The rain didn’t stop The Lumineers and their guests Vance Joy and Chance Peña from pouring their hearts and souls into their music at Nationals Park from about 7:00 PM until nearly midnight on Sept. 6, 2025.

The Denver-based Lumineers are on their Automatic World Tour, named after their album Automatic, which was released on Valentine’s Day earlier this year. The release date was fitting, as the album – and the concert itself – was like a love letter to life.

 Post-fireworks, post-barbecue, post-holiday haze—it’s time for the real celebration to begin.

Yes, yes! The whispers are true! The indie-folk firebrands, the peace-preaching, harmony-hurling, tour-hardened troubadours of truth known as Dispatch are riding once more into the Virginia night! After setting the nation’s capital aglow with their civic-minded performance at “AMPlifying Democracy With Dispatch” at the 9:30 Club—where democracy and downbeats shared the same rhythm—they're coming back for a night of pure musical communion at none other than Wolf Trap, the country’s only national park for the performing arts.

And this time—oh yes, this time—they’re coming armed with something brand new:

Yellow-Jacket, their brand-new studio album, arrives June 6th, 2025 
Which means this tour is more than just a reunion. It’s a revelation. A chance to hear fresh dispatches—new songs, new stories, new anthems—performed live for the first time in the wide open summer air.

But let us not forget: the last time Dispatch graced this sylvan sanctuary, it was not a mere concert. It was Symphonic Dispatch, a genre-bending alliance with the National Symphony Orchestra that turned folk-rock favorites into cinematic epics. “Only the Wild Ones” soared on a string section. “Bang Bang” became an overture. And “The General”? Oh, he marched into battle with a full brass regiment behind him.  

What can a fan expect? Oh, you sweet summer child...

Expect harmonies that hit like a lightning strike to the chest—Chad Stokes and Mike Sawitzke singing as if they'd all been raised in the same mythical New England wood, by wolves and Bob Marley records.  Behold Brad Corrigan and Jon 'JR' Reilly drumming as the frenetic, powerful beasts that they are behind their drumkits.

Expect setlists that shapeshift—one moment you're in a smoky reggae jam, the next you're caught in a folk-punk stampede. Expect drums and djembe. Acoustic ballads that hush a crowd of thousands. Then—bam!—a fuzzed-out rocker that has the lawn on its feet, dancing like church just broke out.

Now, July 5, 2025—Dispatch returns. No orchestra. No velvet. Just pure, uncut Dispatch.  A concert by this enduring and beloved band would be good enough, but they are bringing an all-star and eclectic group of supporting performers with them.   None other than John Butler, G. Love & Special Sauce, and Donavon Frankenreiter.

But let’s not forget—last time Dispatch graced this sylvan amphitheater, they didn’t come alone.  They brought the thunder, yes, but they also brought the strings, the brass, the full regalia of the National Symphony Orchestra! A night of Symphonic Dispatch, where “The General” marched to a swelling timpani, and “Out Loud” rose on the wings of violins. The audience sang into the Virginia forest as woodwinds soared. And somewhere, Pete Seeger smiled from the beyond.

This time? The boys are stripping it back down—rootsy, raw, and ready to roar—but bringing with them a sonic dream team that reads like a festival poster from some parallel universe where summer never ends.

THE LINEUP:

 John Butler with Band – Australia’s finger-picking prophet. A bandleader, bard, and banshee of the blues. Expect the seismic anthem “Ocean” to roll in like a summer thunderstorm across the Wolf Trap's green hills.

 G. Love & Special Sauce – That slick-tongued poet of Philadelphia funk. A man who can melt harmonica reeds with a glance and turn a crowd into a gospel choir of groove. Cold beverages? You bet.

 Donavon Frankenreiter – Ex-pro surfer, now soul-soaked singer-songwriter of the sun-drenched persuasion. He’ll be drifting in on a sea breeze with his hit “Free” and a vibe you can wear like linen.

BUT WAIT. BEFORE THE SHOW...

That’s right. Before a single chord is strummed or a chorus is sung, the Dispatch faithful—the patch-wearers, the lyric-knowers, the front-row regulars—are gathering at the Starr Hill Biergarten for a little something called the Patch Party Fan Event. Think: cold craft beers, friendly faces, fan-led merch swaps, lawn seating tales of yore, and maybe—just maybe—a surprise acoustic moment or a signed setlist giveaway. It’s the calm before the sonic storm. Don’t miss it.

Want to Presave Yellow-Jacket (Released on June 6, 2025)

John Butler

G. Love &  Special Sauce

Donavon Frankenreiter

To learn more about Dispatch, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Spotify
• TIDAL
• Soundcloud

Major League Baseball's post-season is in full swing - the Baltimore Orioles made the playoffs (but sadly left the playoffs after a quick 0-2 series with the Kansas City Royals.  However, the scorching summer heat has somewhat given way to some crisp Autumn days - 'tis the peak season of baseball for fans of all ages!  We now take a moment to reflect on a spectacular day of baseball on September 19th, just a few blocks away from Camden Yards.  On that day we were delighted to attend the hometown release of Tim Newby's latest book, "The Original Louisville Slugger: The Life and Times of Forgotten Baseball Legend Pete Browning," at Pickett Brewing Company in Baltimore. If Newby's name sounds familiar, you may know him from his two prior books, "Bluegrass in Baltimore: The Hard Drivin' Sound and Its Legacy" and, more famously, "Leftover Salmon: Thirty Years of Festival!"

The mood was set as attendees saddled up to the bar and ordered beers brewed and crafted on the premises, including an appropriately named "Kentucky Slugger" created just for this evening. Attendees then spread out amongst the bluegrass room, sitting at tables and couches.

As the clock struck 7:30 PM, the evening would start with a bluegrass-inspired "Take Me Out To the Ballgame," as host Tim Newby welcomed everyone around this intimate bluegrass baseball diamond. Newby began by reading a passage from his new book and introduced us to Pete Browning. This evening, we were transported to the blue moons and pastures of Kentucky set upon the sounds of a five-piece bluegrass band.  Newby was quick to point out that there have been over 20,000 professional baseball players and that some have been lost to history.  Through meticulous research, Newby breathed life back into one of the more eccentric characters in baseball history.

Tim Newby was not the only historian in the room.  When it was time for another musical interlude, Sarah Larsen from Geraldine showed her own historical prowess by discussing the songs and life of Earl Scruggs. After a song, Newby talked about the immense connection between bluegrass and baseball, which goes back to the father of bluegrass himself - Bill Monroe. Monroe, he went on to discuss, was quite the competitive person and recruited pro baseball players to be part of his road crew to help field his own baseball team. The connection between bluegrass and baseball was more substantial than most of us realized.

The evening included a curated selection of songs from bluegrass standards to "The Bug" by Dire Straights.  The evening was filled with clever references to baseball as "The Bug" included the lyrics "Sometimes you're the Louisville slugger baby / Sometimes you're the ball."  Who knew that a British hit from the early 1990s could be perfectly arranged for bluegrass? Newby discussed aspects of Browning's life, and the band drew from the vast swath of relatable bluegrass songs. After Newby discussed the types of baseball bats Browning used, including a massive bat by today's standards, the band sang a relatable "Nine Pound Hammer" by Merle Travis as Danny Stewart from Country Current shucked some corn for us all.

As we learned more about bourbon, affectionately known as "sweet tonsil varnish" by Browning, we learned more about the eccentric life that Browning led, highlighting some of the many triumphs, tragedies, and eccentricities of this mythical baseball player.

What stood out most amongst the music and stories was Newby's passionate storytelling. The audience was mesmerized and drawn in by Newby's storytelling. The brewery was hushed as we listened to Newby on his pitcher mound, passionately reaching back into history, breathing life into this long-forgotten legend of baseball. How does one write a book about a 19th-century player - especially when that player was illiterate? Newby painstakingly researched sports stories from the time and read game reports from the fourteen hundred games that Browning played.  We can only hope that Newby creates an audiobook version of this book where his passion and reverence for baseball can be heard and not just read by baseball history fanatics.  

John Bolten from Geraldine, a masterful lyricist who has already crafted the title song "In The Water" for the Baygrass Music Festival, introduced a new song he wrote about Browning, "Drunk on the Diamond." Newby would leave the audience with the social commentary: "When the choice is to pick between truth and legend, we pick the legend." To that end, to hear Newby passionately tell the story of this legend was spectacular. What a fitting way to hold a ceremony to breathe life into a true legend of the game.   

The evening would end with two appropriate songs. The first was a fitting tribute to Browning, "Sitting On Top Of The World" by Walter Vinson and Lonnie Chatmon.   The last song, "Centerfield" by John Fogerty was introduced by Greg Garrison of Leftover Salmon.  Garrison introduced the song by talking about how his father is a season ticket holder for the Colorado Rockies and how one of his favorite things to do is take his grandson to see the Rockies play. Garrison would remark how this last song was amongst his son's favorite songs. After the brief and heartfelt introduction, the entirety of Pickett Brewery joined in singing "Centerfield," which itself has become interwoven into the fabric of baseball.   The younger Garrison, with a microphone and miniature bass in hand, helped lead the evening to a climactic and joyous conclusion.    This moment was a perfect way to end an evening - as the love of America's favorite pastime was shared and passed down from one generation, breathing new life into both the legend and humanity of Pete Browning.

For those who want to read more about Pete Browning, we highly recommend picking up your copy of this book in bookstores and online retailers. Looking towards the future, we look forward to the next book by Tim Newby - whatever it may be, he will write with passion and draw us into his web of storytelling.

For those who appreciate bluegrass in Baltimore, we recommend stopping at Pickett Brewing Company Wednesday through Sunday. Pickett Brewing Company is an independent brewery owned by Jason Howard and Kate Conway, who are bluegrass lovers.  Each third Thursday of the month, the brewery hosts bluegrass jams between 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.  Bring your instrument or your ears to 1130 S. Paca Street and try a new beer, pick to your heart's delight, enjoy Baltimore's bluegrass scene, and make new friends.

To learn more about The Original Louisville Slugger, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage

To learn more about Tim Newby, please see the following web resources:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Amazon Profile

To learn more about Pickett Brewing Company, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage
• Facebook
• Instagram
  

Calling all funk fans!  Who is ready for a Jazz Supernova in Washington, DC, on September 18th at The Hamilton Live in downtown Washington, DC?  Karl Denson's Tiny Universe will perform with special guests Snacktime on their Mason-Diesel Line Tour!  

These two powerful jazz groups are set to collide in DC for the most explosive night of funk, funktastic, and jazztastic music when Philadelphia's own SNACKTIME opens for world-renowned jazz musician Karl Denson with his force of nature band Karl Denson's Tiny Universe (KDTU).

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe has electrified audiences around the world for over 25 years, from the fields of Naeba in Japan at the infamous Fuji Rock Festival to the hallowed stage of Madison Square Garden, where they previously joined the Dave Matthews Band and The Godfather of Soul - James Brown. From performing as Sexual Chocolate (Karl was in the original band in the movie Coming To America and its sequel) at the Outside Lands Music Festival in San Francisco to being the first late-night act at the inaugural Bonnaroo festival, KDTU has been a dominating force in music for the past 25 years. All-night, sold-out concerts during Jazzfest in New Orleans have featured sit-ins by everyone from Lenny Kravitz & Steve Winwood (with whom Karl has recorded and toured) to avant-garde luminaries Marc Ribot & Boyfriend.

Denson has toured the country with the Allman Brothers, My Morning Jacket, D'Angelo, The Roots, Public Enemy, Bob Weir, Parliament Funkadelic, Slightly Stoopid, and Widespread Panic - very few concertgoers have been untouched by the Tiny Universe live.

 
SNACKTIME is Philadelphia's already beloved seven-piece band, blazing a path cut from their soul, funk, punk, rock, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B influences. Created during the height of the pandemic, the group began performing free shows in Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square that combined their love of music, food, and togetherness. They quickly amassed huge crowds and became a symbol of positivity and lockdown release while showcasing the richness of their city's musical history and community. All of this eventually led to sold-out headlining shows in Philly, NYC, Miami, and LA, plus performances at festivals nationwide.

This year began with a triumphant sold-out New Year's Eve headlining show at Brooklyn Bowl Philly before the band joined Impractical Jokers and Eric Andre's "Get Ship Faced" Cruise from Miami to the Bahamas and performed six SXSW shows.

In February this year, this Philly powerhouse supported Portugal. The Man on a national tour where they performed as direct support and also joined Portugal. The Man for the majority of their set.

Are you ready for some Funk? Are you ready for some Jazz? Are you ready for a mixture of horns and explosive energy? Well, we think we found your funk fix on Wednesday, September 18th, at The Hamilton.

This leads us to the question: Why have you not already bought tickets with two powerhouse bands coming to The Hamilton Live?

Snacktime

Venue Review: Learn More About The Hamilton, getting there, parking, food options and more.

To learn more about Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TIDAL
• Spotify
• Amazon Music

To learn more about Snacktime, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TIDAL
• Spotify
• TikTok
• Apple Music

Words Beats & Life, DC's longest-standing hip-hop-based arts educational nonprofit, will take over the National Mall on July 27th with its inaugural DMV Made festival.

This one-day extravaganza promises an exciting mix of music performances, dance, poetry, storytelling, interactive workshops, art, and health and wellness activities. Part of the national Arts for EveryBody campaign, DMV Made will showcase diverse musical acts like The Blackbyrds, The Chuck Brown Band, Sweet Honey In The Rock, Dupont Brass, Be'la Donna, Substantial, and Cryptid Summer, spanning genres from punk and go-go to rap, R&B, and choral.

DMV Made celebrates the creative contributions of natives from the Washington region and explores the area’s history and future. Through stages including a Performance Stage, Producer Stage, Family stage, Dance stage, and Storytelling & Poetry Pavillion, the audience can learn break dancing, experience African drumming, catch a puppet show, or watch six world-renowned muralists create live art.

“This festival is a testament to the art, music, and talent born out of this region, from the pioneering go-go rhythms of Chuck Brown to the profound poetry and storytelling that have shaped our culture, the DMV area has always been a wellspring of creativity and innovation," says Mazi Mutafa, Founder and Executive Director of Words Beats & Life. "We're excited to spend the day celebrating and educating festival-goers, igniting the spirit of creativity and wellness for everyone who joins us. This event is not just about showcasing our local talent; it’s about honoring the history and cultural significance of the DMV, and inspiring a renewed sense of local pride and community.”

The Dance stage includes acts like The Lion’s Den, Step Afrika!, Miss Chief Rocka, and the National Hand Dancers Association. The Family stage includes puppet shows, face painting, African drums, and juggling. World-renowned muralists Greg Deal, Cita Sadeli, Coby Kennedy, REI21, and Jamila Okubo will work on six live mural paintings on temporary walls to be donated to DC schools.

A diverse mix of paid and free programming will ensure something for everyone throughout the day, with events scattered across the lawn. The day will be filled with music thanks to house and hip-hop acts DJ Vico Vibes and DJ Rita Burns.

What an exceptional line-up that goes from 1 PM to 7:30 PM at the National Mall at 14th St SW & Jefferson Drive SW.

Lineup

DMV Made is part of a larger national campaign called Arts for EveryBody. Across the country, on this day in 17 other big cities and rural counties, thousands will gather for large-scale participatory art projects to spotlight that arts participation in all its brilliant forms, is good for the health of individuals and communities. 

To learn more about Words Beats & Life and DMV Made, please see the following web resources:

• Webpage
• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Vimeo

Trans-Siberian Orchestra treated a packed Capital One Arena to their unique rock/metal show – Christmas Eve and Other Stories – on Monday, December 23. The performance included a bevy of talented vocalists, a small orchestra, searing guitar solos and a massive light and pyrotechnic display that stunned the crowd. For 2.5 hours, the talented powerhouse group took us on a holiday-esque journey that featured a mix of ballads, acoustic numbers and their signature, hard-rocking Christmas songs. The band boasts a monstrous light rig – complete with moving panels, three video screens, lasers and a hoard of pyrotechnic blasters that packed some serious heat. We were lucky to enjoy the second of two shows last Monday. Please enjoy our gallery of photos of this amazing performance and visual display! 

Gordon Sterling Presents: The Gypsysally's Jam returns tonight and we will be on scene to provide a livestream via the DC Music Review facebook page. You can also find the stream on the DC Music Review YouTube page,  on the DCMR twitter via periscope. Those of you that would prefer an audio-only stream can find that on DC Music Review contributor Will Urquhart's Mixlr account.

On Tuesday, LOCKN' Festival organizers announced the lineups and dates for the first round of the 2019 ROCKN' to LOCKN' contest.