PRETTY BITTER (RECORD RELEASE PARTY)

Pretty Bitter celebrate the release of their sophomore album *Pleaser* with a hometown record release party at Black Cat on Friday, October 16, 2026. The D.C. DIY mainstays are known for pairing dissonant, emotionally charged songwriting with bright pop-rock arrangements, and this show brings together a full bill of local and touring acts: PULSES., PADFOOT, and THISDOGLLHUNT. Doors open at 7:00 PM.

Fronted by Mel Bleker and sharing members with D.C. punk band Ekko Astral, Pretty Bitter made *Pleaser* with co-producers Evan Weiss (Into It. Over It., Pet Symmetry) and Simon Small (Strawberry Boy). The album was released July 25, 2025 on cult favorite indie label Tiny Engines. The venue’s promotional writeup, credited to Grace Robins-Somerville, praises the record as a triumph and highlights how Pretty Bitter blend blistering breakdowns with disco and synthpop influences, creating music that gets emo crowds dancing. Their sound moves easily among rock, pop, and folk, while Bleker’s lyrics balance the personal with the universal; the song “I Hope You Do” is singled out as a bright, synth-heavy example of that approach.

When: Friday, October 16, 2026.

Showtimes: Doors at 7:00 PM; set times were not listed.

Venue: Black Cat, Washington, D.C. The club is located about three blocks from the U Street/Cardozo Metro Station.

Lineup: Pretty Bitter (record release party) with PULSES., PADFOOT, and THISDOGLLHUNT.

Tickets: Ticket price was not available in the event announcement.

Note: This is the record release party for Pretty Bitter’s sophomore album *Pleaser*, released July 25, 2025 via Tiny Engines and co-produced by Evan Weiss and Simon Small.