This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Callan Tansill-Suddath.
A new year means a new calendar full of must-see music performances. Lucky for us, this new year promises to bring some great acts to the District. Check out these concerts to ring in first few months of 2017:
Run The Jewels
Echostage, Jan. 12
Before Run The Jewels’ third album dropped on Christmas Eve, much of the group’s attention last year came from rapper Killer Mike’s vocal support and work for Sen. Bernie Sanders’, I-Vt, presidential campaign.
In the two weeks since the album’s release, it has been met with praise, including a rare B+ rating from the popular Chicago music blog Consequence of Sound. The two musicians promise to put on a solid set when they visit the District on the second night of their world tour later this month. The show is one of the first opportunities to hear songs from the new album performed live, so it’s sure to be a raw and exciting performance.
Tokyo Police Club
Black Cat, Jan. 22
The band Tokyo Police Club may not seem familiar, but you’ve likely heard the group’s work before. Their work has been incorporated into popular artists’ tracks: Mac Miller included their music in last year’s “Cinderella.” But Tokyo Police Club’s sound is worthy of more than a sample.
The Canadian indie rockers have consistently released some of the most fun, bright and dance-worthy music over the past decade. The past year brought their new album, “Melon Collie and the Infinite Radness,” an EP released in two parts, which will likely provide most of the content for their tour. The show is guaranteed to be a good time, particularly at a venue as intimate as the Black Cat.
Maren Morris
9:30 Club, Feb. 16
Maren Morris ended 2016 as one of the most influential new voices in country music. On Dec. 10, the Texas native performed as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live – a rare feat for an artist in the genre. It has been years since a female country artist’s work has achieved mainstream success without crossing over into the pop genre, like Taylor Swift’s did.
Morris’ voice is refreshingly alternative and her sound has enough of a rock influence to appeal to country skeptics. It’s not often a country act comes to the 9:30 Club, and her show is sure to have you dreaming of warmer weather and summer barbecues.
