DC brings a legendary jazz festival to round out Jazz Appreciation Month as well as plenty of punk, pop, and rock for everyone to enjoy.
On The Hill:
Preoccupations, an Alberta-based four-piece band, combines post-punk with psychedelia in a masterful way that is completely their own. The band is headed to DC in support of their brand new album, New Material. Written as an “ode to depression,” as according to
singer Matt Flegel, the new album is dense with gritty, hard-hitting, and complex songs. Prominent ideas of creation and destruction intertwine with the intense rhythms and percussion that make up the album. Check out Preoccupations at the Rock & Roll Hotel on April 24. Buy your tickets now.
Hawthorne Heights is one of the defining bands of the early 2000s emo scene and continues to captivate fans in 2018. With hits such as “Ohio Is For Lovers,” the band put their name on the map. Now they’re back with their upcoming album, Bad Frequencies, out on April 27 on Pure Noise Records. The currently released singles have the same heavy, melodic guitar riffs and impressive vocals that the band is known for, but with a clear upbeat influence this time around. Don’t miss Hawthorne Heights on April 26 at the Rock & Roll Hotel. Get your tickets here.
Around DC:
SOFI TUKKER has achieved an astounding amount of success in just a few very short years. The New York City pop duo rose to fame when the very first song they wrote together, “Drinkee,” was featured in an Apple Watch commercial. Millions of plays and a Grammy nomination later, the song written entirely in Portuguese topped charts around the world and drew crowds by the thousands. Apple then picked up the duo’s addicting, energetic pop hit “Best Friend” to promote the iPhone X, once again rocketing SOFI TUKKER to unimaginable success. Check out SOFI TUKKER on April 18 at the 9:30 Club. Pick up your tickets now!
Moe., a “legendary jam band,” as described by Rolling Stone, is made up of five world-class musicians that combine their talents to create energetic, intricate, melodic, and refined jams for the masses. The band has had an incredible career spanning nearly three decades and 24 studio albums, but they’re not stopping there. Their intense live performances have taken them to sold out shows and festivals around the globe and landed them on tours with the likes of Dave Matthews Band and The Who as their national and international following continues to grow. Don’t miss Moe. at the Lincoln Theatre on April 20. Get your tickets here.
An intimate, acoustic evening with Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness is set to hit DC next week. Singer-songwriter McMahon is known for his roles in Something Corporate, Jack’s Mannequin, as well as his solo work since the early 2000s. His extremely energetic, indie-rock vibe draws listeners in and keeps them hooked song after song. This tour is special, as it will feature guests such as Allen Stone, Zac Clark, and Bob Oxblood (of Jack’s Mannequin). In addition, $0.50 of each ticket will go to the Dear Jack Foundation supporting the fight against adolescent cancer. You won’t want to miss this talent-filled night on April 26 at the 9:30 Club. Buy your tickets now.
The Calvin Jones BIG BAND Jazz Festival is headed back to the University of the District of Columbia to celebrate 32 years of powerhouse jazz. This highly anticipated event features jazz ensembles from the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, and the University of Maryland. Round out Jazz Appreciation Month with the Big Band Jazz Festival on the evening of April 30 at the University Auditorium Theater of the Arts. For tickets and more information, click here. Visit the JazzAlive website for future concerts and free public events.
Just Announced:
Rock & Roll Hotel
- 6/15: Middle Kids
- 6/19: Maps & Atlases
- 6/26: We Are Scientists
- 7/19: Japandroids
9:30 Club
- 6/6: Francis and the Lights
- 6/14: WPGC Birthday Bash (featuring E.U. with Sugar Bear)
- 6/29: Old 97’s
The Anthem
- 8/17: NEEDTOBREATHE
- 9/20: James Bay
- 10/13: Goo Goo Dolls
- 11/9: Lake Street Drive
U Street Music Hall
- 5/25: Jake Miller
- 6/8: Logan Henderson
- 6/23: Eric Nam
Merriweather Post Pavilion
- 6/23: Paramore
- 7/6: Foo Fighters
- 8/4 and 8/5: 2018 Summer Spirit Festival (Part One and Part Two)
- 8/10: Jason Mraz
- 8/18: CAKE and Ben Folds
Summer is right around the corner, and so are all of the shows you don’t want to miss! Check back with The Set List to find out when some of the biggest artists around are headed your way.