There’s a tiny bit of a lull this week in concerts before the end of February and the start of March absolutely slam us with great shows, but there are still a few good picks out there for the next seven days.
MONDAY:
>> Tonight, lo-fi spacey rockers Low take their show on the road to the Black Cat. We hear their new album, “The Great Destroyer,” was produced by Dave Fridmann, who’s worked with Mercury Rev and the Flaming Lips, and that it’s much more boisterous than normal, which could be an interesting change. Read the Post’s review of the CD here, and listen to a couple of songs here. Pedro the Lion, aka Seattle singer-songwriter David Bazan, plays quiet, intimate folk. Hear an mp3 here. 8:30 p.m., $13.
>> The Wammies, an awards ceremony celebrating local music, also take place this evening at the new and apparently gorgeous Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda. Go-go legends E.U. and Sugar Bear and Afro-funk band Chopteeth headline. 8 p.m., $15-30.
>> Local singer-songwriter Brandon Butler, Canyon’s former frontman, plays Iota. 8:30 p.m., $10.
WEDNESDAY:
>> It’s that time of month — the time when you whip out your iPod, put together an indisputably hip 12-minute playlist, and bring it on over to Saint-Ex. iPod DJ night starts off in Gate 54 around 9 p.m.
THURSDAY:
>> WVSA arts connection, a very worthy community-based arts/education nonprofit, hosts a fundraiser tonight. The event features music by local group The Marshall Plan and an open bar with beer and wine. 6 p.m., $10.
FRIDAY:
>> You wouldn’t think that a bunch of 30-something guys who work day jobs in New Jersey could come out with one of the most beautifully sonic, lyrically powerfully and incredibly catchy records of the past couple of years, would you? Eh? Well, The Wrens are happy to prove you wrong with “The Meadowlands,” and now they’re set out to prove they can still rock live with a show at the Black Cat. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the group, because this is a show you won’t want to miss. Listen to a couple of mp3s, read a concert review, then be sure to come on out. Local rockers Army of Me open, as does New York band The Upwelling, about whom we’ve heard good things. 9:30 p.m., $10.
