Music & Concerts

Tegan and Sara look back to the ’90s on stunning new album

Out sisters revive material from high school years on ‘Hey’ record

Published

6 years ago

October 3, 2019

Tegan and Sara, gay news, Washington Blade — **Tegan** and **Sara** revisit their grittier early musical style on new album ‘Hey, I’m Just Like You.’ (Photo by Trevor Brady; courtesy Sire)

This week I had the chance to see the jukebox musical “Moulin Rouge” on Broadway, based on the 2001 film of the same title. And while the singing, dancing and set were beyond anything I’ve seen so far, I couldn’t help but leave feeling a bit depressed about the hollowness of the music — most of it recent pop — which felt more like a collection of marketing jingles.

What a relief it was to be reminded that this isn’t the condition of all current music by Tegan and Sara, whose newest album, “Hey, I’m Just Like You,” was released last Friday on Sire Records. “Hey, I’m Just Like You” is their ninth studio album, following a long chain of recordings beginning with their 1999 debut “Under Feet Like Ours.” But the record does something rather unusual — the twin sisters have re-recorded and re-worked a number of songs they wrote while in high school in the mid ’90s. This comes in conjunction with the release of their new memoir “High School,” which focuses on their high school years in Calgary, their struggles with queerness and the inception of their musical project.

Nostalgia glimmers on the new record, like a vintage car that has been carefully restored to a better condition than it ever knew in its heyday. As such, the new album easily capitalizes on the ‘90s as focus of so much nostalgic feeling: The internet before Cambridge Analytica, overalls, and of course Alanis Morisette’s “Ironic.”

The album plunges into this world straightaway with the first track, “Hold My Breath Until I Die.” The song has an uptempo, alternative pop-rock sound and an instrumentation that is neither over produced nor excessively busy, typical of a distinctive ‘90s rock sound. Lyrically the teenage angst comes through distinctively: “Late at night, when your words are eating me alive/does it make you sad to leave me here like that?/in my dreams‚ the blood runs from my eyes/if I fall‚ will you catch me in your arms?”

This is not to say that the new album sounds exactly like their early stuff. On the contrary. Re-listening to “Under Feet Like Ours” and their second album “This Business of Art” (2000) one can’t help notice a grittier, tougher sound, one that fades away slowly through subsequent releases and ultimately evolves into the sisters’ 2013 record “Heartthrob,” which is basically just synth pop. The new album layers the grit of their early sound with the sentimental gloss of nostalgia. It makes for a seemly balance of the music of yesteryear and a contemporary sound.

The lead single “I’ll Be Back Someday” functions as an teen anthem, pulsing with the restless energy that only puberty can supply: “I run, run, run, run, run away/get, get, get, get, get away/but I’ll be back someday.” It’s a head-banging, must-see-live kind of concert song. But it is also another example of the fusion between old and new. The bridge offers something akin to a mellow synth pop sound, linking together the riotous refrains.

“Hello, I’m Right Here” is one of the slower, sadder tracks on the album. Largely piano driven, it’s a testament to the versatility of the sisters. And it captures the mournful and ubiquitously teenage desire to be seen. “I Don’t Owe You Anything” is a slower, synth-heavy rock track. Another successful integration of contemporary pop sound with angsty lyrical content. It’s impossible not to belt along, without falling into the mindless earmwormery that is everywhere so pervasive.

The album does a great job of making peace between the old and new. Opening with an almost wistful sound, it seamlessly integrates the more poppy tracks, including the pop apex of the album, “We Don’t Have Fun When We’re Together Anymore.” It’s masterfully moody yet fun album, an absolute treat for anyone suffering from residual ‘90s nostalgia. Let’s hope it catches on.

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Music & Concerts

Washington chorale kicks off Christmas with vibrant program

‘Thine Own Sweet Light’ concerts planned

Published

4 days ago

December 5, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by orson/Bigstock)

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.

Published

3 months ago

September 9, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Doechii performing at WorldPride 2025's closing concert in June earlier this year. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

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

Purcell’s Dido & Aeneas

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

Gluck’s Iphigénie en Tauride

Starring Kate Lindsey, Theo Hoffman, John Moore, and Fran Daniel Laucerica

Nov. 23, 6 p.m.

Lisner Auditorium

Washington Master Chorale

Sacred Jewel Box

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

Published

5 months ago

July 18, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Pop icon Cyndi Lauper brings her farewell tour to Jiffy Lube Live on July 24. (Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

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.