Music & Concerts

Etheridge tackles Memphis on stunning new covers album

Lesbian rocker brings vocal heft to classic Stax material like ‘Hold On, I’m Coming,’ ‘Rock Me Baby’ et. al.

Published

9 years ago

November 3, 2016

Chris Gerard

Melissa Etheridge pays homage to the legendary Stax label on her new covers album. (Photo courtesy ME Records)

With a string of classics under the belt, Melissa Etheridge is not an artist who needs to rely on the songwriter chops of others unless she want to pay homage to some of the greats, and that’s exactly what she does on her supremely entertaining ode to the birthplace of rock and roll, “Memphis Rock and Soul.”

Perhaps, given the obvious debt that Etheridge owes to the blues and the early days of R&B and rock that blasted out of Memphis and eventually took over the country, it was a logical step for Etheridge to pause her own prolific stream of songwriting and pay homage to those who made her career possible. Anybody who has been to Memphis, basked in the glorious histories of the Sun and Stax Studios, or Graceland, or listened to the endless stream of live music that can still be heard on on Beale Street, understands the importance of the city’s history in the formation of rock and roll.

Memphis is the great melting pot of soul, gospel, blues, jazz, rockabilly, country and everything else under the sun that merged to form what we know is rock and roll, and it was the pioneering local record companies and DJs who helped spread this wild new sound across the airwaves to the masses.

Etheridge runs through a dozen energetic classics, sounding fresh and revitalized. Her voice has never sounded better as she tackles the standard “Memphis Train,” paying homage not only to the city in the bluesy classic but also to the well-worn tradition of “train” songs which are an inexorable part of the fabric of early rock and roll. Her stirring cover of “Respect Yourself” answers the question once and for all — do some of these songs, many of which have been recorded dozens of times, really need yet another rendition? The answer, in the hands of Melissa Etheridge, is an emphatic yes. She’s clearly having a blast with this album, and her infectious energy comes through in every note.

Etheridge delivers a raucous, wonderfully raspy vocal on the the old R&B chestnut “Hold On, I’m Coming,” one of the album’s undeniable highlights. She also takes on the slow waltz ballad “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now),” and offers a heartfelt performance that is truly breathtaking. She may not have written these great songs, but unlike some artists with the temerity to tackle the classics, Etheridge has the vocal chops and the musical knowledge to pull them off with genuine authenticity and verve.

The blues favorite “Rock Me Baby” is another standout, with some scorching lead guitar and a vocal that might not quite match Tina Turner’s seminal version, but Etheridge certainly does herself proud.

Billy Idol fans may recognize “I Forgot to Be Your Lover,” an old R&B ballad that he reworked into the high-energy ‘80s hit “To Be A Lover.” Etheridge reclaims the original and gives yet another dynamite performance of a truly beautiful ballad.

The album ends with the gospel-tinged “I’ve Got Dreams to Remember,” and it’s a perfect summation of everything that came before. Like the melting pot that was Memphis itself, Etheridge touches upon all the different styles that led to the genre to which she’s devoted her career: rock and roll. She does it with reverence and respect for the material, delivering one great vocal after another and her song choices are diverse and shrewd. It’s a fantastic showcase for Etheridge, a nostalgic but fresh celebration of the music that launched a thousand radio hits.

Many cover albums, especially genre exercises like this one, can be painful, but Etheridge pulls it off beautifully. Put it on, close your eyes, and let yourself drift back to another time when it was still taboo for black artists to be on the radio and interracial couples were strictly taboo and rock and roll was in its formative stages. There is great music to be mined from this era, and Etheridge does a marvelous job holding the shovel.

Up Next

Brandy Clark returns to the Birchmere

Don't Miss

‘Will and Grace’ cast reunite for pro-Hillary Clinton song

FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

Music & Concerts

Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program

‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned

Published

2 days ago

December 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by orson/Bigstock)

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.

Published

3 months ago

September 9, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Doechii performing at WorldPride 2025's closing concert in June earlier this year. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas

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

Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride

Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica

Nov. 23, 6 p.m.

Lisner Auditorium

Washington Master Chorale

Sacred Jewel Box

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

Published

5 months ago

July 18, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Pop icon Cyndi Lauper brings her farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live on July 24. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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.