Music & Concerts

Banner year for alt music

Published

16 years ago

December 4, 2009

This year brought an abundance of new alternative music that you may have missed. If you’re looking for something new to listen to or are holiday shopping for the music lover in your life, here’s a rundown of some of the strongest releases of 2009.

4AD released “Dark Was the Night,” a compilation to benefit the Red Hot Organization, an international charity that raises funds and awareness for HIV/AIDS. This release, which was produced by Aaron and Bryce Dessner of The National, boasted a wide array of musicians including such talents as: Grizzly Bear, Feist, Riceboy Sleeps (Sigur Ros’s Jónsi Birgisson’s side project), Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings and David Byrne.

Baltimore’s Animal Collective released its eighth studio album, “Merriweather Post Pavilion.” If you’re not familiar with them, think electronic Beach Boys on acid. Standout tracks include “My Girls,” “Summertime Clothes” and the addictive “Brother Sport.”

St. Vincent’s Annie Clark returned with her second studio release, “Actor.” Her approach to songwriting is very cinematic. The album draws upon Clark’s life as an actor. Tracks like “Actor Out of Work” have her singing about how these experiences affected her life. First single “Marrow,” has Clark singing over a funky, thumping baseline. Other great tracks: “The Party” and “The Stranger.”

English musician Jack Peñate, whose vocals sound like a poppier Robert Smith of the Cure, delivers one of the best alterna-pop releases of 2009. With a large array of influences and musical styles “Everything is New” offers a wide range tracks from the title track, “Tonights Today,” “Give Yourself Away” and “Pull My Heart Away.”

British electropop musician, Frankmusik (Ex-musician of Brit pop group Fascination), released his debut album “Complete Me.” Many who had been following his career in the last two years were eagerly awaiting this release and it didn’t disappoint. Tracks like “Boyfriend,” are instantly catchy and have a beat perfect for the dance floor. Other great tracks: “Better Off as Two,” “Confusion Girl (Shame, Shame, Shame),” “3 Little Words,” “Wonder Woman” and “Done Done.”

Ian Brown, ex-lead singer of Stone Roses gave us “My Way,” a great return to form. Few musicians are able maintain their relevance after 20 years and Brown proves he still has a lot of music within him. Lead track “Stellify,” the first single, didn’t disappoint. Definitely his best album since his first solo outing, “Unfinished Monkey Business.” Other notable tracks: “Just Like You,” “Always Remember Me,” “Vanity Kills” and “Laugh Now.”

Gay musician Bradford Cox of Deerhunter, released another album with his other band, Atlas Sound. “Logos” had Cox collaborating with indie artists such as Lætitia Sadier (Stereolab) on “Quick Canal” and Noah Lennox (Panda Bear) on “Walkabout.”

Rejkavik’s Gusgus, now a trio, and once again including original singer, Daniel Ágúst, returned with 24/7. One of their more ethereal releases, this is dance floor music for the indie crowd — something this band has always done well. Originally a nine-piece collective, over the years they have established their own sound that has often been imitated, but never outdone. Select tracks: “Thin Ice,” “Add This Song” and “On the Job.”

Mike Silver, recording under the name CFCF gave us “Continent” which includes a version of Fleetwood Mac’s “Big Love.” Other tracks of note: “Invitation of Love,” with its super sexy bass beats, are reminiscent of early ’80s disco. “You Hear Colours,” which starts with droning drum beats and layered guitar work is the one the best instrumental indie tracks this year. Think modern day Alan Parsons.

Sweden’s Johan Angergård (Acid House Kings) returned to his side project, The Legends and released “Over and Over.” Ranging from noise pop to post punk, this album offers several diverse selections: “Seconds Away,” Monday to Saturday” and “Something Strange Will Happen.”

Portland-based producer Johnny Jewel of Chromatics and Glass Candy fame formed Desire with vocalist Megan-Louise. Their first release, “II,” continues the sound that Jewel has perfected with his other projects — sparse female vocals washing over blissful electronic analog synthesizers. Standout tracks: “Mirroir mirroir,” “Don’t Call,” “If I Can’t Hold” and “Under Your Spell,” which could easily have been an indie pop track from the mid-’80s.

The Big Pink crashed onto the music scene with several singles before releasing “A Brief History of Love,” old school alternative music in the vein of Jesus and Mary Chain. This album contains the hit singles, “Velvet” and “Dominos.”

“Broadcast and the Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age” is a collaboration between indie group Broadcast and their designer Julian House (aka the Focus Group). The always-talented Broadcast returned with an effort that pushed their eclectic sound to a more experimental area than their previous releases.

“XX” was released by young British hopefuls, The XX. The album delivers slow-paced, bluesy indie pop with such tracks as “Basic Space,” “Islands” and “Shelter.”

Early ’80s electronic pop was present on The Juan MacLean’s “The Future Will Come.” Obvious influences of the Human League on their first single “One Day” and “The Simple Life.”

Röyksopp released “Junior,” which gave us several great tracks, such as the haunting pop of “You Don’t Have a Clue” and “This Must Be It.”

Other notable releases this year:

Baltimore band Celebration recently decided to start releasing their own music and cut out the middleman. They’ve released three new tracks through their site, celebrationelectrictarot.com.

England’s Saint Etienne came back with a limited edition remix version of “Fox Base Alpha,” their first release. “Spring” is one of its most beautiful songs — a must find.

Brooklyn group, ZaZa released their ep, “Cameo.” It contains six dreamy gems.

The Breeders proved they can do it all by producing and manufacturing their latest ep “Fate to Fatal,” offering continued proof that they are the real “Deal.”

Kitsuné Maison Compilation, Vol. 7 gave us a new compilation which works from new band Two Door Cinema Club, Phoenix, La Roux and Delphic.

Best Coast, a fizzy pop band from California, gave us the addictive new single, “When I’m With You.”

Canadians Music Go Music released “Expressions,” which contained “Warm in the Shadow” and “Light of Love” — both evoked Blondie and ABBA. Another gem.

Mew released its third album, which contained one of the best indie pop singles of the year, “Beach.”

Massive Attack gave us a teaser of their upcoming album in the form of a new ep, “Splitting the Atom,” this time working with guest vocals from Guy Garvey from Elbow and Tunde Adebimpe from TVOTR.

Submit a tip about the local music scene to [email protected].

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FUND LGBTQ JOURNALISM

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

2 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

4 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.

Music & Concerts

Red, White, and Beyoncé: Queen Bey takes Cowboy Carter to D.C. for the Fourth of July

The legendary music icon performed on July 4 and 7 to a nearly sold-out Northwest Stadium.

Published

4 months ago

July 9, 2025

Joe Reberkenny

Beyoncé performs on July 7. (Washington Blade photo by Joe Reberkenny)

Just in time for Independence Day, Beyoncé lit up Landover’s Commanders Field (formerly FedEx Field) with fireworks and fiery patriotism, bringing her deeply moving and genre-defying “Cowboy Carter” tour to the Washington, D.C. area.

The tour, which takes the global icon across nine cities in support of her chart-topping and Grammy-winning country album “Cowboy Carter,” landed in Prince George’s County, Maryland, over the Fourth of July weekend. From the moment Beyoncé stepped on stage, it was clear this was more than just a concert — it was a reclamation.

Drawing from classic Americana, sharp political commentary, and a reimagined vision of country music, the show served as a powerful reminder of how Black Americans — especially Black women — have long been overlooked in spaces they helped create. “Cowboy Carter” released in March 2024, is the second act in Beyoncé’s genre-traversing trilogy. With it, she became the first Black woman to win a Grammy for Best Country Album and also took home the coveted Album of the Year.

The record examines the Black American experience through the lens of country music, grappling with the tension between the mythology of the American Dream and the lived realities of those historically excluded from it. That theme comes alive in the show’s opening number, “American Requiem,” where Beyoncé sings:

“Said I wouldn’t saddle up, but
If that ain’t country, tell me, what is?
Plant my bare feet on solid ground for years
They don’t, don’t know how hard I had to fight for this
When I sing my song…”

Throughout the performance, Beyoncé incorporated arresting visuals: Black cowboys on horseback, vintage American iconography, and Fox News clips criticizing her genre shift — all woven together with voiceovers from country legends like Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. The result was a multimedia masterclass in storytelling and subversion.

The “Cowboy Carter” tour has been a social media sensation for weeks, with fans scrambling for tickets, curating elaborate “cowboy couture” outfits, and tailgating under the summer sun. At Commanders Field, thousands waited in long lines for exclusive merch and even longer ones to enter the stadium — a pilgrimage that, for many, felt more like attending church than a concert.

One group out in full force for the concert was Black queer men — some rocking “denim on denim on denim on denim,” while others opted for more polished Cowboy Couture looks. The celebration of Black identity within Americana was ever-present, making the concert feel like the world’s biggest gay country-western club.

A standout moment of the night was the appearance of Beyoncé’s 13-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter. Commanding the stage with poise and power, she matched the intensity and choreography of her mother and the professional dancers — a remarkable feat for someone her age and a clear sign that the Carter legacy continues to shine.

It’s been nearly two decades since Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child parted ways, and since then, she’s more than lived up to her title as the voice of a generation. With “Cowboy Carter,” she’s not just making music — she’s rewriting history and reclaiming the space Black artists have always deserved in the country canon.