Even with the ups and downs of 2017, it’s clear that the DC music scene continues to thrive. As we say goodbye to the old and ring in the new, The Set List takes a look back at the events that shaped your local live shows and all of the big events that you (hopefully) didn’t miss.
Photo by Claudia Rauch
From Symphony to Rock n’ Roll: Five Decades of Merriweather
This year, the Merriweather Post Pavilion celebrated its 50th anniversary. The iconic outdoor amphitheater nestled in the woods between DC and Baltimore was first created to house the National Symphony Orchestra during the summer months. Since then, it has been a staple of the local music scenes. The venue boasts an incredible list of performers which capture the spirit of each decade: Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Frank Sinatra, Madonna, the Beastie Boys, and Pearl Jam just scrape the surface. The Pavilion is even considered one of the best outdoor venues in the nation, and it has only gotten better after recent $55 million renovations. Almost exactly five decades from the day of the inaugural show, Willie Nelson, Jackson Browne, and Father John Misty took the stage this summer to celebrate the venue’s past and the many shows to come in the future.
DC Festivals
For the last few years, local radio station DC101 has hosted their one-day Kerfuffle festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion. This past May, the event gave music lovers yet another amazing lineup of bands. This year’s roster included Kings of Leon, Weezer, Jimmy Eat World, Fitz and the Tantrums, Catfish and The Bottlemen, Highly Suspect, MISSIO, and The Unlikely Candidates all on one stage for a full day of music! This mini-fest consistently hosts an eclectic array of bands year after year, so I would definitely recommend picking up tickets for next time!
We couldn’t pass up the iconic Warped Tour this year. Since 1995, this traveling summer music festival has been a staple of the punk scene. Seven stages, countless bands, and a spacious venue like Merriweather make for an incredible day of music for fans of all ages. The festival lineup combines local bands, up and coming artists, and established acts, so it’s easy to find something for everyone’s taste. Merriweather provided tons of space to relax between sets on the lawn and in the amphitheater. Unfortunately, the summer of 2018 will be Warped Tour’s final cross-country run. Whether you have attended the festival year after year, or you just want to check it out for the first time, you will definitely want to pick up tickets for what is sure to be an outstanding lineup!
For the last few years, the All Things Go Fall Classic has brought both emerging and established acts to DC. This year’s move to Dock 5 at DC’s Union Market was one of our favorites. As the festival expanded to span over three days during the first weekend in October, fans were treated to headliners such as Galantis, Bleachers, and Foster the People, and local acts like Young Futura, Lightwaves, and Foreign Air.
Live Music Hits the Waterfront
October brought the highly anticipated opening of DC’s newest day trip destination along the Potomac River: The Wharf. Along with gorgeous water views, exciting restaurants, and plenty of space to explore, The Wharf presented music lovers with multiple live venues. Union Stage and Pearl Street Warehouse are great for smaller shows each night. However, the centerpiece of The Wharf is The Anthem.
Boasting a variable capacity of 2,500 to 6,000 fans, The Anthem is the perfect spot for a stadium level show in a much more intimate setting. The Foo Fighters played to a sold-out crowd for the venue’s grand opening show on October 12. Dave Grohl even told Billboard that The Anthem, “is set to become the number one venue in America.” That’s a bold statement coming from the lead singer of one of the biggest rock bands of the last two decades. The venue has yet to disappoint fans. If you haven’t had the chance to check out a show there, I highly recommend it. A list of upcoming events at The Anthem can be found here.
Best Sleeper Shows
While there were a ton of amazing shows that came through DC this year, there were two standouts that readers may have slept on.
Back in July, fans got an entire night of pop-punk at the Rock & Roll Hotel! The boys of A Will Away kicked it off with an amazing performance that really got the audience ready for the night ahead. I even caught up with the band before the show for The Set List’s very first interview. Headlining the show was the melodic, heartfelt, pop punk acoustic duo This Wild Life. Their debut full-length, Clouded, saw incredible success upon its release and received rave reviews from fans everywhere. The crowd knew every song and sang it right back to the band in this intimate and energetic show. It was definitely one of the best shows of the summer.
As for the best fall concert you may have missed, Alice Merton takes the cake. Her hit “No Roots” is filled with powerhouse vocals and an incredibly catchy, danceable chorus that listeners have immediately fallen in love with. The song and the accompanying EP of the same name have rocketed Merton to the top of the charts across the US and Europe. Her November show at DC9 Nightclub was small and intimate, but that didn’t stop her insane talent from shining through. Just listen to one song of hers and you will realize that her smooth vocals are unlike anything else.
2017 has been a wonderful year for music in DC. This New Year will bring countless more shows and festivals right to your local venues!