Concert Roundup: Best 15 Concerts of 2023

Who had the best concert in 2023? (Photo Credit: Andreas Neumann)

2023 was an excellent year for music in DC.

I was able to get my fill in the form of 52 concerts witnessed (or 120 sets), including a healthy number of local bands.

2023 also saw the opening of The Atlantis, the cool little throwback venue next to the 9:30 Club, where I was able to catch two concerts. I also went to The Pocket and Jammin Java for the first time, and finally made my way up to Fort Reno for a sunset concert of local bands.

My most visited concert venue was 9:30 Club with nine concerts, followed by Songbyrd Music House (7), The Anthem (6) and DC9 (5).

Countdown to the top 15 concerts:

15. Mipso @ 9:30 Club (11/17/23) – Check out the review.

14. Ratboys @ Songbyrd Music House (9/24/23)

13. Hot Chip @ 9:30 Club (6/1/23) – Check out the review.

12. Yumi Zouma @ Black Cat (11/3/23) – Check out the review.

11. Duran Duran @ Capital One Arena (9/13/23) – I had never seen Duran Duran live, so figured it was time.

10. Margo Price @ 9:30 Club (3/2/23)

9. Zolita @ Songbyrd Music House (2/18/23) – Check out the review.

8. Caroline Rose @ 9:30 Club (4/14/23) – Check out the review.

7. Indigo Girls @ Wolf Trap (6/7/23) – A lovely evening on the lawn at Wolf Trap, for a crowded show. Singing along to “Closer to Fine” was a requirement.

6. The Flaming Lips @ The Anthem (5/25/23)

5. Larkin Poe @ 9:30 Club (3/9/23) – Check out the review. I also saw them a second time, opening for Indigo Girls.

4. Yeah Yeah Yeahs @ The Anthem (5/3/23) – The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are finally touring again, and it was a great return. The last time I witnessed them was 10 years ago at Coachella, so this was one I had been excited about.

3. Queens of the Stone Age @ The Anthem (8/9/23)

2. The Postal Service + Death Cab for Cutie @ The Anthem (9/6/23) – I was excited to finally get to see The Postal Service live. They did not disappoint. The DC-themed concert poster was also very cool.

dun. dun. dun.

1. Queens of the Stone Age @ The Anthem (8/14/23) – Again? Yes. I went to both QotSA shows at The Anthem, and even though both were fantastic, I enjoyed this one slightly more despite Josh Homme having a bit of a cold. I was right near the front. The best concert this year, and up there for all time as well.

Honorable Mentions

Flowerbomb @ The Pocket (4/20/23)

Temples @ Black Cat (6/6/23)

Kate Bollinger @ The Atlantis (10/13/23)

Lydia Loveless @ The Atlantis (12/4/23)