Gavin DeGraw in Washington DC

About Gavin DeGraw

Gavin DeGraw is a singer-songwriter who broke through in the mid-2000s with an unapologetic blend of soul, rock, and pop sensibilities. He's best known for "I Don't Want to Be," which became the theme song for One Tree Hill and basically defined a generation's soundtrack to high school drama. His music centers on emotional directness—he's not interested in obscuring what he's feeling. Songs like "Chariot" and "Follow Through" showcase his ability to build from intimate verses into anthemic choruses that hit harder than you'd expect from someone working in such a straightforward idiom. DeGraw's lived a genuinely interesting life: he busked in New York for years before getting signed, dealt with a serious bicycle accident that sidelined him for a while, and just kept writing. He's maintained a steady touring schedule and recording career without ever becoming the kind of overexposed pop star that burns out. His appeal is durable because there's no pretense to it—just a guy with a strong voice and actual things to say about love, loss, and trying to figure out who you are.

DeGraw puts real energy into live shows without relying on production gimmicks. Crowds sing along hard on the hits, but he actually holds attention during deeper cuts because his voice and guitar work are substantial. People genuinely connect with what he's doing onstage.

Known for I Don't Want to Be, Chariot, Follow Through, Belief, In Love with a Girl

Gavin DeGraw + Washington DC

Gavin DeGraw brought a holiday twist to the Lincoln Theatre on November 29th, mixing seasonal standards with his signature catalogue. He opened with "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" before settling into deeper cuts like "Chariot" and "Soldier," which hit differently in the intimate venue. The real moment came when he closed with "Maybe I'm Amazed"—a Paul McCartney cover that felt like a gift to the room. DeGraw's ability to move between Christmas chestnuts and his own material without losing momentum showed why DC keeps coming back to him.

Gavin DeGraw in Washington DC News

• Singer from Upstate NY to perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade Syracuse.com · Nov 26, 2025
• Listen to C4 & Nehman to win tickets to Gavin Degraw: Christmas Tour 2025 WBAL News Radio · Oct 5, 2025
• Experience Lee Greenwood’s Patriotism Right from Your Living Room Movieguide · Jul 14, 2025
• Parker McCollum, Gavin DeGraw More Added to Donald Trump's Nashville-Leaning Inauguration Celebrations Holler Country Music · Jan 16, 2025
• President Trump’s Inauguration to Include Gavin DeGraw and More, Drawing Fan Backlash The Hollywood Reporter · Jan 15, 2025

Live Music in Washington DC

Washington's music scene has always had room for artists who work in the singer-songwriter space without too much irony. The city gravitates toward straightforward musicianship and substantive lyrics over trend-chasing. DeGraw fits that mold—his rock foundation and piano-driven sensibility align with what DC audiences tend to value: solid craft, genuine emotion, no unnecessary flourishes.

Washington DC road trip to see Gavin DeGraw?

Stay in Georgetown or Capitol Hill, both walkable neighborhoods with excellent restaurants and bars. Book a table at Kinfolk in Capitol Hill for refined New American cooking, or head to Pineapple and Pearls for something more elaborate if you want to splurge. During the day, the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden offers world-class contemporary art without the crowds of the main Smithsonians. Walk the C&O Canal towpath if the weather cooperates. Hit up one of the city's serious record shops like Smash! Records before the show.