Music & Concerts
Years & Years frontman Olly charms with strong vocals, charisma at D.C. show
Band touring behind July concept album ‘Palo Santo’
Years & Years split its Oct. 11 D.C. concert almost evenly with selections from its two records ‘Communion’ and ‘Palo Santo.’ (Washington Blade photo by Joey DiGuglielmo)
Touring a concept record can be tricky — interspersing thematically connected material with earlier songs and coming up with a set list that makes sense takes care. For Brit pop band Years & Years, however, the somewhat half-baked concepts of its current album “Palo Santo,” released in early July, actually worked to its advantage at its D.C. concert Oct. 11 — there was no overarching message to get, it was simply a great evening of top-shelf current gay pop music. It was the band’s fifth show of the fall leg (19 dates) of the “Palo Santo Tour,” which wraps Oct. 30 in Seattle before moving on to Europe in November.
The “Palo Santo” concepts are pushed more through a 15-minute promo video in which the band depicts a future where gender and sexuality norms are gone and androids yearn for human emotion. The album, however, just plays like easy-on-the-ear dance/pop and you kinda forget there’s supposed to be an overarching story attached.
That’s how the concert felt too. No scenes from the videos were shown or reenacted. Out frontman Olly Alexander — tight abs on display all evening in a crop top — seemed more interested in selling the songs on their own sonic merits. He shimmied and improvised choreography — sometimes sexy, sometimes goofy — and kept it all going with solid vocals. His voice is a little Michael Jackson-ish, but thinner. The 28-year-old, possessing an undeniable “it” factor bolstered by his accent, sounded just as good live as he does on the band’s two albums, “Palo Santo” and “Communion,” which were represented almost equally.
The band was tight, the light show was impressive (much more elaborate than their previous D.C. appearances) and the set was spare but effective. A set of stairs gave Alexander a nice prop on which to dance and pose. Three symbols from the album artwork were recreated on stage and changed hue throughout the evening. His banter was friendly but minimal.
Standouts included “If You’re Over Me,” their no. 6 UK hit from the new record, “King,” a no. 1 UK hit from the first album and “Karma,” a particularly catchy “Palo Santo” earworm. The almost full house — which was odd because for weeks the Lincoln had been billing the show as sold out — was fully invested. Even though the band hasn’t broken big in the U.S. (they’ve never cracked the Hot 100 but have had decent success on the dance charts), by gay standards, they’re a huge band stateside. Much like the Troye Sivan concert at the Anthem the previous week, this felt like gay millennial night out. Nobody sat down the whole night, even in the balcony, even for the lone ballad, “Eyes Shut,” on which Alexander played keyboard.
Years & Years is a bit of a mystery band. It’s hard to quite figure out the relationship between Alexander and bandmates Mikey Goldsworthy and Emre Turkmen (both straight). They’ve taken more of a backseat as the band has taken off but unlike, say, the Supremes, you don’t get the feeling they seem to mind. They’re joined by one other player and two background singers on the current tour. The playing was tight all night with arrangements pretty faithfully recreated from studio versions.
My only slight quibble is that it was a bit heavy on opening acts. Gender-bender Tunde Olaniran and singer/songwriter CYN were both good, but Years & Years only ended up playing a 65-minute set, not even coming on ’til 9:45 p.m. (the show started at 8). I know you don’t expect something of Springsteen proportions from a band that’s only on its second album, but a few more songs from the headliners and one opening act would have made for a better overall night.
— The Blade’s Mariah Cooper contributed to this article.
SET LIST:
Years & Years
Lincoln Theatre
Washington, DC
Oct. 11, 20189:45 p.m.
1. Sanctify
2. Take Shelter
3. Shine
4. Eyes Shut
5. Karma
6. Ties
7. Desire
8. Palo Santo
9. Rendezvous
10. Worship
11. Hallelujah
12. Gold
13. If You’re Over Me
ENCORE
* band intros
14. All for You
15. King
10:50 p.m.
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.
PHOTOS: The Holiday Show
The best books to give this holiday season
Studio’s ‘Mother Play’ draws from lesbian playwright’s past
Choose U ambassadors share lived experiences with HIV, personal reflections, and insights
DOJ seeks to join lawsuit against Loudoun County over trans student in locker room
EXCLUSIVE: George Santos speaks out on prison, Trump pardon, and more
Victory Institute honors transgender Spanish senator in D.C.
The beginning of the fall of Trump
Markey reintroduces International Human Rights Act in Senate
