It's hard to take your eyes off of Maja Ivarsson, lead singer of The Sounds, while she is performing, and not because of her blonde hair, leggy physique or hot pants and track jacket clothing ensemble. She's a cross between Debbie Harry and Mick Jagger, somewhat of an uncoordinated hot mess, strutting across the stage, all slinky and sinewy. She's no slouch when it comes to controlling a crowd either, as she had a rapturous audience eating out of her hand all night. more ›

>> D.C. United host rivals New England in a game nationally televised on ESPN2. Posters and t-shirts await the first 10,000 and 3,000 entrants, respectively. Be sure to get there early for food, drink, and some party rock courtesy of Love Seed Mama Jump in Lot 8. [RFK Stadium (tickets still available), 7 p.m. kickoff; pregame festivities at 5:30 p.m.] >> Don't forget the Onion's D.C. kickoff party with Georgie James, Neil Hamburger, Aziz... more ›

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It was another busy week in DCist. We kicked off a new feature exploring what Metro needs, starting with a good PA and proposing that it take a cue or two from the London Underground. We checked out The Sounds and Morningwood at 9:30, discussed CVS's condom-locking policy, mocked Dick Cheney's ceremonial first pitch and reviewed the West End's recent development. We reported on an update to the rock-throwing kids in Columbia Heights, cooked... more ›

MONDAY >> The 9:30 Club has enough hotness going on tonight to shut down for the rest of the week. Luckily, they're not, but tonight will still be one hell of a night for music in its hallowed halls. Kicking things off with the early show are The Sounds, female-fronted Swedish rockers, peddling what we call indie and the rest of the world calls pop, much to the delight of reviewers 'round the Web. Touring... more ›

Monday: Thank goodness for Iota, as most of the other clubs in the area are dark tonight. Head to Nearlington to see (The Sounds of) Kaleidoscope's (pictured) brand of noise-pop, with Brandon Butler (ex-Canyon), and Mike Maloney. $10. Alternatively, make a holiday mix-tape. Tuesday: Deleted Scenes are one of a number of local bands to do the catchy, up-tempo, New York rock thing really well. See them Tuesday as they release their new album at... more ›

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Oh my. Everywhere we looked this around, we were swamped by a multitude of events having to do with pine trees and carols and lights and cookies. You know what that means: the holiday deluge is officially upon us! Enjoy the next few manic weeks. FRIDAY: >> The ambitious and genre-hopping Magentic Fields, spearheaded by indie-god Stephen Merrit, play the Birchmere in Alexandria. $25. 10 p.m. >> Debbie Stoller, author of the hit Stich 'N... more ›