Birchmere

This was our 3rd time seeing Yachtley Crew at the Birchmere in VA! Always a great time! The band rocked once again with Pauly Shores absolutely killing it on the sax playing "Baker Street" while in the crowd. I am biased of course because he is my nephew! :) Their new original song "Pain of Losing You" is great and has been nominated for a Grammy! The band is tight, everyone does their part as gifted musicians! I highly recommend seeing their shows as they never get old!!! -NASA Uncle

Nick and Los Straightjackets were great (as usual). They got the audience really pumped, music was just awesome and Nick sounded great. We had just seen them a few months ago at the Club Atlantis in DC and the vibe there was a little different - more pumped up - I think because the Atlantis and the Birchmere have atmospheres that are very different from each other. The Birchmere is like rock and roll dinner theater - I think that's exactly what the Smithereens called it one year that they were there. There aren't seats at Atlantis - it's same vibe as the original 9:30 club and it's more interactive and intimate. Los Straightjackets are always awesome, I love that we get to hear them play a few songs without Nick. They have that Southern California surfing style - like Dick Dale and it just reminds me of being there. It's wonderful to see Nick Lowe still touring, it brings back a lot of memories from Rockpile and all the music since then. I hope we have many more opportunities with Nick.

OK,went to XL live in Harrisburg to see the band,XL is a great place and the staff is awesome!!! never been to a venue where the guys(security) are as good and welcoming as this bunch!!!!! Rev Peyton and his Big Damn Band were opening act!!! never heard of these folks,but after 45 min of them,I understood why GS had them on tour with them as opening act!!!! GS was awesome as usual,and I wish they could keep this lineup forever,I realize things change and as a result,personnel will change!!! but I love this lineup and their presentation is to be commended!!! at the end,everyone from both bands combined to do a few numbers,which were awesome to watch and hear! probably one of my favorite shows and I'm 67 years old!!! that's saying something!!!!!!!

Another great show from Robin and co.! As usual, they played most of the big hits from the past, particularly from the James Dewar era, mixing in some new material along with a few surprises. I'm just amazed at how well Robin still plays. He's not much for stage banter but he absolutely makes the most of the 2+ hours he has, just seamlessly powering thru song after song with practically no time between tunes. Robin is one of the very few master guitarists still doing it. He delivers a master-class in tone and musicianship every time. If you haven't seen him, you NEED to!

The Dream lives with MORE Pieces!! Pieces of a Dreams 40 year legacy out of Philly is very well alive and ever more entertaining! This original 3 piece has grown to 6 instruments (and sometimes 7, with an additional vocalist). The energy is present not only with Curtis on drums & James on keyboards but infused further by Tampa born Saxophonist; additionally balanced and empowered by a percussionist steering the group as well as another beautiful keyboardist and young bassists. What a night of entertainment and engaging partying with the Birchmire well fed crowd , even down to our server. Get ready to PARTY!! Thoroughly enjoyed the evening with good friends and ‘The 454”!

Wow Debbie Gibson was amazing! I have never seen any artist as engaging as she is with her fans. While I had VIP it was also incredible. Just an incredibly talented artist and so engaging. Do not miss out on her shows. I have been to many very good concerts with great artists but no one tops Debbie. I will never miss another show of hers in my area. I am considering seeing her in other locations as well. Thanks so much Debbie!!!!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.