On September 28, 2023, Law Rocks will return to the famed 9:30 Club for the 8th Annual Law Rocks Washington D.C. The 9:30 Club opened in 1977 and is a beloved DC venue with a rich history; so rich, in fact, that PBS even created a 12-part docuseries on the beloved club, which you can watch here. We are proud that Law Rocks is a part of that history, having toured there since 2015. Here are eight fun facts about the great DC venue.
1) While the 9:30 Club is now located at 815 V St NW, the venue was originally named for its location: it was housed in The Atlantic Building at 930 F Street. The original location was tiny, only fitting 200 people, and was known to host upcoming alternative and punk musicians.
2) NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series was named after host Bob Boilen’s first band, The Tiny Desk Unit. This new-wave dance band was on the lineup of the 9:30 Club’s first ever show on May 31, 1980.
3) The original 9:30 Club was next door to Ford’s Theatre, the site of President Lincoln’s assassination, and bands loading in through the back would come through the same alley John Wilkes Booth used to make his escape.
The Fine Print at the 7th Annual Law Rocks D.C. (2022)
4) In 1996, the 9:30 Club moved to its current address, with the Smashing Pumpkins inaugurating the club’s new location with 2 sold out shows.
5) The venue has its very own official treat: the 9:30 Club Cupcake. Introduced to the club in 2009, the 9:30 Club cupcake is a cream-filled, devil’s food cupcake with chocolate ganache and the 9:30 Club logo on top. The cupcakes are made by Buzz Bakeshop in Alexandria, VA and are delivered fresh to the club each morning. Cupcakes are available for sale as supplies last, and bands are able to enjoy complimentary cupcakes in the club’s greenroom— if they can snag one in time!
An official 9:30 Club cupcake
6) Bob Dylan, Radiohead, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Foo Fighters have all performed surprise shows at the famed venue.
7) To celebrate its long history, the venue created the “Hall of Records,” a now permanent installation housing a collection of albums featuring every single artist that has headlined a show at the club. The archives are organized chronologically and features the album each band’s tour was supporting when they played. There are over 9,000 albums on display!
The 9:30 Club’s Hall of Records
8) The 9:30 Club has been named the #1 nightclub by Rolling Stone, Billboard and Pollstar.
Come join us on September 28 and see the magic of the 9:30 Club for yourself! Tickets for the 8th Annual Law Rocks Washington D.C. will go on sale August 3, 2023 at 12:00pm.
