Thursday, 10/13
Jethro Tull; Constitution Hall
No, your eyes do not deceive you: the undisputed kings of classic rock flute come to the District tonight. Aqualung!
Saturday, 10/15
New Pornographers, Destroyer; 9:30 Club
It’s already sold out, but this one is worth the scalpers. The New P’s power-pop hooks get inside you like a heroin habit, and Destroyer isn’t half bad, either.
Fiery Furnaces; Black Cat
If you can’t find tickets to the Pornographers, you can still hear some of the weirdest pop music going this weekend. Think David Cassidy or the Partridge Family playing prog rock.
Sunday, 10/16
Foo Fighters; 9:30 Club
Dear Dave Grohl: We understand it’s tough for hard rock these days. You’ve been slipping on these last three albums, but fame is tough on nice guys. The Colour and the Shape has been one of our favorite albums since middle school, and that one with the ray gun on the cover is totally rad too. We’ll still come to this secret show (well, not so secret anymore) if we can snag tickets. Grunge is coming back, man! Seriously!
Monday, 10/17
John Vanderslice, Portastatic; Black Cat
Indie rock’s friendliest songwriter/producer teams up with Superchunk’s old frontman for a night of thoughtful, polite rock.
Tuesday, 10/18
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!; Black Cat
Boost your hipster cred and go see the hottest new indie party band on the block. Their live show is pretty much exactly like their album, but both are thoroughly enjoyable.
Atmosphere; 9:30 Club
Is there still a market for sensitive underground rap when Common and Kanye have been tearing up stereos since the summer? Does anyone even care? Find out on Tuesday.
Wednesday, 10/19
Lisa Loeb; The Birchmere
In case Jason Mraz just wasn’t enough saccharine adult contemporary for you.
Friday, 10/21
Son Volt, Fruit Bats; 9:30 Club
Alt-country grandfather Jay Farrar resurrects his old band for one last tired ride on the Neil Young-ripoff bus. The Fruit Bats are poised to break into the OC soundtrack any day now, though.
America; The Birchmere
Hey, funny thing: These guys ripped off Neil Young big time too, but they did it 35 years ago. You can go hum along to that “laaaa, laa, la la la” song twice; they’re here Saturday night also.
Venue Information
Black Cat: 1811 14th St. NW
9:30 Club: 815 V St. NW
Constitution Hall: 1776 D St. NW
The Birchmere: 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA
