Oh He Dead: Prairie Meadows Live at the Temple Concert Series

Smooth as leather, loose as a laugh, and built around a groove that refuses to sit still, Oh He Dead brings its soul-soaked sound to the Temple Theater October 23 at 7 p.m. as the headliner for the 2026-27 Prairie Meadows Live at the Temple Concert Series!

The Washington, D.C. band is rooted in soul, funk, rock, and pop, led by the powerhouse voice of CJ “Bowlin’” Johnson. Their sound is polished without feeling too perfect, playful without losing its depth, and full of the kind of chemistry that can only come from a band that knows exactly who they are. NPR describes Johnson’s voice as “a combination of Stevie Nicks and Tracy Chapman,” paired with the band’s “infectiously groovy” and “sublime instrumentation.”

The band is best summed up by the origin of their name. When Johnson was once asked what happened to a cheating boy who was shot by his lover in one of her songs, her answer was simple: “Oh, he dead.” It’s funny, blunt, a little dark, and completely memorable — which is also a pretty good way to describe the band’s personality.

Onstage, Oh He Dead has earned a reputation for turning sharp musicianship into something warm, spontaneous, and wildly fun. The band was voted by NIVA in 2023 as one of the best live acts in the U.S., and years of touring have led them to share stages with artists including Allen Stone, The Dip, Devon Gilfillian, Sir Woman, and Brandi Carlile.

Across three studio albums, Oh He Dead has built a catalog that moves between sleek soul-pop, raw emotion, and groove-forward rock with ease. Their newest album, Vertigo, continues that evolution, expanding the band’s world with songs that embrace contrast: joy and pain, polish and grit, humor and heart.

Click here to learn more. Live at the Temple season tickets are available now. Don’t miss your chance to experience Oh He Dead’s infectious soul, magnetic live energy, and one-big-hug kind of show in the intimate Temple Theater.