Another week, another slew of shows we want you to go to because they are fantastic. Here we go!
Monday July 29
Plain White T’s with The Wind and The Wave at 9:30 Club
If you don’t know who Plain White T’s are, you probably know their song “Hey There Delilah.” They’ve been around for over a decade, becoming almost a staple in the current pop/rock music scene. If you prefer your rock with a little more pop, then this show is for you.
Plain White T’s RiYL: Jason Mraz, The Script, The Fray
The Wind and The Wave RiYL: The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, River City Extension
Beyonce at the Verizon Center
Do I really need to give you a reason to go to this show? I shouldn’t have to convince you to see the fiercest chick in the game.
Beyonce RiYL: Destiny’s Child, Leona Lewis, Janet Jackson
Sonny Vincent (of the Testors), Hard Dads, and Sick Thoughts at Metro Gallery
If you want to dance and kick and punch stuff, hit up this show, especially since it’s at a small venue where the atmosphere is sure to be intense. All three bands are going to make you head bang and mosh to your little punk ass’s content.
Sonny Vincent RiYL: The Dead Boys, Erazerhead
Hard Dads RiYL: Cramps, Germs, Avengers
Sick Thoughts: RiYL: your favorite lo-fi garage band comprised of teenagers, also Sex Bob-omb
Sandi Thom and Andrew Tufano at Jammin’ Java
Singer-songwriter Sandi Thom sports a guitar and a pretty voice, perfect for a venue like Jammin’ Java. Don’t expect to dance a whole bunch, just expect pretty music, a quiet night, and two talented artists.
Sandi Thom RiYL: KT Tunstall, Sara Bareilles, Ingrid Michaelson
Andrew Tufano RiYL: Never Shout Never, The Scene Aesthetic, Owl City
Priests, Humble Fire, and The Accidentals at Fort Reno
I mean, Fort Reno means free punk rock so that’s attractive by itself. But also, Priests has a badass girl lead singer, Humble Fire also has a badass girl lead singer, and, out of left field, The Accidentals are a well-known acappella group. So it’ll be an eclectic show to say the least, but it’ll be outside and it’ll be great.
Priests RiYL: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Heart
Humble Fire RiYL: Beach House, Girls
The Accidental RiYL: anything acappella/covers of popular songs sans the instrumentals
Listen Local First Pick: North Country at DC9
Tuesday July 30
Beyonce at the Verizon Center
Do I really need to give you a reason to go to this show? I shouldn’t have to convince you to see the fiercest chick in the game
Beyonce RiYL: Destiny’s Child, Leona Lewis, Janet Jackson
Paul Weller with Matthew Ryan at 9:30 Club
If you’re looking for a more classic rock show, the Paul Weller show is right up your alley. He founded The Jam and has remained a well-known artist since the late 70s. If you’re sick of the generic pop rock scene and yearn for something more, check out Paul Weller.
Paul Weller RiYL: The Clash, The Jam, The Byrds
Matthew Ryan RiYL: Great Northern, Peter and the Wolf, Colin Hay
Gauntlet Hair with Jackson Scott at Black Cat
Dreamy, druggy, fun music that’ll get you swaying and make you feel like you are in the music, man. Also, Jackson Scott describes himself as a player of apocalypse pop, so that’s pretty cool, too.
Gauntlet Hair RiYL: Animal Collective, Surfer Blood, Yeasayer
Jackson Scott RiYL: Weezer, Deerhunter, Ty Segall
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists with Plurals and Crimson Wave at Ottobar
Some good “ol’ fashioned” alternative rock music, what else needs to be said? It’s fun music that’ll you can dance like an idiot.
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists RiYL: Man Man, Plants and Animals, The Thermals
Plurals RiYL: Dinosaur Jr., The Pixies
Crimson Wave RiYL: The Breeders, Sonic Youth, lady bands
Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, The Sniffs, Nervous Impulse at Fort Reno
More free hardcore/punk rock in the out of doors!
Stop Worry and Love the Bomb RiYL: The Ramones, Ian MacKaye
The Sniffs RiYL: The Ramones, Teengenerate, Angry Samoans
Nervous Impulse: The Goons, Barfight
Listen Local First Pick: The 9 at IOTA
Wednesday July 31
Michael Kiwanuka with Kat Edmonson at 930 Club
He’s a modern singer with a swing/blues/jazz feel. It’s quieter, more low-key music but it’s a break from loud, sweaty concerts. Kat Edmonson has a cute, fairy-like voice that can’t help but make you smile.
Michael Kiwanuka RiYL: Bill Withers, Etta James, She & Him
Kat Edmonson RiYL: Sara Watkins, Lyle Lovett, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones
Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Dawn McCarthy with the Murphy Beds at Sixth and I Synagogue
If you like various types of string instruments and the weird shit people can do with them, then you may really want to go to this show. Both groups consist of almost exclusively string instruments, from guitars to mandolins. So that means a quiet, low key show with some cool guitar tricks thrown in.
Bonnie “Prince” Billy and Dawn McCarthy RiYL: Bon Iver, Phosphorescent, Vetiver
Murphy Beds RiYL: traditional Irish music
Amit (Live) with Kahn & Neek, and more at U Street Music Hall
So think of the weird dance scene from the second Matrix movie. This show might be something like that without being literally underground. It’s all really intense British dubstep. Which means lots and lots of dancing. And maybe drugs.
AMIT RiYL: Sonic Youth, Joy Division, music that makes you feel mildly uncomfortable
Kahn and Neek RiYL: Kodiak, Synkro
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Big Something, and Tauk at 8×10
Besides their name being fantastic, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong are similar to Phish as they are similar to a jam band with some more funk and electronic thrown in there. If you like long jams but don’t want a Phish show, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong might be worth a try.
Pigeons Playing Ping Pong RiYL: Phish, The String Cheese Incident, anything funky
Big Something RiYL: Widespread Panic, Yes, CAKE
Tauk RiYL: Phish, jam bands without any lyrics
Listen Local First Picks: All Star Jam Session For Mali at Liv Nightclub DC, FarAway EP release at Jammin’ Java
Thursday August 1
O.A.R. with Andrew McMahon and Allen Stone at Merriweather
Y’all know who O.A.R. is as they are called a Maryland staple (they’re from Rockville). It’s roots rock with some reggae and a little jam band thrown in to create a cocktail of great music. Also, Andrew McMahon is the man behind Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate, in case you didn’t know.
O.A.R. RiYL: Third Eye Blind, Barenaked Ladies, Mat Kearney
Andrew McMahon RiYL: Barcelona, The Hush Sound, Carbon Leaf
Allen Stone RiYL: The Format, Dispatch, Citizen Cope
Frank Turner with Ben Marwood and Off with Their Heads at the Fillmore
Turner was once a part of the punk rock band, Million Dead, but now he’s head down a more acoustic/folk/pop sound as a solo artist. You’ve probably heard his song, “Recovery” on the radio. It’s right up your alley if you like poppier music. Off With Their Heads brings Frank Turner back to his punk roots while Ben Marwood is a nod to the acoustic side of Turner’s new music.
Frank Turner RiYL: Ben Folds, We Are Scientists, Manchester Orchestra
Ben Marwood RiYL: Elliot Smith, Death Cab for Cutie
Off with Their Heads RiYL: Dillinger Four, Kid Dynamite
Schoolboy with Eptic at U Street Music Hall
Dance music that’s a little creepy but you dance to it anyway. What more could you want on a Thursday night?
Schoolboy RiYL: Zomboy, Skrillex
Eptic RiYL: Rabbit Killer, 501, 8-bit
Cris Jacobs at 8×10
You like Jerry Garcia? Well Cris Jacobs is doing a tribute to the Grateful Dead’s front man. Yeah, he isn’t Jerry Garcia, but he’s talented in his own way. What else are you gonna do on a Thursday?
Cris Jacobs RiYL: Further, The Wood Brothers
Under The Influence Of Music Tour: Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky & More at Jiffy Lube Live
Lots of hip-hop, lots of booty, lots of other things that may or may not be legal. Sounds like a good time, right?
Wiz Khalifa RiYL: Young Money, DJ Khaled
A$AP Rocky RiYL: The Weeknd, Busta Rhymes
Listen Local First Picks: Glow Sessions at the Heurich House, Tiffany Thompson Trio and Justin Trawick at DC9, Lindsey Buckingham Palace and Black Checker at Velvet Lounge
Friday August 2
Mad Decent Block Party with Major Lazer, Zeds Dead, Flosstradamus, and more at Merriweather, NOW WITH U HALL BBQ STAGE!
If you like dancing to music that involves a lot of machines, hit up the Made Decent Block Party. It’ll have some of the best hip-hop/dance/electronic artists all over the lawn.
Major Lazer RiYL: M.I.A., Public Enemy, Flight Facilities
Zeds Dead RiYL: Bassnectar, Rusko
Flosstradamus RiYL: Zeds Dead, deadmau5
Robert Randolph and the Family Band with Tauk at 930 Club
What don’t Robert Randolph and the Family Band have? They’re a fusion of country, blues, gospel, and just about anything that’ll get their audience dancing. Their opening act, Tauk, is a little more mellow and a little more like a jam band.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band RiYL: The Allman Brothers Band, Blues Traveller, Dave Matthews
Tauk RiYL: Phish, jam bands without any lyrics
Lil Wayne at the Verizon Center
The prince of auto-tuning is coming to the Verizon Center. You probably know all about the pot-smoking, gun-toting, hip-hop star Lil’ Wayne so he needs no introduction. You either love him or you hate him. Either way you probably know all the words to his most popular tracks.
Lil Wayne RiYLK: Lil’ John, T-Pain, J. Cole
Corey Smith with Logan Mize at Rams Head Live
Admittedly there isn’t a lot of country music on this list but now there is! Country music for you country folk.
Corey Smith RiYL: Montgomery Gentry, Tracy Byrd, Josh Turner
Logan Mize RiYL: Outshyne, Kevin Fowler, Brad Paisley
Summer Slaughter Tour with The Dillinger Escape Plan at The Fillmore
A show with the word “slaughter” in the title is a little off-putting, but hey, maybe you all have bigger balls than I do. Get ready to mosh and break some skulls.
The Dillinger Escape Plan RiYL: Mastodon, Between the Buried and Me
Listen Local First Picks: 2 Days of Local and Improvisational Hot Hazy Noise and Music at Dog Days Fest at the Union Art Space, MUSTOCK 2013 in Lignum VA, DC Music Download presents: Brett, The Silver Liners, Ra Ra Rasputin and Honest Holloway at the Rock & Roll Hotel
Saturday August 3
Summer Spirit Festival with D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Busta Rhymes, and more with special guest host Mike Epps at Merriweather
Calling all R&B fans. If you’re looking for a show/festival full of soul, check out the Summer Spirit Festival.
D’Angelo RiYL: The Isley Brothers, The O’Jays, Al Green
Erykah Badu RiYL: Janelle Monae, Rick James, Aretha Franklin
Busta Rhymes RiYL: Eve, LL Cool J, Will Smith
Melvins with Honky at 930 Club
You a punk rock kid/adult/kid adult? You gonna like Melvins (and Honky). They’ve been around awhile and continue to deliver their heavy, punk rock sound. Honky isn’t so heavy/punk rock/bass-orientated so they sound more like a classic rock band (I’m thinking a little Lynrd Skynrd with less country).
Melvins RiYLK: Black Flag, Minor Threat, Electric Wizard
Honky RiYLK: Dwarves, Asteroid, Mondo Generator
Carbon Leaf with Jenn Grinels at Rams Head Live
They’re another D.C. area staple so that’s a good sign. They’re described as a band with Celtic influence, which you can definitely hear, so if you’re looking for something similar to Flogging Molly without the screaming, check them out.
Carbon Leaf RiYL: Dispatch, Dave Matthews, Nickel Creek
Jenn Grinels RiYL: The Whiffenpoofs, Chelsea Williams
Big Something and Moogatu at Jammin’ Java
They open for Pigeons Playing Ping Pong earlier in the week, and then they get the spotlight on the weekend. Not too shabby. Like I said before, they’re a funky jam band, what’s not to love? Also, if Moogatu doesn’t make at least one Zoolander reference, I will be very upset.
Big Something RiYL: Widespread Panic, Yes, CAKE
Moogatu RiYL: Umphrey’s McGee, Frank Zappa, Grateful Dead
Freeform Radio, Company Calls, and Wojcik at Comet Ping Pong
Bluesy rock trio, post-punk girl band, and a girl on the ukulele. That string of words describes the show at Comet Ping Pong. It has a little something for everyone in a rad venue.
Freeform Radio RiYL: Jack White, Modest Mouse, The Black Keys
Company Calls RiYL: The Cute, Tune-Yards
Wojcik RiYL: White Stripes, The Dresden Dolls, Bright Eyes
Listen Local First Picks: Sea Life and other favorites at Paperhaus, B Side Shuffle at Velvet Lounge
Sunday August 4
Ducktails with Hubble at The Black Cat
When Matt Mondanile isn’t busy being part of the indie band Real Estate, he’s being the brains and manpower behind Ducktails. This band is full of saxophones, synthesizers, and fun indie pop music.
Ducktails RiYL: Atlas Sound, Kurt Vile, The Sea and Cake
Hubble RiYL: L.A. Vampires, Oval
Kris Kristofferson at Rams Head OnStage
Country legend with coolest name in the industry is coming to the tiny Annapolis Rams Head stage. If you like quiet, intimate shows where you can also eat delicious food, this show is a pretty good choice.
Kris Kristofferson RiYL: Hank Williams, Willie Nelson
AJ Smith with Mikki Hommel at Jammin’ Java
Award-winning Australian rock/pop star AJ Smith is like a pop version of Mumford & Sons. It’s not really acoustic or folky, but there are banjos and acoustic guitars on top of pop instrumentals. It sounds weird and contradictory but I promise it works. Hommel spices things up with some soulful singing.
AJ Smith RiYL: Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, One Republic
Mikki Hommel RiYL: Etta James, Adele, Eric Hutchinson
Dick Dale at Birchmere
That song at the beginning of Pulp Fiction? Yeah, that one? Miserlou? Dick Dale wrote that. He’s “King of Surf Rock” and he’s still playing music even though he’s old. So you should see this bad ass on stage.
Dick Dale RiYL: The Inkspots, Johnny Winter, surfing
