Doja Cat clicked off the internet and headed to the stage for the first time since 2019 for her Scarlet Tour, supporting her new album of the same name. The album is her first release with no features since her debut release in 2014.  While getting your big break via the internet, especially Tiktok, isn’t uncommon for artists in 2023, Doja Cat’s rise to mainstream is significant because she went viral in 2020, when people were more online than ever. Her transition from “Tiktok song” artist to a headlining tour was swift, now filling arenas such as DC’s Capital One, which she played on Nov ..read more

Brooklyn indie rockers Breach Fossils released Bunny, their fourth studio album, earlier this year via Bayonet. They wrapped a North American tour with a hometown show on Nov. 30, and along the way they performed at 9:30 Club on Nov. 25. Micaela Cerball was there to photograph the DC show! This article was adapted from a press release. In October, Beach Fossils shared a new video for “Tough Love,” a beloved track from their new album, Bunny. The video directed by Joe Agius arrived ahead of the band’s first North American headline tour in support of Bunny and followed their recent summer dates ..read more

After Thanksgiving, Ottobar in Baltimore hosted Barrett Martin, one of the most accomplished percussionists today, and his one-man show. I’m not calling it a concert on purpose. This was one of the most unique shows I have seen. It was less of a concert and more of a presentation; and once you take a look at Barrett’s discography, you’ll understand why this format makes a lot of sense. Barrett Martin’s career began as the drummer for the grunge band Skin Yard in the late ’80s. He has played with some heavy hitters in rock music including Screaming Trees, Stone Temple Pilots, and Queens Of The ..read more

Earlier this fall, Blues stalwart Joe Bonamassa released Blues Deluxe Vol. 2, his 16th solo studio album, through J&R Adventures. Joe is on tour, and he recently appeared at The Lyric Baltimore! Steve Satzberg was on hand to photograph the man who holds the title of the world’s biggest living blues guitarist. The following article was adapted from press releases. Having just earned a remarkable 26th No. 1 on the Billboard Blues Chart for his sprawling and extensive live concert film and album Tales Of Time, Bonamassa’s new album Blues Deluxe Vol. 2 finds him returning to his roots and givi ..read more

Lil Uzi Vert’s recent concert at The Anthem was an unforgettable experience. The venue was packed with enthusiastic fans, creating a lively atmosphere. In the photo pit, the energy was palpable, with the young crowd showing a mix of pain, exhaustion, and excitement as they eagerly awaited Uzi’s performance. Before Lil Uzi took The Anthem stage on Nov. 21, a DJ played a few songs to keep the crowd entertained. As time went on, the anticipation grew, and people started gravitating toward the front of the stage. Unfortunately, some concert-goers had to be wheeled out due to exhaustion. However, o ..read more

Beloved alt-country singer-songwriter (and one of my personal favorites) Lydia Loveless plays DC’s intimate The Atlantis on Monday, Dec. 4. A critical favorite since emerging roughly a decade ago, AllMusic describes them as a “perfect mix of country twang and rock & roll attitude, with great songs to match.” This September, they released her latest album, Nothing’s Gonna Stand In My Way Again, to gushing critical praise. Pitchfork calls the album their”latest and best,” and Bandcamp Daily says, “Loveless expands their musical palette—songs like the radiant ‘Poor Boy’ have more in comm ..read more

Bluegrass music finds itself at a glorious time in its existence, when some of the most legendary players and pickers still regularly grace the stages while a new, hyper-talented group of stars emerges to energize and invigorate the sound and presentation of this music. No one might be riding higher within that expanding sphere than Molly Tuttle, the heroic and award-winning guitarist who records her own material but has skyrocketed as of late in leading her rousing bluegrass gang, Golden Highway. Her and her bandmates’ year reads like an extended celebration: It started with a Grammy win for ..read more

No man was left behind recently at The Fillmore Silver Spring when Earl Sweatshirt took charge. From the moment the concert started, everyone was on stage for everyone else’s set. At no point during the opening acts did Earl Sweatshirt leave the stage, and this just shows a whole other level of support that all of the artists share for one another. Who opens a concert with house music that transcends to Rico Nasty, then to a AI Patrick Star? DJ Black Noi$e does! Producer DJ Black Noi$e took the stage on Nov. 20 and made it his home with his wide collection of music. He was able to go from hous ..read more

Everyone knows the hit song “I Ran (So Far Away)” by A Flock of Seagulls. But even a passing listen to the band’s catalog reveals a wealth of amazing tunes, any one of which could become an instant earworm. A Flock of Seagulls, still fronted by original vocalist Mike Score, performs at The Fillmore Silver Spring on Saturday, Dec. 2, and it’s a show not to be missed if you love stylish, moody synthesizers. Hairdresser Mike Score (lead vocals, keyboards) formed A Flock of Seagulls with his brother Ali (drums) and fellow hairdresser Frank Maudsley (bass) in 1980, adding guitarist Paul Reynolds se ..read more

Valerie June is one of the bright young stars of the Americana world, admired by folks like Bob Dylan. In addition to her music, she’s written poetry and a children’s book. Valerie was kind enough to answer a few questions for Parklife DC’s Mark Engleson, who corresponded via email. Her latest book, Light Beams, is an interactive journal. Valerie June recently toured with Rachael Davis, Thao and Yasmin Williams. Tickets to her upcoming shows can be found here. Mark Engleson: On a personal note, I’ve been following your music and your career since about 2017, and it’s been a pleasure to see you ..read more