Music & Concerts
New Supremes deluxe reissue features classic alternate takes, live ’67 show
Founding member Florence Ballard heard prominently on ‘Supremes Sing HDH’
The Supremes (Photo courtesy Motown/Universal)
It’s been a particularly rich several years for Supremes fans as Universal (previously under the now-defunct Hip-O-Select imprint) continues its series of classic album “expanded editions” from Motown’s leading ladies.
The latest — perhaps the series’ best, although that’s a tough call — is the deluxe reissue of “The Supremes Sing Holland-Dozier-Holland: Expanded Edition,” a two-CD digipak that features the original album in both stereo and mono mixes, 12 alternate takes/extended mixes and a jaw-droppingly pristine recording of the group’s 1967 engagement at the famous Copacabana nightclub in New York where just a few years earlier, they’d recorded their legendary “At the Copa” album (itself reissued in deluxe format in 2012).
The album — named for Motown’s main songwriting team — features the Supremes’ no. 1 hits “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” and “Love is Here and Now You’re Gone” as well as a cover of Martha and the Vandellas’ hit “(Love is Like a) Heat Wave” (interesting, though the girls don’t capture the Vandellas’ fire; it illustrates beautifully how different the two groups were) and “Going Down for the Third Time,” one of the Supremes’ best deep album cuts (it was later the B-side to “Reflections” and sounds like it could have been a smash itself).
The 1967 Copa recordings are notable on several counts. One, they’re the final group appearances of founding member Florence Ballard who was officially ousted from the group soon thereafter and replaced by Cindy Birdsong. Two, while bootlegs have circulated of these shows among fans in recent years, they’ve either been very hard to come by and/or available only with distorted audio. Everything’s cleaned up just so on the new album and we get the pleasure of hearing Ballard and fellow Supreme Mary Wilson’s backing vocals surprisingly high in the mix (we hear them much more prominently than we do on the accompanying studio recordings although, even there, they’re prominent).
The Supremes in their last few years with Diana Ross (she left in 1970) were a mixed bag. There were still hits (although not nearly as many) in the post-Ballard era (“Love Child,” their joint albums with the Temptations), but it was never quite the same. Birdsong did an admirable job with big heels to fill (her singing was lovely) but she could never hope to match Ballard’s sassy persona and brassy vocals. There’s a reason characters inspired by Ballard — played by Jennifer Holliday and and Jennifer Hudson in the stage and screen versions of “Dreamgirls” — are the ones everybody remembers.
The second disc here, with the Copa material, gives us the chance to hear Ballard on classic Supremes live material, especially a mash-up of “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “Second Hand Rose” and “Mame” we’d previously only known from the group’s 1968 “Live at London’s Talk of the Town” album with Birdsong (itself, admittedly, a gem).
Culled from the best takes from two shows, we also get an alternate version of “Put On a Happy Face” (a different take than the one on the Supremes 2000 box set),” an uber-rare live version of “My Favorite Things” (recorded on the Supremes’ Christmas album) and a blistering live version of their 1967 No. 1 hit “The Happening.”
Thanks to these wonderful reissues, we now have a much better picture of the Supremes’ true stage act throughout the ‘60s. For decades, all we had were the original “At the Copa” and “Talk of the Town” albums (both heavily edited), but it’s now possible to truly feel what the Supremes classic lineup was like live between the “Copa” reissue album, this 1967 Copa show on the new release and the bonus disc of the 2012 equally grand re-release of the “I Hear a Symphony” album which features a previously unreleased (and complete!) live performance of the Supremes at the Roostertail in Detroit.
It’s all dated in the most deliciously endearing way, a breath of fresh air in our exceedingly jaded and ironic era. The cheesy, Vegas-y string section, the reprises that are nothing more than a retread of the last several bars of music, the canned stage patter — it just all works the same way you never get tired of “Carol Burnett Show” reruns or other classic relics of the era. It’s just a bit raw too — Ross’s lead vocals sound a tad weathered by constant touring. There’s a gritty topcoat on the otherwise wonderfully syrupy vocals we hear her offer on the studio material here.
Even though these final moments with Ballard are bittersweet to hear, I’m still champing at the bit for Universal to continue this series into the Birdsong years. It will be amazing — one can only hope — to hear the full “Talk of the Town” live recordings as well as a proper reissue of the group’s “Farewell” 1970 album. Although most notable as the group’s final shows with Ross, it’s of greater historical note to me because it’s all we really know of the Supremes’ 1969 live act.
Wilson told the Blade in a 2017 interview the “Farewell” material was pretty much the group’s 1969 live show, i.e. it was not greatly altered for the Frontier engagement (which became the “Farewell” album), still I yearn to hear what the group sounded like on a “normal” night that final year together. They toured relentlessly that year — let’s hope series producers Andrew Skurow and George Solomon are eventually able to unearth some heretofore unknown 1969 live material or at least some alternate Frontier-recorded Supremes performances.
Also, do yourself a big favor and don’t get this release on a digital or streaming medium. The foldout digipak is gorgeous and comes with two booklets, both chocked with vintage photos. One features an amazing interview with Motown songwriter Lamont Dozier (of the title); the other is a reproduction of the Supremes’ 1967 tour program.
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.
Music & Concerts
J. Lo, Troye Sivan, RuPaul added to WorldPride Music Festival
Two-day event to feature array of musical genres
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.
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