Arts & Entertainment
The ATOMIC Swing Club to Perform at Mason District Park Tonight
Enjoy an evening of rockabilly and swing at Mason District Park
The ATOMIC Swing Club will perform at tonight as part of the Spotlight by Starlight summer concert series. The local five-piece band will perform an eclectic mix of swing, rockabilly, big band, lounge and jazz with a self-described "rockin' edge."
Learn more about tonight's performance in this Q&A with band leader Angus Mackay.
What is your role in the ATOMIC Swing Club?
I am the band leader and sing and play guitar. I organize the band and shows plus arrange the music, etc. The band has been in existence for about nine months and is a five-piece band, including vocals and guitar, tenor saxophone, trombone, upright bass and drums.
Find out what's happening in Annandalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
What makes your style of swing music unique to other swing bands in the Washington, D.C. area?
I believe we are the only rockabilly swing band in the area – i.e. the band is a swing band but the rhythm section (guitar, bass and drums) are more like a rockabilly band which means the upright bass is played as "slap" rockabilly bass which is more percussive and punchy and the guitar is also more prominent than jazz guitar which would be normal for a swing band. I ran this style of band in Sydney, Australia for 10 years prior to moving to the D.C. area and have started The ATOMIC Swing Club in that style.
Find out what's happening in Annandalewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Is there any particular genre (rockabilly, big band, jazz, etc.) that the band enjoys playing the most?
We enjoy the high energy nature of the rockabilly swing sound we have but we also some straight rockabilly, jazz, lounge big band. It's all great music!
What can local concertgoers expect from your performance tonight?
A very high energy and exciting performance and a good variety of songs/tempos but all round good fun! The fact that the music has jazz, rockabilly, rock and lounge aspects makes it very accessible to a wide range of audiences.
Have you performed at before?
No, but this style of outdoor summer series gigs are always great and nice to be able to play to crowds that we may not encounter in a bar or swing venue.
What do you love most about playing in the band?
The energy, the fact that the songs are really good fun and the great reaction the music has with audiences.
Outdoor lawn concert; cancelled by 3:30 p.m. day of the show if inclement weather. Click here for more information about the ATOMIC Swing Club.
Friday, Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Free
6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA; (703) 324-SHOW
