Monday: Everyone likes to start their week a little differently. Some of us, for instance, are pretty excited about kicking back at the Warehouse to Philly (originally from Hyattsville) cellist Monica McIntyre (and opening act Garland of Hours, featuring cellist Amy Domingues). And some of us are planning on going to DC9 for VOG (Va Doom) and Burnout (Iowa Doom). Mondays suck. You can either soothe yourself through the first of the week, or beat the holy crap out of it. Both $7.

Tuesday: Bay-area band (San Francisco, not Chesapeake) The Heavenly States take the stage at the Velvet Lounge on Tuesday. It’s Tuesday night, what else are you going to do? Go see some indie rock with a dance kick. Playing with Swords (the band, not the Jeopardy category).

Wednesday: This is where the week really takes a turn for the quite nice. Sri Lankan (and hott) rapper M.I.A. is at 9:30, paying homage to everything from African tribal sounds to dancehall, raggaeton to straight up hip-hop. She’s playing with the unfortunately named Philly duo Spank Rock, and tix are only $20, but you will be excused for missing the show if you’re at DC9, seeing Shambhala, and using the $8 you save to buy pretty girls (or boys) drinks. Will you be excused if you choose instead to see The Proclaimers play the Birchmere, for $20? No you will not.