Music & Concerts
Years & Years play to adoring D.C. crowd
British electro-pop outfit charms at packed 9:30 Club
Years & Years played a sold-out show at the 9:30 Club last weekend. (Photo by Fiona Garden)
Watching the sold-out crowd for British electronic/indie band Years & Years wrap around the block for their sold-out 9:30 Club show on Saturday, the energy was crackling in the same way it must have been in the beginning careers of artists such as Chuck Brown, Dave Grohl and Lady Gaga, who have also graced the historic 9:30 Club stage. (Read the Blade’s interview with Olly Alexander here.)
The diversity in the crowd was apparent as young gay couples held hands next to little kids who were asking their parents when Olly Alexander, lead singer and keyboardist of the band, was going to appear on stage. Groups of friends out for a girls’ night to see the show mingled amidst the crowd as well as everyone waited for the band to arrive.
Before Years & Years took the stage their opening act, singer/songwriter Tei Shei, got the show started. Her R&B-esque tunes complemented her strong voice as she hit every note thrown her way. The crowd didn’t seem familiar with her music at the start of her set but by the end everyone was jumping around to the beat.
Shei played her last song “Bassically” to the crowd with high energy as she bounced around on stage singing. Not only was the crowd hyped, but Alexander could be seen dancing along to his tour mate’s finale song backstage.
Soon after, Years & Years took the stage to a packed club. From the ground floor to the upstairs, there was hardly any room to move without bumping into another eager fan trying to glimpse the band. The trio, comprised of Alexander, bassist Mikey Goldsworthy and synth player Emre Türkmen, looked startled, nervous and pleased all at once at the turnout as they launched into their first song “Foundation,” which ended to deafening applause.
Years & Years then sang their hit song “Take Shelter,” a reggae electronic dance song that appeared to be Alexander’s favorite. He became just as caught up in the music as the crowd, a couple times forgetting to sing because he was too busy dancing. Alexander used his entire body to twist and gyrate his way around the stage with so much confidence it was less of a dance and more of a statement.
Later in the show Alexander grabbed a fan’s poster that said, “Thanks for reminding us all we are kings and queens” and read it out to the crowd. He seemed just as excited to be interacting with the fan as the fan was to interact with him.
High-paced songs like “Real” had the crowd dancing with vigor while slower ones like “Memo,” found them watching in awed silence as Alexander softly played on the keyboard while singing his lilting vocals.
One of the best parts of the show was when Shei joined the band on stage for a cover of “Breathe” by Blu Cantrell and Shaggy. The song, a staple in millennial nostalgic culture, was a huge hit. The duet was reignited with their original vocals but still followed the same well-known beat, with a Years & Years’ twist.
The encore was the hit “King,” which the crowd chanted for. The entire venue exploded with vigor and energy during the song as the air was filled with the sound of voices singing along and the space was over taken by dancing bodies. Alexander let the crowd sing along and threw himself into the performance while his band mates Goldsworthy rocked the bass and Türkmen powered away on the synth.
When the song was over, the crowd screamed and cheered with ecstasy. Meanwhile Alexander, Goldsworthy and Türkmen looked like they were just as pleased with their own performance as the crowd while simultaneously looking like they thought they were going to wake up from a dream at any second.
When the show ended and the crowd dispersed onto the already crowded sidewalks of V Street, passerby stopped some concertgoers to ask what the huge crowd was for. When the response was Years & Years, not some bigger-name Billboard artist, people looked confused and responded they hadn’t heard of them.
They will.
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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