Music & Concerts
Cher’s new album of ABBA covers strangely compelling
Iconic singer infuses faithful arrangements with vocal maturity, nuance
Cher’s new album is an extenuation of her appearance in the recent ‘Mamma Mia!’ sequel. (Photo courtesy the Karpel Group)
Conceptually, Cher’s new album of ABBA covers may be the kitschiest, campiest gayest record since “The Ethel Merman Disco Album.” But — you may be wondering — does it hold anything beyond novelty appeal? It does. In fact, “Dancing Queen” is quite great and strangely compelling.
The legendary singer, whose career now spans five decades, remains in full voice and continues to record and tour widely. Her role in the recent “Mamma Mia!” sequel was her first live-action role since “Burlesque” (2010) with Christina Aguilera.
“Dancing Queen” follows on the heels of the “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” soundtrack release, but with a complete set of 10 ABBA covers. It’s Cher’s first release since her 2013 album “Closer to the Truth” and a notable change of pace. “Dancing Queen” features exclusively songs popularized by a different and likewise well-loved pop act.
Of course, there are plenty of obvious commercial reasons to explain the new album: The release of a major Hollywood movie, the crossover of two hugely successful acts and so on. But the more interesting question is not so much about the why but the what — what about Cher’s recordings is different from the ABBA originals? In terms of instrumentation, the tracks are almost unaltered, except for slightly heavier bass pulse on uptempo tracks like “Waterloo” and modified synth sounds. The difference can only really be summed up by the emotional tone the iconic singer brings to the four-decade-old songs.
If one listens to Cher’s album “Take Me Home” (1979), which was released the same year as ABBA’s “Voulez-Vous,” it’s not hard to see certain stylistic similarities between the two. ABBA’s title track pulses with disco dance floor energy, not unlike Cher’s titular single “Take Me Home.” And unsurprisingly, both albums are dominated by talk of youth, love and sex.
But what Cher brings to the covers is of a different order. It’s the sound of a major singer revisiting the past and it’s palpable in her voice. Take for instance the album’s titular song, “Dancing Queen.” Cher’s version is filled with a certain nostalgia absent from the original. It’s more reflective and soulful, almost as if the song has lost its innocence. There is an emotional force in the new recording that not only gives it new meaning but also makes one remember why the original is so great. It’s revitalized yet conveys a sense of longing — the dancing queen is not the pretty young girl in front of us, but instead her memory.
“Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)” works especially well in Cher’s distinctive lower register. It also features her trademark Auto-Tune sound, reminiscent of her 1999 single “Believe.” It works even better as a club track than the ABBA original. In “Waterloo,” Cher’s version again makes use of a heavier synth sound but is vocally more reminiscent of her rock period (think “If I Could Turn Back Time”).
The rendition of “Fernando,” which was quite well received in the movie, returns on the new album. The recording of “The Winner Takes It All” is particularly good. Cher’s opening is somber, almost tragic. And the lyrics seem to take on new meaning for the singer: “I’ve played all my cards/and that’s what you’ve done, too/nothing more to say/no more ace to play.” Yet as the music builds and the beat begins to pulse, there is no doubt about her power and resilience as a performer.
One might say the same of the album’s aptly chosen final track, “One of Us” from ABBA’s final studio album “The Visitors” (1981). Of all the tracks, this one departs the most from the original in terms of instrumentation. Over a sparse piano and string accompaniment, she delivers the famous first line: “They passed me by, all of those great romances.” And it’s every bit as enrapturing as the original, if not more.
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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