Music & Concerts
FALL ARTS PREVIEW 2017: Miley, Demi, Dolly and then some
Taylor Swift, Pink, Shania among eclectic fall album releases
After a long hiatus from music, Shania Twain is back with a new album dubbed ‘Now,’ slated for a Sept. 29 release. It’s her first album since 2002’s RIAA Diamond-selling ‘Up!’ (Photo by Giampaolo Sgura; courtesy the Karpel Group)
The new release schedule for fall is loaded with long-awaited new albums from some of the biggest stars in music. There will be plenty of new tunes to keep music fans occupied.
Today (Friday, Sept. 15) is highlighted by the latest from local favorite Dave Grohl and Foo Fighters, who unleash their ninth studio album, “Concrete and Gold,” featuring the electrifying first single “Run.”
Also out is a live album and DVD documenting Madonna’s record-breaking “Rebel Heart Tour.” Also out is the latest from new wave pioneer Gary Numan, “Savage (Songs From a Broken World),” Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens) with “The Laughing Apple,” Swedish EDM duo Galantis are back with “The Aviary,” former Vampire Weekend mainstay Rostom will release his solo debut “Half-Light” and Metric vocalist Emily Haines is set to release her new solo album “Choir of the Mind.”
More big new releases arrive the following week, with new wave revivalists the Killers leading the way with “Wonderful Wonderful.” Also dropping Sept. 22 is “Double Dutchess,” the long-awaited second solo album by Black-Eyed Peas diva Fergie. It comes 11 years after her smash “The Duchess,” but judging from the singles so far it will be well worth the wait.
Other new albums due on the 22nd include the latest from trip-hop pioneer Tricky, “ununiform,” folk-rock legend Van Morrison with “Roll With the Punches,” goth goddess Chelsea Wolfe with “Hiss Spun,” Australian electro-pop group Cut Copy with “Haiku From Zero,” versatile R&B vocalist Ledisi with “Let Love Rule,” rapper Macklemore’s first solo album in 12 years, “Gemini,” and a live album by acclaimed lesbian guitar virtuoso Kaki King, “Live at Berklee.”
Sept. 29 is a big week for multiple generations of female artists. The legendary country icon Dolly Parton will release a children’s album, “I Believe in You,” while country-pop superstar Shania Twain is back with her first new album in 15 years, “Now.”
Demi Lovato also returns on the 29th with “Tell Me You Love Me,” featuring her platinum single “Sorry Not Sorry” and Miley Cyrus delivers her latest, “Younger Now.” British synthpop duo Hurts also have a new album on the 29th, “Desire,” including the new single “Ready to Go.”
Former Oasis singer Liam Gallagher has set his new solo album “As You Were Available” for an Oct. 6 release. Alternative rockers Wolf Parade are also back on the sixth with “Cry Cry Cry,” along with the debut album by the much-buzzed about R&B vocalist Kelela, the latest from indie-popsters Ducktails, “Jersey Devil,” the new solo effort by openly gay Bloc Party vocalist Kele Okereke, “Fatherland” and glam-rockers the Darkness with “Pinewood Smile.”
Pop superstar Pink returns Oct. 13 with her first album in five years, “Beautiful Trauma,” featuring the stunning first single “What About Us.” On the same date, critically beloved St. Vincent will deliver one of the year’s most anticipated albums with “MASSEDUCTION.” Also scheduled for the 13th are new albums by Beck, “Colors”; legendary Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, “Carry Fire”; William Patrick (aka Billy) Corgan with his collaboration with producer Rick Rubin, “Ogilala”; and an intriguing collaboration between uber-talented troubadours Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile, “Lotta Sea Lice.”
Also out Oct. 13 is “The Con X: Covers,” a 10th anniversary celebration of “The Con” by openly gay sisters Tegan and Sara with all of that classic album’s songs covered by various artists.
Look for a newly remastered and expanded edition of the Smiths’ “The Queen is Dead” on Oct. 20. Originally released in 1986, it’s widely considered one of their finest efforts.
October wraps up with two of the fall’s biggest releases: Kelly Clarkson drops her latest, “Meaning of Life,” on Oct. 27, and on the same date Weezer returns with “Pacific Daydream.” The-Dream also hits on the 27th with “Love Affair,” featuring the hit single “Summer Body,” and emo-rockers the Used return with “The Canyon.”
The much-anticipated new Taylor Swift album, “Reputation,” arrives Nov. 10. Led by smash single “Look What You Made Me Do,” it’s likely to be the season’s biggest-selling release. Also hitting on the 10th is the latest from moody alt-rockers Evanescence, “Synthesis.”
Nov. 17 is highlighted by the latest from that icon of wit and misery, Morrissey, who is back with “Low in High School.” The season is capped by the long-promised “Songs of Experience” by U2, the follow-up to their outstanding 2014 release “Songs of Innocence.” Presumably, though, the new album won’t show up on everyone’s iPhone automatically, or at least we can hope.
Kanye West may (or may not) unload his latest, reportedly titled “Turbo Grafx 16,” this fall — as always, he is hard to predict. Bjork is working with acclaimed gay electronic visionary Arca on an album expected in November, with the first single called “The Gate.”
Other artists expected to release new albums this fall but have yet to announce dates include Tei Shi, Sam Smith (who just released a new single, “Too Good At Goodbyes”), Ne-Yo, Paloma Faith, Thirty Seconds to Mars, En Vogue, ‘80s heroes Tears for Fears, ‘90s rockers the Offspring, Travis Scott, Charli XCX, Barenaked Ladies, Nas, Clean Bandit, Kylie Minogue, MGMT, Sara Bareilles, Zayn, Tove Lo, Kiesza, Avril Lavigne, Mariah Carey, up-and-coming rapper Kamaiyah, Marilyn Manson and a Christmas offering from one of pop’s hottest stars, Sia. Inevitably some of these will get bumped to 2018.
Other possibilities include Christina Aguilera, Vampire Weekend, My Morning Jacket, Spiritualized, Bruce Springsteen, Sky Ferreira, Modest Mouse, Juicy J, Iggy Azalea and Violent Femmes.
Aussie pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her acclaimed “Tension” world tour to D.C. next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Capital One Arena. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.
The show features songs spanning her long career, from 1987 debut single, “The Loco-Motion,” to “Padam, Padam” from her album, “Tension.”
Music & Concerts
Busy season for live music in D.C.
Erivo, Kylie, Sivan, and more headed our way this spring
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
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.
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