This is my list of upcoming shows that interest me, with the caveat that my taste in music is, well, eclectic. In addition, while some of this music interests me because I have seen it before and know that I want to see it again, other things may have been recommended by friends or simply caught my fancy given my mood at the time. I try to update this frequently enough that it is actually useful and I try to include whatever info I have. I also try to get it from reliable sources, but no source is perfect. And, I myself am capable of mistakes. Therefore, it may be worth a check with the venue before planning your life around what you see here. Also check back here closer to the show, as I do go back and correct entries if I learn that they are wrong. Got comments or reactions? Shows I should add? Write to karokaro AT verizon DOT net.
Want to know what I really see?
May 24 Wednesday: Neal Francis plays Rams Head On Stage. Neal Francis plays music "steeped in New Orleans rhythms and Chicago blues." Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $35. This is a 21+ show.
May 25 Thursday: Sun Ra Arkestra plays a show at Keystone Korner to celebrate the 99th birthday of Marshall Allen. Sun Ra Arkestra is a large free jazz band. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $40 to $45.
May 26 Friday: Baba Commandant and Mandingo Band play the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. Baba Commandant and the Mandingo Band are a contemporary group from Burkina Faso. Coming from Bobo-Dioulasso, the group is steeped in the Mandingue musical traditions of their ancestral legacy. Tickets become available May 10. Tickets are free, but you do need one.
May 26 Friday: The Stents play Pie Shop with Babies with Rabies, Monsters from the Surf and A.D.D. Ramone. The Stents play garage rock. Babies with Rabies play punk. Monsters from the surf play garage surf. Shoe is at 7. Admission is $20. The Pie Shop is located at 1339 H Street in Northeast DC.
May 26 Friday: Roger Clark Miller plays "Dream Interpretations for Solo Electric Guitar Ensemble" at Rhizome with Insect Factory. Roger Clark Miller is a guitarist, pianist, bassist, composer, singer, percussionist and occasional cornet player who has played with both Birdsongs of the Mesozoic and Mission of Burma. Insect Factory is a drone project of Jeff Barsky Show is at 7.
May 27 Saturday: Roger Clark Miller plays "Dream Interpretations for Solo Electric Guitar Ensemble" at Orion Sound with Janel Leppin and Mike Kuhl. Roger Clark Miller is a guitarist, pianist, bassist, composer, singer, percussionist and occasional cornet player who has played with both Birdsongs of the Mesozoic and Mission of Burma. Janel Leppin and Mike Kuhl will play a set of music from their releases on Cuneiform and some new material.
May 27 Saturday: Tru Fax & The Insaniacs have a Record Release Party at Hank Dietle's. Tru Fax & the Insaniacs are a punk/new wave band. Show is at 9. Tickets are $10.
May 28 Sunday: SOWEBO Festival from noon to 8 with music including Skribe at 3 on the Rise Up Stage, Sister Ex at 7 on the Redux Stage, F City at 3, Out of Water Experience at 5 and The Muthafunkaholx at 7 on Market Stage.
May 28 Sunday: Lil Smokies play Union Stage. Lil Smokies are a grassicana band. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $35 for possibly not very good seats.
June 1 Thursday: Taj Mahal plays Wolf Trap with Los Lobos and North Mississippi Allstars. Taj Mahal is a blues musician who incorporates world music elements. Los Lobos plays rock influenced by influenced by Tex-Mex, country, zydeco, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul and traditional music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños. North Mississippi Allstars play hill country blues. Gates open at 6. Show is at 7:30. As usual, the only ticket price available before the tickets go on sale is for the lawn which are $30. Usually no other prices are available until they go on sale. This is anti-consumer behavior that should not be engaged in by anyone, much less by a federal agency. Moreover, every newly announced show will go on sale at 10 am on February 17. This creates a nerve-wracking scrum in which you are trying to balance getting decent seats with trying to find out which areas you can actually afford.
June 2 Friday: Karmic Juggernaut plays Orion Sound with special guest We Used to Cut the Grass. Karmic Juggernaut plays psychedelic progressive mind control rock. We Used to Mow the Grass is a genuinely fun-loving experimental ensemble.
June 3 Saturday: Ammonite plays New Deal Cafe. Ammonite plays sumptuous electronic music which blends genres such as dub, trip hop, drum and bass, electro and pop. The New Deal website now says they play 4-11. My bet is 8-11.
June 3 Saturday: Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes play Streetcar 82. The Slowpokes playlist is inspired by classic blues material from Chicago to West Coast Swing, Motown to Muscle Shoals, and all the rock n’ roll in between. Streetcar 82 is located at 4824 Rhode Island Avenue in Hyattsville.
June 5 Monday: Alex Zhang Hungtai & Leo Chang play Rhizome with Totally Automatic and Jenny Moon Tucker & Layne Garrett. Alex Zhang Hungtai & Leo Chang are multi-instrumentalist composers and improvisers. Totally Automatic plays unarranged music with each other, on drums, saxophone and electronics. Jenny Moon Tucker and Layne Garrett are improvisational musicians. Show is at 7.
June 7 Wednesday: Tinariwen plays the Lincoln Theatre. Tinariwen is a collective of Tuareg musicians who play desert blues combining traditional Tuareg and African music with Western rock music. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $35 for general admission.
June 7 Wednesday: Robert Randolph plays Rams Head On Stage. Robert Randolph plays pedal steel and gospel-based rock. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $46.50.
June 8 Thursday: MDC plays The Runaway with Babies with Rabies, Psyop and LNT. MDC hardcore punk rock band formed in 1979. Babies with Rabies play punk. Psyop plays hardcore punk. LNT plays punk. Show starts at 8:30. The Runaway is located at 3523 12th Street in Northeast DC.
June 8 Thursday: The Boneshakers play Keystone Korner. The Boneshakers are a blues and funk band with Randy Jacobs on guitar, Jenny Langer on vocals and Ron Holloway on sax. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $30 to $35. Keystone Korner is located at 1350 Lancaster Street in Baltimore.
June 8 Thursday: Yob plays the Ottobar with Cave In and Darsombra. Yob plays doom metal. Cave In plays metal. Darsombra plays trans-apocalyptic galaxy rock. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $27.50 in advance, $33 day of show. This is an all ages show.
June 9 Friday: Tower Green plays Maryland Meadworks. Tower Green plays Renaissance, Medieval and folk music. Maryland Meadworks is located at 4700 Rhode Island Avenue, Suite Bee in Hyattsville, Maryland.
June 10 Saturday: Hot Blood play The Pie Shop with Pain Directive, Crystal Spiders and Outerloop. Hot Blood is a doom band with ex members of Pentagram and related bands. Pain Directive plays noisy hardcore punk. Crystal Spiders play scuzzy and infectious stoner doom. Outerloop plays post punk. Show is at 9:30. Admission is $20. The Pie Shop is located at 1339 H Street in Northeast DC.
June 10 Saturday: Spiral Grave at Sky Lounge with Severed and Crainium Drain. Spiral Grave plays doom metal. Cranium Drain plays thrash and black metal Show is at 7:30. Admission is $5. The Sky Lounge is located at 11272 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland.
June 10 Saturday: Kix plays their last club show at Rams Head Live with So Low. Kix is a Maryland glam metal and hard rock band. So Low plays rock. Doors open at 8, show is at 9, tickets are $27.50. This is an all ages show.
June 11 Sunday: Buddy Guy brings his "Damn Right Farewell" tour to Wolf Trap with Samantha Fish and Robert Randolph Band. Buddy Guy plays blues guitar. Samantha Fish plays blues guitar including cigar box guitar. Robert Randolph plays pedal steel and gospel-based rock. Gates open at 6, show is at 7:30. As usual, the only ticket price available in advance is for lawn seats, which are $33. This is anti-consumer behavior that should not be engaged in by anyone, much less by a federal agency. Moreover, every newly announced show will go on sale at 10 am on February 17. This creates a nerve-wracking scrum in which you are trying to balance getting decent seats with trying to find out which areas you can actually afford.
June 13 Tuesday: Califone plays Quarry House with Max Knause. Califone is an experimental rock band. Max Knause plays guitar. Tickets are $15 ($19.84 with all charges). This is an all ages show.
June 13 Tuesday: Black Midi plays The Howard. Black Midi plays experimental rock with math elements. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $25 to $45. This is an all ages show.
June 16 Friday: Water From Your Eyes plays Comet Ping Pong with Ecstatic International and Emotional World. Water From Your Eyes is an experimental art rock duo. Ecstatic International is a psychedelic post punk band. Emotional World are shoegaze indie rockers. Show is at 10. Tickets are $18.54 with all charges. This is an all ages show.
June 16 Friday: NRBQ plays the Birchmere. NRBQ is a rhythm and blues quartet. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $45.
June 17 Saturday: An evening with NRBQ plays the Ottobar. NRBQ is a rhythm and blues quartet. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. This is an all ages show. It is also "limited capacity sitting and standing."
June 17 and 18 Friday and Saturday: Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue play Wolf Trap with Ziggy Marley and Mavis Staples. Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue crash through funk, soul and psychedelic rock. Ziggy Marley sings reggae. Mavis Staples sings R&B and gospel. Gates open at 5:30, show is at 7. As usual, the only ticket price available in advance is for lawn seats, which are $49. This is anti-consumer behavior that should not be engaged in by anyone, much less by a federal agency. Moreover, every newly announced show will go on sale at 10 am on February 17. This creates a nerve-wracking scrum in which you are trying to balance getting decent seats with trying to find out which areas you can actually afford.
June 20 Tuesday: Myopic will play with At the Graves at The Runaway, with Et Mors and Mares of Thrace. Myopic a progressive doom trio and At the Graves, a one-man doom/sludge project will collaborate for a set. Et Mors is a doom Metal duo consisting of Zakir Suleri on Guitar/Organ Pedals/Vocals and Albert Alisuag on Drums. Mares of Thrace "is a goddamn noisy menace." Show is at 8:30. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show.
June 22 Thursday: Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade plays The Lyric with Witch. Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade is Les Claypool's walk on the jam side. Witch plays stoner metal (or not, I can't find a web site for them). Tickets go on sale to the public February 3. And no, TicketMaster won't give out prices in advance either, but you knew that. Show is at 8.
June 22 Thursday: Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew Remain in Light plays the Lincoln Theatre with Cool Cool Cool. Remain in Light plays Talking Heads music. Cool Cool Cool is former members of Turquaz with Julie Slick on bass, and Yahuba Garcia-Torres on percussion. Doors open at 7:30. Tickets are $39.50 to $49.50.
June 23 Friday: Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas play Jazz in the Garden. Nathan and the Zydeco Cha Chas play zydeco. Show is 6 to 8:30. The show is free, but there is a lottery for tickets. The lottery for this show is June 12 to June 16 and the results are announced June 19. The Garden is the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, which is located on the north side of the National Mall. Entrances are located at 7th Street NW, 9th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, and 9th Street and Madison Drive in Northwest DC.
June 25 Sunday: Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes play Downs Park. The Slowpokes playlist is inspired by classic blues material from Chicago to West Coast Swing, Motown to Muscle Shoals, and all the rock n’ roll in between. Show is 6 to 8. Downs Park is located at 8311 Johns Downs Loop in Pasadena, Maryland.
June 26 Monday: X plays the 9:30 Club with Squirrel Nut Zippers. X plays punk. Squirrel Nut Zippers play swing and jazz. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $45.
June 27 Tuesday: Golden Seas Duo plays Rhizome. The Golden Seas Duo is Kahil El'Zabar on percussion and vocals and David Murray on tenor sax.
June 27 and 28 Tuesday and Wednesday: Tedeschi Trucks Band plays Wolf Trap. Tedeschi Trucks Band plays blues and blues rock. Gates open at 6, show is at 7:30. As usual, the only ticket price available in advance is for lawn seats, which are $39. This is anti-consumer behavior that should not be engaged in by anyone, much less by a federal agency. Moreover, every newly announced show will go on sale at 10 am on February 17. This creates a nerve-wracking scrum in which you are trying to balance getting decent seats with trying to find out which areas you can actually afford.
June 29 Thursday: La Santa Cecilia plays Millennium Stage. La Santa Cecilia exemplifies the modern-day creative hybrid of Latin culture, rock, and world music. Show is at 6. The show is free but an advance ticket is necessary.
June 29 Thursday: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss play Wolf Trap with JD McPherson. Robert Plant and Alison Krause play (and sing) roots-music renditions of old songs. JD McPherson is known for a retro sound rooted in the rock and roll, rockabilly, and rhythm and blues music of the 1950s. Gates open at 6:30, show is at 8. As usual, the only ticket price available in advance is for lawn seats, which are $52. This is anti-consumer behavior that should not be engaged in by anyone, much less by a federal agency. Moreover, every newly announced show will go on sale at 10 am on February 17. This creates a nerve-wracking scrum in which you are trying to balance getting decent seats with trying to find out which areas you can actually afford.
June 29-30 Thursday and Friday: David Murray Quartet plays Blues Alley. David Murray on tenor sax and, presumably, three other people. Shows are at 7 and 9. Tickets are $40.
June 30 Friday: The Ozark Highballers play the Millenium Stage. The Ozark Highballers are a three-to-four piece string band from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Show is at 6. It is free, but advance tickets are required.
July 1 Saturday: Outerloop plays Joe Squared with Orange Doors, The Dead Ringers and Dyeboy. Outerloop plays post punk rock. Orange Doors play Psych Tuba Grunge. The Dead Ringers is a two piece garage punk band. Show at 8. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 day of show. Joe Squared is located at 33 West North Avenue in Baltimore.
July 1 Saturday: Lettuce plays the Fillmore with Steel Pulse with Makua Rothman. Lettuce plays funk. Steel Pulse plays roots reggae. Tickets are $39, $56.50 and up to $179.50.
July 5 Wednesday: Jenn Taiga plays The Runaway with Torvus, Vaelastrasz and Visitors. Jenn Taiga plays "a dynamic cross between Berlin School electronics, dungeon synth, and far out progressive landscapes." Torvus plays doom metal. Vaelastrus plays dungeon synth. Visitors play ambient noise. Show is at 8:30. The Runaway is located at 3523 12th Street in Northeast DC.
July 6 Thursday: Robert Randolph plays Rams Head On Stage. Robert Randolph plays rock based in sacred steel. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $36.50.
July 7 Friday: Devin Gray, Qiujiang Levi Lu and Dave Ballou play The Red Room. Devin Gray blends percussion and electronics into a cohesive sound world of processed articulated sound. He is joined by Levi Lu, a Beijing-born, Baltimore-based composer, free-improviser, and experimental vocalist and trumpeter/composer Dave Ballou. Show is at 9. Tickets are $10 to $20 on a sliding scale.
July 7 Friday: Black Joe Lewis plays Hamilton Live. Black Joe Lewis plays blues, soul and rock. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 8. Tickets are $20 for standing, $25 for seated.
July 7 Friday: Pilgrims of Deep Run play New Deal Cafe. Pilgrims of Deep Run play traditional Irish music, dance tunes and pub songs. Show is 8-11.
July 8 Saturday: The Revivalists play Merriweather with The Head and the Heart and Jaime Wyatt. The Revivalists play roots rock. The Head and the Heart play indie folk. Jaime Wyatt is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. Gates open at 5:30, show is at 7. Tickets are $47 to $77.
July 8 Saturday: Kronedge plays The Pocket with Bidroho (beer). Kronedge is a Bangladeshi rock band from Washington DC. Bidroho is a Bangladeshi rock band that includes vocalist Richard Rozario, bassist Larry Gomes and drummer Vincent D’Costa. Doors open at 7, show is 8 to 10:30. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 day of show.
July 12 Wednesday: Chopteeth plays the lawn at The Music Center at Strathmore. Chopteeth is a 11-piece Afrofunk orchestra exploring the common groove between the funkiest, most hip-shakin’ West African and American popular music on the planet. Show is at 7 and is free.
July 14 Friday: Ultrafaux Ensemble with Hot Club of Baltimore plays Jazz in the Garden. Ultrafaux Ensemble plays original music inspired by Gypsy swing, be-bop, Balkan music and more. Hot Club of Baltimore performs inspired arrangements of the Django Reinhardt repertoire, French waltzes, and Trad Jazz. Show is 6 to 8:30. The show is free, but there is a lottery for tickets. The lottery for this show is July 3 to July 7 and the results are announced July 10. The Garden is the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, which is located on the north side of the National Mall. Entrances are located at 7th Street NW, 9th Street and Constitution Avenue NW, and 9th Street and Madison Drive in Northwest DC.
July 14 Friday: Steep Canyon Rangers play Rams Head On Stage. Steep Canyon Rangers are an acoustic sextet with roots in bluegrass, folk and string music. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $46.50. This is a 21+ show.
July 14 Friday: The Aggros play The Runaway with Borracho, Foehammer and Night Goat. The Aggros play hardcore. Borracho plays stoner rock. Foehammer play songs that feel so slow, so heavy, so paralyzing, they feel like they’re obeying some alien gravity. Night Goat are abrasive, slashing, dark noise rock. Show is at 8:30. The Runaway is located at 3523 12th Street in Northeast DC.
July 16 Sunday: Hard Swimmin' Fish plays Hank Dietle's. Hard Swimmin' Fish takes blues, jazz, funk and swing, and churns it all up into a spicy brew that is familiar yet uniquely their own. Show is at 2.
July 19-20 Wednesday and Thursday: The High Kings play Rams Head On Stage. The High Kings play Irish folk. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $45. This is a 21+ show.
July 20 Thursday: Tab Benoit plays The Birchmere with Anthony Rosaro and the Conqueros. Tab Benoit plays blues guitar in a number of styles including Delta blues. Anthony Rosaro and the Conqueros play blues. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $45.
July 21 Friday: Clutch plays The Anthem with Dinosaur, Jr. and Red Fang. Clutch plays stoner rock. Dinosaur, Jr. plays rock. Red Fang also plays rock. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $45 to $75.
July 21-22 Friday and Saturday: Tab Benoit plays Rams Head On Stage Tab Benoit plays blues guitar in a number of styles including Delta blues. Doors open at 8, show is at 8. Tickets are $47.50.
July 22 Saturday: Reverend Horton Heat plays Hamilton Live with The Delta Bombers. Reverend Horton Heat play psychobilly. The Delta Bombers play Las Vegas rock and roll. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 8. Tickets are $30 for standing, $35 for seated.
July 26 Wednesday: Thelma and the Sleeze plays Metro Baltimore. Thelma and the Sleaze is an independent all-female, queer southern rock band. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $12. This is an all ages show.
July 27 Thursday: Ana Popovic plays Hamilton Live. Ana Popovic plays blues rock. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 8. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $40 for general admission, $50 for better seats.
July 27 Thursday: Thelma and the Sleeze play The Runaway with TBA. Thelma and the Sleaze is an independent all-female, queer southern rock band. Show is at 8:30. Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 day of show. The Runaway is located at 3523 12th Street in Northeast DC.
July 28 Friday: Altin Gun plays The Howard with Roge. Altin Gun is a Turkish psychedelic rock band. Roge plays a captivating kind of samba and moves effortlessly from bossa nova to samba and reggae with the ease of a prolific composer. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. This is an all ages show. Tickets are $27 for general admssion, $50 for any seat.
July 28 Friday: Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes play Old Bowie Town Grill. The Slowpokes playlist is inspired by classic blues material from Chicago to West Coast Swing, Motown to Muscle Shoals, and all the rock n’ roll in between.
July 29 Saturday: ilyAIMY plays New Deal Cafe. ilyAIMY plays acoustic folk rock. Show is 8 to 11.
July 29 Saturday: Kelly Bell Band plays Quiet Waters Park. Kelly Bell plays blues rock. Show is 6 to 8. Quiet Waters Park is located at 600 Quiet Waters Park Road in Annapolis.
July 30 Sunday: The Rumble featuring Chief Joseph Boudreaux Jr. plays Rams Head On Stage. The Rumble is a Mardi Gras Indian funk ensemble. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $22.50. This is a 21+ show.
July 31 Monday: Kamasi Washington plays Maryland Hall. Kamasi Washington plays jazz sasophone. Doors open at 7 8. Tickets are $50 to $95. Maryland Hall is located at 801 Chase Street in Annapolis.
August 2 Wednesday: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit play Wolf Trap with S.G. Goodman. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit play Americana. S.G. Goodman is a singer songwriter. Gates open at 6:30, show is at 8. As usual, the only ticket price available in advance is for lawn seats, which are $48 This is anti-consumer behavior that should not be engaged in by anyone, much less by a federal agency. Moreover, every newly announced show will go on sale at 10 am on February 17. This creates a nerve-wracking scrum in which you are trying to balance getting decent seats with trying to find out which areas you can actually afford.
August 3 Thursday: Fantastic Negrito comes to Rams Head on Stage to present with Film screenings, Q&A and acoustic performance. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $39.50.
August 4 Friday: Gogol Bordello plays Rams Head Live. Gogol Bordello plays punk mixed with Romani music. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $35. This is an all ages show.
August 8 Tuesday: Death Grips play Anthem. Death Grips blend hip-hop, contemporary electronic, and digital hardcore. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 8. Tickets are $45 to $75 which is the difference between sitting and standing.
August 9 Wednesday: Lakou Mizik plays on the lawn at Music Center at Strathmore. Lakou Mizik is a powerhouse collective of Haitian roots music with a soulful energy and a mix of styles that feels mystical and familiar at the same time. The show is at 7 and is free.
August 10 Thursday: Dar Stellabotta plays New Deal Cafe with Tossing and Turning. Dar Stellabotta plays cigar box guitar and sings. Tossing and Turning play rock, surf and blues. Show is 7 to 9.
August 10 Thurdsay: Asleep at the Wheel plays the Birchmere. Asleep at the Wheel plays American roots music. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $39.50.
August 13 Sunday: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic play funk at the Lincoln Theatre. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $95.
August 16 Wednesday: Blitzen Trapper plays Rams Head On Stage. Blitzen Trapper plays experimental country, folk and rock. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $35.
August 15 Tuesday: George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic play funk at the at The Lyric. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $45 to $95. The Lyric is located at 140 West Mount Royal Avenue in Baltimore.
August 18 Friday: Oneida plays Rhizome with Insect Factory. Oneida is an experimental rock band. Insect Factory is a long-time solo project of Jeff Barsky. Show is at 7.
August 23 Wednesday: Shakti bring their 50th Anniversary tour to Wolf Trap. The show will feature John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain and "very special guest" Bela Fleck. Gates open at 6:30, show is at 8. As usual, the only ticket price available in advance is for lawn seats, which are $35. This is anti-consumer behavior that should not be engaged in by anyone, much less by a federal agency. Moreover, every newly announced show will go on sale at 10 am on February 17. This creates a nerve-wracking scrum in which you are trying to balance getting decent seats with trying to find out which areas you can actually afford.
August 24 Thursday: Jethro Tull "The Seven Decades" comes to Wolf Trap. Jethro Tull is a progressive rock band formed in 1967. Gates open at 6:30, show is at 8. As usual, the only ticket price available in advance is for lawn seats, which are $39. This is anti-consumer behavior that should not be engaged in by anyone, much less by a federal agency. Moreover, every newly announced show will go on sale at 10 am on February 17. This creates a nerve-wracking scrum in which you are trying to balance getting decent seats with trying to find out which areas you can actually afford.
August 25 Friday: Blue Miracle plays Pearl Street Warehouse. Blue Miracle is a genre-bending jam band. Show is at 8. Admission is $12.
September 3 Sunday: Rare Essence plays Howard Theatre with Northeast Groovers. Rare Essence plays go-go. As do Northeast Groovers. Doors open at 8:30, show is at 10. Tickets are $35 to $65. This is an all ages show.
September 5 Tuesday: Mr. Bungle plays Rams Head Live with Battles. Mr. Bungle is an experimental rock band. As is Battles. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $49.50. This is an all ages show.
September 7 Thursday: Clannad plays the Birchmere. Clannad plays Irish music and sings in Gaelic. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $79.50.
September 8 Friday: Superchunk plays the Ottobar with Cable Ties. Superchunk plays indie rock. Cable Ties play punk. Doors open at 8, show is at 9. Tickets are $25. This is an all ages show.
September 10 Sunday: The High Kings play the Birchmere. The High Kings play Irish folk. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $59.50.
September 12 Tuesday: Clannad plays Maryland Hall. Clannad plays Irish music and sings in Gaelic. show is at 7:30. Tickets are $50 to $90. Tickets are available through Rams Head On Stage. Maryland Hall is located at 801 Chase Street in Annapolis.
September 13 Wednesday: Sonny Landreth plays Hamilton Live. Sonny Landreth plays blues with mostly slide guitar. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7:30. Tickets are $25 for standing, $35 for seated, $45 for better seats.
September 16 Saturday: Rock Creek Revival plays Pherm. Rock Creek Revival plays bluegrass.
September 16 Saturday: Deerhoof plays the Ottobar with Sleeptalk. Deerhoof is an experimental punk band. Sleeptalk play indie pop. Doors open at 9, show is at 10. Tickets are $20.
September 17 Sunday: Kix plays their last show ever at Merriweather Post Pavilion with Child's Play. Kix is a Maryland glam metal and hard rock band. Child's Play plays rock. Gates open at 5:30. Show is at 7. Tickets are $40 to $90.
September 20 Wednesday: The Mars Volta plays Rams Head Live with Teri Gender Bender. Mars Volta is a prog rock band. Teri Gender Bender is an American singer and musician. Doors open at 7, show is at 8.
September 27 Wednesday: Amethyst Kyah plays Rams Head On Stage. Amethyst Kyah is a singer songwriter. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $46. This is a 21+ show.
September 27 Wednesday: Rhiannon Giddens plays the Dekelboum Concert Hall at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center with special guest Adia Victoria. Rhiannon Giddens plays folk music with miles-deep historical roots and contemporary sensibilities. Adia Victoria is an American singer and songwriter. Show is at 8. Tickets are $30 to $60.
September 29 Friday: Tangerine Dream plays The Lincoln. Tangerine Dream is a German electronic music band founded in 1967 by Edgar Froese. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $55.
September 29 Friday: Buddy Guy Damn Right Farewell at The Lyric with special guest Bobby Rush. George "Buddy" Guy plays Chicago blues. Bobby Rush is an American blues musician, composer, and singer. Show is at 8. Tickets are $35 to $190. The Lyric is located at 140 West Mount Royal in Baltimore.
September 30 Saturday: Electric Hot Tuna plays Warner Theater. Electric Hot Tuna plays blues rock. Show is at 8. Tickets are $45 to $95.
October 4 Wednesday: Explosions in the Sky plays the 9:30 Club Explosions in the Sky is a post rock band. Doors open at 7. Tickets are $40.
October 5 Thursday: Victor Wooten and the Wooten Brothers play the Fillmore. Victor Wooten is an amazing bass player. His brothers are amazing at their instruments as well. Basic general admission standing tickets are $35.
October 5 Thursday: Ne Obliviscaris plays Beyond Creation and Persephone. Ne Obliviscaris plays extreme melodic metal. Beyond Creation plays technical death metal. Persephone plays progressive death metal. Doors open at 6:30, show is at 7:30. Tickets are $25.
October 14 Saturday: Hard Swimmin' Fish plays New Deal Cafe. Hard Swimmin' Fish takes blues, jazz, funk and swing, and churns it all up into a spicy brew that is familiar yet uniquely their own. Show is 8 to 11.
October 16 Monday: MSSV plays the Ottobar. MSSV is Mike Baggetta, Stephen Hodges and Mike Watt. Doors open at 7, show is at 8. Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 day of show. This is an all ages show.
November 21 Tuesday: Wolfmother plays The Lincoln. Wolfother plays hard rock. Doors open at 6:30. Tickets are $30.
December 1 Friday: Scott Bradlee's Post Modern Jukebox plays the Birchmere. Scott Bradlee's Post Modern Jukebox remakes the pop hits of today into the classic sounds of the legends of yesterday. Show is at 7:30. Tickets are $89.50.
December 8 and 9 Friday and Saturday: Billy Strings plays CFG Bank Arena. Billy Strings plays bluegrass with other influences. CFG Arena used to be the Baltimore Civic Center and is located at 201 West Baltimore Street in Baltimore. Tickets on sale Friday April 28 at 10. And no prices yet.
Allyworld is located in Tonal Park. It is a small seated venue with a relatively low stage. Sound was good (as one would hope considering the location). When I was there the band had brought beer and wine. So you may be able to bring your own. Tonal Park is located at 7014C Westmoreland Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland. It is not well signed.
AMP at Pike & Rose (pronounced "amp") is a venue in North Bethesda (pronounced "Rockville"). It has just started to schedule shows again. Seating depends on the show, and it can seat up to 240 guests seated at tables, or up to 350 standing. There is also an attached lounge area with bar. It has a fair sized stage. The ticket office opens 120 minutes before a concert for in person purchases, and remains open until 30 minutes after the start of the show. Food a bit on the fancy end and not cheap. Amp is located at 11810 Grand Park Avenue, Suite 400, North Bethesda, MD 20852. (On the 4th floor, above iPic). Parking is available, but the immediately available parking is tight. It is also close to Metro?s red line at the White Flint stop. And there is valet service at the Pike & Rose.
An Die Musik is a classical, jazz and world music venue. Located on the second floor of a classical music record store, it seats 100 or so in comfy chairs that would appear to have been obtained from the remodeling of a nice, but rather stodgy hotel. A small bar serves beer, wine, juice and water at reasonable prices. An Die Musikis located at 409 North Charles Street, Second Floor, in Baltimore, Maryland 410-385-2638.
The Anthem is a gigantic venue on the Wharf in Southwest DC. It is a short persons dream as there are tons of places where you can see everything on stage. Plenty of bars. And water is available at the bars or from water fountains/refill stations around the venue. They also have a Vigilante coffee stand on the second floor. Food, on the other hand, was more trouble than it was worth, at least when I tried it. The process of getting people into the venue also needs to be ironed out, but they are new. The Anthem is a cash free venue - you need some form of plastic for everything but merch. Finally, parking can be difficult depending on what is going on and much of it is rather expensive. Ticketing is now being handled by TicketMaster.
Atlas Brewing is a brewery. As such it is a big cavernous building with a bar some tables, some more tables outside, and a brewing area. The beer is great. As for food, sometimes there are tacos, and you can bring your own or order food delivered. Shows are in the brewing area, which means even less temperature control than in the rest of the building. Atlas Brewing is located at 2052 West Virginia Avenue in Northeast DC.
Atlas Performing Arts Center is an arts center located in the Atlas District in Northeast DC. It has multiple theaters - The Lang Theater, which holds 262 people, the Sprenger Theater, which holds between 100 and 280 people, depending on how it is set up, Lab Theater I which holds 40 to 80 people, and Lab Theater II, which holds 60 to 90 people. Atlas Performing Arts Center is located at 1333 H Street in Northeast DC.
The Baltimore Soundstage is a fair size venue near Power Plant Live. Actual amount of the space used varies per show, but it can apparently hold up to 1,000 for an all standing show. Seating also varies, with most shows having some seating available on a first come, first service basis. Other shows are seated only, limiting capacity to 500. Some are standing only. They have a decent beer selection, and food in baskets. The box office is open 1 hour before doors for any show and has normal box office hours. Sunday and Monday closed unless there is a show or event Wednesdays 9am to 5 pm Thursday-Saturday noon-5pm Phone Orders 410-244-0057 same as box office hours. Online tickets come from TicketMaster. Garage over top of the venue (get ticket validated for rebate). Can also use Pier V, which is usually cheaper. (Need validation for that one also). Baltimore Sound Stage is located at 124 Market Place in Baltimore.
Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club used to be Bethesda Cinema and Drafthouse. There is seating for 300 in the two level dining area and for 200 more in the theatre seats in back. There is a also a bar in lobby but it has no view of the stage. For dance shows they take out the lower half the dining space and make it a dance floor. Sometimes tickets are for reserved seats and sometimes not. Tickets are from Instant Seats. The theater seats are always preassigned. There is a $10 minimum in the dining area. They "suggest business casual." There is a 340-car public parking garage right around the corner on Cheltenham Drive. Parking is $0.80/hr. Bethesda Blues and Jazz Supper Club is located at 7719 Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda, Maryland. 240-330-4500.
The Birchmere is the latest and largest incarnation of the same club that has been with us for years. Most shows are in the concert hall, but some are in the bandstand, which has a dance floor, but less seating. Most recently, they have started using the "Flex Stage" in the bandstand. It is at the far end of the hall and there is no seating at all. Food is served in the Music Hall, or was the night I was there. The Club has strict rules about being seated and quiet during concert hall shows and enforces them. The rules are slacker in the bandstand, which is also available if you need to talk or smoke during a show in the concert hall. It is adviseable to get there before the concert hall doors open in order to get the best seats, especially if you have a group that wants to sit together. The Birchmere opens at 5, the doors to the concert hall open at 6 and most shows start at 7:30. Food is passable bar food, but steep, and the beer selection is good. Tickets are available through TicketMaster, or with a $3 service charge from the box office, which is open from 5 to 9 on show nights. The Birchmere is located at 3701 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria. 703-549-7500.
The Black Cat gets rated the place in DC that the bands most like to play and the good vibes hang over for the audience. A very easy venue to get along with. Historically shows have started late, but they have recently announced that they will be scheduling shows earlier during the week, so people can make it to the subway before it closes. On Fridays and Saturdays, however, they do not close until 3. The new location has a concert hall upstairs, and a smaller performance space and a cafe with decent food downstairs. The smaller performance space, the Backstage, has woefully inadequate air conditioning. The Black Cat is located at 1811 14th Street NW. 202-667-7960. Tickets available from FreshTix through the Black Cat web site, or without service charge from the box office, which is open from 8 to midnight. The Black Cat says that it is an all ages venue, but it actually requires parental permission for anyone under 18.
Black Rock Center for the Arts is an arts center with a nice little theatre in which they have music and other performances. I would say it holds about 220 people. They sell beer and wine. Black Rock Arts Center is located at 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown, Maryland. 301-528-2260.
Blues Alley is doing live shows again, but it is not clear for how long. It is a small jazz club in Georgetown. Capacity is about 125. Georgetown rent is covered with two to three shows a night (8 and 10, or 8, 10 and 12), a random $2.50 per person surcharge, and a requirement that each person spend at least $10 on their overpriced food and drinks. On the other hand, the view of the stage is great. Hours are daily, 6 to 12:30. Full dinner menu available at the 8 pm show, light fare for the later shows. Buying a ticket for the early show sometimes gets you the late show as well. Food really has not impressed me. Blues Alley is located behind 1073 Wisconsin Avenue in Northwest DC. 202-337-4141.
Bossa Brazilian Bistro a small restaurant and bar in Adams Morgan that bills itself as a Caipirinha and mojito bar and art gallery. They have live music in the front window most days and salsa on Friday and Saturday. They open at 5:30 every day but Monday and are open to 2 during the week and to 3 on Fridays and Saturdays. They are located at 2463 18th Street in Northwest DC. 202-667-0088.
Capital Turnaournd is a new venue in Southeast DC. It is apparently a work in progress, but the music hall is rather large and is set up for seated shows, The seating is fairly comfortable, has plenty of leg room, and there is a fair slant to the floor so sight lines are fairly good. Seating on the sides, however faces the middle of the room and not forward to the stage, which is crick in the neck territory for sure. As far as other creature comforts there is lots of space to lounge, but no food and the selection at the bar is dismal. They literally had nothing I was willing to drink. Also, the one time I went there, their web site said doors were at 6:30 when they had moved them to 7:30. I showed up not long after the announced open because I like to have time to check out a new venue before the show. People who got tickets early apparently got notice of the changeby email, but I bought mine four days before the show and the email had only a start time. So I looked at the web site, went down to check the place out and got turned away by rather rude staff. That is incompetence of the worst kind and I will be avoiding them until I have some indication that they have learned to do better. Worst yet, at some point the people who run this have extended their influence over not only Jammin' Java, Miracle Theater and this venue, but also Songbyrd, Howard Theatre, and Union Stage, and now I want to avoid all of them. If you decide to go to them, all I can say is to do everything you can to wring correct information out of them. Myself, I think it is crappy and can't be bothered to have to interrogate people to see if the information on their web site is accurate before buying a ticket or going to the show. Rather than repeat experiences like that I will avoid them. Capital Turnaround is located at 770 M Street in Southeast DC.
Carroll Cafe is a venue in Seekers Church just into the District outside Takoma Park. It is not currently functioning. They have a beautiful room and the sound is incredible. Music is the second Friday of most months and tends to be folk or roots. Vegetarian food is available as are beverages (though probably not alcohol). Carroll Cafe is located at 276 Carroll Street Northwest. They can be reached at info@carrollcafe.org
Carter Barron Amphitheater is a U.S. Park Service facility in Rock Creek Park. It is an outdoor facility that has seating for about 4,200 and some picnic areas inside. They have been closed for years while decisions are made about how to address severe structural problems with the amphitheater. Despite the picnic areas they do not allow cans, bottles, hard coolers or picnic baskets. They also do not allow photography, recording devices or pets. The box office is open from noon to 9pm on event days only. The address is 4850 Colorado Avenue (near 16th). The concert line is 202-426-0486. For park information call 202-895-6000.
Chapala Blue Beetle Rock Bar is the bar portion of a Mexican restaurant in Burtonsville. It appears not to have music at this time. While you can get there through the restaurant, I recommend entering through the bar entrance, which is on the west side. Shows are in a fair-sized room off the bar that has some tables (with table service). The stage is pretty much the floor in the corner, though there is a low riser for drums. My experience is that they may start right on time or very late, and bands may not appear in the order you would expect. That said, set changes were accomplished quickly and I am told they treat the bands well. Chapala Blue Beetle Rock Bar is located at 15530 Old Columbia Pike in Burtonsville, Maryland.
City Winery is exactly what it sounds like. City Winery appears to be either closing altogether, moving, or stopping live music. Or all three. City Winery has returned to having live shows. There is a restaurant and tasting area on the first floor, a large venue on the second floor, and a less formal smaller venue. The Loft on the third floor. The Loft has an adjacent portion that is open to the outside, at least while the weather permits. The food and alcohol menu is the same on all three floors. Obviously they have a lot of wine, but they also have a few well-chosen beers. Neither food nor wine and beer are inexpensive. The second floor has a stage midway down the side, tables the length of the room and stools at the bar along the other side. All seats are reserved. The upstairs bar is very long and has a low stage at one end. There are high tables at the bar area on one side and long tables going the length of the room with a dance area between them and the stage. They handle their own ticketing. There is valet parking at the venue, $8 parking in a garage a block or so away and street parking. City Winery is located at 1350 Okie Street in Northeast DC. (202) 250-2531.
Club 603 is a private home that hosts house shows. It is very nice, holds up to about 50, and many shows sell out. Many people bring beer, wine and food to share. Information about the location will be provided to you if and when you buy a ticket.
Comet Ping Pong is a pizza and ping pong place run by the same folks who run Buck's Fishing and Camping two doors down. For shows they clear the ping pong tables out of the back room, which is about the right size for three ping pong tables (i.e., not very large) and rather spare. The stage, which otherwise holds the third ping pong table, is about 6 inches high. They have also been having outdoor shows. Tickets are handled by EventBrite. Kitchen is open until 9 Sunday through Wednesday, 9:30 on Thursday, and until 10:30 on Friday and Saturday. Shows start late, usually around 10. They have a great beer selection and pretty good pizza. Comet Ping Pong is located at 5037 Connecticut Avenue in Northwest DC. 202-364-0404.
The Crown is a bar at the upper end of Station North. Shows take place in two different rooms, sometimes simultaneously. The offerings range from experimental to karaoke. Bar is pretty basic, but they have some good beer. The Crown is located at 1910 North Charles Street in Baltimore.
DAR Constitution Hall is a concert hall owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It is a rather large hall and the sound quality at some of the seats up on the sides is really bad. There are usually bars in the lobby, but you cannot take a drink to your seat, with the result that the lobby is incredibly crowded before the show and during intermission. The web site claims that light fare is served at all events, but they must have hidden it well. Tickets are available only through Ticketmaster unless the promoter has made other arrangements. There is no box office. Constitution Hall is located at 1776 D Street in Northwest DC.
Dew Drop Inn is a classic dive, at least downstairs. I haven't been upstairs, but it apparently has food. Downstairs stage is on the floor opposite the bar. It doesn't have a wide beer selection, but there is good beer to be had. The building looks like a closed up warehouse and it is right next to a busy railroad track (which you cannot hear while the music is playing). There is tons of street parking. Dewdrop Inn is located at 2801 8th Street in Northeast DC. 202-791-0909
DC Nine is where Asylum used to be. Music is upstairs, which has been rearranged to fit it better than it used to although the stage is still tiny, and about six inches high. There is a bar, with a passable beer selection and a few places to sit. DC Nine opens at 7 Thursday though Saturday and at 8 the rest of the week. They post times for venue doors and shows. The doors simply do not open at that time. Show times are generally within 30 minutes of what is posted. Tickets are available through EventBrite. Some shows are 18+, the rest 21+. DC Nine is located at 1940 9th Street in Northwest DC. 202.483.5000.
Echostage; is enormous. (30,000 square feet). I have seen capacity numbers from 2000 to 6000). It is a huge room with a floor leading up to the stage and balconies across the back and partly up both sides. The back balcony is really too far from the stage to be useful, though I suppose it is better than being on the floor that far back. The crowd dynamics are about what you would expect for a space that large full of people who are all trying to see the same stage, and the fact that the stage is too low for a room that size does not help. At least parts of the balcony are blocked off for VIP. The beer selection is terrible (and apparently expensive). There is no food at least not down with the hoi polloi. Tickets are handled by TicketMaster. Located at 2135 Queens Chapel Road in Northeast DC. There is pay parking nearby of varying prices, but nonpay parking is sketchy.
The 8X10; is a relatively small venue with a dance floor, back area with a bar down the side, and a balcony level with a bar in back. They have a good beer selection, but no food on site. The dance floor is spring-loaded: serious structral paranoids will stand directly in the center. Also, 8X10 is coming up on its 20 year anniversary with the current owners. They are talking about selling. So if you ever wanted to own an historic and famous venue, this is your chance. All shows are 18+. Those under 21 pay $3 extra at the door. Tickets available from the box office for very reasonable fees and from Neon Ox (which was MissionTix).. The address is 8 and 10 East Cross Street in Federal Hill across from the Cross Street Market. 410-625-2000.
Fillmore Silver Spring is one of a chain of Live Nation Fillmore's across the country. You would think a chain would have some institutional knowledge about how to run a venue, but I am afraid you would be wrong. It is generally an all standing venue and theoretically holds 2000 people on the floor and in a balcony with multiple risers. But while they claim standing only, they have installed two rows of seats in the side balcony, reducing their capacity and overcrowding the floor for sold out shows. I have seen them charge extra on the spot for those seats, but the other night any that they weren't using for promotions were available on a first come first serve basis. Risers above the first provide no view at all for many people. Also they tend to keep the lights low before the show and during breaks - so low that it is difficult to see to meet up with your friends. For reasons that aren't clear announced times are often wrong. In fact, they have to be wrong, as they often do not match between their web site, facebook, and their recorded phone message. Box office hours are Monday through Friday noon to 6, Saturday 11 to 4. Box office tickets carry a $1 service charge. Tickets also available through Live Nation. The Fillmore is located at 8656 Colesville Road in Silver Spring, Maryland. 301-960-9999.
Fort Reno Park is, for all intents and purposes, a big field on Chesapeake Street between Nebraska and Wisconsin Avenues near the Tenleytown Metro. Shows are from 7 to 9:30 and are free though donations are always welcome. No glass, alcohol, or drugs are allowed.
49 West Coffeehouse and Gallery is a restaurant located at 49 West Street in Annapolis. They have music in their back room and also serve food and beverages back there. The food is good, and not unreasonably priced for Annapolis. An extremely civilized place to see a show. They handle their own reservations. 410-626-9796.
Galaxy Hut is an incredibly tiny place (the capacity sign says 48) located at 2711 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington near the Clarendon Metro. They generally have shows only on Sunday and Monday but they are not currently having shows at all. They are open for food and beer. They have a good beer selection. Most shows are $5. They also serve food, mostly off the grill and all of it available in vegan form. 202-333-3114.
Golden West is a restaurant on The Avenue is Hampden. It used to have shows, but seems to have stopped even before COVID. Being a restaurant is an advantage in that one can show up early and get real food, and a disadvantage in that moving out the tables and setting up the bands after the kitchen closes means that they will not often make their announced starting time of 10 pm. The night I was there it was almost 11, and ended at 1:30 am, making a bit tough for those of us with day jobs. Stage is low and in front in the dining room, while there is a bar, from which one can hear, but probably not see, in back. Sound is not bad. Golden West Cafe is located at 1105 West 36th Street in Baltimore, Maryland.
The Bullpen at Half is a paved city block at 1299 Half Street in Southeast DC. The block is set off from the rest of the world by stacks of shipping containers, fences, and stalls for the sale of food and drink. It mostly serves as a bull pen for people on their way to Nationals' games to drink on the way to the game, but it is rented for other events. Sanitary facilities are mostly (if not totally) in the form of sani johns. In general, food, furniture and other amenities depend on the person putting on the event. If you are left to rely on the Bullpen for nourishment, you are pretty much left with tubular food. Drinks are always Bullpen and selection is broad, but not exciting. They do occasionally have shows.
Hamilton Live is a venue in the basement of the Hamilton located at 600 14th Street in Northwest DC. It has a seating capacity of 300 and room for another 150 to stand. Some shows are sold by the seat while others are open seating. The stage is roomy, and the sound is good. Food and alcohol are downtown prices, but not outrageously so. The menu is somewhat limited - with lots of pizza and appetizers, and some sliders and sushi. On the other hand, the restaurant upstairs has a full menu and is open late. Hamilton Live favors credit cards, and is frightened and confused by the use of cash. Shows during the week usually start at 7:30, on the weekend at 8:30. Tickets are available online, from the ticket counter, or from waitstaff in the venue. Parking is available for $10 at 1325 G Street if you get the ticket validated. 202-787-1000.
Hank Dietle's is a homey tavern that holds license number 001. It is a large room with a corner stage a dance floor, tables from the 60's and a bar in back. They do not serve hard alcohol. They have both local and occasional national acts. Hank Dietle's is located at 11010 Rockville Pike in Rockville, Maryland.
Hell's Bottom is a VFW Post, with a bar, cheap beer (with some for the beer snobs), and a stage area that is only slightly higher than the rest of the room. It is fairly laid back. Hell's Bottom is located at 6420 Orchard Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland.
Hill Center is located in the Old Navy Hospital in Southeast. It is a small room on the second floor and nice sound. They sell beer, wine and snacks. Hill Center is located at 921 Pennsylvania Avenue in Southeast DC. Parking is tight, But there is a parking lot at Tyler Elementary School for events that start after four if all else fails.
Hill Country Barbecue is a large barbecue place. Shows are either in the downstairs "Boot Bar," which has a long bar across the back, a roomful of long tables and a small low stage opposite the bar, or outside, which I have not yet seen. No dance floor downstairs but there is some space. Lots of the shows are free, including some you would not expect. They appear to have the full menu downstairs, Shiner on tap, and some decent beers in bottles. They are going cashless, if they are not already. Tickets are available through MissionTix. Parking not too bad when there is nothing at Verizon, but prepare to pay, or subway, when there is. When I was there the show started two minutes early and there were two long sets. Located at 410 7th Street in Northwest DC. 202-556-2050.
The Howard Theatre is a recently renovated historic theater. It holds 600 people for seated shows, 1,000 for standing shows. Whatever it says on the ticket, there is always some seating, and sometimes significantly more than "standing room only" would indicate. They have a full menu for some shows, snacks for others, and a full bar. Seats come with a $10 minimum. Balcony seating is now all tables. Tickets are available from the box office (noon to 5 or later Tuesday to Sunday) or the web site, which uses TicketWeb. The Howard Theatre is located at 620 T. Street in Northwest DC. Parking is available on the street, in a lot on the corner of 7th and T, and there is valet parking as well. Some or all of the parking can be purchased in advance. And parking on the street is possible. Box office is 202-803-2899.
Jammin'; Java is a coffeehouse and bar located in Vienna, Virginia. It seats maybe 100 for seated shows, and holds up to 200 for shows with less seating. You can now pick some seating in advance when purchasing tickets. But if you buy general admission for a show with less seating, you might want to arrive early. They appear to be handling their own ticketing. They have a fair and reasonably priced selection of beer, and serve food in baskets. They are all ages all the time. Jammin' Java closes at midnight during the week, and at 2 am on Friday and Saturday. The address is 227 Maple Ave East, in Vienna, Virginia. 703-255-1566.
The Lincoln Theatre is a remodeled old theater with seating left in place. Mostly floor, slanted as it should be, but also side boxes and a shallow balcony. The venue is generally all ages. Pretty Limited beer and wine selection in the lobby, don't know about the upstairs bar. Tickets are sold by TicketMaster. It is located at 1215 U Street in Northwest DC. 202-888-0500. Tickets available through TicketFly, the box office (open noon to start of headliner on show days), and the 9:30 and Merriweather Post box offices.
Lisner Auditorium is a concert hall on the campus of George Washington University. If they are currently having events they are hiding it really well. It is theater seating, and it is small enough that none of the seats are really bad. There is usually a small bar, and they sell very limited snacks, candy bars mostly. Tickets are available from the box office and from Ticketmaster. The box office is open Tuesday through Friday 11 through 5. It does not accept credit cards. It is also open starting approximately 60 to 90 minutes before each performance. There is a $1 per ticket service charge at the box office. Lisner Auditorium is located at 730 21st Street in Northwest DC. 202-994-6800.
Madam's Organ is a small venue located at 2461 18th Street NW, in Adam's Morgan. Had always thought of it as kind of cozy, but went recently and I had to stand in line for about 20 minutes to get in, and there was a DJ upstairs and the foot traffic for that made the experience like trying to dance in a crowded hall way. Go see the mural that has the neighborhood up in arms. She doesn't look topless to me, but what do I know? 202-667-5370.
Maryland Meadworks is exactly what it sounds like. It is a bit small and pretty much serves mead and nothing else. But the mead is good and outside food is welcome. Stage is pretty much the back corner. It is open Thursday and Friday 4 to 10, Saturday noon to 10, Sunday noon to 7. Maryland Meadworks is located at 4700 Rhode Island Avenue in Hyattsville, Maryland. 301-955-9644.
Merriweather Post Pavilion is a classic pavilion-- 5,200 reserved seats in front, lawn for 10,000 in back. It has had significant upgrades in recent years. They finally have a craft beer stand with a great selection, but it is way in back. No outside food or drink other than sealed bottles of water is allowed. The Pavilion is now run by IMP. Tickets are sold by TicketMaster. Doors open 1 and 1/2 hours before show time. In Columbia, just drive up 95 or over on 175 and get in the traffic jam. The parking lots open at 5 for most shows. The price of parking is included in the ticket. However, it is now necessary to reserve your parking when you buy your ticket. (Not sure what you do if you don't buy a ticket in advance. Parking is by zones, and available parking varies by show. I predict a mess. Tickets are available through Ticket Master and from the box office on show days. 410-715-5550.
Metro Gallery has had a change of ownership (but to people who have worked there) and is apparently changing its name to Metro Baltimore. It is a classic Baltimore venue that used to be two places and has the support posts down the middle to prove it. Stage is in the front to the left, and bar is in the back on the left, with the right devoted to art and plumbing. The stage is about 2 and a half feet high, 15 feet long and about 12 feet deep. Bar has an excellent selection of beer and wine and is open from 6 pm to 2 am. Shows are 21+ unless they are not. Tickets available online from Etix or at the door.
Metro Gallery is located at 1700 North Charles Street in Baltimore.Metropolitan Kitchen and Lounge has a restaurant and bar on the ground floor, a venue with bar on the second floor, and a lounge and dining area on the roof. The venue itself is on the small side, and about a third of it is a slightly raised stage. Other than a bench or so there is no seating. I don't think they are currently having shows. The bar is outside the venue proper. Metropolitan is located at 169 West Street in Annapolis. 410-280-5160.
Theatre at MGM National Harbor seats 3,000 people and really is not a bad place to see a show once you manage to get into it --if you are under 21 you have to navigate around the casino to get there and no matter what your age is, when I was there the line to get in was really long. And it is expensive.
Millennium Stage is the venue for the daily free show at the Kennedy center. The shows are held at one of two stages at either end of the Grand Foyer every single day of the year at 6 pm and are free. They now require a reservation but that is free. There is a happy hour from 5 to 6 at the Grand Foyer bars near the performance, and, unlike anywhere else in the Kennedy Center, you can take your drink and food (such as it is) to your seat. It is worth showing up a bit early if you would like an actual seat. The Kennedy Center is located at 2700 F Street in Northwest DC.
Montpelier Arts Center has numerous music series each year, including jazz and classical. The shows are held in the main gallery, which holds a few hundred people. No alcohol is served, but they have punch and cookies at intermission. Tickets are sold by season or by ticket. Montpelier Arts Center is located at 9652 Muirkirk Road off Route 197 in Laurel, Maryland. Their phone number is 301-377-7800.
Mother's Federal Hill Grille is a restaurant and bar with a venue in back. There are tables on the sides of a wide hall that makes up the back part of the venue and continue down the side as it widens out with the bar along the other side. If you want to sit you need to show up when the doors open and get one of these tables, but none are close to the stage, and the back ones really aren't. They have pretty good food and a fair beer selection (as well as wine and mixed drinks). The bar part was really loud when we were there. Mother's Federal Hill Grille is located at 1113 South Charles Street in Baltimore. 410-244-8686.
New Deal Cafe is a cafe located in Old Greenbelt at 113 Centerway. It has a comfortable coffee room in front, and a larger, but still relatively small, concert space in back. Food is served by the Greenbelt Coop, the beer and wine selection is good. The Atmosphere is excellent. There is almost never a charge to get in, but bring some $$ for the band. 301-474-5642.
The 9:30 used to be a too cool for its own good club over on F Street with the singular claim to having a stage located in a place where almost no-one in the club could see it. The move to the old WUST hall at 815 V Street NW is an improvement both in livability and in attitude, but don't expect down home friendliness. All shows are all ages. An IMP venue. Doors open at 7:30 during the week, 9 on Fridays and 7 on Saturdays. Show times vary depending on the number of bands and can be found on their web site. The food is actually quite edible. Capacity is about 1,200. Tickets are available from TicketMaster, or from the box office, which is open from noon to 7 on week nights, but until 11 if there is a show, and 6-11 on saturday and sunday. The 9:30 number is 202-393-0930
Jiffy Lube Pavilion is a large outdoor pavilion out near Manassas run by Live Nation. Pavilion seating is plentiful and the lawn seating is pleasant and actually allows you to see and hear the show. They serve outrageously expensive beer and equally expensive food, and limit carry ins to one sealed water bottle. Remember to bring that bottle, because their water is literally not potable. They allow you to bring in a blanket, and will rent you an "appropriate" chair. Shows start at 8 unless otherwise specified. The box office is open from noon to intermission on show days. Tickets are also available from Live Nation. Parking is included in the price of the ticket, and there are not really any other options. Traffic and parking management are so bad that there have been shows where some people never made it in. They don't particularly seem to care, and they certainly don't refund your money if it happens to you. Be warned that it can also sometimes take hours to get out of the lot. Take I-66 to exit 43B or 44 and follow the signs from there. 703-754-6400.
Old Bowie Town Grille is a full service restaurant that has shows in its upstairs seating area. There is seating at tables and the bar, some dance room in front of the stage and some standing room in back. These days shows are outside when possible. Many shows are free (though you should tip the band) and none are expensive. Reservations are necessary for some shows. Parking is available in lots and on the street. Old Bowie Town Grille is located at 8604 Chestnut Avenue in Bowie, Maryland. 301-464-8800.
Orion Sound has a small studio where they host music occasionally. As you would imagine, the sound is excellent. Lately they have been supplying chairs, and sometimes people bring food. It is pretty much BYOB. All shows are all ages.
Ottobar; is now in the old Club Midnite at 2549 North Howard Street in Baltimore. It is much roomier than the old one, has a real stage, and it is easy to get to the bathrooms. Other than that, the same spirit is in effect, and there is still no food. Most shows are 18 and over. The doors open at 9 and the show starts at 10 unless other times apply. There are also shows upstairs on occasion, but it is a much smaller, much lower stage. Tickets are often available through Mission Tix and also from the upstairs bar. 410-662-0069. Tickets from Etix.
The Patterson is a venue operated by the Creative Alliance. It has all sorts of exhibits and activities in addition to shows. The performance space is set up according to the needs of each performance and may have more or less seating, standing or dancing space. Capacity for performances ranges from 210 to 250. Beverages are available. Tickets can be bought at the box office, which is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 to 7 or online from their website. The galleries are free so take a look while you are there. The Patterson is located at 3134 Eastern Avenue in Baltimore. Street parking is relatively easy to find.
Pearl Street Warehouse is located on the Wharf at 33 Pearl Street in Southwest DC. It has a capacity of between 150 and 300 people depending on whether it is seated, standing, or some combination of the two. They serve food and alcohol. Shows are 21+ unless otherwise specified. Tickets are available online through TicketMaster and at the box office. The box office has a flat $1 service charge. Unlike other Wharf venues, it accepts cash. Parking is generally available, but often expensive. It offers classic diner food, opening for breakfast at 8:30 am and staying open until close. It is closed on Monday.
Pherm; is a brewery with a fair-sized room, a bar, and spread out tables with a small stage up front. They are located at 1041 MD-3 in Gambrills, Maryland. Music is occasional rather than the point, which is beer.
Pier 6 is a small concert pavilion located on the Inner Harbor off of President Street, which is on the right after you pass Harborplace and the National Aquarium. While the pavilion is relatively small, the lawn is even smaller. (If you think of your own lawn you may not be far off). They do not allow you to bring in glass containers or alcohol and their own beer and food selection is pretty slim. Once when I was there they ran out of their only decent beer by the set break. It has just changed its name back to Pier 6 and its management back to Live Nation. It wasn't great under Live Nation before, but it was horrible under whoever had it in the interim. Venue maintenance was not their thing in the past, we'll see how it goes now. (July 3, 2022 and they still haven't fixed the stall doors in the bathroom. It has been years). Beer selection and prices have been terrible. Tickets are available from the box office, which is open from noon until 9 on concert nights and from Live Nation. Having gotten myself into their parking once, my advice is don't. It is outrageously expensive, and despite the fact that the lots are tiny, it takes forever to get out..
The Quarry House is a dive bar in Silver Spring with a surprisingly good beer menu for a dive. It is downstairs has one entrance (and thus one exit) and is shaped like a C with the band at one end of the C, so location is important. The Quarry House is located at 8401 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, Maryland. Look for the stairs.
The Ramshead On Stage is a small concert hall. All seating is at tables, and there is no standing (or dancing) for most shows. Tickets are sold by seat, so have your group organized when you go to buy the tickets. Also, a lot of Ramshead shows sell out, so it is worth buying early. Food in the concert hall is bar food and the prices are not low but not outrageous. A more varied menu is available in the restaurant, but they do a heavy business, so there is no guarantee that you can get seated and eat before the show. Most shows are 21+, the exception being occasional weekend matinees. Tickets are available from the Ramshead, in person website which uses AXS. AXS says you have to download and use their app to use your tickets, but at Rams Head On Stage you can just show your ID to the nice people at the box office. The box office number is 410-268-5111. The Ramshead is located at 33 West Street in Annapolis. 301-261-1118/410-268-4545
The Ramshead Live was an offshoot of Rams Head Tavern but has changed ownership and management. It holds about 1500 people in three levels and has screens thoughout the venue for areas without a full view of the stage. There is some seating. Since the restaurant closed, food is of the stadium variety. Rams Head Live is the world of hidden costs - Tickets listed as $18 at the door cost me $21.40, the coat check was $3, and beer, while not outrageous, was a bit high for Baltimore. Also, the new management charges for water. FInally, they use AXS for tickets - a vendor established just to make TicketMaster look better. Rams Head Live is located at 20 Market Place in Baltimore. 410-244-1131.
Rhizome DC is a nonprofit community arts space located at 6950 Maple St NW, in the Takoma neighborhood of Washington DC. Among the arts, of course, is music. Shows are usually held on the main floor of the house, and there is usually seating. There is generally a $10 suggested donation. Parking is available on site and nearby.
Rituals; now says that a new venue is taking over the space. Not clear yet who that will be. The existing space is fair sized and has some tables and the stage in back on the left and a bar down the right with plenty of space left for standing. Apparently the band room is much improved. The space is located at 12 West North Avenue in Baltimore.
7 Locks Brewing is a brewery with a fairly large room, a lot of tables, and a space in the corner where they sometimes have music. They are located 12227 Wilkins Avenue in Rockville, Maryland. Music is occasional rather than the point, which is beer.
The Sidebar is a tiny little bar with a capacity of maybe 110 right near the old Ottobar at the corner of Lexington and Guilford. It almost reopened in August 2021, but I have not heard a peep since. The Sidebar is all ages all the time. If there are three or four bands, doors will generally open at 9, and the show will start at 9:30, except when they don't. Drink prices are extremely reasonable but the beer selection is not great. I wouldn't expect to find any food there. 410-659-4130.
6th & I is an historic synagogue at the intersection of 6th and I streets in Northwest. It is fairly large and has pew seating on the main floor and the balconies. There are concessions at some shows, but no food is allowed in the area where the shows are. Gallery Place Metro is nearby. Availability and cost of parking varies depending on what is happening at Verizon Center.
Slash Run is classic burger joint with vegan options and a good beer selection. It has booths in front and a raised area with a bar in back. Bands play on the floor in the front window. The only bathroom I found was a one - holer, but there may be more. Parking in the neighborhood is residential parking until 8:30 and is rather scarce. Slash Run is located at 201 Upshur Street in Northwest DC. (202) 838-9929.
Songbyrd Music House has apparently moved to 540 Penn Street in Northeast DC. The new venue has a 200 person capacity. Tickets are by EventBrite. That is all I know, because I have not yet been there.
The Spanish Ballroom is architecturally not unlike a high school cafeteria, but with more interesting trim and a much better floor. It is all about dance floor and music there is virtually always for a dance. It is alcohol and smoke free, and any food and drink that are available are not permitted on the dance floor - which is most of the venue (7,500 square feet). For information on what is happening at the ballroom, see Dancing in the Park. The Spanish Ballroom is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd. in Glen Echo. 301-492-6282.
The State Theatre is a venue in an old movie theater in Falls Church. The downstairs goes up in four levels with seating on the back three (though that may vary) and the balcony retains the theater seating in back, and wings have been added on the side. Total capacity is 800 for shows with some seating, 900 when all standing, but that may not include the added balcony space. The stage is actually visible from almost anywhere, even if you are as short as I am. And the sound is excellent. They have a somewhat limited menu, but serve real food, not just snacks. Most, if not all shows are 18+ and there is a $3 tax if you are under 21. Tickets are available from the box office and online from FreshTix on the State Theatre's web site. Box office hours are 12 to 5 Monday through Friday and 6:30 to 11:30 on show nights. The State Theatre is located at 220 N. Washington Street in Falls Church. 703-237-0300.
Strathmore; is an historic mansion on an 11 acre lot belonging to Montgomery County. Music and arts presentations take place in the mansion, on the grounds, and in the 1976 seat Music Center at Strathmore, a state of the are concert hall. The Mansion is about you would expect a mansion to be, and has a bar across the hall from the the music area. They might sell some chips, but that is about it. It seats up to 110 people for concerts. The Music Center has actual food prior to the show, and beer and wine before the show and during intermission, but it is obscenely expensive. The Music Center at Strathmore is located at 5301 Tuckerman Lane in North Bethesda, Maryland. Parking is available in the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro garage off of Tuckerman Lane, and is free for ticketed events. The Mansion is located at 10701 Rockville Pike in Rockville, and has its own parking. Not sure how the lawn works. 301-581-5200.
Union Craft Brewing is a brewery that occasionally has music. The space is cavernous, the beer is good, the food is limited. It has parking and there is more on the street. Union Craft Brewing is located at 1700 West 41st Street, Suite 420, in Baltimore.
Union Stage is located on the Wharf at 740 Water Street in Southwest DC. There is a tap room on the ground level that opens at 5. The venue is downstairs and holds 450 standing or 225 for seated shows. There is an elevator as well as stairs to get to the venue. Beer and pizza are sold on both floors. Despite the fact that it is a pretty new building they seem to have HVAC issues with the downstairs. I have never been cold there, but way too hot is not uncommon. "Premium" seating is available at some shows, but in some cases it is further away than any of the standing. Union Stage is an all ages venue. Parking is available, but not inexpensive.
U Street Music Hall has not survived COVID, but there are rumors someone else has bought it with the intent of making it a venue again.
The Velvet Lounge is no more.
The Warner Theatre is a grand old theatre located at 513 13th Street in Northwest DC. It seats 1847, slightly over half on the floor, the rest in balconies and boxes. Lately they are apparently starting to look for renovation money, as they are having a lot of comedy and music. They serve alcohol, and let you bring it to your seat, but the prices are steep and the lines are long. Don't show up hungry. Tickets are available at the box office or through Live Nation. The phone number is 202-783-4000.
Weinberg Center for the Arts is a converted theater in downtown Frederick that has movies, speakers and live shows. It has a total capacity of 1,147 - 739 in the orchestra, 116 in the mezzanine, 292 in the balcony. They serve beer and probably wine in the lobby. Weinberg Center is located at 20 West Patrick Street in Frederick, Maryland. 301-600-2828.
Wolf Trap is the ultimate outdoor venue in this area, but don't expect to see anything rowdy there. Acoustics in the pavilion are great, sound and view from the lawn are good if you show up early to get a good spot. Wolf Trap allows food on the lawn in any kind of container, and beverages, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, in glass, aluminum, or plastic. They have recently become more restrictive about the size of the coollers you bring in. But you can still relax and drink champagne in glasses while you watch the show, it doesn't bother them. It is also now possible to buy an adult sippy cup in which to take beverages into the pavilion. There are rules though: this is a federal facility and they still follow the rule of zero tolerance for drugs. Oh yeah, and you can't get married on the grounds. There are no age limits, but you need a ticket for every human being, no matter how young. During colder parts of the year Wolf Trap shows are at the Barns, which are nearby. You can't bring your own there, but they do have a fair selection, and the surroundings are pleasant. Tickets are available from the box office which is open from 10 to 6 during the week, from noon to 5 on the weekend, and until 9 on show nights and also from their website, which is essentially torture.. Wolf trap is located in Virginia right off of the Dulles toll road.