift’s popular 2010 single with similar themes. The lyrics are strong, well-crafted, funny and self-aware. Swift sings to someone she refers to as her “next mistake” and admits she has “a long list of ex-lovers/they’ll tell you I’m insane,” responding to critics of her dating habits.

Gone is the forced twang of “Mean,” but the message in “Shake It Off” is familiar and more powerful than before. An impossibly addictive and fun song, the lead single is only brought down a notch by the ridiculous bridge, where Taylor tries to rap while mentioning an ex-boyfriend, which has little connection with the rest of the song. It accurately reflects the 24-year-old’s new public attitude: she proudly identifies as a feminist and dismisses as sexist criticism for singing about her exes, citing male stars who often and freely sing about the same topics.

The standout song is “I Wish You Would,” a track with pleasantly surprising shifts in pacing. Swift clearly enjoyed playing with the song and created a toe-tapping melody worthy of being kept on repeat.

“Bad Blood” is the weakest song of the album. Swift confirmed in a Rolling Stone interview that the track alludes to a feud with another female pop star, whom many theorize is Katy Perry. It’s a diluted version of “I Knew You Were Trouble.” The lyrics are uninspired and often cliche and it adds nothing to the album but angst.

“How You Get the Girl” is a catchy, non-offensive song, but the lazy songwriting misses the bar of what Swift is capable of lyrically, a problem throughout “1989.” She flirts with Bjork-type innovation on “I Know Places” but refuses to get too edgy. Carthartic “Clean” closes the project and is one of the album’s strongest tracks.

While “Red” was a powerful pop album with some country influences, “1989” is a departure for Swift in a terrible way. Overall, it’s underwhelming and predictable. Many tracks have commercial appeal and some are strong, but Swift fans will be disappointed by the album’s conformity.

Related Topics:(RED)1989 I Wish You Would Mean Shake it Off Taylor Swift

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Music & Concerts

Kylie brings ‘Tension’ tour to D.C.

Performance on Tuesday at Capital One Arena

Published

4 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

2 months 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.