Weekly Music Agenda
Junior Boys
>> Hippie favorite and mainstream crossover artist Ben Harper already sold out the 9:30 Club, where he'll be playing with his new band, the Relentless7, tonight. But Craig and friends still have some options for you. 7 p.m.
>> With a local music scene as interconnected as ours, it's common for D.C. musicians to play in more than one band at a time. Tonight you can catch Typefighter, featuring members of Pash and their friends, deliver more folky, relaxed songs that, while beautiful, still have some bite. They’ll be at Galaxy Hut. 9 p.m.
>> Anyone else disappointed that gritty rock duo Japandroids canceled their DC9 show is pretty much SOL on finding that sort of show for tonight. The best bet would probably be Nightmare of You, playing the Black Cat Backstage, who have hardcore roots, and a tight, more melodic indie rock sound. 9 p.m., $10.
TUESDAY
>> UB40 has been releasing reggae-inflected music before and since “Red Red Wine” became a radio hit, and they’re returning to the 9:30 Club to remind everyone that they have range above and beyond that iconic song. 7 p.m., $40.
>> Do you like the idea of Hot Chip but also prefer a live show not spent solely standing behind synthesizers? Junior Boys are the answer. They have a similarly electronic aesthetic, but more laid back beats and guitar driven rhythms. Max Tundra opens for them at Black Cat. 8 p.m., $15.
WEDNESDAY
>> Chicago electronica act Future Rock will be hitting the Rock and Roll Hotel with Shout Out Out Out Out. $10, 8:30 p.m.
>> Afrobeat isn’t as hard to come by these days as in years past, but Antibalas (above) provides an intriguing take on ancient sounds. Interesting factoid: members of the band also toured with Spoon on an early Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga tour. Tonight they’ll be at the Black Cat mainstage. 8 p.m., $15.
THURSDAY
>> Philadelphia’s Illinois is nothing if not ambitious. Not only are they releasing a series of several EPs in a very short span of time as part of their Kid Catastrophe series, but they’re also playing D.C. for about the kabillionth time within the past year. Tonight they’re at DC9. 9 p.m., 18+, $8.
>> Peelander-Z might be the most fun act on the music agenda this week. Rocking aliens from Planet Peelander (by way of Japan and New York) touch down at The Red and the Black with a raucous punk rock live show that includes audience participation, human bowling and numerous shouts of “MAD TIGER! MAD TIGER!” If you haven’t seen this spectacle yet, it’s not to be missed. 9:30 p.m., $10.
>> The Dears are one of the more overlooked bands from Canada, despite having spent a brief period of time on the infamous Arts & Crafts label (which spawned Broken Social Scene.) Their grandiose sound will have no problem filling up the Black Cat. Great Northern and Eulogies open. 8 p.m., $15.
FRIDAY
>> The last time Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings played D.C., some of us had a hard time seeing her incredibly dynamic moves. The raised stage at the 9:30 Club should make this easier. For those unfamiliar, she performs soul staples and sticks to the classic style on her newer songs, which she often makes even more fun for her patrons by pulling them up onstage. 8 p.m., $30. If you miss Friday's show, she's also playing Saturday's early show.
>> The ever expanding lineup of our favorite tour diarists These United States share a bill with Philadelphia power popsters the Spinto Band, who are as infectious and energetic as they are smiley. Greenland opens for the pair at the Black Cat. 9 p.m., $12.
>> The Dance Party ’s pop-laden hooks never fail to live up to the promise of their name. They’ll be at Rock and Roll Hotel with Fffever, another local act that always impresses. 9:30 p.m., $12.
>> For the heaviest and most raw offering of the night, Gist will be headlining at Red and the Black. You’ll sweat just watching them. 9:30 p.m., $6.
SATURDAY
>> After Sharon Jones’ early show (at 6:30 p.m.), another tiny woman with lots of energy, Lady Sovereign, has a late show at 9:30 Club. Although Sov’s brand of grimy British hip hop is about as far removed from Jones’ rhythm and soul as humanly possible. 11 p.m., $20.
>> Laura Tsaggaris and Meredith Bragg, among others, will be at the Rock and Roll Hotel for Tsaggaris' CD release party. $10, 9:30 p.m.
>> Fort Reno is one of our favorite D.C. staples, but despite the price of the shows being $0.00, it doesn't run on nothing. So Imperial China and Sean McArdle are coming together for this month's Second Saturdays at the Black Cat to raise some money for the concert series. Fort Reno needs your donations! 9 p.m., $8.
SUNDAY
>> Ghost may be on the same record label as Joanna Newsom (Drag City), but the only thing these two artists share in common are an avant-garde approach. The Japanese act is definitely more of an acid rock band and they’ll be with the experimental and beautifully unhinged Magik Markers at the Velvet Lounge. 9 p.m., 18+, $12.
>> The Nine at DC9 shows up every couple of months to give us a reminder of what sort of magic happens when nine talented singer-songwriters play in a room together. Justin Trawick and Olivia Mancini are two of the more recognizable names on the bill, but come for all of them. 7:30 p.m., $8
>> Orange Tulip Conspiracy and Caverns both excel at taking instruments usually meant for quieter fare and turning them into loud, eccentric machines. Both will be at Black Cat backstage. 9 p.m., $10.