Rest easy, Josh Burdette

Known by Washington, DC’s 9:30 Club show-goers far and wide, Josh Burdette, beloved manager and crew chief, has passed away.

A fixture at the 9:30 since 1997, if you didn’t KNOW him know him you knew of him: his pierced face, quiet strength and wall-like stature keeping things flowing and orderly inside and outside of the V St. […]

MNDR @ 9:30 Club

MNDR at 9:30 Club

Ever since I read about – and got hooked on – electropop-IDM sensation MNDR (Amanda Warner) on Sheena Beaston’s blog,  it seemed that well-earned hype has grown exponentially. MNDR is everywhere: magazines, radio, blogs, Facebook advertisements, Mark Ronson’s infectious “Bang Bang Bang,” and now on tour with Chromeo. Maybe it was all the hype or maybe it was my love for everything she’s written with behind the scenes bandmate Peter Wade, but I had high expectations for MNDR’s sold out 9:30 Club debut on Saturday night.

Perhaps the expectations were unreasonable. Mic malfunctions and a lukewarm crowd reaction put a damper on what I anticipated would be my favorite live performance of 2011. It was still an impressive one-woman seven-song set, but MNDR’s finest D.C. performance is still to come. Tokyo’s The Suzan got just as many, if not more, bodies moving to open the night and received a warm reception from the earlybirds. But by the time Warner took the stage in front of her mesmerizing black-and-white light projections of moving rectangles, the 1,500 person capacity venue had filled with Chromeo fans who seemed less than enthused. A few belligerent drunks up front spoiled the set for many by nearly starting a few fights and cussing out MNDR, who in reply asked, “Why are you so sad?” The microphone cut out frequently in the second half of the brief set. Very few were dancing; I felt like an awkward teenager at a school dance. By the time the crowd showed signs of life and clapped along to new single “Cut Me Out,” (mp3 available for free download through Green Label Sound) the set was almost over.

Despite having the odds against her, mega-bespectacled MNDR showed flashes of her brilliance. The quirky and fashionable Warner commanded the audience’s attention and rarely took a break from dancing and smiling to her synths, though she sat to perform the slow tempo hit from 2010’s E.P.E. “I Go Away.” The bouncy and pulsating Patty Hearst tribute song “Send My Greetings” was a highlight and a glimpse into Warner’s bright future, and closer “Sparrow” was as vibrant and beautifully shrieky as ever. “Jump In” and “Fade to Black” didn’t quite capture the magic of the studio versions for me (Damn you, high expectations!), but “Cut Me Out” translated well as a dance-inducing juggernaut. Early tracks (her spelling bee theme songs) “Caligula” and “C.L.U.B.” were sorely missed, and I had hoped to hear either “Diamonds” or “Casual Attraction.”

Regardless, MNDR’s set left me wanting more. Whether it’s a smaller venue, a longer set, or a less lame crowd, MNDR’s next D.C. performance will be the mindblowing dancefest I’m expecting.

[Photo courtesy of Francis Chung, DCist.]

Kate Miller-Heidke @ 9:30 Club

I really didn’t want to enjoy Kate Miller-Heidke‘s 45-minute set last night in Washington, D.C. My other concert reviews on this site have been full of praise and I wanted to write a scathing review; certainly the Australian’s quirky pop, which I had only limited exposure to prior to the show, couldn’t win me […]

Justin Jones @ 9:30 Club

My first impression of Justin Jones is that he – like this concert review – is the guy who shows up late to the party. Jones, a Virginia/D.C. singer-songwriter who is the first signed to 9:30 Records, a new label launched by 9:30 Club co-owner Seth Hurwitz, casually walked on stage to tune […]

She & Him @ 9:30 Club

She & Him live at 9:30 Club

[Ed. Note: Tom is the newest contributor to Knox Road. He’ll be posting concert reviews and the like. He’s usually pretty cool.]

To the typical outsider, actress Zooey Deschanel (“She”) is the main draw of the indie folk duo She & Him. At Wednesday night’s sold out concert at the legendary 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., however, singer-songwriter M. Ward (“Him”), no stranger to the venue, was just as much the celebrity. Ward’s tracks “Magic Trick” and “Rave On” (originally by Sonny West) drew some of the loudest cheers of the night and fans shouted his name for every solo and singing part (“Ridin’ In My Car,” “You Really Got A Hold On Me”). Matt Ward’s cool rock star demeanor contrasted with Zooey’s charming but inconsistent display of excitement (i.e. jumping up and down and beating on a tambourine for “I Was Made For You”), anxiety (deer-in-the-headlights glares at times), introspection, and admiration for her fans, bandmates, and backup singers, the Chapin Sisters.

The group stuttered on a few occasions early with Ward botching a couple of notes and Deschanel almost shrieky and hoarse on “Change Is Hard” and “Thieves,” but they quickly settled in with a gorgeous “Me and You” as everyone chipped in on vocals and eventually had the crowd clapping and dancing to a debut cover of the Beach Boys “Wouldn’t It Be Nice.” Single “In the Sun” was the big crowd pleaser of the night, and “Sweet Darlin'” served as a fitting, energetic closer. The duo plowed through most of both Volume One and Volume Two in its 80+ minute set, the only arguable omission being “Home,” a standout track on Volume Two. Deschanel’s vocals were exceptional at times, and all aspects of her performance were much improved from the band’s 2008 set at the Virgin Mobile Fest in Baltimore; however, the frontwoman seemed most comfortable when Ward joined her on vocals for “Ridin’ In My Car” and the Chapin Sisters (also the opening band) complemented. As a solo artist, Deschanel may still be on her way to consistently displaying the swagger to command an audience, but She & Him (emphasis on the &) have become a formidable force in indie rock.

[Photo courtesy of Kyle Gustafson, Washington Post]

Setlist after the jump.

Continue reading She & Him @ 9:30 Club

[MP3] No Second Troy: "This is the End of Me"

D.C. ghosts (nice ones!) of a long (but not forgotten!) past, No Second Troy, have finally returned with a new single, “This is the End of Me” off their new album, Colors due out April 27. They’re releasing it in conjunction with their upcoming show at the 9:30 Club next Friday, February 18, […]

930 Club Hosts The Prodigy!

This Monday, May 18, the British Electropunk group that brought us such hits as “Breathe” and “Firestarter” is coming to the 930 club. We are talking about The Prodigy, and I am really excited to be attending this show. From what I have heard, all of the shows that The Prodigy have […]

This Week in Concerts: Death Cab, Crystal Stilts, Beirut, etc.

Good news this week if you live in D.C., no need to travel outside the district for shows! That means no driving which means more drinking! Because what’s better than going to work hung-over Thursday morning with Crystal Stilts still ringing in your ears? Several things, actually. Several things.

Wednesday: Death Cab For […]

This Week in Concerts: Mates of State, Exit Clov, Ariel Pink, etc.

ariel pink

Yes yes, more shows, no time, no money. Here’s where you can find all sorts of hip kids jammin’ out this week in the D.C./Baltimore area.

Tuesday: Edie Sedgwick
D.C.’s own crazy weirdo Edie Sedgwick (who we first talked about way back when) is coming to Sonar in Baltimore to channel the spirit of the real Edie Sedgwick and sing songs named after celebrities. Because that’s what he does. Seriously. Love it. He and locals Played Tomorrow and Northernmost are all playing with Medications. Tickets

Edie Sedgwick – “Sissy Spacek” [MP3]

Continue reading This Week in Concerts: Mates of State, Exit Clov, Ariel Pink, etc.

TV On The Radio announce North America tour dates

That’s right, cool guys TVotR are touring North America (basically the U.S., sorry Canada) off last years success Dear Science,. The tour includes a stop at the 9:30 Club here in D.C. on June 8 which will probably sell out like crazy. The band is selling presale tickets to “their fans” […]