Foreign Born w. Free Energy

Sunday, March 14, DC9 ($12), doors at 8 p.m.

Foreign Born toured with Cold War Kids and We Are Scientists, but to me, the band’s greatest accomplishment was getting screen-time on Chuck. And Free Energy, everybody’s soon-to-be-favorite band once their album Stuck on Nothing comes out next May, opens the concert. Check out DC9 next Sunday, then brag about it to your hipster friends months from now.

Fresh Fest feat. Salt-N-Pepa

Friday, March 19, DAR Constitution Hall ($41.50—$70), doors at 7 p.m.

If you long for the days of parachute pants and Cross Colors short sets, then pine no longer. The annual Fresh Fest, a celebration of all things old school rap and hip hop, will be in D.C. in a week. Salt-N-Pepa headlines the concert, so don’t forget to bring a Betamax copy of Kazaam for DJ Spinderella to sign.

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State Radio w. Big D and the Kids Table

Friday, February 26, 9:30 Club ($20), doors at 8 p.m.

State Radio’s The Lefty Rides Again Tour rolls into D.C. tonight with ska staple Big D and the Kid’s Table in tow. Hmm … a politically conscious band, known for its activist efforts, in the nation’s capitol? My guess is they won’t be talking about life on tour in between songs.

Ani DiFranco

Tuesday, March 2, 9:30 Club ($40), doors at 7 p.m.

Ani DiFranco is one hell of a musician. In the 90s, she started her own record label, Righteous Babe, to fight against mainstream record companies—but unlike every other “independent” musician, she skyrocketed to success. Check out her unique brand of folk music next Tuesday at the 9:30 Club.

Jay-Z w. Young Jeezy

Wednesday, March 3, Verizon Center ($62—$122), doors at 6 p.m.

Didn’t Jay-Z retire? Why retire if you’re going to churn out albums and keep touring? Oh well. The hip-hop icon, and rising star Jeezy, will be at the Verizon Center next week for an epic concert. The tickets might be expensive, but you’ll get to see some of the best. I’d say that’s worth the price of admission.

Alice in Chains

Wednesday, March 3, D.A.R. Constitution Hall ($38.50), doors at 8 p.m.

Hey, it’s Alice in Chains! The last time the band released an album—before Black Gives Way to Blue came out in fall 2009, that is—we were in grade school. In other words, it’s been a long time. The band’s line-up is a bit different without Layne Staley (R.I.P), but these geezers can still bring the metal.

Jack’s Mannequin

Thursday, March 4, 9:30 Club ($29.50), doors at 6 p.m.

I wonder if Andrew McMahon misses 2003. After all, that year his band, Something Corporate, was one of the top acts in the country and he was the poster-child of the emo movement. Alas, time doesn’t stand still. Now he fronts Jack’s Mannequin, an almost-equally entertaining band, but the emo trend is long gone. If you’re nostalgic for sensitive ballads and piano breakdowns, check out the 9:30 Club next Thursday.

The Used w. Atreyu

February 17th, 9:30 Club ($25), doors at 6 p.m.

Grab your skinny jeans and eye liner, the emo-train is headed to the 9:30 Club. The Used and Atreyu headline next Wednesday in a show that’s sure to feature floor-punching and arm-windmilling galore.

John Mayer

February 20th, Verizon Center ($42.50—$78), doors at 7 p.m.

If you haven’t read John Mayer’s interview with Playboy yet, please do. Dude’s a physical manifestation of www.whitewhine.com. It’s a shame he’s such an asshole, because he’s quite the guitar player. If you want to yell at him and his “David Duke c–k,” buy your tickets early—this concert will probably sell out.

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Sunday

Wednesday

Saturday

Amanda Blank is kind of overwhelming. She mixes club music and hip hop and is one of the loudest personalities to ever grace a stage. But it’s all in good fun. Maybe she isn’t M.I.A., and she may make a joke about which gender she actually belongs to, but she’s bound to put on a show you’ll want to wear your dancing shoes to. Tickets are $16 for her show at the Rock and Roll Hotel this Saturday. Doors open at 9:00 p.m.

Tea Leaf Green has the same pull as the circus; you might want to run away and join them. I’m not sure exactly what that says about the music, but the band is a combination of ’70’s jam band psychedelia with a Bob Dylan groove. They’ll take you back to a time when rock ‘n’ roll meant less about what type of makeup the guys were wearing and more about what type of music they were playing. Check out their classic sound this Saturday at the 9:30 Club. Tickets cost $17 and doors open at 8:00 p.m

Wednesday

Alberta Cross have a similar return to the roots blues feel of bands like The Black Keys and the Raconteurs, but at the same time have a very unique style of their. It’s bluesy, sure. It’s rock ‘n’ roll at times too. But they’ve got this folksy aspect that brings their music together with a warm nostalgia. They’ll be performing at the Black Cat’s backstage with Hacienda for $10. Doors open at 9:00 p.m.

Of Montreal

Sunday

The Thievery Corporation have had a huge impact in the city of Washington, D.C. Opening up a recording studio in D.C. where they’ve had the opportunity to continue their unique mixture of dub, acid-jazz, and anything else they can find a way to mix in, they’ve made sure to put on some great shows around the area too. Labeled as “A Night With Thievery Corporation,” they’ll be performing at the 9:30 Club tonight, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets are sold out for the first two performances, so if you’re interested make sure to grab the Sunday ones while they’re still available. Tickets cost $40, but this is assured to be no typical concert; this is an experience all its own. Doors open at 8:00 p.m.

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Saturday

If you haven’t yet heard the Gaslight Anthem, you’re missing out on the young, hip version of Bruce Springsteen (I’m not saying that the Boss ain’t hip, I’m just saying he ain’t young). They spin together some lyrical majesty, a crooning whiskey laced voice, and a bit of punk rock. This Saturday, however, vocalist Brian Fallon will be taking the stage of the Black Cat for a solo show. Expect raw emotion and a good night, as Dave Hause of The Loved Ones will be there, too, to perform his own solo set. Tickets are $15, and the show will begin at 9:00 p.m. on the main stage.

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Sunday

Scream was a local punk back when D.C. initiated that whole Dischord thing (having released four albums themselves to the label). These guys play some raw and kick ass rock and roll, somewhat influenced by Bad Brains. No one really kicks it like these guys, and the original line-up is getting back together for a show this Sunday at the Black Cat. Tickets are only $12, and bring a toy for Toys for Tots if you can!

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Phenomenal Handclap Band

Saturday

The Phenomenal Handclap Band is equal parts funk, soul, psychedelic, and powerhouse rhythm section. That and their name should be more than enough to spark some interest in seeing these 8 soul-driven folks take the stage at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Tickets are $10 advance, $12 at the door.

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Fact: There are no monkeys in the Arctic Circle. You sit on a throne of lies, Alex Turner.

Friday

Grunge metal? Stoner rock? Power sludge? Who knows. Head over to the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight to see Pelican, a genre-bending act that’s currently touring the States with Black Cobra and Disappearer to promote their newest album, “What We All Come to Need.” While you’re there, try to stick another label to the band—I’m thinking pre-techno-grindcore-powerpop. Don’t forget to bring $14. Pay to play, kids. (Doors open at 8:30 p.m.)

Monday

Alec Ounsworth of Clap Your Hands Say Yeah doesn’t just have a fun name to say, he also writes some damn good songs! Ounsworth and his friends from Dr. Dog, The Walkmen, and Man Man are touring at indie-supergroup (is that an oxymoron?) Flashy Python. Check them out at DC9 next Monday for the low, low price of $12. (Doors open at 8:30 p.m.)

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