Where to Cry on Inauguration Weekend: A Concert Guide
Donald Trump‘s presidential inauguration is the impetus for a slew of radical concerts happening across the country. From Common and the National kicking off a string of Planned Parenthood benefits in Washington, D.C. to Audioslave reuniting for the first time in 11 years in Los Angeles to raucous DIY shows everywhere from Rhode Island to Denver, this weekend, musicians are stating the next four years with a (politically charged) bang.
Here is a city-by-city guide of where some music fans will be gathering, protesting, rocking out and crying this weekend. This list does not include the many marches happening across the country, where all kinds of musicians pledged to perform. For more information on where you can march in your state, check out this comprehensive list by the ACLU.
Washington, D.C.
On Thursday, January 19th, rapper Common and rock band the National will kick off inauguration (or anti-inauguration) festivities with a free, ticketed concert at the 9:30 Club hosted by Planned Parenthood and the All Access coalition.
After the inauguration on Friday, January 20th, head over to the Black Cat for NO THANKS: A Night of Anti-Fascist Sound Resistance in the Capital of the USA and rock yourself into a catatonic state with help from Priests, Sadie Dupuis, Waxahatchee, Flasher and more. Proceeds from this show will benefit Casa Ruby and One DC.
The festivities continue on Saturday, January 21st with the Women’s March on Washington. There, R&B icons Maxwell and Janelle Monáe will perform alongside Angelique Kidjo, Toshi Reagon, Samantha Ronson, Emily Wells, DJ Rekha, MC Lyte, St. Beauty, Beverly Bond, Alia Sharief, DJ Rimarkable, the Indigo Girls, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Climbing PoeTree.
Later on Saturday evening, the 9:30 Club is hosting Laugh. Dance…then Get to Work!, another Planned Parenthood-sponsored benefit music and comedy show featuring The National, Sleater-Kinney, Tig Notaro, Janeane Garofalo, Ted Leo, Phoebe Robinson (2 Dope Queens), Samantha Ronson and more.
The Black Cat is also hosting a night of Planned Parenthood support with the Anti-Ball Women’s March After Party benefit featuring another impressive roster including Dua Lipa, Kimya Dawson, Trixie Whitley, Xenia Rubinos, Holly Miranda and Kyp Malone from TV on the Radio.
New York
For those who like a challenge: On Thursday, January 19th at 7:30 pm, Madonna and Marilyn Minter will be having a very sold out conversation about art, feminism and culture at the Brooklyn Museum.
Brooklyn DIY venue Silent Barn is hosting an Anti-Inaugural Ball on Friday, January 20th, hosted by Shellshagg and Antibodies with a packed roster of bands. Ticket sales will benefit the Women’s March in New York City.
Billed the Concert for America at The Town Hall at 3 p.m. on Friday, January 20th, the star-studded event features Rosie O’Donnell, Betty Buckley, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Jessie Mueller, Bebe Neuwirth, Rosie Perez, Billy Porter, Chita Rivera, Seth Rudetsky and more. Proceeds will go toward national organizations dedicated to protecting the environment, women’s health and civil rights.
At new Bushwick bar Gold Sounds, Anti-Bigot Brigade and Max Decibel Music will host the “Keep It Together” charity concert series featuring bands No Nets, Almost Aimless, Swinging Riot, The Thirds + Girl Scout. Proceeds will benefit the Ali Forney Center for LGBTQ youth and coats will be collected for One Warm Coat.
If you’re in the mood for deep listening and experimental jazz, head over to Manhattan’s the DiMenna Center for Classical Music on Friday, January 20th. An Anti-Inaugural Ball featuring DJ sets and New York musicians including Phyllis Chen & Friends, Jordan Dodson, ETHEL, Flor de Toloache, Mariachi Femenino, Flutronix and more.
Los Angeles
Continuing their RNC rally spree, Prophets of Rage are hosting a star-studded Anti-Inaugural Ball concert Friday, January 20th at the Teragram Ballroom. The genre-spanning lineup include Vic Mensa, Jackson Browne, Jack Black and the Los Angeles Freedom Choir. Audioslave (Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell joining Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk) announced it would reunite onstage for the first time in 11 years.
Seattle
Indie pop/rock band Tacocat will join Wimps and the Black Tones to support worthy causes at Barboza on Friday, January 20th at 7 p.m. for a concert benefitting non-profit #ShoutYourAbortion (SYA). Any SYA merch purchased will go to #BlackLivesMatter.
Providence
Downtown Boys, Hairspray Queen and more great punk bands will take over Aurora Providence on Friday, January 20th at 9 p.m. Admission is a suggested donation for various organizations and causes.
Denver
A sweep of local bands Three Grams, Allout Helter, Cheap Perfume, Screwtape, and the New Narrative will showcase the Punk Against Trump party on Friday, January 20th at the Moon Room at Summit Music Hall.
Philadelphia
Philly punk legends the Dead Milkmen will reunite for the Inaugural Protest Ball benefitting Planned Parenthood. Avant-rock band An Albatross will also play. The show kicks off on Friday, January 20th (doors at 7:30 p.m.) at The Barbary.
Nashville
On Thursday, January 19th, at 8 p.m.: Nashville’s charming sub-record store venue, The Basement, is hosting a Positivity Rally featuring Americana, pop and singer-songwriters like Smooth Hound Smith, Robyn Hitchcock, Josh Farrow and more.
For a more somber event, a moment of silence will be held at the Centennial Park Bandshell on Friday, January 20th at 10:45 a.m.
Did we miss a concert? Tweet @RollingStone or comment below with the information and we will add to the list.