District Music Hall Weekly Round up: 4 shows announced, including The 502s

District Music hall located at 71 wall street in norwalk, Connecticut — Image via District Music Hall

District Music Hall announced Death Angel, The 502s, Pup, and Cat Power this week. Tickets are on sale now at districtmusichall.com

Death Angel
District Music Hall – 71 Wall Street, Norwalk CT 06850
May 16, 2026
Tickets are on sale now via districtmusichall.com

Death Angel

San Francisco’s Death Angel are a product of the bustling Bay Area thrash metal scene of the ’80s. Combining serious guitar crunch and speed with technical expertise, they create complex thrash filled with time changes and tricky arrangements, and are considered to be one of the “big eight” of the genre, alongside Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, Exodus, and Overkill. Emerging in 1982, the group found underground success with their first two albums — 1987’s The Ultra-Violence and 1988’s Frolic Through the Park — before dipping their feet into the mainstream with their 1989 major-label debut Act III.

Death Angel aren’t just a band, they are a family. Formed in the early ’80s by cousins Mark Osegueda (vocals), Rob Cavestany (lead guitar), Gus Pepa (rhythm guitar), Dennis Pepa (bass), and Andy Galeon (drums), the group was also precocious; the band members recorded their 1986 Kirk Hammett-produced “Kill as One” demo while still in their teens. In fact, drummer Galeon was only 14 when Death Angel issued their first album, 1987’s astoundingly mature The Ultra-Violence on Enigma Records. The following year’s sophomore Frolic Through the Park offered a few slight refinements, most notably in the uncharacteristically humorous and accessible single “Bored.”

Signing with the Geffen Records hit factory the following year seemed like the next step toward certain stardom, and Death Angel left nothing to chance with their third album, 1990’s superlative career highlight Act III

The 502s
District Music Hall – 71 Wall Street, Norwalk CT 06850
May 29, 2026
Tickets are on sale now via districtmusichall.com

The 502s

The music of The 502s is an instant shortcut to unstoppable joy. Often called “the happiest band on Earth,” the Orlando-bred five piece have earned a passionate following for their kaleidoscopic beach-folk sound and euphoric live shows. On their 2025 LP Easy Street, The 502s pour their unbridled energy and eclectic musicality into their most adventurous release yet: a 13-song concept album set entirely in the bliss of a beach town, a carefree dreamland of warm sands and tiki drinks and never-ending sunshine.

The standout track ‘Your Nonsense Makes Sense’ captures the band’s gift for turning everyday chaos into something joyful: an upbeat, feel-good anthem that celebrates connection, quirks, and friendship. After an extensive North American headline tour and festival run in 2025, The 502s are heading back to Europe in early 2026 with their Nonsense All Night tour running through summer.

Pup
District Music Hall – 71 Wall Street, Norwalk CT 06850
June 21, 2026
Tickets are on sale now via districtmusichall.com

Pup

Over the past decade, PUP have thrived on volatility. It’s not really a joke when the Toronto punks release songs like “If This Tour Doesn’t Kill You, I Will” or put out albums called The Unraveling of PUPTHEBAND. Though its four members are all best friends, creative dysfunction and interpersonal friction make their snarling and self-deprecating songs thrilling. To their shock and occasional dismay, it’s why their four albums are critically acclaimed and the crowds at their galvanizing live shows have only grown. It hasn’t gone off the rails yet but it definitely could. The possibility it could all blow up at any second is the band’s magic.

Who Will Look After The Dogs?, PUP’s pummeling and cathartic fifth LP, is their most immediate, no-frills, and hard-hitting full-length yet. Out May 5 via Little Dipper / Rise Records, it’s the culmination of their past decade of constant touring and their palpable, livewire chemistry. While it deals with dark thoughts, it’s not whiny. It’s actually the most hopeful of their catalog, finding frontman Stefan Babcock at his most reflective and vulnerable. Over 12 tracks, he excavates his life’s relationships—romantic, with his bandmates, and most ruthlessly, his relationship to himself. Even if PUP weren’t entirely immune from jam-space spats and band-induced aggravations making this album, they scrapped their tedious perfectionism and rediscovered the joy of making loud music together. They truly had fun this time, we promise!

Following the release of 2022’s The Unraveling of PUPTHEBAND, their most adventurous and maximalist full-length, the band’s lives changed significantly. Guitarist Steve Sladkowski got married, bassist Nestor Chumak settled into being a dad, and drummer Zack Mykula moved to a new place in Toronto that allowed him to expand his home studio. As the others were making big decisions and getting their acts together, Babcock felt isolated. He had just ended a decade-long relationship and cut himself off from his bandmates. “We don’t get along when we’re making records, so I tend to retreat,” says Babcock. “In the past, I’d find comfort in another person, but this time I was at it alone. Being bored and lonely I just started writing music nonstop.” Where the older records took Babcock two to three years to get through 12 tracks, he wrote over 30 songs in a year.

While writing, Babcock had time to reflect and maybe even grow up. “So many early songs were about how I’m a complete fuck up,” he says. “While that remains true, I stopped hating myself as much as I did when I was younger and the people around me accepted me for who I am.” Where PUP’s previous LPs served as a window into six months of Babcock’s life, the songs here take a holistic view of his romantic partnerships, his friendships, and how he treated himself from his youth to now. In a way, writing this album served as a mirror to his emotional growth. It was hard, occasionally sucked, but was ultimately worth it.

Babcock began to view these songs as a chronology: the opening tunes like the blistering “No Hope” and the caustic “Olive Garden” were written from the perspective of his past youthful naïveté, the middle third from frequent bouts of self-loathing, and the final few cuts from the acceptance that comes with finally getting your shit together. While “Hallways” was the first song he wrote for the album, immediately following his breakup, it’s tucked towards the end of the tracklist. Despite its raw feelings, there’s levity and heart in its chorus and the lines, “Cause when one door closes, it might never open / There might be no other doors.” It’s bracing and raw, but its lightness keeps it together. “There’s a lot of sadness in the back half of the record, but there’s a lot more hope here too,” says Babcock. “I’m just coming to peace with who I am.”

When Babcock brought what he wrote to the rest of the band, they all agreed to let the songs develop as organically as possible. “We realized it should be four people in a room playing,” says Chumak. “The most important thing was trying to do the most with just us.” Historically, the band’s jam sessions are contentious affairs but here, everything fell into place for once. Take the lead single “Paranoid,” which bursts with apocalyptic energy. The song careens from bombastic riffs and Babcock’s ferocious screams, to unrelenting clangs from the rhythm section. It’s the entire band at its heaviest but the chorus is as anthemic and infectious as anything they’ve ever done. It’s quintessential PUP. “We straddle the line between it falling off the rails and then being totally in the pocket,” says Sladkowski. “But our four disparate personalities are what make it interesting.”

They decamped to Los Angeles to work with producer John Congleton (St. Vincent, Death Cab For Cutie, Mannequin Pussy). In the studio, he helped the band work through their nagging tendency to overthink things. When they’d like how a take sounded, he’d remind them that they didn’t have to try it again. He’d tell them when songs felt overwritten and to trust each other in the moment. “If we can’t solve an arrangement or songwriting problem in the room between the four of us in a few minutes, then it’s not really worth solving because we’d just get into a hole and lose perspective,” says Mykula. “Thanks to John, getting out of our heads made it fun.”

Congleton also gave the band the space to, in their words, “completely annihilate” the track “Hunger For Death” and rewrite it in the studio. On “Get Dumber,” which features backing vocals from Jeff Rosenstock, there’s a flubbed line (instead of “It’s pretty fucking obnoxious,” Rosenstock yelps, “ah, lyrics…”). On playback, the mistake made the song even more special. They recorded the entire album in three weeks—less than half the time it took to make The Unraveling of PUPTHEBAND. “When I first started writing the lyrics for this record, everything felt really heavy,” says Babcock. “By the time we recorded it, even those dark songs felt light and fun. We didn’t even really fight while making this record. It all just felt fucking awesome.”

Compared to the rest of their catalog, Who Will Look After The Dogs? evokes the lightning-in-a-bottle intensity of their self-titled debut (except they are much better at their instruments now). Though they’re all well out of their reckless twenties and have played nearly a thousand shows since then, there’s still unpredictable mayhem in the arrangements and an acerbic bite in the writing. “Because we were less precious with everything this time, it felt like we were capturing the feeling of being in a band for the first time when you finally hear everything clicking,” says Babcock. There’s even a newfound optimism and hope here, especially on the surprisingly graceful closer “Shut Up.” During the penultimate track “Best Revenge,” Babcock sings, “The best revenge is living well / Didn’t even know what was right in front of me.” Even when things seem irrevocably fraught and you slip back into stupid old habits, being around your closest friends can get you through. Or, at the very least, they can tell you to get over yourself.

“With the band, I have such an intense, personal connection with those three guys that I don’t have with anybody else in my life,” says Babcock. “Sometimes you have to really go through the shit to have that big high of creating something with your best friends that you could never do alone.”

Cat Power
District Music Hall – 71 Wall Street, Norwalk CT 06850
July 24, 2026
Tickets are on sale now via districtmusichall.com

Cat Power

Cat Power is celebrating the 20th anniversary of her milestone 2006 album, The Greatest, with Redux, a three-song EP arriving digitally and on 10” vinyl via Domino Recording Company on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Recorded by GRAMMY® Award-winning engineer and longtime collaborator Stuart Sikes (Loretta Lynn, The White Stripes) at Austin, TX’s Church House Studios with backing by Dirty Delta Blues – the all-star supergroup assembled for the world tour that followed The Greatest comprising guitarist Judah Bauer (The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion), keyboardist Gregg Foreman (The Delta 72, Jesse Malin), bassist Erik Paparozzi (Lizard Music), and drummer Jim White (Dirty Three, Hard Quartet) – Redux includes a brand new re-recording of James Brown’s chart-topping classic, “Try Me,” premiering everywhere today. The track was among those first recorded by the singer-songwriter otherwise known as Chan Marshall during the original sessions that produced The Greatest but never completed.

Redux also includes a stunning rendition of Prince’s iconic “Nothing Compares 2 U,” recorded in tribute to the late, great guitarist Teenie Hodges, a legendary member of The Memphis Rhythm Band that backed Cat Power on The Greatest and with whom she formed a close bond before his passing in 2014. The EP also includes a re-imagined version of one of the many standout tracks on The Greatest, Marshall’s own “Could We,” newly recorded in the arrangement that was performed live on The Greatest Tour with Dirty Delta Blues.

Next year will see Cat Power perform The Greatest in its entirety with a very special series of 20th anniversary live shows beginning February 12, 2026, at Houston, TX’s White Oak Music Hall and then traveling North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom through early November.

Don’t miss

• VersoFest 2026 explores art and accountability with Claire Dederer in conversation in Westport
• Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum to open 2026 lecture series with talk on Connecticut’s role in the American Revolution
• Eggy to perform at Levitt Pavilion in July

••••••• Message center – Connecticut savings and messages from our sponsors •••••••

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the Connecticut way

From the 203 to the 860, show off your hometown pride with our Connecticut-inspired St. Patrick’s Day merch. Featuring bold green designs, local area codes, and town-driven style, this collection is made for parades, pub crawls, and everything in between. Whether you’re repping Fairfield County, New Haven County, or beyond, these limited-edition pieces let you celebrate your Irish spirit with a true Nutmeg State twist.

Click here to shop.

February events at Fairfield Theatre Company

2/28 – Matailda The Musical

Click here for more information & order tickets.

Learn to cook this winter with AMG Catering

AMG Catering & Events in Wilton, Connecticut, is kicking off 2026 with a brand-new culinary class series packed with bold flavors, global inspiration, and seasonal comfort. Each session offers hands-on instruction, perfectly paired beverages, and a full menu of dishes to make together — all designed for home cooks of every skill level who love great food and a fun night out. Classes start January 14, 2026.

Click here for more information.

Connecticut Merch

Finding Connecticut’s patriotic merch celebrates state pride and American spirit, just in time for the lead-up to America 250. Featuring classic red, white, and blue style, the collection is a nod to where we’ve been and where we’re headed. As the nation prepares to mark 250 years in 2026, these pieces are an easy way to show pride in both Connecticut and the broader American story—past, present, and future.

Click here to shop

Your ad here

The Message Center on Finding Connecticut appears on every post across the site, giving your message maximum exposure to a statewide audience. Whether you’re promoting an event, business, product, or service, your message will be seen by thousands of engaged readers exploring Connecticut content every day. Placement runs monthly, making it an ideal option for consistent visibility without the need for daily management. With prominent positioning and a streamlined setup process, the Message Center offers an affordable, effective way to get your message in front of locals—right where they’re already paying attention. Reserve your spot today to get noticed. Click here for more information on Message Center ads. Click here for more advertising opportunities.

Gourmet Cookies

Indulge in Keksi gourmet cookies, featuring classic flavors such as chocolate chip and snickerdoodle, as well as new monthly creations. Made with the highest quality ingredients, each bite is a delicious treat. Perfect for any cookie lover!

Save on CBD!

My name is Jillian, and I am the editor here at Finding Connecticut. When I came across New England Hemp Farm a few years ago, I had recently had my ankle fused. New England Hemp Farm’s Sports Relief Rub and 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil have helped with everyday and weather pain.

Finding quality products that can improve your day-to-day life can be tough, but with New England Hemp Farm, getting a good night’s sleep or relieving your pain and anxiety has never been easier. Plus, using our code Findingconnecticut35, you’ll save 35% on your first purchase. And don’t forget, returning customers can use code Findingconnecticut20 to save 20% on orders. Let us help you find relief and savings with New England Hemp Farm.

Products we use here at Finding Connecticut include Sports Relief Rub • 500 MG Full Spectrum CBD Oil • Pet Drops • Pet Treats

Let’s create with Victory Designs

Need help with your creative needs? Our team has 20+ years of experience with Adobe, Shopify, and WordPress, and we offer affordable graphic design and web services. Let Victory Designs assist you with bringing your ideas to life.

Connecticut business owners:
Are you a local business owner in Connecticut looking to boost your visibility and reach more customers? Look no further! Our platform provides a unique opportunity to showcase your business to an engaged audience of people who love and live in Connecticut. By partnering with us, you can reach potential customers who are actively seeking things to do, places to dine, and local merchants and service providers to support. Don’t miss out on this chance to grow your business and connect with the local community!

Connecticut with us!

Stay informed with daily news directly in your inbox! Our service is completely free, and we guarantee your privacy – your email and information will never be shared, traded, or sold.

Stay connected with us on social media

Facebook • Instagram • Threads • Tiktok • X • Newsbreak • Bluesky
Join our Reddit community

Share your Connecticut experiences with us by using #findingconnecticut on Instagram

Click here to return to Finding Connecticut’s home page

Don’t miss our reviews

Concert reviews • Restaurant reviews • Family restaurant reviews

Looking for the latest news by region, topic, and events

Foxwoods celebrates culture, legacy, and live entertainment this February

ICYMI: Our top 5 visited articles of the week

District Music Hall Weekly Round up: 4 shows announced, including The 502s