Feature photos by PAUL MCALPINE
Review by DONNA BALANCIA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Iggy Pop burst out onto the vast stage at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. and brought down the house on the final stop of his 2025 tour.
The icon of the rock music world, along with his big band, delivered a remarkably high-energy show to thousands of adoring fans at the gorgeous wharfside venue in the nation’s capital. Iggy single-handedly injected entertaining relief Monday to a D.C. audience on the verge of a government shutdown.
But those in attendance at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. seemed to have nary a worry on their minds. For the attendees at the D.C. show, it was a chance to check out an artist they had longed to see since the 1970s. Audience members of all ages traveled from as far away as Australia to see Iggy Pop. Many drove several hours from destinations like Ohio, Georgia and New Jersey, knowing they may not be able to make the Iggy dates in 2026, which so far include Coachella and Detroit.
Iggy knows the efforts of the fans, and peppers the audience with “thank yous,” waves, and a lot of “hey babys,” showing his affection for the crowds.
The energy this 78-year-old icon exudes, particularly on the last night of an extensive tour, is astounding in more than one aspect. While the music business has changed in many ways over the years, the physical and emotional demands of touring have not. This most recent international tour that Iggy Pop and his band have journeyed has taken the players across several continents and onto the stages of festivals and large venues the world over.
Iggy traveled with a substantial number of young and seasoned musicians “Los Tropicanos” and crew and tour support on this outing. The Anthem musicians included Corey D. King, Leron Thomas, Brad Truax, Urian Hackney, Ale Campos, Nick Zinner and Joan Wasser. Road crew on the tour included Bill Rahmy, Mark “Yogi” Novissimo, Max Bisgrove, Alaric Lewis, James Murray, Andrew Burns, Spencer Weisberg and Henry McGroggan.
Opening for Iggy at The Anthem and other dates of the tour were The Molotovs, who delivered a dose of punk in a frenetic and fun performance. They’re making a lasting impression with the U.S. fans as well as in their native U.K.
Iggy Pop mixed it up on this outing with different players, like he has with “supergroup” The Losers, the jazzy ensemble he put together for the “Free” album tour, and the QOTSA-based “Post-Pop Depression” band from the pre-lockdown era. The latest group was highlighted by horns, rhythm and bass and guitars that delivered reimagined depth to some of Iggy’s most classic songs.
The setlist at The Anthem was just as diverse as the famous frontman’s accompanying musicians. Iggy opened with “TV Eye” and wrapped up with “Loose” and brought out other favorites in between, including “The Passenger,” “Lust For Life” and “Real Wild Child (Wild One).”
He went in among the outreached hands of the loving audience members twice and it was a treat for the thousands that filled the venue as many of the attendees had fulfilled their “bucket list” of seeing one of their most beloved performers.
“I’ve never seen him before but I’ve always wanted to,” said Mike, a Washington, D.C. office worker. “He’s one of my favorites and I’ve always loved the music.”
Hal, a staple at festivals and concerts across the country recognized for his red rhinestone-encrusted hat and colorfully tattooed arms, said he had been looking forward to seeing the punk progenitor for a while.
“Iggy’s one of the greats in music” he said. “He’s amazing.”
Iggy Pop shows the signs of a well-worn life on the road. He still gives his all at every performance regardless of the physical punishment his body endures. At this stage of the game, he may deserve to rest on his laurels, but the only thing he rests on – briefly – is his mic stand.
There’s no shutting down the inspiring Iggy Pop. And while he might not get carried overhead “in the hands of the fans” so much these days, it is he who is uplifting now.
Watch Iggy Pop – ‘Search And Destroy’ – The Anthem 9/29: