Weekly Music Agenda

Max Tundra (Thursday at the Black Cat) | Photo by Mehan Jayasuriya

MONDAY
>> Made famous by their star turn in the 2007 film Once, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, better known as the Swell Season, have been charming audiences around the world with their trans-European folk fusion ever since. Tonight they'll stop by the 9:30 Club with Doveman. Sold out, 7 p.m.

>> Quirky Australian singer-songwriter and former Decoder Ring vocalist Lenka will perform at the Rock and Roll Hotel tonight. Even if you've never heard her name, you've likely heard her 2008 hit "The Show," which made its way into numerous commercials and movies. With Colin Smith and Danni Rosner, $15, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY
>> If you're looking for your weekly dose of insular bedroom-pop, look no further than perpetually morose singer-songwriter Marissa Nadler, whose ethereal compositions simultaneously evoke Mazzy Star and Eastern European folk. At DC9 with Alela Diane, $8 in advance/$10 at the door, 9 p.m.

>> From Q and not U to Georgie James, John Davis has a pretty respectable track record going, as far as D.C. musicians go. Will Title Tracks, his sunny, '70s AM pop outfit, prove that the third time is indeed the charm? Find out tonight at the Black Cat's Backstage. With Bryan Scary & the Shredding Tears and the Black Hollies, $10, 8:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY
>> At this point, Bob Dylan fans have to take what they can get. If you're lucky, he'll dust off an old gem, shake a leg or launch into an unlikely cover (Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," anyone?). If you're unlucky, he'll plow though a set of unrecognizable reworkings, mumbling the lyrics unintelligibly under his breath. Still, the man is a bona fide legend and given that he just released an album of Christmas carols, you might even get to hear a gravel-throated rendition of "Silver Bells". 'Tis the season, after all. At the Patriot Center, $57.50, 8 p.m.

>> If you threw up in your mouth a little just thinking about Dylan singing Christmas carols, you might want to head over to the 9:30 Club for a chaser. Richmond metal legends Lamb of God will tear through a headlining set with Darkest Hour, Periphery and This or the Apocalypse in tow. $35, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY
>> The last time that theatrical English electro-popper Max Tundra rolled through town, we found that his "knack for both pop songcraft and experimental flourish" resulted in "a disarming combination, especially when coupled with [his] confident stage presence". See him at DC9 tonight with Deastro, $10, 9 p.m.

>> In the mood for some slick, radio-friendly emo-pop? Or do you just enjoy the sound of 10,000 tweenage girls screaming in unison? Either way, the Patriot Center has you covered tonight, with the All American Rejects and Taking Back Sunday. $35 (with discounts for GMU faculty and staff), 8 p.m.

Cold Cave (Friday at the Rock and Roll Hotel | Photo by Jayme Thornton

FRIDAY
>> Slumberland Records might now be based in California but the storied twee-pop label traces its roots back to the D.C. scene. Come celebrate Slumberland's 20th anniversary at the Black Cat, with a showcase that features a sampling of the label's current roster, including sets by Crystal Stilts, Brown Recluse and Pants Yell! $13 in advance/$15 at the door, 8:30 p.m.

>> You might not expect a band fronted by former American Nightmare/Give up the Ghost frontman Wesley Eisold and Xiu Xiu alum Caralee McElroy to sound like vintage Factory Records but Cold Cave has the late Joy Division/early New Order sound down pat. For a night of dark yet dancable synth-pop, head over to the Rock and Roll Hotel, $10, 8:30 p.m.

SATURDAY
>> Halloween might have passed but if you still have a hankering for some the spooky stuff, you'll want to head down to DC9, where London goth-punks Gallows will be playing with like-minded acts the Scare and the Mostly Dead. $15 in advance/$18 at the door, 7 p.m.

>> The Black Cat's "Second Saturdays" local music showcase continues with a Backstage CD release party for the latest album from indie-poppers Olivia Mancini & the Mates. With Stripmall Ballads, $8, 8 p.m.

SUNDAY
>> Does Rakim really need an introduction at this point? Probably not. But here's one anyway: he's easily one of the most influential, skilled and revered emcees in the history of hip-hop. And tonight, you'll get to see him in the intimate confines of the Black Cat. With Rhymefest, $20 in advance/$25 at the door, 8 p.m.

>> The trend of bands playing classic albums in their entirety is showing no signs of slowing down — this month alone, Washington has already been treated to a live rendition of Born to Run, with Doolittle soon to follow. If that's not enough for you, head down to the 9:30 Club, where pioneering synth-pop weirdos DEVO will play their 1978 debut album Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! in full. With JP Inc., $45, 7 p.m.

>> London act the xx are perhaps the most buzzed-about band to emerge from the CMJ class of 2009 — they played so many showcases at CMJ, in fact, that they had to take a break from touring afterward. Come see what all the fuss is about at DC9 tonight. With Jon Hopkins, Sold out, 9 p.m.