The Long Ryders Back in the Saddle
Before there were labels like alt country or Americana, The Long Ryders were providing the connection between country and rock with a punk punch through their very limited recording years…
Billy Bragg Begins a D.C. Residency
“Welcome to the 7:30 Club!” Billy Bragg said, at the outset of his three-night residency at The Birchmere. He was both poking fun of the Alexandria club’s famously early nights,…
The B-52’s Party Out of Bounds
The B-52’s are marking their 40th anniversary the same way they might have celebrated their 20th, their first or a random Tuesday - with a party. Many event organizers and…
Ken Burns’ Trip Through ‘Country Music’
In an era when history is more often doled out in digestible social media attention spans (“5 Takeaways from Such and Such”; “Top 10 War Losses”), there’s something to be…
Peter Frampton’s Spirited Farewell
Peter Frampton supercharged his career with a live album decades ago, so he’s going out playing live as well. In a stop at the Anthem in D.C. Wednesday, he seemed…
Jenny Lewis’ Glamorous Rock
For a woman whose songs are so direct, and whose voice is so clear, Jenny Lewis also likes to dress up a bit. So for the stop in her On…
‘The Juliet Letters’ Live Again
Running a small opera company requires innovation enough, but Washington's Urban Arias goes further, by commissioning new works, or finding pieces that are little known or rarely performed and infusing…
Juliana Hatfield Keeping It Strong
Juliana Hatfield still looks like a bit of a waif taking the spotlight at Union Stage in Washington, D.C. on a recent summer weekday night. She’s rail-thin in her flowered…
The Minus 5, Plus 2 From R.E.M.
The recovery from a stroke in 2017 remains a source of celebration surrounding rocker Scott McCaughey. He’s surrounded by musicians who have been friends of his for years, is writing…
Filthy Friends, Dressy Bessy on U Street
Women rule the world, or at least they did at the U Street Music Hall in a rockin’ Monday night show by Filthy Friends with Dressy Bessy. The oddly named…