Music & Concerts
Gaga goes low key for ‘Joanne’
Pop return is more subtle, reflective than previous efforts
Lady Gaga’s new album ‘Joanne’ is a stylistic change of pace. (Photo courtesy Interscope)
Three years have passed since Lady Gaga released her last pop album, “Artpop.” It was received tepidly by fans and critics and sold a fraction of her meteorically successful first pair of albums, “The Fame” (2008) and “Born This Way” (2011).
“Artpop” yielded only one Top 10 hit, “Applause,” along with a Top 20 duet with R. Kelly, “Do What U Want.” Gaga was still getting plenty of attention but the novelty factor seemed to be wearing thin and the album’s relatively lukewarm reception was widely noted in the press. Was Gaga mania fading?
There’s no question that the stakes were high and the pressure intense leading into “Artpop.” The situation is quite different now as she unleashes her fourth pop album, the surprisingly low-key “Joanne” (named for her late aunt). The last couple years have been good for Gaga’s career. Perhaps sensing that it was time to shake things up with some fresh projects and ideas, Gaga veered in some surprising but highly successful directions. Her duets album with legendary crooner Tony Bennett, “Cheek to Cheek” (2014), was a no. 1 hit and earned the duo a Grammy.
Gaga recorded “Til it Happens to You” (2015), a dramatic ballad with a powerful video that explores the horrors of violence and sexual assault against women, for the film “The Hunting Ground.” The song was widely acclaimed and earned Gaga an Emmy along with an Oscar nomination. She also successfully tried acting, winning a Golden Globe for her role in “American Horror Story: Hotel.” Now that Gaga has expanded her career successfully in other directions, she clearly feels she has has less to prove. She’s drifted off into less overtly commercial territory with her quirky new album “Joanne,” an entertaining and smart collection of fresh and idiosyncratic Gagaisms that opens a new chapter in her musical catalog.
This is clearly not an album where Gaga and Ronson tried to come up with a dozen of the most Top 40 radio-friendly tunes they could. The album is certainly melodic and accessible, but it’s also deeper and more compelling than almost anything found on the vast wasteland that today’s Top 40 has become. “Joanne” isn’t going to yield multiple Top 10 singles, but it seems clear that isn’t chief among Gaga’s list of priorities (although the album itself is certain to land at the top).
“Joanne,” was largely co-written and produced by the singer and arguably the decade’s most accomplished studio ace Mark Ronson, along with extensive contributions by dance/pop guru BloodPop. “Joanne” finds Gaga’s sound maturing with a confidence and sense of experimentation that is very different than anything she’s done before. Her voice has never sounded better and “Joanne” is by far her most stylistically diverse collection. First single “Perfect Illusion” is a bold slice of electro-rock with beaming synths and Gaga belting out like she’s been flipping through her Pat Benatar collection.
There’s a genuine feeling of personal investment in “Joanne” that seems far more real than “Artpop,” in which she seemed to be trying too hard and often missed the mark. Fans are going to be delighted, although it may take a few listens to fully sink in.
“Million Reasons” is a stunning ballad featuring a terrific vocal over a sparse acoustic guitar and piano accompaniment. The fun and funky upbeat country/dance concoction “A-YO,” a modern update on Shania Twain’s successful ‘90s pop/country hybrid formula, might be the most infectious earworm on the album.
The sweetly soulful duet with Florence Welch, “Hey Girl,” is a gleaming retro delight. There are flashes of big synths and electrifying dance-club kinetics as one would expect from Gaga, but then there are quiet moments like the reflective title track, a mid-tempo gem built on acoustic guitar that seems deceptively simple but put it on good headphones and check out the beautifully layered sounds and textures that speak to the careful attention to detail and thoughtfulness that went into every moment of this album.
“Joanne” closes with the haunting “Angel Down,” a chilling and gorgeously produced expression of sorrow over yet another victim of senseless violence.
“Joanne” is not just another mass-produced pop music product. While “Artpop” was a misstep, Gaga seems to be making all the right moves since then and that continues with “Joanne.” Is there any anthem as unforgettable as “Bad Romance”? No. Is there a pop delight as glistening as “Poker Face” or “Paparazzi”? Not even close.
Yet “Joanne” has more more heart than all of those songs combined, less glitz but more substance. It’s the most complete, accomplished, mature, and consistently powerful album of Lady Gaga’s career thus far.
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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