DC DECIBEL

Atlas Genius performed at Fillmore Silver Spring on Sunday night, cranking out their radio hits Trojans, and If So amidst other strong numbers from their album When It Was Now.

A handful of contest winners from DC101 not only got into the show but were treated to a private acoustic set at Flying Dog Brewery in Frederick.

After the show, Atlas Genius took a tour of the brewery (you can too) where they got to sample different ales and help craft their own brew. 

The Neighbourhood opened for Imagine Dragons at a sold out show on Friday at Merriweather Post Pavilion, and it was amazing.  The weather had started to chill just a little but the crowd kept it cozy. 

Neighbourhood kicked it off with their hit Sweater weather and then cranked through their album I Love You., with a track here and there from their  earlier EP. I felt for the parents of all the young children (so many kids) when Rutherford belted out the f-bomb laden Afraid.  Also check out their track Female Robbery if you're undecided on this band.

Then Imagine Dragons took the stage. With a full color video screen and an assortment of large drums, Dan Reynolds brought the energy and whipped the crowd into a deeper frenzy. He couldn't stop jumping up on the monitors and engaging the crowd. It was an amazing Friday night, and the crowd was lapping it up. If you're only familiar with their mega hit Radioactive (and that video), you need to delve into Night Visions.

Andy Jones was there, and he has some electrifying images in two galleries, give them a peep.

Words by Carrie Hoover Cherry Poppin’ Daddies crept out like shadows on the Hamilton stage Saturday night.  They weren’t sporting any zoot suits this tour but they were aiming for a riot.  On their first US tour in many years, the Daddies didn’t waste any time rousting the crowd with boogie tunes “Dr. Bones” and “No Mercy for Swine”.  A dedicated group of jitter bugging dancers kept the dance floor hoppin.  Frontman, Steve Perry, was solid and wowed with a strong voice and fancy footwork.  The band almost out shone him, blasting a smokin’ hot brass section, drums, and two guitars.

Through two long sets, the band had the whole place swingin’, hootin’ and hollerin’ for more.  Songs from CPD’s latest 2013 double album “White Teeth, Black Thoughts” blended easily with their trademark fast swing crowd favorites.  But these cats aren’t one genre wonders, no sir!  They kept it baby fresh with a few ska inspired numbers off of the “Soul Caddy” album. Perry also crooned some smooth classics like “Come Fly with Me” and “Aint That a Kick in the Head.”  These numbers packed the dance floor with swaying couples, young and old.

The crowd was really jumpin’ the last few songs.  The band ripped through “Brown Derby Jump”, slide right into “Zoot Suit Riot”, and rang everyone’s bell with “The Ding-Dong Daddy of the D-Car Line.”  The dance floor boogied and jived then wailed for an encore at the end.  The band closed with a little new and old, exciting everyone with “Whisky Jack” and “Cherry Poppin’ Daddy Strut.” 

The night left no doubt that the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies still have the exciting sound and amazing live show that captured fans in the 90s.  As a man once sang, “It don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.”  These hep cats got it all right.

We have 2 tickets up for grabs for the Mad Decent Block Party at Merriweather Post Pavilion this Friday! This year's lineup is crazy, with Major Lazer and Zeds Dead headlining and personal favorites Anamanaguchi, Skream, SBTRKT, and Griz supporting (full lineup below). Attendees should be sure to pack their camelbacks, shutter shades, and firm grasps on reality before heading to this day-long grime-fest.

The Lumineers played their biggest crowd yet at Merriweather Post Pavilion Friday night in Columbia MD. They kicked off with Submarines and closed with Big Parade. During their radio hit Ho Hey, they felt the glow of all the cellphone cameras popping up and asked everyone to put their phones away and actually just enjoy it live.

The whole band left the stage and came up to the alley between the seats and the lawn and performed a few quick numbers amongst the people.

New Order is coming to Merriweather Post Pavilion July 28th and we have two tickets up for grabs! Not only that, but DFA Records sweethearts Holy Ghost! are opening! 

For a chance at the tickets, send a link of your favorite Joy Division/New Order or Holy Ghost! song to [email protected].

One of the biggest shows of the summer, AmericanaramA, is coming to Merriweather Post Pavillion July 23rd. The bill is basically a music festival, headlined by Bob Dylan, Wilco, My Morning Jacket, and the ever adorable Ryan Bingham (<3). Below is my selfish excuse to talk a little bit about each of the bands along with a tidbit about one of the more special Americanarama moments they have had thus far on the tour (not too many spoilers I hope.)

  Bob Dylan: There’s very little to be said about Bob Dylan that hasn’t been said before. One of the most iconic American singer-songwriters to come out of the ‘60’s scene, his release of Tempest last year was a treat and a testament to the endurance of his talent. His influence over the current indie-folk rock soundscape is tangible, from Fleet Foxes to Avett Brothers to Tallest Man on Earth. Every time I wander into a record store, I inevitably walk out with yet another Dylan album from one of the four decades he has released music. I am thrilled to get the chance to see him live (and at such an affordable price compared to some of his *cough* contemporaries.)

    AmericanaramA moment: I mean... the whole thing is kind of his moment, but I’m gonna say him performing “All Along the Watchtower” in Tampa.

Wilco: Jeff Tweedy and the gang have proven to be both resilient and prolific over their nearly 20 year history. Records Being There, Summerteeth, and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot established Wilco as a cornerstone to modern indie rock. They even curate their own music festival, Solid Sound,  which provides a fascinating glimpse into their tastes, influences, and inspirations. At this year’s fest, their entire set was covers, including this gem. How cool.

    AmericanaramA moment: Without a doubt playing ”Friend of the Devil” with Bob Weir (who has shown up in a couple of cities so far on the tour.)

My Morning Jacket: Jim James played a sold out show at 9:30 in the Spring after releasing one of my favorite records of 2013, Regions of Light and Sound of God. He returns to MPP for Americanarama with the whole MMJ gang for a sure-to-be-epic encore to last year’s incredible show. I have my fingers crossed that this tour indicates a new MMJ record on the horizon, because I truly believe that every record is better than the last. Oh, and I can’t wait for “Holdin’ onto Black Metal.”

    AmericanaramA moment: There’s not a whole lot of MMJ footage online, but apparently Wilco and MMJ played “Cinnamon Girl”.

Ryan Bingham: You can expect me to be at the very front (of the lawn) completely fangirling over Ryan Bingham. After rising to fame for the collaborative work he did on the Crazy Heart soundtrack, for which he won an Oscar, Ryan Bingham represents the kind of Western Texas country that is missing from modern pop country. Songs like "Bread and Water" and "Tell My Mother I Miss Her So" represent his soulful lyrics and show off his trademarkable raspy drawl. He’s a true talent, so make sure you’re on time to see him.

    AmericanaramA moment: It’s been hard finding out anything about his sets because of the formidable competition from those he shares the bill with. If you’ve heard anything, please DO TELL!

Ben Folds Five (gallery) and Barenaked Ladies (gallery) kept their cool for the Last Summer on Earth Tour as it coasted into the Merriweather Post Pavilion on Monday night. Temperatures were still in the high 80s even after the sun went down, but that didn't stop the wave of hits and old favorites. Openers Boothby Graffoe and Guster were a big hit with the crowd that got there early. BNL actually came out during Boothby's set to jam, and then Boothby, Guster and Ben Folds joined the stage during BNL's set to help up the jams.  Brick and Do It Anyway were favorites during Ben Folds Five's set. They had some new songs from their 2012 release The Sound Of The Life Of The Mind, but older favorites prevailed. Barenaked Ladies' latest release, Grinning Streak, hit stores just last month. But they too stuck with mostly crowd favorites like One Week, Pinch Me, and the Big Bang Theory Theme song.

I'm not sure I know anyone who doesn't consider The Postal Service's first and last album "Give Up" a seminal music moment of their awkward high school years. I was not all that informed and thought Death Cab for Cutie did an electronic album. It was not until I started to pay more attention to the details of the project and realized everyone who contributed to the project that I realized how special seeing them in a live setting would be. This of course was not until some time in 2006 or so, a point at which no one believed The Postal Service would ever play together or release any new music. This is all to say, it is incredible that they'll be coming to Merriweather this summer, and it is even more incredible that we have two tickets to give away to their show. For your chance to win, email [email protected] with your oh-my-god-these-lyrics-are-about-me moment. Winner will be announced tomorrow at 5 PM.

Barenaked Ladies are playing Merriweather Post Pavilion on July 15, but their album Grinning Streak comes out tomorrow.

Anyone who buys a ticket to the Merriweather show, gets a copy of the album for download FREE.

Also, check out a live stream chat and performance TOMORROW, 3/6/13 at 3pm.

The Candlebox show at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, MD gave fans the opportunity to see a rock band in a unique setting.  It is a small, intimate venue with seated tables, more conducive to a jazz trio than a five member rock band.  What could have been a drawback shaped a rare experience.  Fans got to watch the band close up and with a more direct connection.  Lead singer, Kevin Martin, used the intimacy to share stories about the the band and many of their songs.

The small space didn’t keep the band from playing with less intensity than the longtime fans were anticipating.  They kicked off with a wave of nostalgia, playing four songs from their first album starting with “Change” and ending with “Dont You.”  These fan favorites really got the crowd amped up and in tune with the band.  Candlebox was celebrating the 20th anniversary of their first hit record.   It was the key to the whole night as the fans were treated to a good portion of songs from that first chart topping 1993 album.  But they were still happy and cheering when songs like “Simple Lessons” and “Bitches Brew” popped up from later albums .  The crowd clapped, yelled, and sang along to every song.  All eyes were riveted to the stage for the entire set.  The band rocked its way through the night, having fun and sharing their stories and music.