As we noted last week upon the launch of the first of our 3 Landmark Music Festival ticket giveaways, it’s often said that Washington, DC lacks for very little. It’s literally ground zero and the epicenter of national and international politics, there’s nightlife from the urbane to the DIY, and a thriving cultural and arts community—yet there’s a discernible absence of a festival scene in DC proper along the lines of say a Lollapalooza or Austin City Limits. Sure, there are any number of smaller enclaves self-promoting shows and specific scenes that are thriving—just nothing to the scale of “America’s Front Yard.”
Enter the Landmark Music Festival, content to not just throw a huge party for DC but to aid in the restoration and preservation of its host, the National Mall. As the organizers C3 Presents—who actually produce the aforementioned Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits (among others)—explain on the festival’s website, “The National Mall is more than just our country’s premier national park. It’s America’s Front Yard, the world’s window into the American story, and home to some of our nation’s most recognizable monuments, memorials and historic moments. It represents our country’s collective voice, its heroes, and its timeless values. But today, the National Mall—and all that it stands for—are at risk.
The Trust for the National Mall—an official partner of the National Park Service—is leading the charge to restore and improve the National Mall and honor its ideals for future generations through the new Landmark Campaign. Landmark Music Festival kicks off this monumental national campaign to bring awareness and funds to America’s Front Yard—all in a single Festival weekend unlike any other.”
We have four pairs of tickets left to give away leading up to the inaugural shindig on the Mall, and for the second of 3 giveaways we thought to introduce you to some of the bands making the trip across the country for Landmark. Next week in our third installment we’ll treat the international acts who are headlining the festival.
Son Little takes the stage early on Saturday. A preacher’s son from LA, remnants of gospel echo in his tracks, however his influences don’t stop there. Son Little traveled eastward making stops in New York and eventually settling in Philadelphia, working as a vocal collaborator with Philadelphia’s first family of hip hop, The Roots. He’s lived across the map as well and conjures music that speaks to all Americans—neo soul and funk harboring a Chicago blues pulse—with vocal cadences native to Louisiana’s gulf coast.
Speaking of Louisiana, New Orleans icons Dr. John & The Nite Trippers are set to play on Sunday afternoon—perfect timing for the group’s soulfully charged tunes. Dr. John’s passion for music has been burning in the Big Easy since the ’50s. Known for his Mardi Gras inspired style, Dr. John tells the lively story of New Orleans through songs like “Iko Iko” and “The Big Brass Drum.” In addition to being a New Orleans cultural icon, Dr. John is also an accomplished bluesman. He weaves his deep, bluesy vocals with the spirited style of the bayou, incorporating trumpets and energetic solos in his work. Dr. John is a legend for good reason—no one else can pull off his distinct musical style. Miss his set at your peril.
Brooklyn’s TV On The Radio has also created a unique brand of rock ‘n’ roll—known for their catchy riffs punctuated by progressive synth work. Well paced tempos act as the base for lead singer Tunde Adebimpe to layer atop memorable vocals. The band has been at work for ten years and is currently enjoying well deserved recognition from the media. The Boston Globe describes their live show as “sexy nerdiness letting go in a controlled blast of unleashed energy.”
Finally The Strokes, a band born into the ’90s New York City rock scene, is headlining the festival on Sunday night. They’re garage rock wrapped in leather—-a harmonious blend of escalating guitars, tight drumming, and Julian Casablanca’s vocals. The Strokes employ their different instruments in strict unison, each piece having a distinct place in the whole with nuanced solos fitting within the confines of their hallmark sound. Their most recent release, Comedown Machine (2013), shows that The Strokes are still making wholly distinct indie music.
Enter to win a pair of 2-Day General Admission tickets by citing in the comments below your favorite feature of “America’s Front Lawn,” the National Mall—and briefly why. We’ll choose TWO winners on Monday, September 21, 2015 for a pair of tickets each. Winners will be notified directly via email.
