Sunday, 9/18
Dungen; Black Cat
Swedish psychedelic rock may not sound like the most user-friendly genre, but Dungen’s ear for melody keep its concerts equally pop-friendly and acid-damaged, like the best of the Beatles, Byrds or Hendrix. They’re also guaranteed to say funny things in funny accents.
Monday, 9/19
Rogue Wave, Fruit Bats, Chad Van Gaalen; Black Cat
This trio of quirky, low fidelity, sound-alike indie-pop bands might weird out the hipsters in the Backstage next week, but Shins fans will love their earnest tunes to death.
Wednesday, 9/21
M.I.A.; 9:30 Club
A blogger’s dream come true, this Sri Lankan-by-way-of-London MC spits politicized rhymes over fractured, avant-garde world hip hop beats cooked up by her DJ love interest Diplo. More importantly, she can get even the geekiest dance floor to shake it.
Thurs./Fri., 9/22-23
Q And Not U; Black Cat
The District’s last great band is calling it quits with a pair of hometown farewell concerts at D.C.’s best local venue. Both nights have already sold out, but their spastic, funky live show is a must-see for any Washington resident; mug the scalpers, rush the door, just get inside this show by any means necessary.
Saturday, 9/24
Operation Ceasefire Concert; Washington Monument
With Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Le Tigre, Steve Earle, Bouncing Souls, Thievery Corporation and The Coup appearing, this lineup speaks for itself. Whatever your politics, bring a blanket down to the Mall and spend your Saturday soaking up the free tunes.
Minus the Bear, These Arms Are Snakes; Black Cat
If 10 hours of free punk rock, alt-country, electroclash, electronic and hip hop just can’t sate your thirst for pure shredding, hit the Cat after the Monument for some proggy, math rock noodling and gutbusting hardcore.
Monday, 9/26
The Posies; Black Cat
If you can’t wait ‘til October to get your New Pornograhers fix, see how gracefully these power pop veterans have aged.
Tuesday, 9/27
The White Stripes, The Shins, M. Ward; Merriweather Post Pavilion, Maryland
These marquee names need no introduction; the only reason not to go is the fact that you can only get there by car.
Sufjan Stevens; 9:30 Club
This folky troubeador has already sold out this show on the strength of this summer’s excellent entry in his 50 States project, Illinois, the only album of the year that can mix bluegrass, soul, and fuzz guitar with gentle acoustic guitar.
Wolf Eyes; DC9
Noise-rock junkies will love this stuff; those uninterested in losing their eardrums need not bother.
Wednesday, 9/28
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club; 9:30 Club
These garage rockers have moved on in their influences from the Jesus and Mary Chain to dusty Americana and blues on their latest album, Howl, but they can still bring the noize in concert.
The Lemonheads; Black Cat
Remember these guys, from way back before the bottom fell out of the grungy alt-rock market? Turns out they didn’t OD after all.
Venue Information
Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW
(202)667-7960, www.blackcatdc.com
9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW
(202)393-0930, www.930.com
Washington Monument: guess.
