Music & Concerts
Katy’s fumble
Popster’s first album in four years feels phoned in, uninspired
Katy Perry’s new album ‘Witness’ lacks both catchy hooks and innovative production. (Photo courtesy Capitol Records)
In the eight years since her breakthrough smash “I Kissed a Girl,” powerhouse pop diva Katy Perry has scored a remarkable nine no. 1 singles and 14 Top 10 hits over the span of four albums.
Her latest, “Witness,” will be hard-pressed to add to her tally of chart-topping singles if the performance of its first three releases can be used as a gauge. Lead single “Chained to The Rhythm,” featuring a guest spot by Bob Marley’s grandson Skip, reached no. 4, but the two subsequent releases, “Bon Appetit” and “Swish Swish,” have failed each to make the Top 40, her first two major singles to miss that mark since “I Kissed a Girl” made Perry a star.
If it seems Top 40 radio has been slow to embrace Perry’s latest effort, it’s not hard to understand why: there are very few strong melodic hooks. Musically, with its sparse electronic beats and swirls of synth, “Witness” sounds like every other pop album that’s been released in the last five years with nothing fresh or exciting to be found. That wouldn’t matter so much if the album was jammed with earworms like prior Perry hits “Firework,” “Hot n Cold,” Teenage Dream,” “Roar” and “Dark Horse,” but unfortunately there is nothing here that holds a candle to any of those pop classics. There’s little to distinguish one track from another on “Witness,” and while there are certainly tracks with hit potential (“Roulette” and the title-song in particular), overall it’s hard to envision this album performing on the same level as her prior megahits.
“Witness” is not without its high points, but they are few and far between. It opens strong with a title song that probably should have been a single by now; it’s more substantial and melodic than most anything else on the album. “Bigger Than Me” is another winner, oddly tucked away near the end of the album despite being one of the more immediate and engaging tracks.
Unfortunately the proceedings quickly lapse into formula. “Hey Hey Hey,” with its heavily autotuned vocals and cloying chorus, is a simplistic throwaway that bafflingly required five writers to create. “Roulette,” with its jittery rhythm and a spidery keyboard riff, is one of the stronger moments, but even here it’s hard to shake the feeling that this is Katy Perry-by-numbers. We’ve heard it all before and better.
“Swish Swish,” with a guest slot by the ubiquitous Nicki Minaj, is a novelty “diss-track” that ends up more silly than badass. Presumably we’re not supposed to snort and giggle at the half-whispered faux-Britney catch-phrase, “Swish, swish, bish.” More successful is “Chained to the Rhythm,” the vaguely Latin-flavored lead single, although it also pales when compared to Perry’s key singles of the past. The spark just isn’t there, and like much of the album it ends up too repetitive. “Bon Appetit” is a curious choice as second single and does little to break up the soulless monotony.
Perry has a powerful voice but one would be hard-pressed to prove it with “Witness” because nearly everything she sings is slathered with autotune that, along with the rather stale synthetic beats, gives everything an artificial, detached vibe. Any genuine heart and feeling that may have otherwise helped salvage some of the tracks has been sapped away and wiped clean. Forgettable tracks like “Pendulum,” “Tsunami” and “Deja Vu” serve only to fill slots on an album that’s too long to begin with. Even the ballads are lackluster and meandering.
At 15 tracks and nearly an hour long, “Witness” is a slog to get through. The sameness in sound and vibe is numbing. Whatever Katy Perry was trying to accomplish with her first album in four years, she has unfortunately missed the mark. There aren’t enough big pop melodies to make it a great summertime album, and one of the key ingredients in her best work — sheer exuberance and fun — is largely missing here.
Katy Perry seems to be in that stage that many young artists go through, trying to transition from fun-loving bouncy teen-friendly pop star to edgier and more serious artistry, but she doesn’t go far enough or bold enough to make it work. “Witness” is a step back for Perry, but other singers have recovered from such missteps and thrived, and Perry certainly has the talent to do so. Time will tell if “Witness” is an aberration or the start of a long-term downward trend in both sales and entertainment value.
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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