Hometown Sounds

To the hardy few who stay in DC for Labor Day weekend, we salute you. Now go see some #DCmusic while you’re here.

Friday 8/31:
Our monthly DC music showcase returns to the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage after work today. Grab a seat before 6 PM and check out the dance-punk of Light Beams, one of the most exciting new bands in town.

Saturday 9/01:
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’s annual tradition of hosting a free show at the Lincoln Theatre on Labor Day weekend continues. Saturday is “Latin Flavor Night” and features Verny Varela, Pablo Antonio y La Firma, and Elena & Los Fulanos.

Sunday 9/02:
Sunday’s lineup at the Lincoln Theatre’s Labor Day Weekend Music Festival is devoted to “Go-Go Fusion”. DuPont Brass, The JoGo Project, Full Throttle Band, and The Experience Band & Show make this one a can’t miss event!

Monday 9/03:
The last day of the summer season requires some outdoor dancing. The Capital House Music Festival takes over Meridian Hill Park on Monday from noon to 9 with DJs and live performances including The Ecussionist, Deacon Izzy & the Congregation, DJ Jay Jay, Chosen, Andy Grant of DC House Grooves, Benoit, Tee Alford, DJ Tantra and of course Sam “The Man” Burns. The whole thing is free, so consider donating to their GoFundMe to keep the soul of house music thriving in DC.

There’s one more week left in our swampy DC summer. Here are our picks for filling your soul with the finest quality #DCmusic every night of the week.

Monday 8/27:
Monday nights are often best for open mikes and jam sessions. For tonight’s recommendation, we say head to Homestead Food & Beverage Company in Petworth. That’s where you’ll find the weekly Mixtape Mondays session, featuring a top notch house band of Elijah Jamal Balbed, Mark G. Meadows, Dante Pope and Ramy Amenra El Oyoun.

Tuesday 8/28:
Afro-punker Rex celebrates his birthday on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage this Tuesday. Grab a free seat before 6 PM or stream it online if you have to work late!

Wednesday 8/29:
In addition to leading the all-women big band The Bullettes, Shannon Gunn is one of the finest trombone players in town. Twins Jazz on U Street hosts Gunn Wednesday night for two sets, 8 and 10 PM.

Thursday 8/30:
You can count on Gypsy Sally’s for the best roots rock bills in town. This Thursday night you can see The Walkaways, By & By and Wes Tucker & The Skillets under the Whitehurst Freeway in Georgetown, and go home with a head full of amazing songs.

Friday 8/31:
We’ve got a bonus Friday pick for you! True DC insiders know to stick around on holiday weekends to have the best stuff for ourselves. This Friday at 6 PM Hometown Sounds is crazy excited to host dance punk band Light Beams on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage!

It’s Friday. You know the drill. We’re not staying home, right? Let’s go.

Friday 8/24:
The OSYX are leading the feminist charge in the DC music scene in 2018. Their monthly residency at Dew Drop Inn hits tonight with New York State’s Candy Ambulance and our own Crash Kitten and Honey. It’s worth the trip for “F*ckboys” alone.

Saturday 8/25:
The adorably folksy band Handsome Hound has charmed us silly for many years in DC. But all good things must end, and singers Claire Daviss and Cuchulain Kelly are moving their mustache and suspenders harmony stylings to the west coast. Come sing along to “Hannah” one last time at Songbyrd Saturday night, with support from Elena & Los Fulanos.

Sunday 8/26:
It’s going to be a beautiful weekend to check out DC’s newest swank development The Wharf. Splurge on a fancy dinner out and head to Pearl Street Warehouse for a free show called Southwest Soul Sessions on Sunday evening. Jazz power couple Elijah Balbed and Isabelle De Leon host a jam session with special guests and maybe you too.

Hometown Sounds is back from summer break and ready for action. Here are your weekly picks of the best #DCmusic shows. Don’t Stay Home!

Tuesday 8/21:
Get more jazz in your soul tonight at Takoma Station. Tuesday nights they host a free jam session, giving you the chance to get to know new players and seasoned vets. RSVP to skip the cover.

Wednesday 8/22:
The DC Public Library‘s Punk Archive initiative is expanding beyond their original hardcore mandate to present some of our fave DC bands on the terrace of the Woodridge branch overlooking Langdon Park. The Wednesday evening series resumes this week with the awesome soulful synth pairing of The Body Roll Duo BOOMscat and Stronger Sex.

Thursday 8/23:
The Blight Records crew are a tight knit bunch, collaborating often on shows and remixes. The BLIGHT. Makes Right Vol. II compilation, out this week, shows how big the fam now is, with tracks from Swoll, Loi Loi, Park Snakes, Luna Honey, Blacklodge, IMKA and many more. Celebrate the release extravaganza Thursday night at Dew Drop Inn with performances from Eve Maret, Wilder Green, Leah Gage’s solo moniker Crab Legs, and Blight kingpin Ben Schurr aka Br’er.

Friday 8/10:
Help kick off ska band Kill Lincoln‘s tour at the Black Cat Friday night and pick up and advance copy of their new vinyl release Good Riddance To Good Advice. New Orleans ska band Joystick and our own Boardroom Heroes open.

Saturday 8/11:
How about this strong lineup of bluesy rock at Gypsy Sallys Saturday night? You get JUXT, Oh He Dead and new material from Wanted Man. Bring earplugs!

Sunday 8/12:
Swipe right and impress your date with literary cocktails and classy bilingual folk music from Elena Lacayo Sunday evening at Petworth Citizen.

We are on summer break next week, but don’t miss next weekend’s DC Music Rocks Festival at the 9:30 Club and the Audioteka II Festival at Club Heaven & Hell!