The Scene

MusicDetour.com’s commentary on music, performances, and the DC metro area music scene

A look ahead at music playing in the DC area in the coming week.

Monday 8/25/08

Birchmere: Terrence Howard – 7:30pm

Tuesday 8/26/08

Ragtime: Matt Weilmuenster – 9:00pm

Wednesday 8/27/08 (more…)

Most colleges in the area are getting back in session and at least one college bar is throwing down this Saturday. Fat Tuesday’s is putting on a huge show right across the street from George Mason University. Music is not done in Fairfax, so this is the official launch of local music at a different bar (sorry T.T.’s). Starting at 4:00pm on Saturday, August 23rd, Fat’s will be rocking out. Performers at the show include Everyone But Pete, Vinn Fiz, 23 Rainy Days, NUMA, Finver Four, The Speaks, The Common Threat, and Anamide. Its not everyday that bars and bands throw down for GMU students, so make it there.

Also on Saturday, a bit of an all day music festival will be going down at Jammin Java. Beginning at Noon David Moreale, Brianna Lane, Kelley McRae and Ben Arthur will be performing. Then at 6:00pm The Midnight Appointment and Sparky’s Flaw are playing. Finally, the main jam going on at 10:00pm features Square Trio and Politicks. There’s no excuse to not rock-out in Northern VA on Saturday Night. (more…)

Its been over a year and a half since James Brown passed away and his music is sorely missed. This Saturday, August 23rd, Fred Wesley, Brown’s former trombonist, will play with the tribute to James Brown known as Still Black, Still Proud. James Brown was hugely popular in Africa and a cast of African musicians join musicians from Brown’s band to put on a concert in the name of a man and a movement. By choosing to name the group after one of Brown’s most politically poignant songs, the band attests that both the movement and the music are still here to continue on in the wake of the Godfather of Soul’s death. Get down and Get up at the 9:30 Club in Washington DC this Saturday at 8:00pm.

A look ahead at music playing in the DC area in the coming week.

Tuesday 8/19/08

9:30 Club: Good Charlotte – 7:00pm

Wednesday 8/20/08

9:30 Club: Aesop Rock – 7:00pm

Thursday 8/21/08

Clarendon Grill:  The Cured - 9:00pm

Friday 8/22/08 (more…)

Back in March, Victor Wooten rocked the State Theatre with his band by making the bass the lead instrument in the group. Now he’s back in northern Virginia with two of the greatest musicians to play the bass. Vic will be performing with Marcus Miller and Stanley Clarke at Wolf Trap on Saturday, August 16th at Wolf Trap beginning at 8:00pm (don’t forget to BYOB!).

Funk jazz fans will be happy as Garage a Trois rock the State Theatre in Falls Church at 9:00pm (doors open at 7:00pm).

The Nissan Pavilion will be  hosting a great rock show with Maroon 5, Counting Crows and Sara Bareilles. The gates open for the show at 6:00pm. As always at Nissan Pavillion, be prepared for traffic.

Finally, The Legends of Hip-Hop show is going down at the Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore, MD. This show features Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane, Whodini, Mc Lyte and Doug E Fresh. Gates open for this show at 5:30pm.

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This is looking like its going to be a music packed weekend. It starts off big on Friday with three local music shows. First, Redshift will be playing at the 9:30 Club for the first time with The War Within and Rome in a Day. Doors open at 6:00pm for that show. These are three up-and-coming local bands that you’ll want to catch before they are touring nationally.

Second, Future is playing at the State Theatre in Falls Church with Poor Man�s Lobster and Panacea at 8:00pm. I saw Future play with Poor Man’s Lobster at T.T. Reynold’s and it was one of the best local performances I have seen in a long time. Be sure to check these guys out.

Third, a local favorite, The Speaks, is playing at The Auld Shebeen with JunkFood and Klepto Radio starting at 8:00pm. It should be a good show and proves that music still exists in the City of Fairfax.

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When Cee-Lo (from the Goodie Mob) teamed up with producer Danger Mouse as Gnarls Barkley in 2006 for their debut album St. Elsewhere, they shocked the music world. St. Elsewhere was ground-breaking for its blend of Hip-Hop with Indie rock. I remember one day I heard their big hit “Crazy” on the radio three times consecutively on different radio stations. What was really amazing was that the first was on a rock station, second was on a Hip-Hop station and third was a top-40 station. Not bad for their first album and their first single.

Now, the duo is back out trying to do it again touring for their sophomore album, The Odd Couple. Tuesday night, Gnarls Barkley will rock the 9:30 Club in DC with Hercules and Love Affair. Doors open at 7:00pm. These guys are going to rock it. (more…)

Return to Forever was one of the founding fusion bands in the early ’70s. Following in the footsteps of Miles Davis’ electric bands of the 1960s, Return to Forever combined some of the great young jazz musicians who were interested in exploring the boundaries of jazz by combining it with electric instruments. Chick Corea has been one of the most successful jazz musicians at exploring those boundaries and has filled the shoes of Miles Davis in mentoring younger musicians.

On Monday, August 4th, Return to Forever is bringing their reunion tour to the DC area by performing at the Merriweather Post Pavillion. Its not everyday that you can catch a jazz group playing such a large venue. The gates open at 6:30pm. Be sure to catch this legendary group as their may not be anymore chances to see them. (more…)

A look ahead at music playing in the DC area in the coming week.

Monday 8/4/08

Merriweather Post Pavillion: Return to Forever - Gates Open at 6:30pm

Tuesday 8/5/08

9:30 Club: Gnarls Barkley and Hercules and Love Affair – 7:00pm

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Every year the World’s largest fiddler’s competition is held in Galax, VA during the first week of August. This year The Old Fiddler’s Convention is being held from August 4th through August 9th. I’ve been there and its a great time. The caliber of musicians that descend on Galax every year is unbelievable. For those of you who have never heard of it, GO!, its a great cultural experience. For those of you who love Bluegrass music, then i don’t need to tell you how great this event is. You basically show up with a camper and camp out for the week (or an evening or two).