Thursday, Sept 2
Robert Earl Keen, The Birchmere, Alexandria, VA
Merle Haggard may have cancelled his concert date at the Birchmere for later this month, but you can still check out a historic theater and listen to the country stylings of Robert Earl Keen, arguably Texas’ most popular recent music export. “The party never ends … “
Friday, Sept 3
Chicks With Attitude Tour; featuring The Cardigans; Charlotte Martin; Liz Phair; among others, 9:30 Club, D.C.
Liz Phair may have sold her alt-soul to the pop deities of the record labels, but the other ladies on this tour make the show worth attending. Charlotte Martin, who sounds strikingly like a blonde Tori Amos, belts out alternately emotional and satirical lyrics, like a true chick with attitude.
Metropolitan, Caribbean, Zerobridge, The Black Cat, D.C.
Saturday, Sept 4
Cake, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, M.D.
D.C. Blues Society Festival
Put on by the Blues Society of D.C., this free festival features performances by promising, albeit relatively obscure, musicians. Pine Top Perkins, a former pianist for Muddy Waters, and a few local bands lead the lineup. And at no cost, it’ll be worth it. Carter Barron Amphitheater, D.C.
Tuesday, Sept 7
Scissor Sisters, 9:30 Club, D.C.
Riding the success of a self-titled debut album released earlier this year, Scissor Sisters headlines at the 9:30 Club. Their brand of disco-pop songs combining the melodies of Elton John with the thoughtfulness of Pink Floyd, Scissor Sisters produces music that’s both witty and melancholic and always reminiscent of the ‘golden seventies.’
Thursday, Sept 9
Les Savy Fav; The Detachment Kit; Smoke and Smoke; The Black Cat, D.C.
If you read the Voice with any regularity, you’ll know that Les Savy Fav was featured as one of our hot summer albums last week. These guitar-friendly indie rockers are infamous for their live shows. Just a reminder: Go see them.
Friday, Sept 10
Snow Patrol, 9:30 Club, D.C.
The next in the line of alt-rock bands using their success in Britain to achieve a stateside following, Scottish trio Snow Patrol may not be as gleefully ironic as The Darkness or as inventive as Franz Ferdinand, but tight songwriting and Nick Drake-influenced folk melodies make the group worth a listen.
Saturday, Sept 11
Guided by Voices; 9:30 Club, D.C.
Indie-rock stalwarts Guided by Voices are calling it quits after their umpteenth album, so it’s worth catching this legendary institution before it’s all over. Watching leader Robert Pollard engage his drinking habits onstage serves as an amusing accompaniment to his rock.
Sunday, Sept 12
Hayden, The Black Cat, D.C.
Thursday, Sept 16
Trashcan Sinatras, 9:30 Club, D.C.
Minus the Bear; Paris, Texas; Statistics;
The Black Cat, D.C.
Venue Information
The Black Cat: 1811 14th St N.W., 202-667-4527 www.blackcatdc.com
Nightclub 9:30: 815 V St. N.W., 202-393-0930 www.930.com
The Birchmere: 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave Alexandria, VA, 703-549-7500 www.birchmere.com
Carter Barron Amphitheater, 16th Street NW and Colorado Avenue NW. For more information, call the Society at 202-962-0112
