Music & Concerts

New Erasure album ‘World Be Gone’ is sublime, melodic

Veteran British hitmakers take slight left turn on new project

Published

8 years ago

June 1, 2017

It’s easy to take Erasure bandmates ANDY BELL, left, and VINCE CLARKE for granted as they have stayed highly active in the studio while many of their contemporaries have vanished. (Photo by Doron Gild)

Thirty-two years after the release of Erasure’s debut album “Wonderland,” the veteran British duo is obviously far from finished. Last year came the ambitious, career-spanning box set “From Moscow to Mars,” and now a new studio album, the duo’s 17th, adds to Andy Bell and Vince Clarke’s vast musical legacy.

“World Be Gone” is another twist in a sensational career that continues to roll along with impressive resilience in the notoriously fickle universe of pop music. Erasure’s enduring appeal, even as many artists who emerged from the ‘80s have disappeared or are scraping by on the nostalgia circuit, is easy to understand as the duo continues to churn out one great album after another.

After two ultra-modern and sleek electro-dance albums (2007’s “Light at the End of the World” and 2011’s “Tomorrow’s World”) notable for big arrangements and massive walls of sound, the duo veered in a more retro and stripped-down direction while remaining largely upbeat on 2014’s excellent “The Violet Flame.” “World Be Gone” continues to ignore the latest pop music trends, instead relying on rich and vintage sounding synths and Bell’s sonorous, theatrical vocals, which are often intertwined with deftly arranged, multi-layered background vocals. The mood is more contemplative than anything Erasure has released since 2005’s sadly overlooked “Nightbird,” and while “World Be Gone” might not equal that album’s superb songcraft, it’s certainly a worthy addition to the duo’s catalog.

The album’s opener and first single, “Love You to the Sky,” is a classic Erasure pop anthem, with a sweeping chorus and Andy Bell’s vocals as rich and expressive as ever. After this upbeat opening, though, the album turns inward and reflective. The superb “Be Careful What You Wish For!” is a yearning ballad with an exquisite vocal arrangement, one of the album’s finest moments, and sets the tone for much of what is to come.

The downbeat vibe continues with the weary and haunting title track and the stark break-up ballad “The Bitter Parting,” Bell’s voice taking center stage over Vince Clarke’s spare but lovely electronic accompaniment. Another powerful ballad, the album’s second single “Still It’s Not Over,” is yet another example of the depth of Erasure’s songcraft. Bell’s delivers his vocals with the gravitas and emotional power the song requires.

Perhaps even more impressive is “Take Me Out of Myself,” a wrenchingly personal track with genuine feeling in both Bell’s vocal and Clarke’s sublime retro electronic mastery. “Sweet Summer Loving” is a devotional love song with a lushly beautiful chorus that positively glows with sincerity.

“World Be Gone” closes with “Just a Little Love,” perhaps the brightest and most upbeat pop song on the album. It’s a smart move. The duo knows they’ve delivered a collection of songs that appeal to the heart and the head more than to dancing under flashing lights or singing along in the car, but almost as if to prove they can still deliver a killer pop tune, they unleash “Just a Little Love” as the perfect sendoff. It’s an obvious choice for a single at some point.

While Erasure generally stays within the lines of its melodic template of high energy synth-pop, each album has a distinct vibe and the duo isn’t afraid to allow their creativity to take them in directions fans might not expect. This fearlessness and creativity is the key to their longevity, and is often overlooked. “World Be Gone” has already notched the duo their highest debut on the UK album chart since 1994’s “I Say, I Say, I Say” became their fourth straight chart-topper, which bodes well for the album’s future.

Erasure enjoys a sizable contingent of dedicated fans in the US, but are largely ignored by mainstream radio and most music media. The typical Top 40 radio listener in America (at least those of a certain age) might be familiar with “A Little Respect,” “Chains of Love,” and perhaps “Always,” despite the fact that the duo has enjoyed dozens of international hits. “World Be Gone” isn’t likely to change that, but it deserves to be heard. It’s not an immediately impactful album and there are few obvious pop-friendly hooks, but with repeated listens, its slow and subtle power becomes evident. Sometimes Erasure is dismissed (unfairly) as lightweight; “World Be Gone” is yet another example of how this characterization is utterly and completely wrong.

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Music & Concerts

Busy season for live music in D.C.

Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring

Published

2 weeks 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

4 weeks 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.

Music & Concerts

J. Lo, Troye Sivan, RuPaul added to WorldPride Music Festival

Two-day event to feature array of musical genres

Published

1 month ago

February 18, 2025

Evan Caplan

Jennifer Lopez and Troye Sivan are set to perform for WorldPride. (Photo of Lopez courtesy LiveNation; Blade photo of Sivan by Michael Key)

WorldPride organizers on Tuesday announced two new headliners for the WorldPride Music Festival at RFK Festival Grounds (2400 East Capitol St., N.E.) June 6-7 in Washington, D.C.

Superstar Jennifer Lopez and gay pop artist Troye Sivan are set to headline, while drag trailblazer and TV star RuPaul will also take the stage for a DJ set.

Taking place over two days and nights and across three stages, WorldPride Music Festival will showcase a diverse range of music. Beyond pop stars and drag performances, house, EDM, techno, country, R&B, and a host of other genres will be heard across the weekend.

Featured LGBTQ audience fan favorites include Kim Petras, Rita Ora, Betty Who, and Marina. House and electronic fans will enjoy Zedd, Grimes, Purple Disco Machine, and Sofi Tukker. Other top-billing pop stars include Tinashe, Raye, and Grimes; Paris Hilton is also set to make an appearance.

Other artists that will bring their sounds to one of the stages include Aluna, Anabel Englund, Anne Louise, Coco & Breezy, Crush Club, Dombresky presents Disco Dom, Galantis, Hayla, Kaleena Zanders, Karsten Sollors, Leland + Friends, LP Giobbi, Matt Suave, Patrick Mason, Sasha Colby, Slayyyter, Spencer Brown, Trisha Paytas, and Ty Sunderland.

The music festival came together as a partnership between Capital Pride, Dreamland’s producer Jake Resnicow (who ran WorldPride in New York), and event promoter Club Glow, which has produced several music festivals in the region. Club Glow is set to host a separate festival, Project Glow, also to take place on RFK grounds the weekend prior to WorldPride.

Resnicow, as executive producer, noted that, “WorldPride Music Festival is a moment the world will remember. With legendary artists and our global community coming together, we’re creating an electrifying celebration that unites, uplifts, and amplifies LGBTQ+ voices like never before.”

Given the current political climate and anti-LGBTQ policies sweeping the country, “Hosting this festival in our nation’s capital makes it even more powerful — it’s not just a party, it’s a global movement.” Resnicow added.

Beyond the music, the festival will feature art installations and immersive experiences that celebrate the spectrum of LGBTQ culture, along with food and drink, specialty cocktail lounges, giveaways, and a VIP section. Proceeds from the event will benefit the nonprofit Capital Pride Alliance and other local LGBTQ community organizations, ensuring the festival’s impact extends beyond its two days of programming. WorldPride marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in the capital.

General admission, GA+, and VIP tickets start at $209.