WASHINGTON — Get ready to rock in Virginia and roll in Maryland this weekend.
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Rush hit Jiffy Lube Live! on Saturday in Bristow, Virginia, while the Sweetlife Festival hits Merriweather Post Pavilion Saturday and Sunday in Columbia, Maryland.
Here is a preview of both events for your weekend concert enjoyment.
Sweetlife Festival returns to Merriweather
Now in its sixth year, Sweetlife has expanded from one to two days of music and food.
Sweetlife is put on by local culinary lifestyle brand Sweetgreen, which has expanded nationally with 31 restaurants along the East Coast and California.
Founders Nathanial Ru, Nicolas Jammet and Jonathan Neman first conceived the festival in 2010 as a gathering of 500 friends and family members in the parking lot behind their Dupont Circle store.
Since then, Sweetlife has outgrown its original location and now hosts over 23,000 attendees at Merriweather, featuring bands on two stages over two days.
“We felt expanding to two days allowed us to feature a better range of artists, food, and awesome activities,” the founders say. “We had also received countless requests from our festival fans to expand to two days. We heard them loud and clear and we’re excited to bring them more of what they’ve already come to expect from the Sweetlife Festival. “
The lineup of 30 bands has something for all ages.
Saturday features Misterwives, Bleachers, Tove Lo and Billy Idol.
It all builds up to Kendrick Lamar and The Pixies closing out their respective stages Saturday night.
WTOP’s Marcus Moore recently reviewed Lamar’s second album, “To Pimp a Butterfly.”
Sunday brings another round of artists such as Charli XCX, Phantogram, Vance Joy, Banks and The Weeknd.
Calvin Harris — chart topper and love interest of Taylor Swift — will close out the festival.
Foodies won’t be left out either. Food selections are varied, including a Chef’s Corner featuring offerings from local and national chefs such as Jose Andres and Spike Gjerde, as well as a food truck gathering with Astro Doughnuts, Big Cheese and Takorean, to name a few.
Add in a tavern with local brews and wines, and you have a unique variety of options with the Sweetlife promise of “sustainability, transparent values and, most importantly, community.”
Proceeds will support the educational program Sweetgreen in Schools, created to introduce kids to the benefits of healthy eating and nutrition.
Single day and two-day passes are still available.
Click here for ticket information.
Rush at Jiffy Lube Live!
Meanwhile down in Virginia, rock legends Rush will hit Jiffy Lube Live!
Rush is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the R40 Live tour.
While the band hasn’t labeled it a farewell tour, it may be one of the last tours of this scale.
Only lawn seats remain available for the show.
Click here for ticket information.
