Ding! What’s that sound? It’s Round 2 of our 9:30 Club September preview. Brace yourself; we’ve got another handful of shows to throw your way. We’ll be giving away tickets to each of these shows later this month!
Peter Hook and The Light presents Closer, Wed 9/21 (EARLY show)
Peter Hook and The Light return to the 9:30 Club, following up their 2010 “Unknown Pleasures” show. Fans of Hook’s original post-punk rock band, Joy Division, are in for a special treat as the band will play JD’s seminal second album, Closer, live and in its entirety. When was the last time you heard “Love Will Tear Us Apart” live? Could we keep our fingers crossed for a New Order song or two? Probably not, but hey a little Joy Division will keep your bass driven, English rock-loving heart happy. Local DJ Stereo Faith will be throwing down some monster tracks before the show. One of you may just get to experience this rare evening on us… Stay tuned, maybe… tomorrow?
Mates of State, Wed 9/21 (LATE show)
Kori Gardner and Jason Hammel are two talented indie pop musicians better known as Mates of State. This married duo recently released their seventh studio album, Mountaintops, a “new, time traveling exercise in sunny retro popo,” according to The Washington Post. District fans can look forward to their upbeat harmonies and synth-pop vibes. If you fear that all of the happiness this husband-and-wife musical team puts out might actually make your miserable self vomit, no worries, they have some more subtle and bittersweet songs to which you could probably relate like “Desire.” Do you need a little cheering up from M0S? TVD might just be able to help… tomorrow?
Elbow, Thurs 9/22
Only a band from Manchester who seeks to redefine British guitar-based rock can classify themselves as “prog without the solos” with their seemingly grandiose orchestral sound. So what’s with the name? These Brits underwent many a name change in the early years of their career, but settled on Elbow after a line in the BBC TV drama, The Singing Detective, citing the word “elbow” to be the most sensuous word in the English language. I think we’ll agree to disagree on that one, but regardless, Washingtonians will not want to miss Elbow’s emotionally charged and musically diverse rock style.
The Head and the Heart, Fri 9/23
The Head and the Heart is an indie folk band from the Northwest corner of the United States that has only been around for a few years, but have certainly gained massive momentum in their short career. One Google search turns up a slew of positive write ups on this band including features from NPR, Nylon, Billboard.com and Rolling Stone; needless to say, they clearly have something worthy of hearing. Perhaps it’s the clean and classic three-part harmonies infused into their American folk sound? Find out what the buzz is all about at the club later this month! Bonus: Local leading lady and her entourage, Thao with the Get Down Stay Down are opening.
Alright, that wraps up the 9:30 shows for now; time to throw on the flannel, order up a few Pumpkin Spice Lattes and wait for October… Or maybe just till tomorrow for you English post-punk or indie pop duo fans…
