It goes without say, really, that a lot of things have changed over the past year and a half. In the world of touring musical acts, shows have been canceled or tours put on hold or, in the case of Local H, a show that was originally set for a […]
Author: David LaMason
IDLES brings all the sweat and love to the 9:30 Club
There are bands who write songs and record albums and then there are bands who create movements. If you’ve never experienced an IDLES gig it’s a little hard to explain. It’s hard to be a passive observer at an IDLES show. Even if you can’t move around, these songs – […]
Hot August Music Festival Turns Up the Heat at Oregon Ridge
The Hot August Music Festival at Oregon Ridge in Cockeysville, Maryland has been going strong for nearly 30 years! After not having a festival last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, festivalgoers were eager to get back to the lawn, and in addition to the great food and activities for […]
Caleb Stine Serenades Neighbors with the help of the Creative Alliance
Just a few weeks ago things changed. With the spread of the novel corona virus (COVID-19) in the United States business has ground to a halt and with it many of the places where artists and musicians are able to perform and reach their audience. Performance is also where so […]
David LaMason’s Top Shows of 2019
Top ten lists can be tough! Especially this past year, 2019, when I can’t think of a single show that was not a good one. So, for lack of space, here are a few of those shows that stuck with me. Some, like Jawbox’s reunion show at Baltimore’s Metro Gallery […]
Mary Prankster Makes Her Raucous Return at The Ottobar
Although it’s been 14 years between records and, other than a few solo appearances (including 2017’s Pranksgiving) Baltimore’s own Mary Prankster has been out of the limelight. That is, until, the songwriting bug bit again and brought back the brilliant LP, Thickly Settled. (check out our album review here!) And, […]
David LaMason
I’ve lived in or around Baltimore most of my life and have worked as a social worker in both Baltimore and DC for several years. And for more than 25 years I’ve been going to shows pretty regularly – whether it’s in a basement, art space, or big arenas going […]
In the Line of Light
For more than 10 years, the David Wax Museum, fronted by David Wax and Suz Slezak, have been dishing generous servings of Americana, Southwestern and Mexican folk music, and even some electronic gadgetry for good measure. And their instrumentation is as varied as their influences, as Suz plays violin, accordion, […]
Shakey Graves Brings his Blues, Folk, and Rock and Roll to The Anthem
Shakey Graves and Dr. Dog have joined forces for an 18-show co-headlining tour. What better combination could you ask for? Both bands performed this past weekend at The Anthem and the entire show rocked from start to finish. Dr. Dog opened for the D.C. show (you can read their show […]
Dr Dog Shake It Up at The Anthem
Dr Dog always put on a great show, and at The Anthem Friday night the Philadelphia-based band rocked DC on their tour with Texas songsmith Shakey Graves. The band, which is co-led by Toby Leaman (bass/vocals) and Scott McMicken (guitar/vocals) who share songwriting duties, has been putting out one brilliant […]
July’s First Thursday in Canton Waterfront Park Delivered Despite the Rain!
Rain threatened the evening. Storms were scattered throughout the area but WTMD’s First Thursday pushed through. Despite a few temporary downpours and shortened sets due to storms, the night carried on, the rain stopped, and the show went on! Enjoy a photo-recap of the amazing artists that performed at July’s […]
IDLES Proves that it’s More than Just a Band
Believe the hype. That’s what I’ve been saying to friends after witnessing the Bristol, UK band, IDLES, at the Metro Gallery in Baltimore Tuesday night where they performed to a sold out crowd. The band – which includes singer Joe Talbot; Adam Devonshire on bass; Mark Bowen (“Bobo”) on guitar/vocals […]
WTMD’s First Thursday Festival – May 2nd
WTMD’s First Thursday Festival kicked off the season on May 2 at Canton Waterfront Park. The rain held off and it turned out to be a wonderful pre-summer evening on the waterfront! Both stages provided music throughout the night and there was plenty of food! There was quite a turnout […]
Mark Eitzel Sings from the Heart at Club 603
I first remember seeing Mark Eitzel way back in 1994 at the Black Cat headlining a solo tour with Mac MacCaughan from Superchunk. We had arrived late, missing nearly all of Mac’s set, but we caught the then front man of American Music Club himself, Mark Eitzel. I remember that […]
Billy Idol Rocks a Sold Out Lincoln Theatre
Who doesn’t love Billy Idol? It is clear that he is well-loved in D.C. because the Lincoln Theatre was packed on a Tuesday night, full of eager fans waiting to see this iconic rock and roll musician! The audience was up on their feet for the entire show! The evening […]
Car Seat Headrest Brings Down the House at Rams Head Live
Car Seat Headrest’s Will Toledo has certainly expanded his live show over the years from a three-piece playing smaller venues to selling out the 9:30 Club and now at Baltimore’s Rams Head Live. Toledo’s band now includes Ethan Ives on guitar (and lead vocals on a couple of songs), Andrew […]
John Maus Gives Everything at the Ottobar
To experience a John Maus performance is to witness a man fully engulfed in exercising some seriously persistent demons. On record, Maus is musically compared to bands like Joy Division and Ultravox, but live his performance transcends description. John Maus has in the past performed solo to previously recorded electronic […]
