As usual there’s tons of stellar music in our fair city this month, so Mickey and I have pulled together recommendations that span venues and music genres. Enjoy!
The 1975
Monday, May 12
9:30 Club
SOLD OUT
You’ve likely heard The 1975’s “Chocolate” all over the radio, but they’re so much more than what the corporate DJs of the world would have you hear. Heralding from Manchester, UK, the quartet’s songs focus on sex, love, drugs, hope, death, and fear – you know all the stuff that’s on a millennials mind. Definitely going to be an energy filled way to kick off the week. — Rebecca
Uh Huh Her
Friday, May 16
Rock and Roll Hotel
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The lush vocals of Camila Grey remind me a very little bit of Alison Goldfrapp but Grey certainly has her own unique edge. She and Leisha Hailey (bassist keyboards) form Los Angeles-based duo Uh Huh Her. They come to the Rock and Roll Hotel in support of their new album Future Souls, released on March 25, performing tracks such as the soaring dreamy “Innocence,” which sounds crisp and inviting, particularly with its exquisite new wave touches. Uh Huh Her self-produced the new album in their home studio, and the results are really damn danceable. — Mickey
The Faint
Tuesday, May 20
9:30 Club
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After a six-year hiatus on new material, the Faint released an album, Doom Abuse, on April 8. I’ve got to confess that I wasn’t certain that Tom Fink and company were going to return with a new full-length album, but I’m pleased to see that they’ve done so after touring for the 10th anniversary of the infamous Danse Macabre and playing at Coachella in 2013. The Faint sound as sharp as ever, and I for one really appreciate the actual live action video for new song “Help in the Head,” which otherwise bears the welcome, classic hallmarks of a production by the Faint. — Mickey
Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Wednesday, May 21
Rock and Roll Hotel
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The Pains of Being Pure at Heart strummed out earworms that harkened back to the twee-pop compilation C86 released by NME in 1986. The Brooklyn-based noise-pop quartet release their third full-length album, Days of Abandon, on May 13 then play in DC the following week! New songs like “Simple and Sure” sound upbeat and breezy, assuring us that the Pains have lost none of their charm in the three years since their last album. But what I’ve heard suggests that this is much more of a dance record than some of their previous efforts, which always is a good thing. — Mickey
Lucius (Opening for Tegan & Sara)
Wednesday & Thursday, May 21-22
9:30 Club
SOLD OUT
While I’m a fan of Tegan & Sara, and I’m very excited to catch them at the 9:30 venue, I’m even more excited to catch Lucius. They packed the Rock N’ Roll Hotel last October to kick off their tour and blue my mind, so I’m really looking forward to the space the 9:30 venue will give them. If you’re catching Tegan & Sara, I highly recommend getting there early to catch Lucius. — Rebecca
NO (Opening for Yann Tiersen)
Wednesday, May 28
9:30 Club
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The front runner for my band of the year is back in DC, and I am BEYOND stoked. As I mentioned in my write up of their March concert at DC9, I LOVE THIS BAND and cannot stop listening to their freshman album Prado. Personally speaking, I’m not too into Yann Tiersen, but I’m willing to buy a ticket to the show just to catch NO as the opener. I will seriously be catching NO every single time they come through DC. — Rebecca
Holly Willams
Thursday, May 29
The Hamilton
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Ms. Williams continues the country music legacy of her father and grandfather – Hank Williams Jr and Sr – and she does it with her own flare and passion. If you like country music, and yes I know country is a polarizing music genre that people generally either LOVE or HATE, then this is your opportunity to catch a fantastic, soulful singer/songwriter who will be an integral part of the country music scene and royalty for years to come. — Rebecca
A born and bred New Yorker, Rebecca made the big trip “down south” to DC in 2006 and hasn’t looked back. She spends her days strategizing/planning/ideating how interactive products can help her clients and change the world. In her free time, she explores DC’s ever expanding bar, restaurant and small business scene, plays a crap ton of soccer, attends concerts that contribute to her sleep deprivation and embarks on local adventures. Read why Rebecca loves DC or follow her on twitter.
May 21-22 – not only is Lucius a really fine band and worth getting there on time for, but they are the second opener, and the first, The Courtneys from Vancouver, B.C., are also really good (and personally, I like them even better than Lucius, who I like a lot). You can check them out here: http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ClickHear/courtneys-courtneys_album_stream.
(Unfortunately for me, I’m no fan of T&S, so I didn’t buy a ticket and I’m going to miss 2 bands that I really would like to see. C’est la vie…)
@Chris Thanks so much for lead on The Courtneys – will definitely check them out. Also, it’s always fun to learn about new groups and it’s even better when it comes from one of our readers. Keep the recos coming!
@Rebecca – actually, if you have an unclaimed ticket to one of the Lucius/The Courtneys shows that needs a good home, I hereby volunteer to put it to good use.