District Music Hall Weekly Round-up: Hamilton Leithauser and BERTHA: Grateful Drag announced

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

District Music Hall announces Hamilton Leithauser and BERTHA: Grateful Drag this week. Tickets are on sale now via districtmusichall.com.

Hamilton Leithauser
District Music Hall – 71 Wall Street, Norwalk CT 06850
June 24, 2026
Tickets are on sale now via districtmusichall.com

Hamilton Leithauser

Hamilton Leithauser, the hard-hitting, Carlyle-crooning frontman of The Walkmen, has worked the last eight years in the heart of Bedford Stuyvesant, writing and recording his new breakthrough solo record, This Side of the Island. Known for his evocative lyricism, quick wit, and distinctive voice, Leithauser has been a significant force in rock ‘n’ roll since the early 2000s NYC scene, transitioning smoothly from his band’s successes to a flourishing solo career. This Side of the Island boldly turns away from the folk-rockvibes of his two previous records I Had a Dream That You Were Mine and The Loves of Your Life; and introduces a groovier, bass-heavy, modern sound—a sound undoubtedly influenced by several decades of music: Sly Stone’s There’s a Riot Goin’ On, Talking Heads’ Fear of Music, SZA’s SOS, Funkadelic’s Maggot Brain, Randy Newman’s Trouble in Paradise, Prince’s Parade, Panda Bear’s Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper, and Neil Young’s On the Beach (to name a few).

Hamilton loves working on his own schedule at his home studio, The Struggle Hut, but after eight years of playing myriad instruments, a visit to his old friend Aaron Dessner’s upstate Long Pond Studio in the Spring of 2024 is what finally brought the album home. (Leithauser and Dessner originally met when the National opened for the Walkmen in 2001). Dessner, renowned for his work with The National, Taylor Swift, and Gracie Abrams (among many others), introduced an enormous modern sound, and played many different instruments on nearly every track. Leithauser says Dessner “raised the ceiling, and lowered the floor on the whole thing,” expanding the record’s emotional and sonic depth. The collaboration resulted in a record that is both timeless and contemporary, cementing both as versatile and enduring artists in contemporary music.

“It took me eight years to make this, ” Hamilton says, “Longer than any other record I’ve ever worked on. Barack Obama was president when I started “Fist of Flowers”! So much in my life has changed since I started—my daughters grew, I lost a lot of friends, and I lost my mother…and it seems like the whole world’s been turned upside down—I live a very different life now, but I still truly love writing, recording, and performing music.”

The lyrics on This Side of the Island showcase Hamilton’s unrelenting optimism and biting humor and as they consider heavy themes of solitude, love, loss, and resilience. Inspired by events in Hamilton’s personal life, the songs resonate deeply both in today’s polarized social and political world, as the title track says “It’s not a beautiful country/as much as I’d like it to be” . “What do I know?” “What do I know?” “What do I know?” “What do I know?” —emphasize any word in that title and you’ll change the meaning. Kind of silly questions…until you start digging in. “When the singer burns her torch/no she will not be ignored, and I love her pain, and her pride and her shame/but what do I love now?” he asks himself. “Ocean Roar” opens with Hamilton and his late friend Richard Swift smoking cigars in arental car on Wilshire boulevard, running through a churchyard in Montreal on LSD, and ends fifteen years later in Bedford Stuyvesant on Hamilton’s 40th birthday; capturing the passage of time and the permanence of loss “Down the flames go dancing into the cake/I wish you’d cuss and fuss with us today” . It’s not sentimental, it’s reality. “Knockin’ Heart” presents a determined, stoned, estranged lover dying to send a message: “From the barnyard to the bullfight/from the bleachers to the spotlight/from the factory to the junkyard/you’ll be knockin’ in my heart!!” In “Off the Beach” , the narrator recounts a series of failed marriages, but ends with the forlorned-yet-optimistic “it gets easier every time” . Both “Burn the Boats” , and album-opener “Fist of Flowers” offer undying-but-maybe-naive longings for nearby-but-maybe-unreachable people. Hamilton is routing for these people because he loves their passion, their determination, and their flaws; even if he might not see a happy ending (yet). At the end of the record, rather than presenting a resolution, or a lesson learned, he leaves us with something he does know…a simple, relatable emotion at full throttle: “I just want you to love me the way I love you”.

BERTHA: Grateful Drag
District Music Hall – 71 Wall Street, Norwalk CT 06850
October 13, 2026
Tickets are on sale now via districtmusichall.com

BERTHA: Grateful Drag

BERTHA: Grateful Drag are the world’s first and only drag-infused Grateful Dead tribute band, born in Tennessee in 2023 as a joyful, defiant response to anti-drag legislation. What began asa one-night experiment quickly sold out, caught the attention of Rolling Stone and the San Francisco Chronicle, and grew into an all-star, Nashville-based roots collective. Blending high-octane late 70’s / early 80’s Dead sound Dead energy with powerhouse female vocals, BERTHA delivers the classic two-set, three-hour Grateful Dead experience complete with fresh setlists every night. Each show also features local drag or burlesque performers and raises funds for LGBTQ+ organizations, turning every performance into both a celebration and a cause.Equal parts jam-band devotion and queer joy, BERTHA has first-timers and Deadheads alike waving that flag wide and bi.

Don’t miss

• Jeff Dunham to return to Mohegan Sun Arena in September
• Lauren Alaina to headline inaugural Sun Country Fest at Mohegan Sun
• Travelers Championship announces complimentary ticket programs for military, first responders

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

May events at Fairfield Theatre Company

5/16 – Graham Parker
5/16 – Buckethead
5/17 – FTC Short Film Festival
5/18 – Second Wind
5/20 – Joanna Chang
5/21 – Arrival from Sweden
5/22 – Als Fest
5/22 – Drayton Farley
5/23 – Pangea Worldbeat
5/27 – Suzy Bugguss
5/28 – Steve Forbert
5/29 – Adrenalize: Def Leppard Tribute
5/30 – Goodnight Moonshine

Click here for more information & order tickets.

May events at PeoplesBank Arena

5/24 – Journey, click here to purchase tickets
5/29 -Don Toliver, click here to purchase tickets
5/30 – LA Sparks vs Connecticut Sun, click here to purchase tickets

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 announces May lineup featuring comedy, country, and live music acts

ICYMI: Our top 5 articles of the week

District Music Hall Weekly Round-up: Hamilton Leithauser and BERTHA: Grateful Drag announced