Icona Pop in Washington DC

About Icona Pop

Icona Pop is a Swedish-American pop duo made up of Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo. They broke through in 2012 with I Love It, a bratty breakup anthem that became impossible to avoid and somehow still sounds fresh. The song's DNA is pure spite wrapped in sticky synth-pop hooks, and it introduced their brand of gleeful, no-filter pop sensibility. Beyond that breakthrough, they've spent the last decade refining a formula of catchy, radio-friendly songs built on the kind of production that sounds like it was designed for crowded venues and car speakers. Girlfriend and We Got Love followed in that same vein—aggressively upbeat tracks built for people who want pop music that doesn't apologize for wanting you to dance. They're not reinventing anything. They're just very good at what they do: making songs that feel like they were written specifically to annoy your ex.

Their shows run on pure audience participation. Every song becomes a sing-along, especially I Love It, which crowds clearly need therapeutically. They keep energy sharp and feed off the room. Don't expect introspection or staging tricks. Just a duo getting drunk on the fact that people are yelling their lyrics back at them.

Known for I Love It, Girlfriend, We Got Love, All Night, Drunk in Love

Icona Pop + Washington DC

Icona Pop's last DC show was back in 2014 at Verizon Center, when they were still riding high on 'I Love It' and the infectious energy of their debut. It's been a minute since they've played here, which makes another run through the capital feel overdue. The group's pop-punk sensibility and no-nonsense attitude always landed well with DC crowds.

Icona Pop in Washington DC News

• There Sure Were a Lot of American Flags at the “Hate America Rally” Mother Jones · Oct 18, 2025
• Louis The Child & Icona Pop Team Up On New Single "Weekend" Red Light Management · Jul 1, 2016
• Icona Pop Fight Over a Man in ‘Just Another Night’ Video spin.com · Nov 25, 2013
• Sky Ferreira and Icona Pop to Tour With Miley Cyrus Pitchfork · Nov 12, 2013
• Miley Cyrus To Bring Icona Pop, Sky Ferreira on ‘Bangerz’ Tour Billboard · Nov 12, 2013

Live Music in Washington DC

Washington's indie and alternative rock tradition runs deep, but pop music here tends to be filtered through irony or experimentation. Icona Pop's straightforward, anthemic approach to pop-rock feels like a different animal entirely — direct emotion without the DC affectation. It's refreshing.

Washington DC road trip to see Icona Pop?

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.