The Scene

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

Big In Japan have enjoyed a kind of residency at The Windup Space in Baltimore, playing every Sunday evening in August.  Instead of merely having another band open for them each week, they have invited their guests to collaborate with them on stage.  I cannot imagine how much extra practice this entails, and when one considers that these shows are free, the monetary rewards must be even more limited than they usually are for such bands.  These shows are rock for art’s sake, and I highly recommend that you check out the final show of this series on the 30th when they will be joined by Katrina of Celebration.  This past Sunday Big In Japan’s guests were The Expotentials.  Details of the best show I have seen in a very long time follow after the jump. (more…)

New Orleans has been struggling since Katrina, but unfortunately New Orleans has always been struggling. One of the ways people dealt with problems was to develop some of the only music that America can claim as its own. After the hurricane, there were many people that feared that the culture would be lost as the city is rebuilt with mansions, casinos and expensive condos. The Big Easy remains a place in desperate need of the thriving music culture that made it world famous. Rebirth Brass Band drummer Derrick Tabb is trying to do something about it. When Tabb is in town, he’s hard at work keeping kids off the street by teaching them to play music. One way to keep kids motivated is to keep them playing music every weekday from 4-7pm in the band room. No band geeks here – just kids gettin’ funky! Check-out Tabb and the Rebirth Brass Band this Thursday at The State Theatre. Doors open at 7pm – Show starts at 9pm.

Although weather wreaked havoc on the shows the week before, rain helf off last Thursday.  Instead, the large crowd, some with incredibly well-behaved dogs, who came out for the final Fort Reno show of 2009 were treated to tropical breezes and an eclectic mix of music by Grendel Babies, Casper Bangs, and Title Tracks.  The sign painted on the front of the stage coyly said “maybe next year,” but the Fort Reno website promises news about next year’s concert series.  I’m certainly looking forward to it.  A review of last week’s season finale follows after the jump. (more…)