There’s comfort in a cover band. You know what you’re going to get — and when you hear it, chances are you’ll be up out of your seat, moving to a familiar beat. When a cover band has been playing together for a while, you can bet they nail that Stones cover with competence and confidence. Here are a six cover bands of note with upcoming shows in Northern Virginia.
The Legwarmers
Relive the ‘80s — or experience the decade’s music for the first time — with this long-running, blisteringly paced tribute to the pop, rock, and kitsch of WHAM!, Cyndi Lauper, Axel Rose, Pat Benatar, Poison, Bryan Adams, and other hitmakers from the Reagan era.
Hear them next: The State Theatre, Falls Church, December 31
The Thrills
Washington Area Music Award multi-winner (for original songs, ironically enough) David Kitchen leads a crack local supergroup of bar band veterans and the occasional surprise guest through sets of up-tempo power pop and rock played by musicians that make it look all too easy.
Hear them next: JVs, Falls Church, November 6 and 15 and December 4; the Renegade, Arlington, December 20
The Cactus Liquors
This longtime five-piece outfit runs the gamut of Americana music from classic rock and outlaw country to the occasional foray into Motown and British Invasion. Willie Nelson, John Hiatt, Jackson Browne, even Van Halen find their way into the eclectic, electric set.
Hear them next: JVs in Falls Church, November 22 and December 20
Lez Zeppelin
Yes, it’s an all-female version of Led Zeppelin. They New Yorkers have been burning down houses of the holy since 2004 and have made sell-out volumes of fans, including one Jimmy Page. They’re currently doing the double album Physical Graffiti in its entirety.
Hear them next: The State Theatre, Falls Church, November 15
BandHouse Gigs
BandHouse Gigs, a nonprofit organization of volunteers, mounts elaborate tributes to music icons, bringing more than 35 local professional musicians to a production to perform one or two songs each —and they kill it. Bowie, Springsteen, the Pretenders, XTC, Ronstadt, Petty, Dire Straits, Costello and others have received the BandHouse treatment.
Hear them next: Fleetwood Mac at the Barns of Wolf Trap, March 28 and 29, 2026
Newmyer Flyer
The brainchild of BandHouse producer Ronnie Newmyer, the Flyers are more manageable tributes in a revue production, smaller in scale but with the same local all-star talent.
Hear them next: Time Loves a Hero: A Tribute to Little Feat, Bright Box, Winchester, November 21; Laurel Canyon: Golden Songs of Los Angeles, 1966-1973, The Birchmere, Alexandria, February 6, 2026
Feature photo of BandHouse Gigs by Beth Harrison
