Category: Previews

By Christina Pan

If you know, you know. If you don’t, you know now: Morrissey is bringing his solo tour to The Anthem this Thursday, October 15. He’s one of the most distinctive voices in the British music scene and the former frontman of The Smiths.

Since launching his solo career in the late 1980s, Morrissey has cultivated a loyal fanbase spanning generations. He’s been writing about loneliness, longing, and the occasional joke at his own expense for more than forty years, and the crowds haven’t thinned.

Fans have heard Smiths favorites through the tour like “How Soon Is Now?” and “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” along with solo standouts including “First of the Gang to Die” and “Everyday Is Like Sunday.” Morrissey is also showcasing new material from his latest album, Make-Up Is a Lie, including the sweeping “Notre-Dame.”

It’s a rare opportunity to hear that unmistakable baritone live, in a night of drama, wit and singalong moments.

Tickets and show information are available at The Anthem’s website. Doors open at 6:30 PM; show starts at 7:30.

By Lily Lawler

Who doesn’t love a pop rock, New York City based boy band formed by four high school friends? On October 16th, LAUNDRY DAY will be playing at the 9:30 Club in D.C!

Formed in 2017, the band now consists of four members who attended The Beacon School in Manhattan. Opening for popular artists such as Clairo on her Immunity Tour of 2019 and later Malcolm Todd on his The Wholesome Rockstar Tour Pt. 2 of 2025, LAUNDRY DAY has steadily been gaining popularity since their debut album release Trumpet Boy in 2018. One of their biggest hits comes from their 2019 album HOMESICK, a song titled “Friends” which was
featured in the season 3 finale of the Netflix original breakout series On My Block. After years of releasing music under their own label, the band signed with Warner Records in 2021 and released their major-label debut album We Switched Bodies in February of 2022.

LAUNDRY DAY blends pop, rock, R&B, and indie styles – being described by NME in their article “100 Essential New Artists for 2024” as proponents of “DIY ethos” in their cross-genre production style. They list Tyler, the Creator and Brockhampton as some of their biggest influences and have received praise from the both of them; their album HOMESICK was co-produced with Romil Hemnani of Brockhampton, and they performed at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival in 2019.

If you’re looking for the quintessential, DIY basement-music boy band, buy tickets LAUNDRY DAY at 9:30 Club here.

By Lorelei Schwarz

On Sunday, October 18, Quadeca will take the 9:30 Club stage. Openers DERBY and Olēka are supporting Quadeca’s Life 1 Tour, which follows the October 1 release of his eponymous album. 

Originally a 2010s music YouTuber under the name QuadecaX8, Benjamin Lasky began releasing albums in 2019 following a series of mixtapes. He has received widespread acclaim for his 2021 single “Sisyphus” and 2022 concept album I Didn’t Mean to Haunt You. In the latter, which was his third studio album, Quadeca writes and sings from the perspective of a ghost looking back on his life and death by suicide.

Life and death have continued to play an important thematic role in Quadeca’s subsequent projects, including, of course, Life 1. The album blends sounds from folk, flamenco, hip-hop, and indie rock, among other genres and increasingly experimental samples. It marks a departure from Quadeca’s more cinematic style on I Didn’t Mean to Haunt You and his 2025 album Vanisher, Horizon Scraper. 

Join WGTB at the upcoming Quadeca show and get your tickets here!

By Connor London

On October 25th, 2026, Beck will be bringing his Ride Lonesome Tour to The Anthem in Washington D.C. Greek-American singer Ioanna Gika will be supporting this stop on the Ride Lonesome Tour.

This alternative and indie music icon’s tour is in support of his 15th studio album, Ride Lonesome, which was released on September 18th of this year. This latest album is another layer of the ever-changing sounds of Beck’s long career, this time taking on a slower, emotional, and country-inspired sound somewhat akin to his past albums Sea Changes (2002) and Morning Phase (2014) and a far departure from his last release Hyperspace (2019). This concert will be sure to excite and enamor as Beck performs the diverse sounds from throughout his over 30-year-long career, including classic songs like “Loser,” “Devil’s Haircut,” and “E-Pro.” It will be a unique chance to both rock out to iconic songs and be serenaded with fresh tunes from an alternative music legend.

Whether you are a long-time fan or a curious music lover, Beck’s show will be an exceptional evening of live music and a true demonstration of generational talent. Beck will be bringing a real genre-bending tour-de-force bringing rock, electronic, and folk elements together in one show. The Anthem will be “Where It’s At” on Sunday, October 25th. If you are interested in attending, tickets can be purchased here.

By Caroline Sippel

Come on come on come on….you most definitely want to see Steve Lacy on tour. Sunday, October 18, the singer-songwriter stops at the Anthem on his second world tour to commemorate the release of his third studio album, Oh yeah?, released July 2026. The tour plays Lacy’s top tracks from past and present, with each show featuring a different setlist full of hits, deep-cuts, and covers. 

Oh yeah? truly demonstrates Lacy’s prowess, with a thematic and auditory shift from his overnight sensation, Gemini Rights, from 2022. It is much more electronic and fine-tuned, with the artist himself describing it as his “most complete” album yet. The vulnerability of the words, grappling with themes of fame, relationships, and even existentialism, is reinforced through the haunting production and features of the likes of SZA, Erykah Badu, and Cecile Believe. The album debuted at number 14 on the Billboard Top 200. 

The previously mentioned Gemini Rights, and hit single “Bad Habit,” took the producer and singer-songwriter from known name in the music buff scene to overnight sensation. Lacy has been making music since he was 17, with Grammy and other awards nominations from 2016 onwards—notably, he co-produced “Pride” off of Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-and-Pullitzer winning album Damn. 

This album and tour have been highly anticipated for many years, with new and old fans coming together to appreciate Lacy’s talent. It was definitely worth the four-year hiatus to see the sound, themes, and artistry grow and take shape. If you are interested in seeing the tour, you can buy tickets here, with limited availability, or on resale.

By Rosie Garner

Instrumental composer and performer Flawed Mangoes will be playing at Union Stage on Sunday, June 21st!

Born in Massachusetts, Flawed Mangoes, or Evan Lo, first gained attention after a guitar loop he created for fun went viral online. Since then, he has become one of the most recognizable artists of the growing Hopecore movement, a genre centered on uplifting and inspiring listeners through instrumental music. His breakout track, “Killswitch Lullaby,” helped establish his place in the genre and introduced millions to his reflective, string-based sound.

With more than 1.6 million followers on TikTok, Flawed Mangoes has built a dedicated audience drawn to his ability to tell stories without lyrics. Blending intricate guitar melodies with atmospheric production, his music creates an emotional listening experience that resonates with listeners worldwide. Whether you’re already a fan of Hopecore or just looking to discover a new artist, make sure to check out Flawed Mangoes at Union Stage.

By Ellison Albright

This Friday, Bleachers and opener Hovvdy will be playing at the Merriweather Post Pavilion. Fronted by Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer Jack Antonoff, Bleachers is well-known for their infectious 80s-influenced pop rock. The band burst onto the scene in 2014 with their album Strange Desires, featuring two songs of the summer—“Rollercoaster” and “I Wanna Get Better.” Since then, Bleachers has been unstoppable, amassing a large following, touring internationally, and releasing another four albums. Their most recent album, everyone for ten minutes, was released on May 22. From the new to the old and from the experimental to the classic, Bleachers is sure to put on a show for everyone… let’s just hope it lasts longer than ten minutes!

Join WGTB at the show and get your tickets here.

By Olivia Baine

I first came across the musical stylings of Courtney Barnett in 2022 during my freshman year of college. I was a DJ at KSPC 88.7FM Claremont, a far way from home, and spent a lot of time in the basement radio station for a girl that went across the country to attend a school in eternally sunny Southern California. One day, I was lucky to pull Courtney Barnett’s Tell Me How You Really Feel (2018) from the CD storage racks. Listening to this album on the intercom speakers, I found an instant companion in Barnett’s deadpan, conversational voice. Bouncing between my favorites “Help Your Self” and “Need A Little Time,” Barnett’s lyrical wit and depth opened my mind up to her music. 

Now, a Senior in college and far far away from California, I connected with Courtney Barnett’s most recent release Creature of Habit (2026). This album is a true return to form for the Australian singer-songwriter. The ten-track album features the strong backbeats, striking, angsty vocals, emotionally-attuned lyrics, and vivid instrumentation that I fell for four years ago. Barnett is taking this album on the road, and you’re not going to want to miss this striking solidification of Barnett’s sound. In alignment with Barnett’s wise words from her song “Rae Street,” “Well, time is money and money is no man’s friend,” so come spend your time and money to join Courtney Barnett in Washington, D.C. at the Anthem on Sunday May 10th. Get your tickets here! 

Australian indie folk band The Paper Kites are hitting the 9:30 Club on May 6th!

Originating in Melbourne in 2009, these high school friends have since reached new heights. They achieved U.S. chart success with their 2010 single “Bloom” and have released seven studio albums in total. Now touring their new album If You Go There, I Hope You Find It, the band showcases a more mature, reflective side than ever. On stage, their unique sound shines through their melancholic harmonies and playful interactions.

Get your tickets here!

By Maggie Adams

On May 5, indie folk artist Searows will be performing at the 9:30 Club, bringing his quiet, emotional, Phoebe Bridgersesque™ sound to one of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic venues. The 9:30 Club offers an ideal setting for this kind of performance. Known for its intimate atmosphere, the venue allows audiences to feel closely connected to the artist.

Searows, the project of Alec Duckart, has built a following through stripped-down production and introspective lyrics. His music is small and still with soft guitar and impressive vocals. Songs like “House Song” and “Keep the Rain” are his most popular, and he resonates especially with fans Phoebe Bridgers or Bon Iver. 

Over the last couple years, Searows has been rising in popularity. This tour debuts his sophomore album Death in the Business of Whaling. Tears will be shed and some of us might send texts to our high school homoerotic friendships. Who knows. 

Buy tickets here!