DCist interviewed M.I.A. in advance of her Sunday night performance at Echostage.
The organizers of Saturday’s Virgin Mobile Free Festival saved the best for last. LCD Soundsystem — manifested onstage by brains-and-vox-of the outfit James Murphy-plus-six — closed down the sprawling 11-hour, three-stage, one-ferris wheel, no-T.I. music bazaar with an 85-minute blast of sweaty 21st-century dance-rock that felt taut and commanding after a long, discursive day. All dance tunes necessarily have a pulse, but Murphy’s have a heart, and they’re also wickedly funny. (Murphy was 22 when he turned down a job writing for Seinfeld. True!)
Usually, a reviewer is the guy or gal with the steno pad, furiously taking notes as enthusiastic throngs are actually enjoying the show and living in the moment. We studiously jot down the set list, observe the crowd, judge the music of the band, all while trying to be a fly on the wall. I walked into the M.I.A. show at the 9:30 Club last night without any intention of writing this review, so…
>> One of the funniest comedic performers out there today, Amy Sedaris is at the Historic Sixth and I Synagogue tonight to promote her recent book, I Like You, at 8 p.m. Advance tickets are no longer available, but a few seats can apparently still be had at the door for $25 — a small price to pay to be entertained by the woman who brought us the wonder that is Jerri Blank. >>…
It’s an unusually slow week in JazzLand, but there’s still some great stuff to check out and a must-see show coming up this weekend. >> For jazz fans who prefer the smoother side of things, Pieces of A Dream will be playing tonight through Sunday at Blues Alley. Tickets to the daily 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. sets are $27.50 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge. >> HR-57 presents a great program tonight that will be much easier…
Monday: Everyone likes to start their week a little differently. Some of us, for instance, are pretty excited about kicking back at the Warehouse to Philly (originally from Hyattsville) cellist Monica McIntyre (and opening act Garland of Hours, featuring cellist Amy Domingues). And some of us are planning on going to DC9 for VOG (Va Doom) and Burnout (Iowa Doom). Mondays suck. You can either soothe yourself through the first of the week, or beat…
For your buying pleasure this week, we have tickets recently on sale, tickets going on sale in the next few days, or just tickets that, in general, you need to be getting on. >> Who doesn’t know of Chuck Brown, the godfather of D.C. go-go? You know him, you love him, and now you can party down with him at his official birthday bash at the 9:30 Club on August 27. Tickets are just $25;…
TUESDAY: >> The Sea and Cake’s Sam Prekop does solo post-rock at the Black Cat. $12. Local singer Brandon Butler (formerly of Canyon) opens. WEDNESDAY: >> Get a huge dose of hipsterness when The Killers (at right) play Merriweather Post Pavilion. Bands-of-the-moment Keane, Louis XIV, Regina Spektor, and Maximo Park all open. Lawn tickets at $25 are still available at Ticketmaster. >> If you don’t feel like making the trek out to Merriweather, you can…
