Weekly Music Agenda
Andalusians, by Nestor Diaz
>> Fort Reno continues its dominance of our summer concert plans with the third show of the season, featuring Cigarbox Planetarium, Small Doses and Batala. Weather reports look favorable, but as always bring the bug spray and the dog and leave the glass bottles (and arsenic) at home. Free, 7:15 p.m.
>> The Andalusians have been providing D.C. with a lo fi mixture of punk, jazz and folk, courtesy of any number of Dischord regular contributors, for years. They'll be on tour in July, but they're stopping in at the Black Cat first. The late Clark Sabine contributed occasionally to The Andalusians, so expect some dedications to his work. 9 p.m., $8.
TUESDAY
>> We haven’t heard too much noise from Timothy Bracken lately, but the Three Stars subject of years past will be playing with his band Timothy Bracken Complex at the Black Cat so we’ll be able to find out what new material he’s got up his sleeve. 9pm, $8.
>> If names like Assjack and Lucky Tubb bring to mind images of 40 oz. beer bottles and double wide trailers, you’re not alone. But Hank Williams III (playing with Assjack) stays true to the pure country spirit of his grandfather, the legendary Hank Williams, and will be bringing that grit to the 9:30 Club. 7pm, $20
WEDNESDAY
>> The Smithsonian Folklife Festival (which we previewed extensively here) starts back up again today and lasts through Sunday. Tonight’s fare? A Circle of Love Storytelling Session at the Oratorium, highlighting the Giving Voice theme and a Pub Performance highlighting the Wales theme at the Rugby Club. 6 p.m. for both.
>> If you're more in the mood for Irish folk, head to Vienna where Guggenheim Grotto will be at Jammin’ Java. 8 p.m, $12.
THURSDAY
>> Tony Bennett will be playing tonight at Wolf Trap. Jazz/pop legend, 14 Grammys...really, does he need any more of an introduction? 8 p.m., $48-$25
>> More Fort Reno action will be going on tonight, this time with heavy piano/guitar/drums instrumental power trio Caverns and Aerialist. If instrumental heavyweights aren’t your thing, go to see who the mysterious TBA will be. 7:15 p.m., Free.
>> Olivia Mancini & the Mates are at Rock and Roll Hotel. 8:30 p.m., $10.
>> It’s not frequent that we make trips out to Falls Church’s State Theatre, but local favorites Middle Distance Runner and New Rock Church of Fire always put on a good show, no matter the setting. 8 p.m., $12 in advance, $14 day of show.
FRIDAY
>> Frau Eva has wasted no time in making a splash in the local indie rock pool. Back in March, they hadn't even come up with a definitive name for the group; now they're releasing an EP (on July 6th) and touring the South. Highly impressive, especially for a band whose folk sound relies on such intricate arrangements of rarely used instruments. They'll be at the Velvet Lounge. 10 p.m., $8, 21+.
>> No Second Troy has never been short on bombast and their big sound and lush melodies will likely fill up Iota. 9 p.m., $12.
SATURDAY
>> The Velvet Lounge has a cool alternative to fireworks and barbeque this Independence Day. They're filling up their downstairs space with visual art and projections from artists like Charles Jean Pierre of Culture District and their room upstairs with some up and coming D.C. avant-garde acts like Laughing Man and Noon:30 (who will also be celebrating their record release.) 9 p.m., $3 for the party, $8 for the bands, 21+.
>> One of the area's funkiest, Fort Knox Five, will be celebrating their record release at the Black Cat. So if you wanted some dance beats on your Independence Day that don't sound like they came out of a computer, this is the show for you. 10 p.m., $10.
SUNDAY
>> Another artist that really needs no introduction, the legendary Gladys Knight will be stopping at Wolf Trap. She'll be Pip-less, but just remember that "Midnight Train to Georgia" and "Heard It Through the Grapevine" will be in the setlist and it really won't matter. 8 p.m., $45 in house, $25 lawn.
>> Memphis punk Jay Reatard knows how to make himself heard whether by playing blistering two minute songs with fast finger bleeding guitar play...or by making an ass of himself onstage with antics that hearken back to early Iggy Pop. Regardless of how much noise his attitude makes, the songs are short, loud and awesome. He'll be at the Black Cat. 8 p.m., $12.