Maybe it’s just because the weather is finally nice again, but April is bringing some serious live music to the D.C. area practically every night of the week. Students won’t even have to leave campus to see three great big-name shows this month, with celebrated rapper Talib Kweli headlining Spring Fling at University Yard on Saturday, April 8. The following night, Jewish reggae superstar Matisyahu will grace audiences with his fast raps, singing and beat-boxing at the Smith Center on Sunday, April 9. At the end of the month, singer songwriter Ben Lee will be playing with British singer Aqualung on the Vern for Fountain Day (See article, p. 10).
The 9:30 Club has a particularly strong lineup of performers for April, beginning on the 7th, Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers, who played at GW for Fall Fest last semester, will headline a show with local rock band Kenin. On the other side of town, local rock band The Influence will play at Grog and Tankard. With a new album, the Virginia five-piece band based around acoustic rock and emo-esque lyrics (“how can you say we can be friends/when you fucked me over once again”) should deliver a solid show at the Georgetown bar.
On April 8, GW students can listen to local rock group Downtown Singapore in between acts at Spring Fling as the band performs a live set over the air on WRGW. The band’s new album, Don’t Let Your Guard Down, sounds a bit like a cross between Thursday’s fast-paced adrenaline-filled hooks, Mars Volta instrumentals and the lyrics of any typical emo-core band (take your pick). Check WRGW’s Web site (www.gwradio.com) for times.
On April 10, rapper Ghostface Killah of the Wu Tang Klan will perform at the 9:30 Club. The 9:30 Club will continue with its hip-hop shows the following night with acclaimed duo Blackalicious with Livesavas, a hip-hop group from Portland, Ore.
On April 15, former GW rockers and rising local artists Exit Clov will play at the Black Cat. On April 16, singer-songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor will play an intimate show at the 9:30 Club. The Russian New York City star – who has been compared to Ani DiFranco, Joni Mitchell and Fiona Apple – has achieved much popularity after gaining national acclaim from her latest album, Soviet Kitsch.
On April 18, even more emo returns to the D.C. area with The Starting Line and Further Seems Forever playing at the Recher Theatre. On April 22, The Black Eyed Peas will play a show at the Meriwether Post Pavilion.
Finally, on April 28, 90’s rockers Gin Blossoms (remember, “Hey Jealousy?”) will play at the State Theatre, and the following night (April 29) The Strokes will play a packed crowd at D.A.R. Constitution Hall.
