Sugar
Sugar brings its high-volume, guitar-driven rock to The Anthem, with Bob Mould at the center and J. Robbins of Jawbox also appearing. The performance draws from Sugar’s acclaimed catalog, including the albums *Copper Blue*, *Beaster*, and *File Under: Easy Listening*, as well as the band’s newer material.
Sugar formed in 1992 after Bob Mould’s work with Hüsker Dü and his solo album *Workbook*. Mould joined bassist David Barbe and drummer Malcolm Travis, and the group quickly established a reputation for melodic, emotionally intense rock. Their debut, *Copper Blue*, was named NME’s 1992 Album of the Year and produced songs such as “A Good Idea,” “Helpless,” and “If I Can’t Change Your Mind.” The darker, more aggressive *Beaster* followed in 1993, while 1994’s *File Under: Easy Listening* expanded the band’s sound without losing its intensity. After Sugar ended in 1995, its recordings and reissues helped cement the group’s legacy. The original members reunited in 2025 to record three new songs—“House Of Dead Memories,” “Long Live Love,” and “Keep Looping”—their first new Sugar material in more than 30 years. The concert is part of the *Love You Even Still* World Tour.
J. Robbins is a veteran of Washington’s independent music community. He first played bass in Government Issue before becoming the singer and guitarist of Jawbox, whose blend of tuneful vocals, forceful guitars, post-punk abrasion, and complex rhythms became influential in the 1990s. Robbins has also performed with Burning Airlines, Channels, Office of Future Plans, and Report Suspicious Activity, and has produced or engineered recordings for artists including Clutch, The Promise Ring, Jets to Brazil, Braid, The Sword, and others. His solo albums include *Un-Becoming* and *Basilisk*. Robbins’ current touring band is a power trio featuring Brooks Harlan on bass and Peter Moffett on drums.
When: October 14, 2026
Showtimes: Doors at 6:30 PM; show at 8:00 PM
Lineup: Sugar, featuring Bob Mould, with J. Robbins of Jawbox
Music: Guitar-driven rock from Sugar’s catalog, including *Copper Blue*, *Beaster*, and *File Under: Easy Listening*, plus newer Sugar songs
Tickets: Price not available
Venue: The Anthem
Address: 901 Wharf St SW, Washington, DC 20024
Note: Super Excellent Seats are non-transferable and must be picked up on the day of the show. Before doors open, they can be collected at the box office; after doors open, pickup is at the entrance at 900 Maine Ave. Tickets suspected of being purchased solely for resale may be canceled, and purchasers may be refused future I.M.P. ticket purchases.
Schedule Note: Opening acts, door times, and set times may change.