Recommended DC: Concerts Archive

We recommend one concert for every day of the week. If you’re reading this, you probably would enjoy Recommended DC: Concerts. Here’s what we’ve recommended in the past.

November 11 and 12

Ratboy and Palehound at The Atlantis

The November 11 show is long sold-out and could and should probably sell-out 9:30 Club but they’re already booked up. See them on November 12 in the smaller space while you can. 

November 8

Spirit of the Beehive at Black Cat

November 6

New Dad at The Atlantis

Every single band from Ireland that visits D.C. on their tour seems to be worth seeing live. Add New Dad to the list. 

November 3

Hockey Dad at Union Stage

November 1

Touche Amore at Black Cat

October 31

The B52s at The Anthem

October 30

MJ Lenderman at 9:30 Club

October 29

Cursive at Union Stage

October 27

Cyndi Lauper at Capital One Arena

October 26

Hinds at Union Stage

October 25

Foxing at Union Stage

I love the new stuff because it sounds like one guitar is failing and the other guitars and synth are keeping everything alive. 

October 24

Julie at 9:30 Club

How did mid 90s shoegaze inspired rock and roll become the de facto ‘cool’ sound for mid 2020s rock and roll bands? Not complaining. This stuff is great! I wonder if they’re familiar with Catherine.

October 23

French Police at Union Stage

Darkwave industrial pop out of Chicago by three dudes who would have absolutely loved Neo. Neo closed when these kids were actual kids. Anyway, love live the 80s, Satan and all things black. These guys rule.

October 22

Kaitlin Butts at Union Stage

Apologies if she’s sick of these type of comparisons but if you miss Kacey Musgraves before she discovered psychedelics and nature, here you go. I miss that. More Butts and you won’t miss it as much. 

October 21

Tremours at Rhizome

October 20

Pardoner at Comet Ping Pong

October 19

Spooky Hey! Ho! Let’s Go! at Juneberry Garage

Yeah, we recommend our own stuff. 

October 18

Air at The Anthem

October 17, 18, 19, 20

The Magnetic Fields at Lincoln Theatre

October 16

Drive-By Truckers at Warner Theatre

October 14

Tanukichan at The Atlantis

“Thin Air” from Thin Air was the best song released in 2023.

October 6

The Psychedelic Furs and The Jesus and Mary Chain at The Anthem

October 5

Y La Bamba at Black Cat

October 4

Hotline TNT at Union Stage

September 30

Zheani at Union Stage

September 28

Death From Above 1979, Teen Mortgage at Howard Theatre

Two of the best duos working today on the same bill. One is celebrating the 20th anniversary of a record that definitely does not sound like it’s been around for two decades. The other is the best band out of the DMV in 20 years. This should be incredibly loud with the least amount of people needed to make the biggest sounds. 

September 27

Bad Moves at Black Cat

September 25

The Cactus Blossoms at Songbyrd 

September 23, 24

Khruangbin at The Anthem

September 21

HFStival at Nationals Park

September 19

Old 97s at 9:30 Club

September 16

The National and The War on Drugs at Merriweather 

September 14, 15

Weezer, The Flaming Lips, Dinosaur Jr. at The Anthem 

September 13

St. Vincent at The Anthem

September 12

Marika Hackman at The Atlantis 

September 11

PJ Harvey at The Anthem

May 31, June 1

Bonnie Raitt at Warner Theatre

May 31

Dwight Yoakam at The Anthem

May 30

Jeff Goldblum at Lincoln Theatre 

Did you know the guy trying to get you to rent an apartment has a band?

May 29

Kacy Hill at Songbyrd 

May 28

Diljit Dodanjh at Capital One Arena

May 27

The Amity Affliction at Fillmore Silver Spring

May 26

Matthew Logan Vasques at DC9

The Delta Spirit frontman should please fans of The Delta Spirit. The solo stuff has a Desperacidos vibe too.

May 25 

Yaya Bey at Union Stage

May 23, 24

Tank at MGM National Harbor

May 22

Sierra Ferrell at 9:30 Club

May 21

Killer Mike at Kennedy Center

Mike is performing with the National Symphony Orchestra. I hope they play “Reagan.”

May 20

serpentwithfeet at Union Stage

May 19

Judas Priest at MGM National Harbor

May 17, 18

Mannequin Pussy at The Atlantis

May 16

Echo and the Bunnymen at 9:30 Club

May 15 

Lø Spirit at DC9

May 14

Amon Amarth at Fillmore Silver Spring

May 13

Hot Water Music at Howard Theatre

May 12

Sean Paul at Echostage 

May 11

Neil Young and Crazy Horse at Jiffy Lube Live

Um, Neil Young is back on Spotify?

May 10

The Decembrists, Ratboys at The Anthem

This gets the pick because of the openers. Ratboys’ The Window was one of the best records of 2023.

May 9

Rosie Tucker at Comet Ping Pong

May 8

Bad Bad Hats at Union Stage

Don Giovanni Records only releases good stuff.

May 7

Sunny Day Real Estate at Howard Theatre

Do you think they were pissed when Soul Coughing released “Circles?”

May 6 

Silversun Pickups at 9:30 Club

If you still want to enjoy The Smashing Pumpkins without having to deal with Billy Corgan.

May 5 

Tei Shi at Songbyrd

Kinda surprised this isn’t in a bigger venue.

May 4

Chastity Belt at Black Cat

May 3

Social Distortion and Bad Religion at MGM National Harbor

I want to see Bad Religion in a casino. I want to see Bad Religion in a church. One of these is possible.

May 2

Belle and Sebastian at The Anthem

May 1

Slothrust at The Atlantis

Grrrrrruuuuuunge. Pop grunge.

April 14

Small Crush at Songbyrd

April 13

The Feelies at Black Cat

The Feelies walked to Weezer could run. Well, the first two Weezer records ran.

April 12

Swans at The Howard Theatre

Earplugs.

March 23

Sprints at DC9

Fontaines DC meets Hole.

March 22

Kim Gordon at Black Cat

March 21

Psymon Spine at Pie Shop

The best version of an Apple commercial.

March 20

Max Raabe and Palast Orchestra at Lincoln Theatre

March 19

Loving at DC9

March 18

Angie McMahon at The Atlantis

March 17

Cobrah at 9:30 Club

If Lady Gaga stayed dirty. Dirty is good.

March 16

Time Phase Trio / sinonó at Rhizome

March 15

Smoking Popes at Songbyrd 

March 14

Mary Timony at Black Cat

March 13

Cloudbelly at Quarry House Tavern

March 12

Sleater Kinney at The Anthem

March 10

Arturo Sandoval at Strathmore

March 9

Iceland Airwaves at Songbyrd

March 8

Labrys at Metro Gallery (Baltimore)

Labrys released one of the best rock records of the last 12 months and this is their closest DC date. 

March 7

Video Age at Songbyrd

March 6

Michael Nau at The Atlantis

March 5

Alkaline Trio at Fillmore Silver Spring

Their newest, Blood, Hair, And Eyeballs, is their strongest album since 2003’s Good Mourning.

March 4

The Beaches at The Howard Theatre

March 3

Porno for Pyros at Fillmore Silver Spring

March 2

Hamaki at Fillmore Silver Spring

March 1

Qveen Herby at The Howard Theatre

February 29

Nnamdi at The Atlantis

February 28

Mikaela Davis at The Atlantis

Strong Tuesday Night Music Club era Sheryl Crow vibes.

February 26

BCMC (Bill MacKay & Cooper Crain) at Rhizome

February 25

Ekkstacy at Songbyrd

Modern songs about manic pixie dream girls.

February 24

J. Robbins at Comet Ping Pong

Gimme that power pop! It’ll scratch your Matthew Sweet itch. This is also a record release show and those tend to be quite fun.

February 23

Rhett Miller at Miracle Theatre

If you like The Old 97’s you’re going to like Miller’s solo stuff.

February 22

Twin Peaks Night at Slash Run

Come hang out with us and buy our golden shovel. Only $29.99!

February 21

+++ at Fillmore Silver Spring

Chino Moreno still sounds amazing. I just wish he didn’t name one of his side projects something that’s impossible to Google.

February 20

Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert at The Lincoln Theatre

I’m curious to see if the audience is more Cat Power or Dylan fans?

February 19

Apes of the State at Comet Ping Pong

Do you enjoy Ani DiFranco? Linda Perry?

February 18

Goetia at Pie Shop

The logo matches the sound. Great logo. Metal logo.

February 17

Sunny War at Songbyrd

If you want that summer festival vibe months early, here you go.

February 16

The Prize Fighter Inferno at The Atlantis

It sounds familiar because it’s the dude from Coheed.

February 15

Parasite Nurse at Rhizome

February 14

Deap Vally at Black Cat

One of the best duos working today on a farewell tour.

February 13

Militarie Gun at The Atlantis

This should be at 9:30 Club and next year this should be at The Anthem.

February 12

Loud Boyz at DC9

Happy anniversary to DC9 and a tip of the cap to Loud Boyz before their final show.

February 11

DJ Shadow at 9:30 Club

February 10

Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy perform REM’s Murmur at Black Cat

February 9

Bailen at The Atlantis

February 8

Squid at 9:30 Club

February 7

Rosanne Cash at Birchmere

February 6

Tinashe at 9:30 Club

February 5

Who Can See Forever: A Portrait of Iron and Wine with a live performance and Q&A at AFI Silver

If you’re a fan of Sam Beam this is a can’t miss event. Iron & Wine shows cost a lot more than $25 and they don’t typically include a film about the artist. It’s one of the best shows of the month and it’s not technically even a show.

February 4

Gaadge at Comet Ping Pong

February 3

Katy Kirby at Songbyrd

February 2

Cumbia Heights at Comet Ping Pong

Is their name a pun or just a really good way to remind you they hail from Columbia Heights?

February 1

Work Wife at Pie Shop

Say goodbye to Dry January with a well poured drink and lots of emotion.

January 30

Band of Horses at Fillmore Silver Spring

Anyone else need to listen to “The Funeral” and have a good cry?

January 28

Mayer Hawthorne at The Atlantis

January 27

Rico Del Oro at Wolf Trap

For fans of Orville Peck.

January 26

Juliana Hatfield at Millennium Stage

January 25

Saintseca at Comet Ping Pong

January 24

Meet Me @ The Altar at 9:30 Club

Sometimes you just miss Warped Tour.

January 23

Wednesday at 9:30 Club

January 21

K-Hole at Pie Shop

January 20

Pinkhouse at Songbyrd

January 19

Blunda at Songbyrd

January 18

Curse Words at Pie Shop

January 14

The Gentrifiers at Slash Run

January 13

Escuela Grind at Songbyrd

I’ve played dozens of shows with over a hundred grindcore bands. Very few were noteworthy and it was instantly obvious which ones were. Escuela Grind is noteworthy.

January 12

Teen Mortgage at Pie Shop

The best band in the DMV celebrates the release of their first vinyl LP.

January 11

Zavier Croft on Funkadelic’s “Cosmic Slop” at Eaton

Looking to hang out with some folks that also enjoy Funkadelic?

January 6

Cryptid Summer at The Runaway

See one of DC’s best bands to start the year off right.

January 5

The Plate Scrapers at Union Stage

January 4

Shannon Leigh Reynolds at Quarry House Tavern

December 23

Sugar – The Nu Metal Party at Songbyrd

We did a nu-metal night this summer at DC9. It was stupid and fun. This should also be stupid and fun.

December 22

The Dead Ringers at Slash Run

Most every 2-piece band is better than most every 3-piece band. I don’t know why, they just are.

December 21

RENAIDDANCE: Beyoncé Celebration at Union Stage

December 20

DuPont Brass at Millennium Stage

December 19

Madonna at Capital One Arena

Taylor Swift is 34. Madonna released Erotica when she was 34. That’s 31 years ago. Damn.

December 18

Stradivari Anniversary Concert: Dalí Quartet with Ricardo Morales, Clarinet at Library of Congress

December 17

Trash Boy at Pie Shop

Philadelphia is making a strong case for best music scene on the East Coast. For fans of Jeff Rosenstock.

December 16

Interpol at 9:30 Club

The first of three nights of their sold-out shows.

December 15

Luke Grimes at 9:30 Club

December 14

The Slackers at Black Cat

December 13

Ariana and the Rose at Pie Shop

Carly Rae Jepsen potential?

December 12

Open Mike Eagle at Songbyrd

December 11

Merry TUBACHRISTMAS! at Millennium Stage

Truth in advertising.

December 10

Allison Russell at The Birchmere

December 9

Teenage Halloween at Quarry House Tavern

Two things. 1. How was this name not taken? 2. I’ll give anything released by Don Giovanni my time.

December 8

The Flying Faders at Slash Run

I love surf rock. I can not tell you why surf rock sounds nearly as good during the Christmas season as it does at the height of summer. Surf rock is X-Mas music?

December 7

Rid of Me at Pie Shop

Another reminder that Philadelphia produces quality rock and/or roll bands.

December 6

Body of Light at Quarry House Tavern

Fuck yeah, gimme that late 80s, New Order inspired minimalistic synth pop! Hits, baby!

December 5

Dead Gowns at Quarry House Tavern

December 4

Lydia Loveless at The Atlantis

A lifer in the best sense.

December 3

June McDoom at Pie Shop

I get early St. Vincent vibes from her and that’s a really good trajectory.

December 2

Deafheaven at The Howard Theatre

It’s a Sunbather 10 year anniversary show.

December 1

Bar Italia at Songbyrd

I’m a big fan of their new record. It’s got a lot of showgaze-y stuff that makes it sound like 1993 not 2023. And Low. They sound like Low too.

November 30

Darlingside at The Howard Theatre

November 29

Sunny Jain’s Wild Wild East at Millennium Stage

November 28

Hania Rani at Union Stage

For fans of Regina Spektor. In partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the United States.

November 27

Doja Cat at Capital One Arena

November 26

The Lone Below at Wolf Trap

November 25

Benjamin Dakota Rogers at Millennium Stage

November 24

Sabino at Songbyrd

November 22

Bluey’s Big Play at The Kennedy Center

For the kids and for the parents.

November 21

Lil Uzi Vert at The Anthem

November 20

The Bobby Lees at The Atlantis

November 19

New Orleans in Exile at AFI Silver

The documentary screens as part of Notes from the Road: The Films of Robert Mugge series.

November 18

The Menzingers at Fillmore Silver Spring

November 17

Afro Zombies at The Runaway

November 16

Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs at Atlas Brew Works

GIMME THAT MID-90s POWER POP!!!

November 15

Slaughter Beach, Dog at Fillmore Silver Spring

[311 voice] Chill!

November 2

Sidney Bird at Comet Ping Pong

November 1

Yvie Oddly at Union Stage

The bendiest Drag Race winner.

October 31

The Hives at Union Stage

Nothing is preventing you from starting a band with four of your friends and wearing matching suits for 25 years.

October 30

Slow Pulp at Union Stage

October 29

Royal & the Serpent at Union Stage

October 28

S.G. Goodman at Union Stage

October 27

Slayyyter at 9:30

Rarely does an artist stumble onto a signature song on their third record. “Erotic Electronic” is that rare third album signature song.

October 26

The Successful Failures at Slash Run

The New Jersey version of the Old 97’s. 

October 25

Genesis Owusu at Union Stage

Do you like Death Grips? Do you like the first two TV on the Radio releases? Do you like IDLES?

October 24

Charlotte Cardin at Union Stage

Need some Everything But The Girl in your life?

October 23

Depeche Mode at Capital One Arena

See the pretty sad men in the spooky month.

October 22

Gone Gone Beyond at Pearl Street Warehouse

October 21

Palehound at Union Stage

Whenever I think labels don’t really matter I find out an artist I really like is on a label I really like. Polyvinyl is why labels matter. Palehound rules.

October 20

Messa at Comet Ping Ping 

It’s not technically spooky music but it definitely sounds better in October.

October 19

Yuele at Black Cat

Sasami is opening. “Skin A Rat” was the best guitar based song of 2022. 

October 18

Speedy Ortiz at Black Cat

October 17

Pile at Black Cat 

October 16

Jessie Ware at 9:30 Club 

October 15

Cece Coakley at Pie Shop

October 14

Spooky Hey! Ho! Let’s Go! at DC9

It’s our all-ages dance party. We have to recommend our own party. Wear a costume. Bring a kid. Bring your kid. Don’t steal kids. 

October 13

Sonder Bombs at Comet Ping Pong

October 12

Emo Orchestra featuring Hawthorne Heights at Warner Theatre

We were going to recommend Kim Petras at The Anthem but this is way more intriguing. Seriously. Hawthorne Heights is playing with a full orchestra and also covering a bunch of other Warped Tour vets (TBS, FOB, etc.). What? 

This is all because of Metallica’s S&M.

October 11

Optic Sink at The Runaway

This is going to sound great in the intimate Runaway. It’d sound even better in a cramped basement or massive arena.

October 10

St. Paul & The Broken Bones at Warner Theatre

The Hold Steady walked so St. Paul could run.

October 1

PACKS at Pie Shop

September 30 

Opera in the Outfield at Nationals Park

September 29 

Tangerine Dream at The Lincoln Theatre

September 28

Lee Fields at The Kennedy Center 

September 27

Kid Congo Powers & The Pink Monkey Birds at Black Cat

Kid Congo is great but we’re recommending this because Teen Mortgage is the first band on the bill. 

September 26

Woods, Anna St. Louis at Comet Ping Pong

September 25

Janelle Monáe at The Anthem

September 24

Bully at Black Cat

September 23

Megan Moroney at The Hamilton

September 22

Y La Bamba at The Kennedy Center

September 21

The Breeders at Fillmore Silver Spring

No band is as cool as The Breeders.

September 17

Oracle Sisters at DC9

September 16

Cardiel at The Runaway

September 15

Slow Joy at Pie Shop

September 14

Sarah and the Safe Word at Quarry House Tavern 

September 13

Babe Rainbow at Black Cat

September 12

Killusonline at Rhizome

September 9

Being Dead at Quarry House Tavern

September 8

Ex Hex at Black Cat

Happy birthday, Black Cat! Go for the headliners, get there early for Flasher.

September 7

Arctic Monkeys at Merriweather Post Pavilion 

Arctic Monkeys are pretty good. It’s getting the pick for the Fontaines DC support.

September 6

Jeff Rosenstock at 9:30 Club

This is how to age gracefully as a rock and roll musician. Just as important, just as relevant, just as good as he was in 2003. QOTSA may be the most important big rock band, but Rosenstock is the most important real dude trying to make this thing work musician. His stuff is so good he makes me want to play loud music again and that is just a dangerously bad idea.

September 5

The Postal Service and Death Cab for Cutie at The Anthem

Ben Gibbard normalized running to the original Pitchfork reader.

September 4

Lauren Mayberry at 9:30 Club

Hell yeah, CHVRCHES are great.

September 3

DC JazzFest at The Wharf

September 2

ZZ Top at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Dusty wanted them to go on.

September 1

Rosie Cima and What She Dreamed at DC9

Say goodbye before Cima moves to the great beyond (she’s just leaving D.C., that’s all).

August 31

Lil Baby at Capital One Arena

August 27

Girl Ultra at Black Cat 

August 26

Distrito Music Fest at Union Stage 

August 24

Florist at Black Cat

August 24

Florist at Black Cat

August 23

Molly Parden at Songbyrd

August 22

Sheer Mag at Comet Ping Pong 

August 21

Toosii at Fillmore Silver Spring 

August 20

Temple of Angels at Comet Ping Pong 

August 19

Beau Young Prince presents Groovy Baby 3 at Union Stage

August 18

Juanes at Wolf Trap

August 17

Abby Holiday at DC9

August 16

The Watson Twins at Millennium Stage 

The Kennedy Center is programming some great, free shows.

August 15

M.A.G.S. at Songbyrd

If Warped Tour was still a thing they would kill it on Warped Tour.

August 14

Queens of the Stone Age at The Anthem 

Once again, belief is QAnon is dumb

August 13

Parliament-Funkadelic at The Lincoln Theatre

They should have won our Best American Band Tournament.

August 12

The Clientele at Songbyrd 

If it’s on Merge, it’s worth your time.

August 11

Meg McRee at Pearl Street Warehouse

She’ll be in a bigger room next time.

August 10

Drive-By Truckers at The Atlantis 

You want to see the Truckers in a real neighborhood bar. Since they’re way too big for that, one of DC’s smallest rooms is pretty good.

August 9

Queens of the Stone Age at The Anthem 

QAnon isn’t real. QOTSA is real.

August 8

Death Grips at The Anthem 

Whoa, Death Grips evolved into a reliable touring act! WTF!

August 7

P!NK at Nationals Park

Who doesn’t like trapeze?

August 6

Seeing Double at The Runaway

August 5

Beyoncé at FedEx Field

“BREAK MY SOUL” is my 4-year-old’s favorite song. They’re right.

August 4

Reyna Tropical at Comet Ping Pong

Attend shows that make you want to dance even if you don’t like dancing.

August 3

Regina Spektor at Wolf Trap 

I remember when she was the next-big-thing opening for The Strokes when they were the next-big-thing. She’s 20+ years into a very solid, fan satisfying career.

August 2

Pretty Bitter at Quarry House Tavern

Be careful, what you wish for.

August 1

Pool Kids at Songbyrd

Some of their intros have more notes played in the first 20 seconds than entire Ramones records.

July 31

Leanna Firestone at DC9

July 30

Late Night Drive Home at Songbyrd 

July 29

Man on Man at DC9

Polyvinyl only releases good stuff.

July 28

Outlaw Music Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion 

It’s Willie Nelson. Go see Willie Nelson.

July 27

Thelma and the Sleaze at The Runaway

July 26

Rose City Band at Union Stage 

July 25

Horsegirl at DC9

Some of the best indie rock today. Glad this is at DC9 and not a larger club. They’ll be in a bigger room next tour.

July 24

Dot Dash at Fort Reno

If you don’t go to Fort Reno for a summer concert were you ever really in DC in the summer?

July 23

The Fuss at Atlas Brew Works 

An afternoon ska show for the entire family.

July 22

Reverend Horton Heat at The Hamilton

Eat steak.

July 21

Requiem at Rhizome 

July 20

The Delarcos at Fort Reno

July 19

Tamikrest at Millennium Stage

July 18

Lily Konigsberg at Pie Shop

July 17

Kehlani at The Anthem

July 16

Destructo Disk at Rhizome 

July 15

Destroy Boys at Black Cat

July 14

Activity at Pie Shop

July 13

Pardoner at Quarry House Tavern

July 12

Counting Crows at Merriweather Post Pavilion

I hate this month. I crave a long December.

July 11

Nosferatu at Quarry House Tavern

July 10

Haves and Thirds at Rhizome 

July 9

Bettye LaVette at The Hamilton

July 8

Skating Polly at Comet Ping Pong 

July 7 

Cranium Drain at Atlas Brew Works 

July 6

Jinx Monsoon at Capital One Hall

Jinx deserved to win the most crowns. Jinx is the best.

July 5

Bad Moves at MLK Library 

Another free ‘punk’ show at the library.

July 4

Boyz II Men at West Lawn of the Capital

I’ll make love to you, America.

July 3

Grand Scheme at Rhizome 

Have a hardcore holiday?

July 2

Smithsonian Folklife Festival 

A trip to the Ozarks on the Mall.

July 1

Nayan at Slash Run 

June 30

Marisa Monte at Wolf Trap

Brazilian pop sounds better in the summer, outdoors. Fingers crossed for clean air.

June 29

Sky Ferreira at Fillmore Silver Spring

The best working pop star from season 3 of Twin Peaks.

June 28

Eels at Fillmore Silver Spring

Souljacker is one of the best records of the 2000s. Most eels fans wouldn’t even put it in their top 5 eels records.

June 27

Jeff Tweedy at 9:30 Club 

Chicago’s version of QOTSA’s Josh Homme. More on that later.

June 26

X at 9:30 Club – POSTPONED

Long live LA punk.

June 25

The Cure at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Get fucking sad. Get really fucking sad. It’s so good to be this sad. See The Cure at least once in your life. I saw them in 1997 and still remember their set. It was really fucking sad.

June 24

Home Rule Music Festival Closing Night at Black Cat

What a wonderful festival! After a night at Songbyrd and weekend at Walter Reed, it’s wrapping up at the best venue on 14th Street.

June 23

Pinkwash at Rhizome

I tend to like most everything Don Giovanni releases.

June 22

Cathedral Bells at Quarry House Tavern

God damn I love their guitar sound, it’s the best parts of The Cure and the poppiest parts of MBV.

June 21

Saleka at Songbyrd

Want to enjoy the music of the daughter of M. Night Shyamalan?

June 20

Protomartyr at Black Cat

Now this is how to be in a rock and roll band at a certain age.

June 19

Juneteenth Freedom Celebration: Unity. Freedom. Acknowledgment. at Anacostia Community Museum

Check out The Experience Band, Dev Duff, BeMo Brown and Farrah Flosscett and more, for free, at this holiday event.

June 18

Wednesday at Black Cat

“Quarry” is one of the best songs of the year. Wednesday’s record will be on lots of best-of year end lists. See them before they’re in larger rooms like 9:30, Anthem, etc.

June 17

Jana Horn at Songbyrd

Enjoy Boygenius but don’t enjoy commuting to the far suburbs?

June 16

Re:SET at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Go Friday for Boygenius. Go back Sunday for IDLES.

June 15

Kate Davis at Songbyrd

Davis is now on Anti-. There are few labels that I’ll listen to everything they release. Anti- is one. Unrelated, Davis’ new stuff sounds like it might work well on the next season of Yellowjackets.

June 14

Recommend If You Like 2 Year Anniversary Party at Looking Glass Lounge

That’s us! We’ll be playing music from 2002. Come hang out. It’s our birthday.

June 13

Black Midi at Howard Theatre

Bands like Sleaford Mods and Protomartyr and Black Midi make me think I could, I should still be in a band. I love it and it’s possibly a gateway drug.

June 12

Phony Ppl at Union Stage

I get Jamiroquai vibes. Those are fun vibes.

June 11

Yo La Tengo at 9:30 Club

Are there any other bands that are better in their fourth decade?

June 10

Jump Up Records 30th Anniversary at Songbyrd

Hatred of ska is just jealousy of large friend groups with the ability to coordinate Google calendars.

June 9

Ms. Lauryn Hill at Wolf Trap

That Fugees tour is definitely not happening

June 8

Cinema Hearts at Songbyrd 

Frontwoman Caroline Weinroth is a legit beauty queen, making Cinema Hearts the real life version of Hole’s “Miss World.”

June 7

Teen Mortgage at MLK Memorial Library 

D.C.’s best band on the roof of D.C.’s biggest library. Cool.

June 6

Frances Grove at Quarry House Tavern

From a bedroom in Little Rock to a basement in Silver Spring.

June 5

Niall Connolly at Pie Shop – Cancelled

This is what indie folk actually sounds like.

June 4

Queering Sound: Ammonite, Ari Voxx, Blood Family Reunion, Eyerolls, Julie Outrage at Rhizome

Pride doesn’t just sound like pop music.

June 3

Bridge City Sinners at Songbyrd

I rarely put on banjo punk at home. I rarely don’t have a blast seeing banjo punk live.

June 2

Paramore at Capital One Arena

Is there a chance Paramore has become Gen Z’s Fleetwood Mac?

June 1

Mason Jennings at Millennium Stage 

Ya gotta appreciate the lifers.

May 31

Daikaiju at The Runaway

If Beavis and Butt-Head knew about Daikaiju, Daikaiju would be their favorite band. And Beavis and Butt-Head have excellent taste in music. They like Nirvana and Wilco.

May 30

Foo Fighters at The Atlantis

Josh Freese is an excellent drummer. So is Dave Grohl. We ranked every song Dave Grohl that plays drums on.

May 29

Panchinko at Black Cat

The story is a fairy tale. A band from Nottingham, England releases 30 copies of an album in 1998. It slowly gains a following when someone uploads it to 4chan in 2016. In 2023 they’re playing sold-out shows around the U.S.

May 28

Junkyard Band at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Take in a screening of the short doc Barry Farm: Community, Land and Justice in Washington DC then enjoy a concert from one of D.C.’s most important go-go bands.

May 27

Moxie at The Pocket

The sounds of summer from the great state of Vermont.

May 26

Nice Breeze at Slash Run

When I think of D.C. music, I think of acts like Nice Breeze.

May 25

The Flaming Lips at The Anthem

It’s a Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots show. I saw this tour on its first run in 2003. It was an instant classic. It’s still a classic. I wonder how many inflatables Wayne Coyne has destroyed?

May 24

The Walkmen at The Anthem 

Their later stuff is better than their early stuff. I know this is the minority opinion.

May 23

Blink-182 at Capital One Arena

I have two controversial opinions about Blink: the Matt Skiba era was not bad and “Man Overboard” is their best song, quite possibly the best pop punk song about ending a friendship. Also, get there early enough to see Turnstile.

May 22

Absolute Beginner Master Class with Scottish Ballet at The Kennedy Center

D.C. is weird. You can take an introductory ballet class with world-class dancers for free on a Monday night at The Kennedy Center.

May 21

PUP at 9:30 Club 

Canada’s best working band.

May 20

The New Pornographers at 9:30 Club

See Neko Case whenever possible.

May 19

Caroline Polachek at The Anthem

When we initially launched we had a DJ night to celebrate. One of our writers, Afriti Bankwalla, played a bunch of Caroline Polachek. So I’ve been listening to a lot of Caroline Polachek for the last two years. Since she’s playing quite a large venue in D.C., I think a lot of others are too.

May 18

Family Valuez: A Nü-Metal DJ Night at DC9

Chris Kelly and I will be playing the best, dumbest nü-metal. Expect a lot of Deftones. I hate Linkin Park. Chris likes them so you’ll probably hear a bunch of Linkin Park. Oh, we’ll both do our best to include as much Attitude Era as possible. People better buy us two beers at a time so we can enjoy beer like Stone Cold enjoys beers.

May 17

Outerloop at Slash Run

They describe themselves as post-punk. I hear more late-90s alternative, think Harvey Danger and more jangly Whitechocolatespaceegg era Liz Phair.

May 16

Y La Bamba at Songbyrd

I like songs that sound like they’re in the midst of falling apart, collapsing one might say.

May 15

Sepultura at Fillmore Silver Spring

100% of the time I’m gardening “Roots Bloody Roots” is playing in my head. The song is not about gardening.

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