Music & Concerts
SPRING ARTS 2016: concerts
Spring concert schedule packed with tours of all sizes
DJ/producer Diplo plays EchoStage in June. (Photo courtesy MokiMedia)
Club icon David Guetta will be doing a set at EchoStage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd., N.E.) on Friday, March 4.
On Saturday, March 5, don’t miss D.C. legend Rich Morel and Jason Barnes (aka Pussy Noir) in their new collaborative project Sistr Midn9t. They’re on a bill with Prince Rama at Comet Ping Pong located at 5037 Conn. Ave., N.W.
Gay pop superstar Adam Lambert performs at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.) on Saturday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Openly gay singer and actor Troye Sivan will appear with the hugely popular gender-neutral rapper Shamir at the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) on March 7-8.
The always-entertaining Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington presents “Boots, Class & Sass” at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.), with shows beginning on Saturday, March 12 and running through Sunday, March 20. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 8. Tickets range from $25-63.
The legendary lesbian folk duo Indigo Girls perform at the Lincoln Theatre (1215 U St., N.W.), on Friday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. Visit thelincolndc.com for information. The show is sold out.
Rihanna, one of pop music’s biggest stars, comes to D.C. for her “Anti World Tour” on Tuesday, March 22. She’ll perform at the Verizon Center (601 F St., N.W.), at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $30-515.
For a night of fierce diva realness, check out the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Broadway Divas at the Music Center at Strathmore (5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, Md.) on Thursday, March 31 at 8 p.m. Divas from shows such as “Les Misérables,” “Dreamgirls,” “My Fair Lady,” “Annie,” and “Chicago” will perform and entertain under the direction of Jack Everly.
The world-renowned DJ TIËSTO will spin at EchoStage (2135 Queens Chapel Rd., N.E.) on March 25-26. Doors open at 9 p.m. for the 18-and-over event. Visit echostage.com for information. Popular singer/songwriter Andrew Bird will perform at the 9:30 Club (815 V St., N.W.) on Tuesday, April 5 at 7 p.m., with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the prevention of gun violence.
The legendary Patti LaBelle, best known for her smash “Lady Marmalade,” will perform on April 7-8 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore. Tickets are $65-150.
Iconic ‘80s supergroup Duran Duran brings its tour in support of recent “Paper Gods” album to D.C. on Friday, April 8 at 7 p.m., with disco legends Chic and Shamir opening. They’ll be at the Verizon Center. Tickets are $25-385.
Gay alternative rock legend Bob Mould returns to the 9:30 Club on Wednesday, April 27 at 7 p.m. to support his new album “Patch the Sky.” Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at 930.com. Ted Leo, half of The Both with Aimee Mann, will open for Mould. Pop superstar Justin Bieber brings his “Purpose World Tour” to the Verizon Center on Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50.50-126.
The always-popular Animal Collective will be back at the 9:30 Club on May 10-11, with Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith opening. Openly gay Kele Okereke and his band Bloc Party will be performing in support of their new album “Hymns” at EchoStage on Thursday, May 19 at 7 p.m.
The 9:30 Club hosts two terrific shows on Friday, May 13. At 6 p.m., acclaimed indie-pop vocalist Grimes will perform. Then at 10, Penguin Prison (aka Chris Glover) will deliver his high-energy electronic pop. Tickets to the two shows are sold separately.
You won’t want to miss “RuPaul’s Drag Race: Battle of the Seasons,” which will take place at the 9:30 Club on Saturday, May 21 at 8 p.m. There will be an opening DJ set by Pearl, and then host Michelle Visage will introduce the most popular queens to have appeared on RuPaul’s show, including Alaska Thunderfuck, Miss Fame, Phi Phi O’Hara and winner Violet Chachki. Tickets are $37.50-299.
Trans rapper Mykki Blanco plays the U Street Music hall (1115 U St., N.W.) on Thursday, May 19. Tickets are $25. Details at 930.com.
Current pop superstar Ellie Goulding will be at Merriweather Post Pavilion (10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Md.) on Monday, June 13 for a 7 p.m. show. Tickets range from $45-59.50. Three days later on Thursday, June 16, one of the most influential artists on the planet, Tame Impala, will also play a 7 p.m. show at Merriweather Post Pavilion, with acclaimed electronica group M83 opening.
Perhaps the highlight of the spring concert season is Beyoncé. She brings her Formation World Tour to M&T Bank Stadium (1101 Russell St.) in Baltimore on Friday, June 10 at 6 p.m. Grammy winning producer and D.J. Diplo, known for such hits as “Where Are Ü Now” (featuring Justin Bieber) and “Boy Oh Boy” with GTA, will have EchoStage booming on Saturday, June 18.
Alternative rock titans The Cure will perform on Wednesday, June 22 at Merriweather Post Pavilion. The next night, Thursday, June 23, brings openly gay folk-rocker Brandi Carlile, with Old Crow Medicine Show and special guest the Dawes.
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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