Coldplay’s Chris Martin performs onstage at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1
For the last few years, it seems that a growing number of bands are celebrating the anniversaries of classic albums by playing them in their entirety on tour. The latest act to get in on this trend is The Rocket Summer, the solo pop-rock project of Bryce Avary, which will be performing 2007’s Do You Feel (and a handful of other fan favorites) at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Doors 7 p.m. $16/$18
Nostalgic for a time further in the past? To celebrate the 75th anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s birth, The Hamilton is hosting a seven-night series called “The Days Between” that will pay tribute to the dearly departed Grateful Dead frontman. The first night is anchored by Live Dead ’69, which features members of the Dead, Rat Dog, The Other Ones, and Jefferson Starship. Doors 6:30 p.m. $25/$30
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2
Gaithersburg-born rapper Logic has become one of the biggest success stories in the D.C.-area rap world by eschewing contemporary hip-hop tropes in favor of a socially-conscious rap style, preaching his ideas about race, religion, and more. He headlines a show at the Theater at MGM National Harbor in support of his new album Everybody with Joey Bada$$. Doors 8 p.m. $140
Indie-rock five-piece Future Generations teams with Los Angeles contemporaries Private Island and Harts, a solo funk-rocker from Melbourne, Australia, at DC9. Doors 8 p.m. $12
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3
Blondie’s latest album Pollinator lives up to its title, cross-breeding Debbie Harry and Chris Stein’s iconic sound with contributions from contemporary hitmakers Sia, Dev Hynes and Charli XCX. At the Wolf Trap’s Filene Center, the band will be joined by Garbage, ’90s alt-rock favorites that are also fighting back against the “nostalgia act” tag. Doors 7:30 p.m. $35-$150
Even if you don’t know his name, there’ss a good chance you’ve heard Joshua Radin’s music, thanks to placements in shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Scrubs. As part of SiriusXM’s Coffee House Live Tour, the acoustic-folk fave is joined by Arlington-born pop pianist Rachael Yamagata and Brandon Jenner (yes, of those Jenners) at Sixth & I. Doors 6:30 p.m. $29.50/$35
Velvet Lounge hosts four bands that traverse the alt-rock spectrum—from psychedelic to shoegazey and beyond—featuring Fairfax’s Blindfoot, New York’s Sherry, Northern Virginia’s Glasspanes, and Alexandria’s Melanie’s Magic Mellotron. Doors 7:30 p.m. $10
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
Dave Benton of lo-fi outfit LVL UP gets downcast and down-tempo as part of Trace Mountains. He’ll be joined by New York trio Slight and D.C. bedroom pop acts Keeper and Baby Grill at Comet Ping Pong. Doors 10 p.m. $10
A Boogie wit da Hoodie is one of New York hip-hop’s most promising talents, even if his style owes more to the sound of Atlanta than to that of his Bronx home. The XXL Freshman hits the Echostage on the same day that his latest mixtape, Artoven, is scheduled to drop. Doors 10 p.m. $36.80
Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters brings his “Us + Them” tour to D.C., traversing the five decades of his discography on the first of two nights at the Verizon Center. Doors 8 p.m. $55-$250
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
Head to U Street Music Hall for sets by two icons in the ballroom and vogue house world: Vjuan Allure, the Maryland-based DJ-producer who revitalized the ballroom sound in the early 2000s, and MikeQ, the New Jersey talent who has done the most to make it an international club sensation. The pair will be joined by Full Service Party residents Uptown Nikko, Wreck Tech, Jack Inslee, and Ayes Cold. Doors 10 p.m. Free before 11 p.m. for 21, $5
For the twelfth year, the Summer Spirit Festival returns to Merriweather Post Pavilion with a two-day celebration of the best of R&B, neo-soul, and hip-hop with a premium on ’90s nostalgia. Catch Babyface, Fantasia, Common, and De La Soul on Saturday and Bell Biv Devoe, SWV, and The Internet on Sunday. Doors 1 p.m. $54-$1,170.
THIS/SIDE returns to the 9:30 Club Backbar with its second showcase of rising talent. On the bill this time: rappers SIR E.U and Ill Camille and DJs mattVISTA (of April + VISTA) and STRPLYR. Doors 11 p.m. $5
Self-described “indie stadium” trio Mew brings new album Visuals to the 9:30 Club alongside Chicago electro-pop band MONAKR. Doors 8 p.m. $25
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6
Stadium rockers Coldplay continue their never-ending “A Head Full of Dreams Tour” with a stop at FedExField with London electro-pop duo AlunaGeorge in support. Doors 7 p.m. $64.50-$220
Ex-Stereolab singer Laetitia Sadier returned this year with a new collaboration, Laetitia Sadier Source Ensemble, and a new album, Find Me Finding You, that sees the French musician find new joys on familiar ground. She’ll be joined at DC9 by Art Feynman, a California artist that draws from similar influences. Doors 8:30 p.m. $12/$14
D.C. psych-rock band NAH. celebrates the release of their debut EP Social Meteor at the Black Cat alongside New York soul singer DeMille and D.C. pop band Del Florida, two acts that cut their teeth in Liverpool. Doors 7:30 p.m. $10
MONDAY, AUGUST 7
London new wavers The Fixx bring old favorites like “One Thing Leads to Another” and “Saved by Zero” to the Birchmere. Doors 7:30 p.m. $35
