Holychild, The Family Crest, and The Lonely Wild at the Rock and Roll Hotel, July 2015

I went to two shows at Rock and Roll Hotel this week, after at least a year of avoiding that venue. I really don’t like the space. It’s a long rectangle with low ceilings and therefore a low stage at the far end. If you’re my height (5’ 5”), you can’t see much of anything unless you are close to the front.  There’s no seating at all, no public transportation, and difficult parking. It’s also hot, and they have a bad habit of shining laser lights into the audience, blinding us. But, the art won out over the venue this time, and so I went.

Holychild did a free show that was underwritten by Audi and was recorded as if it would become part of a commercial or online video. The duo was a trio this time, and the lead singer was every bit as vivacious and fun as last time I saw them at Sweetlife Festival. She wore a velvet cat suit this time, with feathers at the cuffs, and her signature gems on the middle part of her hair. She also left the stage twice to come hug people and dance in the audience. It was very entertaining, and I still have earworms playing in my head from their “brat pop” sound.  Jill and I liked the show.  (July 15, 2015)

Holychild,  Rock and Roll Hotel, July 2015

Two days later, Eric and I went to see one of my top favorite bands from last year, The Family Crest. I’ve missed two of their shows in DC in the last year (I was out of town), and I wasn’t about to miss this one. Their opening, The Lonely Wild, was very good, but a little too 70s/folk/Stevie Nicks for my taste. I did like their use of brass and the female singer seemed to know a little bit about a whole lot of instruments. The male singer had a really good voice, too. Everything sounded lovely, I just didn’t care for any of the songs. The performance was average, but that’s ok if you are talented.

The Lonely Wild,  Rock and Roll Hotel, July 2015

The Family Crest was excellent musically.  They do beautiful chamber pop, and the lead singer is opera trained.  He is amazing, and the musicians made the music soar. There was a lot of energy on that little stage.  I’m pretty sure the two singers (male and female) are married to one another. She was super sweet and endearing on stage. LOVED that their merch included onesies for babies. I wracked my brain trying to think of someone who would appreciate one; alas, I failed to come up with anyone who had a baby recently and is a fan of the band. I only wish the lights guy hadn’t spent the evening shining the lasers into the audience’s eyes every other beat. I felt like I missed half the show. I would definitely see them again.

The Family Crest,  Rock and Roll Hotel, July 2015