all photos: Dakota Fine
all words: Ryma Chikhoune
Sometimes, life, weddings, and Napa Valley without internet service happen and shows get covered a couple of days late. Deal with it.-ED
The European press has dubbed them punk-blues/dance rockers. Call them what you want…perhaps even The Beth Ditto Show.
“I know I’m an attention whore,” confessed Gossip frontwoman and vocalist Beth Ditto at the 9:30 club Wednesday night, the first date of their U.S. tour.
In recent years, Ditto, a 28-year-old Arkansas native, who famously once told NME that she grew up eating squirrels in her ‘hillbilly’ town, has become this larger-than-life, outspoken feminist and LGBT icon.
“You know, I’m a lesbian,” she said barefoot, in nothing but Spanx near the end of the show. The audience roared in cheer and applause.
The singer then led the crowd into the last song of the night, a heartwarming chant of Queen’s “We Are the Champions.”
Ditto hypnotized concertgoers throughout her energizing set, as she impulsively jumped off stage, made her way through the mass of fans, and climbed onto part of the balcony to reach JD Samson (Le Tigre), the lead singer of Brooklyn-based MEN, who had performed after openers Apache Beat.
The words “Beth is so cool” seemed to echo in the room.
The rest of Gossip, composed of guitarist Brace Paine and drummer Hanna Blilie, who graces the cover of Gossip’s latest record, Music for Men, certainly know how to play to make Ditto’s gospel-wailing voice shine. The woman’s range is ridiculous.
The cheeky-titled album, which came out in stores on Tuesday, is the band’s first major label release since signing with Sony Music Label Group’s self-proclaimed “gay friendly” subsidiary, Music With a Twist. (Music with a twist? Really?)
Gossip, who hit success in 2006 with their third record Standing in the Way of Control, formed their new, dance heavy sound with the help of renowned producer Rick Rubin. While there is so much passion behind the group’s pulsing beats, the love theme in the album becomes redundant.
The band, whose roots are in Olympia, Washington, opened the show with “Dimestore Diamond.” For the encore, everyone sang along to Ditto’s cover of Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do With it.”
The crowd went wild for the new single “Heavy Cross,” as well as the massive hit “Standing in the Way of Control.”
At different times during the night, Ditto, addressing a packed club, mentioned that she didn’t think anyone would show up to the gig.
"I’m so excited!” she exclaimed with such honesty and joy.
Previously in Live DC:
- 5/24: LiveDC: The Adicts @ RNR Hotel
- 5/24: LiveDC: The Donkeys @ Black Cat
- 5/23: LiveDC: The Barr Brothers w/ Kishi Bashi @ The Hamilton
- 5/23: LiveDC: Damien Jurado @ Black Cat
- 5/23: Report: Soundbites 2012
- 5/22: LiveDC: Spirit Animal @ Red Palace
- 5/22: LiveDC: Astra Via @ Black Cat
- 5/22: LiveDC: Father John Misty @ Rock & Roll Hotel
- 5/22: LiveDC: Drive-By Truckers and Lucinda Williams @ Merriweather
- 5/22: Photos: Summer Camp takes the "Ladies of Town" Drag Show
God loves a cheerful giver.
gross
As usual, an amazing and inspiring show from the GOSSIP. She is beautiful, talented and genuinely gracious. Great photos, too.
@shitpipe I sincerely hope you are not judging Beth Ditto simply on her appearance. Ditto's contribution to Pop Culture & the World has opened doors for women of all shapes & sizes. Her mere presence has far surpassed any impact made by [insert generic blonde pop star here]. Not only does she have an amazing voice & stage presence, but her self-assurance and self-confidence has inspired a whole generation.