top of page
REVIEWS


Gregory Alan Isakov takes fans on a folk odyssey at The Anthem
As a coming snowstorm loomed in the air, Gregory Alan Isakov took The Anthem stage in a way few would recognize from its usual standing-room frenzy. The rest of the hall seemed to shrink around him, as if the venue itself was leaning in to listen. The setup made a statement before he sang a word. The stage was dim, nearly bare. One spotlight, one guitar, one chair. Isakov opened with "Ash of Our Elders," an unreleased song that immediately set the tone for an evening of refle
Jan 263 min read


PHOTOS: LAUNDRY DAY @ The Atlantis
On Thursday night, LAUNDRY DAY brought both chaos and charm to The Atlantis, making their sold-out D.C. stop feel like a giant, euphoric living room party. Between high-energy hooks and earworm-worthy lyrics from their latest album, fans were locked in for a packed night for the books. Here are some photos from LAUNDRY DAY's performance at The Atlantis:
Jan 91 min read


PHOTOS: WHATMORE @ The Atlantis
WHATMORE kicked off the night at The Atlantis with a high-energy set that immediately pulled the crowd into their orbit. Blending hip-hop, jazz, and alternative with brotherly chemistry, the New York five-piece played like a group of best friends daring each other to go harder, turning the room into a proving ground for what’s clearly a band on the brink. Here are some photos from WHATMORE’s performance at The Atlantis:
Dec 18, 20251 min read


The magic of Purity Ring's illusion machine, music at the 9:30 Club
It's kinda hard to describe what happens at a Purity Ring show in the words of a mere mortal. Before the duo even appeared, the stage already hummed with intent. Rows of spinning fans filled the stage at the edge, waiting to reveal their purpose. When the music began, the fans exploded with light like translucent portals intertwined between vocalist Megan James and multi-instrumentalist Corin Roddick. Each fan blade carried LEDs that turned the air into an animated screen. Fa
Nov 3, 20252 min read


PHOTOS: Cage the Elephant @ The Anthem
The lights, the noise, and the feverish energy of Cage the Elephant filled The Anthem last weekend. Our full live review dives into how the band brought their dark chaos to life. Here’s a look back in photos: PHOTOS: Carson Schultz
Oct 28, 20251 min read


PHOTOS: Colony House @ 9:30 Club
Colony House brought their 77 Tour to Washington, D.C., on October 11, delivering a night of singalongs, rocking anthems, and moments...
Oct 12, 20251 min read


Colony House brings the audience into the story at the 9:30 Club
On October 11, Colony House returned to "one of the greatest places in the world" as part of their 77 Tour . MORE PHOTOS → That place, of course, being the 9:30 Club, where the band brought a show that blended quiet reflection with their signature high-energy rock anthems. Caleb and Will Chapman, Scott Mills, Parke Cottrell—and lately, Andrew Smith—have spent more than a decade turning songs about love, loss, and everyday life into a catalog that’s steady and thoughtful, cap
Oct 12, 20252 min read


PHOTOS: Jon Bellion @ Forest Hills Stadium
Jon Bellion took over Forest Hills Stadium on August 23, delivering a night of soaring choruses, orchestral reinventions, and stadium-sized emotions. You can read our full live review of the show here . Here are some photos from Jon Bellion’s 1 Big Show:
Aug 25, 20251 min read


Wilderado seizes their moment, embraces community at the 9:30 Club
“I just can’t believe this is a Wilderado show.” Max Rainer stepped up to the mic Tuesday night feeling less like a man who’s been doing...
Aug 2, 20252 min read


PHOTOS: Winyah @ 9:30 Club
Hailing from a small South Carolina beach town, Winyah made their long-awaited debut at the 9:30 Club on July 29, with a set that...
Aug 1, 20251 min read


NEEDTOBREATHE holds the line between hope and heartache at York State Fair
York’s grandstand isn’t your typical rock venue. “I’ve never played a show with this good of eyeline to a Ferris wheel,” Chris Renzema joked early on, warming up the crowd as the night’s opener. With a blend of earnest songwriting and laid‑back charm, he set the tone for an evening that balanced intimacy and energy. Outside, the scent of funnel cakes hung in the humid air, the Ferris wheel spun slowly amid neon lights, and lemonade carts kept a steady line. Inside, it was pur
Jul 30, 20252 min read


PHOTOS: NEEDTOBREATHE @ York State Fair
South Carolina band NEEDTOBREATHE brought their rock and roll firepower to the York State Fair on July 24, mixing decades‑deep fan favorites with brand‑new material fresh out of the studio. You can read our full live review of the show here . Here are some photos from their York State Fair performance:
Jul 30, 20251 min read


PHOTOS: Teddy Swims @ The Anthem
Soul powerhouse Teddy Swims brought his signature blend of R&B, pop, and gospel-infused grit to Washington, D.C., headlining the first of...
Jul 23, 20251 min read


Big voice, bigger heart: Teddy Swims brings soulful performance to The Anthem
There’s something almost contradictory about Teddy Swims. He can floor a room with the most delicate lyrics before launching into a vocal...
Jul 22, 20252 min read


Iron & Wine blends past and present at Wolf Trap performance
Sam Beam has never treated his songs as fixed artifacts. Sharing the stage with I'm With Her at Wolf Trap , his ever-evolving approach...
Jul 20, 20252 min read


I’m With Her casts a quiet spell at the Filene Center at Wolf Trap
You’d be forgiven for forgetting there were only three people on stage. On a humid July night at Wolf Trap's Filene Center, the...
Jul 19, 20252 min read


The Head and the Heart lets the light in on 'Aperture' Tour at the Fillmore
“Virginia don’t sound like it used to,” Jonathan Russell once sang. But on Saturday night, just a few miles across the Potomac, Maryland...
Jun 8, 20253 min read


PHOTOS: Futurebirds @ Fillmore Silver Spring
Georgia-born band Futurebirds, brought their "y'allternative" sound to Washington, D.C., touring alongside The Head and the Heart's...
Jun 6, 20251 min read


Synths, stars, and stagecraft: Empire of the Sun crafts a D.C. dreamworld
If aliens ever land and ask what a live show should look like, just show them Empire of the Sun. On May 23, frontman Luke Steele...
Jun 1, 20252 min read


PHOTOS: Empire of the Sun @ The Anthem
Empire of the Sun—the iconic Australian electronic duo —brought the "Ask That God Tour" to Washington, D.C., celebrating the release of...
May 30, 20251 min read
bottom of page
