Birchmere

The Birchmere is a unique venue for live music! I didn't arrive until Bob took the stage at 8:30pm and despite reading the menu and attempting to place an order for food, the kitchen had closed. Bob Schneider was fantastic as usual! He sang most of his biggest hits, many from years past. Not realizing this was a "look back show", I found a t-shirt at the merch stand that was an exact match to one I had purchased at a show more than 20 years ago.

The Birchmere was beautiful, though parking was dense! The show was an experience I will never forget, Sean and The Longest Johns had the whole place feeling like a pirate tavern all night! Even afterwards in line for signatures and merch, the crowd were singing more shanties. A show not to be missed.

Awesome! Fabulous! Extraordinary!! 🔥🔥🔥I've seen Take 6 a few times in concert. U Turn, Spread Love, Sailing and Grandmas Hands are some of my favorites. Even though they didn't sing all of these I could feel the intensity of their love for God and music in every song. From the Stevie Wonder covers to Christopher Cross Grammy nominated Sailing. I guess you can tell I love music, especially gospel and R & B, and this was "great music".

Absolutely loved it!!! This was on my bucket list to see her and possibly meet her!!! And it happened! She is so down to earth and her sense of humor is just the best! My daughter knew her music since she was 5 also. So my daughter suprised me and bought the flight and the tickets to see her and since I am in a chair for the most part, she took care of me! Thank you Cheryl for the picture and the conversation! It made me so happy I still can't quit smiling!

Robert Earl Keen is always a great show, but to see him by himself was another level. To hear him more intimately and more vulnerable was terrific . This is a great venue and he seems to love coming back here. I know he is done touring but I hope he continues to come back here from time to time.

I loved seeing Maddie Poppe again! Her voice is fantastic and her sidekick "Gabe" was excellent, too. I do have a comment that she never really introduced Gabe (except when everyone was clapping) so I never got his full name and she didn't seem to thank him enough. Otherwise, it was a great show!

Kandace is an amazing artist. I have seen her four times and each time she is outstanding. She played new songs during the show. I don’t know what is more impressive her voice, her skills on the keys, or her song writing skills. I love that Kandace uses all female musicians to accompany her. She does a great job of showcasing the talent of others. She played “Love Got in the Way.” This is the first time since I first saw her live in 2021 that I heard her play it live. It was a great arrangement. I hope she adds “I Thought It Would Be Easier” or her cover of “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” She is an entertaining performer and a tremendously talented artist.

So overdue for a return to The Birchmere; in fact, a 42-month absence thanks to Covid-19. The last appearance occurred on 24th October 2019. (Gary Oelze was alive, writing his ‘All Roads Lead to the Birchmere’ opus.) Still cheery to hear Mike Dawes reminisce that it was precisely The Birchmere where he made his debut with Justin Hayward in 2013 on the 14th and 15th of August, 2nd to the final show in Atlanta. There’s a milestone! Darn pleased they continue to pack the music hall. It was a sellout but they sold a few more tickets; it made for an electric night. Julie Ragins and Karmen Gould round out the touring quartet, each bringing a singular element that adds polish to Justin’s now classic oeuvre. There’s a clear simpatico, a love bordering on reverence for both his new and timeless compositions. It’s that ‘voice’ again… his hallmark. It was the full 15-tune setlist again: The Eastern Sun, Driftwood, Tuesday Afternoon, The Actor, Hope and Pray, The Western Sky, The Voice, Living for Love, Forever Autumn, Never Comes the Day, Your Wildest Dreams, Question, Nights in White Satin, The Story in Your Eyes, and I Know You’re Out There Somewhere. The Full Hayward—how lucky were we?! The honorary homeboy found his way back to our local storied stage at last. The exuberance was palpable. Nothing compares to a Birchmere homecoming. Fabulous night… the 1st I can recall when there were actually police at the exit directing drivers to turn right only to facilitate traffic flow. And, yes, Justin’s name was in lights on the new digital sign. Stage Door realized. Made me smile the entire long way home. He brought the house down and savored every moment, as did we.

Justin Hayward and his band are just absolutely awesome! He manages to take the audience on a tour of yesteryear music, which everyone loves, and mix it up with his new music, also gems! Justin, at 76, still sounds as he did in his 20s — he has an extraordinary singing voice that’s untouched by the hands of time. And I love how he engages the audience as a story-teller who’s both humorous and candid. It’s amazing how four people can put out so much wholesome and full-sounding music without a drummer and a bass player. The four of them are outstanding together, and I hope they continue to collaborate for as long as Justin tours. The mastery of guitarist Mike Dawes was stunning in his solo performance and as backup to Justin. I’ll continue going to see Justin Hayward as long as he continues his musical masterpieces. Terri Moon Cronk North Beach, Md.

Such a great concert. After returning home that morning to sing for the funeral of her 3rd grade teacher, killed in the school shooting last week, Ellie was stranded in TN by canceled flights. In light of that, Drew offered a refund to anyone who didn’t want to stay (I don’t think anyone left). Then he proceeded to do a amazing job, pulling off an unplanned solo show. Intimate. Soulful. Talented. Personal. Passionate. Funny. People clapping and singing along. Even when the storm briefly blew out the sound system, Drew carried on without a hitch, and the crew quickly got the system back up and running. Ellie even sang to us over the phone. In spite of all the challenges, they still made it a wonderfully memorable night. Truly a class act. Will go again.

Sat front and center at The Birchmere for this show. Rick played for a solid two hours and told some great stories about his early days in music as well as his childhood. He sang all the hits and a few new songs, that don't even appear on any albums. He is as a great storyteller as he is a singer. This was my third time seeing his this year and this was his best show yet!

Rick Springfield was awesome. The venue does has slacked on their “silence/no talking during the show”. Which was irritating as this was a storytelling show. Fans paid a lot of money for these tickets knowing that we will have an respectful audience. There were a few table that were definitely served to much to drink. Not only made them disrupted. It obviously distracted Rick with his performance. If fans want to scream and dance this is not the venue to do so. Birchmere needs to tighten up on their rule and the venue atmosphere they are historically know for.

The opening act was great and Marshal Crenshaw was great too. He did not play Blues is King nor did he play a few other of his hits. I felt like the show was a bit short and he could have done more. Marshall Crenshaw fronts for the Smithereens when he is not doing his own touring and he is fantastic in that role. I think Marshall Crenshaw and the Smithereens should merge and play their combined song catalogue in concert. They would have enough material for two full sets and would leave audiences fully satisfied. They have a lot of talent and are better together than apart.

Second time at the Birchmere, very intimate venue with great decorations of past artists and an intimate distance from the stage. Dan and his band were incredibly talented and had great chemistry among themselves and with the crowd. I got to meet Dan and a couple of his band members briefly after the show and they were friendly. I would love to see them again!

A Stephen Kellogg show is always a 5 star night. That this show was at the legendary Birchmere made it even more special. Whether touring with a full band, a trio, a duo, or his solo act, SK brings energy, love, kindness, and humor to the stage in every performance. For this full band run, a 15th anniversary party for Glassjaw Boxer, SK assembled the awesome talents of David Chalfant on bass, Eric Donnelly on guitar, Jason Wexler on keys, and Boots Factor on drums--one of my favorite band rosters. It was a perfect evening.

The Herb Alpert and Lani Hall concert was amazing. It was like romance on the stage between the two of them. The musicians were excellent. It was also an educational setting because you get to see the past, present and future on the stage. They showed plenty of film from the past as they played songs from the Tijuana Brass days, Sergio Mendes and the Brazil 66 days and their solo projects. Lani is a remarkable singer and Herb hasn't lost his touch. He did a great job recapping all of his hit songs such as Rise, Route 101, A Taste of Honey and Put it on the Ritz. Herb Alpert and Lani Hall are legends and belong in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Daryl brings together some of DCs finest local artists to give tribute to those in the music industry who passed the previous year. It is not a show to be missed….every possible genre…even commercials. This is music that I promise you, you have not heard played live before.

This was a momentous occasion for us in the DMV at BIRCHMERE. BONEY JAMES always sells out when he comes here. We were so ecstatic and elated to see him and his awesome band perform in giving us some BOLD music as only BONEY JAMES can do. His style is impeccable, the band was "super tight." When he plays, he mesmerizes the crowd.. with his sounds of LOVE and his gifting. In our area, we love to show an Artist know how much they are appreciated. A small group of people, including myself presented to BONEY JAMES an encased replica of his famous song, "BUTTER" that is requested at every concert. It is showing unto this beautiful Artist how much we love him and appreciate his music. Thank you BONEY JAMES!

Hayes Carl was outstanding. Though it was my first time seeing him live, I. very quickly felt like an old friend was playing his songs in my living room and making me laugh, cry, and think. Not usually a fan of musicians talking too much but his stories were not only hilarious and interesting but often topical. If you’re not a fan currently, listen to his songs and by all means go to a show. Allison Moorer was wonderful. Hearing her voice again reminded me of my frustration with the music industry. A pure, powerful, pitch perfect voice singing well crafted songs.