What concerts will you partake in over the next two months?
Here’s your handy cheat sheet of some of the most promising concerts coming to the DC area in April and May.
Since I’ll be traveling (aka busy) at the end of April, I’m combining the months of April and May into one post, highlighting almost forty concerts (plus a few bonus ones). That should give you time to plan ahead, if that’s what you are in to. I’ll update this post periodically to reflect anything interesting that was overlooked or not yet announced.
April also marks the 20th Anniversary of me moving to DC from Washington State. Things have changed a great deal since 2004, including the depth of concert venues. We have a few music venues older than 20 years (like DC9 – also celebrating 20 years, 9:30 Club, and Black Cat to name a few), but we also have so many newer venues, including those that help bring life to the local DC music scene (like Pie Shop, The Pocket, Slash Run/The Runaway, and Songbyrd Music House to barely scratch the surface). We live in an incredible city for live music, it is one of our superpowers. Use it for good!
As usual, find local bands in yellow. If you love music, go witness some local music at DC’s small venues. You’ll be helping those businesses and artists, and you can never have enough music in your life. By the way, H Street NE is NOT dead, and the Pie Shop is ready to celebrate their 14th birthday with you!
(Updated May 3, 2024)
Top Concerts for April
Chatham County Line @ Jammin Java (4/4/24) (North Carolina’s Chatham County Line released their tenth album, Hiyo (via Yep Roc Records), in February and after 20 years of music, brings an experimental edge to their Americana and bluegrass sounds.)
Jon Tyler Wiley & His Virginia Choir @ Jammin Java (4/5/24) (This Americana roots band just released their debut album Pictures in the Dark a few days ago, and their show at Jammin Java will serve as the album release show. One of the singles, “Song of Moving On”, gives hopeful life to getting through the trials of adversity. Jon Tyler Wiley’s lyrics of ‘Americana roots band just released their debut album Pictures in the Dark a few days ago. One of their singles, “Song of Moving On”, gives hopeful life to getting through the trials of adversity. Jon Tyler Wiley’s lyrics start with the storytelling veneer of a Neil Diamond song, ‘This is a song of hope, sung by a man defeated, a man grown tired of the joke’, and moves to peace and joy for the next verses. According to Wiley, ‘I wrote “Song of Moving On” after going through a bout of seasonal depression. I had been in this funk that I couldn’t quite shake myself out of, and I had this guitar part that I had been noodling around on for years, so it was very deliberate: I made the decision that I was going to use that instrumental part to write myself out the hole I had been in. There was very little revision, it was very shoot-from-the-hip, very honest. That’s why we’re releasing it now; it felt right to start the new year like this.’ If you haven’t yet been to Jammin Java, this could be the hopeful reason to make it!)
Petalpalooza @ Capital Riverfront (4/6/24) (Head down to the different parks in Navy Yard for a ton of activities, including three stages. You can find lots of local bands, including Flowerbomb and Massie at Diamond Teague Park (Zone 5) and Justin Trawick at the Great Lawn (Zone 4) at 1pm.)
Land of Talk @ DC9 (4/11/24) (Lizzie Powell, aka the creative force behind Lank of Talk, brings a headlining tour to DC9 on the strength of their fifth album, 2023’s Performances (via Saddle Creek). The rock band is based in Montreal, and has influenced other up and coming bands like Ratboys and boygenius. According to Powell, ‘The album title is very literal. I’m performing what’s in my brain but I’m tired of performing femininity for the music industry, femininity in my life, respectability, and vulnerability. I’m trying to grow out of these and break out of these roles in my life.’ Don’t forget DC9 is still celebrating their 20th Anniversary, while Land of Talk has been around almost as long (18 years) with a short hiatus between 2011-2015.)
Joe Satriani & Steve Vai @ Warner Theatre (4/11/24) (Joe Satriani’s guitar playing is almost unrivaled, and when you add in Steve Vai, you are in for something special. This is for any fans of epic guitar-forward rock!! Here’s a review of a previous show.)
Young Rising Sons @ Union Stage (4/12/24) (This Brooklyn indie pop/rock band just released their latest single “(Un)Happy Hour”, and as vocalist Andy Tongren describes it, ‘Everything in life comes down to timing, & each wrinkle in time leaves its unique mark on the trajectory of our existence. “(Un)Happy Hour” is about embracing the timing of life’s unpredictable and trying moments juxtaposed with finding solace and connection amidst the adversity. Even in the chaos when we veer off course and find ourselves in our own personal “(Un)Happy Hour,” there’s still room for resilience and growth, offering us the opportunity to to emerge stronger on the other side.’)
Caroline Rose w/ La Force @ 9:30 Club (4/13/24) (Both Caroline Rose and La Force are fantastic live (I reviewed them both separately last year) so this should be a great show. I’m curious how Caroline Rose will match their last 9:30 Club show, it peaked at #8 on our Top Concerts of 2023.)
Vanessa Estaniel w/ Nica Albertson + Scott Clark @ The Pocket (4/13/24)
Kaleida w/ GLOSSER @ DC9 (4/18/24) (Kaleida’s song “Think” went viral and was featured on the movie soundtrack for John Wick. Also, the great DC band GLOSSER is opening!)
flipturn @ 9:30 Club (4/18 & 4/19/24) (Both shows are sold out and the 4/19 show is a late show.)
Alice Phoebe Lou @ 9:30 Club (4/19/24) Early Show
Milo in the Doldrums w/The House You Grew Up In + GWB @ Pie Shop (4/19/24)
Wammie Music Awards @ Capitol One Hall Tysons Corner (4/20/24)
The Veronicas @ The Fillmore Silver Spring (4/20/24) (I first heard The Veronicas in late 2005, and the song “Everything I’m Not” became a nice road trip anthem.)
Jade Bird @ Miracle Theatre (4/20/24) (I’ve reviewed Jade Bird, a British pop singer/songwriter, a number of times on this site, so it’s safe to assume that I highly recommend her shows! Since 2018 I’ve seen her perform at the Rock and Roll Hotel, Sixth & I, 9:30 Club, and Wolf Trap. This will be her first time at Miracle Theatre.)
Griefcat @ Jammin Java (4/21/24) (A release show for their new album, Late Stage Capitalism, out April 19th. This local pop duo takes witty banter to the next level, and delivers as DC’s own Flight of the Conchords apprentices.)
Sierra Ferrell @ 9:30 Club (4/22/24) Sold Out
Laufey @ The Anthem (4/25 & 4/26/24) Both Sold Out
The Ballroom Thieves @ Jammin Java (4/27/24) (I highly recommend checking out The Ballroom Thieves, they did a masterful job opening for Sarah Jarosz earlier this year, and are now headlining for their new album, Sundust (self-published), out April 12th. The album is comprised of 10 indelible folk songs on the human experience, about self-awareness, breaking down walls, and healing, while also longing for connection with people.)
Petworth Porchfest (4/27/24) (Come see all the local music talent performing on porches (2-5pm) and the main stage (5-8pm) in Petworth.) Band/artistes times/locations should be updated on the website closer to the date.)
Top Concerts for May
Brian K & The Parkway w/ GXB + Lindsay Collette @ Quarry House Tavern (5/1/24)
The Weather Station (opening for Belle & Sebastian) @ The Anthem (5/2/24)
Ra Ra Riot @ 9:30 Club (5/2/24)
Bad Moves w/ Pretty Bitter @ Songbyrd Music House (5/3/24)
CSS @ Black Cat (5/3/24) (It’s the 20th Anniversary Tour for this Brazilian rock band! You may remember CSS (Cansei de Ser Sexy) from DC9’s Liberation Dance Party video rotation back in the day.)
5th of Four w/ Dear Daria + Shallow Planet @ Pearl Street Warehouse (5/4/24)
Say Anything @ The Fillmore Silver Spring (5/5/24) (This indie rock band is touring on the premise of a 20th anniversary for their …Is A Real Boy album (via Doghouse Records in 2004, re-released deluxe version via J Records) and it should be a fine excuse to experience a blast from the past!)
Silversun Pickups @ 9:30 Club (5/6/24) (They just performed in March at the 9:30 Club with amazing results, so why not return as soon as possible? As Brian Aubert intoned to the crowd on March 14th, ‘Best venue in the fucking world! We’re thrilled to be here again!’)
Alice Merton @ The Atlantis (5/6/24) (The “No Roots” singer is a big name for The Atlantis, so don’t miss this one!)
Grace Cummings @ DC9 (5/7/24)
Nisa w/ Copyright Claim @ Pie Shop (5/8/24)
The Decemberists w/ Ratboys @ The Anthem (5/10/24) (I saw the Ratboys play last year and highly recommend.)
Norah Jones @ The Kennedy Center (5/13/24) (It’s been awhile since I last saw a full Norah Jones concert (in 2012), but I did catch her short set at the Silence the Violence Benefit Concert in the before times. Should be a great show, but already sold out!)
Heart @ CFG Bank Arena (5/13/24) (You don’t need an excuse to visit Baltimore, but here is the best one anyway!)
My Body My Fest Benefit Concert – Day One @ Pie Shop (5/16/24) (Benefiting the DCAF, this awesome line up includes local rock bands Flowerbomb, Pretty Bitter, Outerloop and Cherub Tree! Already sold out, but there is also the Day Two lineup at Songbyrd on May 17th.)
Karen Jonas @ Pearl Street Warehouse (5/16/24) (Along with Karen performing country and Americana songs from her new album titled The Restless, there will be a showcase of other songwriters that she handpicked to join her at Pearl Street.)
The Alarm w/ Gene Loves Jezebel + Belouis Some @ State Theater (5/18/24)
Kacy Hill @ Songbyrd Music House (5/29/24)
Ghostly Kisses @ Songbyrd Music House (5/30/24) (Ghostly Kisses is a French-Canadian pop duo (Margaux Sauvé and Louis-Étienne Santais) who will release their second album, Darkroom (via Akira Records) on May 17th. Margaux describes their latest electropop single “Crimson” as, ‘Crimson aims to be a broader reflection and claim on individual rights and freedom, also echoing events such as the tragic death of Mahsa Amini and the Iranian protest movement for women’s freedom.’)
Bonus!
(More concerts? Yes, please.)
Cannons @ Rams Head Live (4/4/24)
Blunda (opening for TEKE::TEKE) @ DC9 (4/5/24)
Ekko Astral w/Bacchae + Pure Adult @ Black Cat (4/5/24)
The Staves @ Union Stage (4/7/24)
The Strumbellas @ The Atlantis (4/7/24) Sold out
Holiday Death Tribute w/ The Rally Caps + Bottom/Top @ The Pocket (4/7/24)
Friko (opening for WILLIS) @ The Atlantis (4/14/24)
Taylor Acorn @ The Atlantis (4/19/24) Sold Out
Fetcher w/ Dim Wizard + Argo and the Violet Queens + Alaska’s Angels @ The Garage (4/19/24) (This is The Garage’s 1st Birthday show! This DIY music venue is located out in Boyds, Maryland.)
Del Florida w/ Mystery Friends + Daphne Eckman @ DC9 (5/2/24)
Charm City Bluegrass Festival 2024 @ Baltimore Peninsula (5/3 & 5/4/24)
Owen @ Songbyrd Music House (5/4/24)
Juliet Ivy @ DC9 (5/4/24)
PACKS w/ Flowerbomb @ DC9 (5/5/24)
Babehoven @ DC9 (5/6/24)
Katie Pruitt @ The Atlantis (5/12/24) Sold Out
Philip Basnight @ Lost Origins Gallery (5/15/24) (Philip, of Broke Royals, will perform the first of his one-man shows to celebrate 10 years of music, titled “10 Years | 10 Songs | 10 Stories.” Show is at 7:30pm and is free to attend, but with limited space!)
North by North w/ Milo In the Doldrums + The Invisibles + Baby Photos @ Atlas Brew Works (5/17/24)
Lydia Luce @ The Pocket (5/17/24)
KINDA EVIL w/ Pine Apple @ DC9 (5/23/24)
Black Masala @ New Deal Cafe (5/25/24)
Allie Dunn w/ Kelsey Blackstone + Felicity @ The Pocket (5/30/24)
Buck Meek @ The Atlantis (5/31/24) (Buck Meek (guitarist of Big Thief) is touring for his third solo album, Haunted Mountain (via 4AD), released last year. It is about love and something more than love.)
A DC Journey 