Music & Concerts

‘Let your love shine’

‘Idol’ finalist prizes authenticity, tenacity

Published

10 years ago

November 13, 2014

Crystal Bowersox, gay news, Washington Blade

Singer/songwriter Crystal Bowersox says the national exposure of a hit reality show can be a double-edged sword. (Photo courtesy Orrigami Entertainment)

Crystal Bowersox

Baltimore Sound Stage

124 Market Place

Baltimore

Tuesday 8 p.m. (Doors 7)

All ages

$20 advance; $25 day of

Crystal Bowersox was introduced to millions of people on television when she competed in “American Idol’s” ninth season. But viewers may remember more of the experience than she does.

When Bowersox auditioned for the show performing “Piece of My Heart” by Janis Joplin, it was clear she would be a top contender. The judges were baffled that she brought her guitar in for her audition. Unlike now, contestants were not allowed to perform with a guitar. Bowersox replied that it was like a comfort blanket for her. She went on to be a runner-up to Lee DeWyze for the season.

“Honestly the whole ‘Idol’ thing was a blur,” Bowersox, who plays Baltimore Sound Stage on Tuesday, says. “When I try to recall a moment of my own experience its hard for me to do that because it was such a high stress environment.”

Her strategy in the competition was to achieve an intimate feeling to her performances.

“I had a game plan in my mind to perform for the people who were there in the live viewing audience rather than concern myself with 30 million people watching through the cameras,” she says. “I think that’s really what kept me sane.”

It’s a strategy that worked. While Bowersox, originally from Elliston, Ohio, was stressing out during the season, America was loving her soulful voice. She was the third “Idol” runner-up never in the bottom three or two, behind fellow “Idol” alums Clay Aiken and David Archuleta.

After the success on the show, Bowersox went on to release two albums “Farmer’s Daughter” in 2010 and “All That for This” in 2013. This summer, she self-released an EP called “Promises” with her song “How Long” that explores the fame and success that comes along with being on a show like “American Idol.”

“There is a downside. ‘How Long’ is about exactly that. How long will the love be here? They love you when you’re up and kick you when you’re down.”

Some “Idol” contestants have noticeably dropped from the public eye after the ending of the show like fifth season winner, Taylor Hicks. It’s something Bowersox, 29, believes has less to do with the artist and more with the listener.

“Folks just assume that people who grace that stage disappear but they don’t disappear. Its just a matter of people having very short attention spans and people don’t seek out what they’re interested in,” Bowersox says.
Her success also allowed her to bring light to issues she felt were important. In 2013, Bowersox came out as bisexual through her Christmas song, “Coming Out for Christmas.” She had previously been married to a man and had one child. Yet coming out was worth doing for her after she started questioning her sexuality in high school.

“Hearing from people who I was close to that it was not OK to love someone of the same gender was a struggle,” she says. “You start this cycle of self-loathing and thinking there is something wrong with me.”

She thinks those feelings are ones that many other people can relate to and that’s why she wanted to share her own experience.

“I think that the more people in the public eye who come out and are honest about themselves gives kids in the middle of nowhere who are struggling the confidence to really love themselves no matter what. You are not flawed. You are human and it’s important to let your love light shine.”

She says her song “Coming Out for Christmas” is about not being afraid to bring your partner home for the holidays and having your family accept them. It’s a message she hopes is heard.

“Some parents don’t love their children unconditionally and that’s a shame,” Bowersox says.

Since “Idol,” Bowersox has collaborated with Jakob Dylan on the song “Stitches.” The two met through a mutual friend and bonded over the amount of bruises their children received resulting in the two singing the song she wrote. She also is in the works to play Patsy Cline in the Broadway play “Always, Patsy Cline.” All of these opportunities are ones Bowersox recognizes comes from the exposure she got on “Idol.”

“Anyone who has been on a reality TV show who doesn’t come out on the other side with something positive, I feel like that’s a choice rather than just fate or something beyond your power.”

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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.