I hate endings. I am horrible at saying goodbye and never want things to end, so forgive me while I squawk at the end of 2012 for its awful timing. All I have left for you, my dear music freaks, are the last shows I think you shouldn’t regret not seeing in 2012.
Friday, December 21st, O’Death at the Rock and Roll Hotel | O’Death’s new lease on life has allowed for their personal growth to shine brightly upon their 2011 release, Outside. The Brooklyn standouts have managed to shift to a cleaner, clearer focus whilst spinning darker folk tales throughout their latest album.
It is a triumphant reentry with a new thoughtful side, sliding easily into a new chapter for the quintet. From “Pushing Out:” “This year could last forever / this year could never start…” Let’s start it, but not before ending it with O’Death tonight.
And a one-two for the long stretch:
Sunday, December 30th, The Evens at Wilson Center, 3047 15th Street, NW – $5 ALL AGES. THE SHOW STARTS AT 8PM AND WILL BE OVER BY 9PM
As we noted earlier this month with our review of the duo’s show in Winchester, VA, “In keeping with the objectives of guitarist/vocalist Ian MacKaye and drummer/vocalist Amy Farina, the evening was a gloriously informal affair; there was conversation and laughter alongside a spirit of excitement and involvement that flew in the face of passive consumption. And of course there was sweet music.”
We expect no less—for the very low ticket price of five bucks, going to raise funds for Next Step, a public DC charter school.
Please also bring canned veggies or fruit, peanut butter, or other non-perishable food donations for the We Are Family food bank. Advance tickets will be available at Crooked Beat, Joint Custody, or Smash Records in Adams Morgan and CD Cellar in Arlington.
Sunday, December 30th, Pharmacists, Without Warning, and Night Moves at Red Palace | As 2012 comes to a close, we must also say farewell to the Red Palace, a venue that I have frequented many nights, some consecutive, and which has become one of my favorite places to see a live show.
I’ve also discovered a great deal of local bands at the palace, danced with strangers downstairs while the DJ spun Grimes, and feasted on create-it-yourself burgers to my constant delight. Let’s pay our final respects to the Red Palace, made for us regular royals, one last time next Sunday.
Well, there you have it DC, my last offering for you in the year of 2012. Get out there and have a Happy New Year!
