The Pretenders

Monday

>> Good luck getting into the 9:30 Club this week. There are sold out shows on five out of the next seven days (what, no love for Big Head Todd on Friday?). First up on the list of packed houses is Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, who just released an album of brand new material last fall, to pretty solid reviews. They’re on tour with American Bang. Get ready to start those Craigslist searches or sad-eyed “have an extra ticket” routines out in front of the club this evening. 7 p.m.

>> Musée Mécanique is a folky group from Portland who trade in haunting, melancholy melodies and the sort of ethereal tone one might expect from a band whose recent record was called Hold this Ghost. They’re at Iota tonight as the guest of The Federal Reserve collective’s first Monday series. $5, 8 p.m.

>> Looking for an It-Came-From-The-80s moment but don’t want the uncertainty of trying to score Pretenders tickets? Classic 2 Tone ska band The English Beat is at the Birchmere tonight, and there are still tickets to be had. Bad Manners were contemporaries of The Beat (and actually predated them by a couple of years), but never got quite as big. They’re re-formed as well, and are opening the show. This show is in the bandstand area, which means standing room, and which also means you can skank out to your heart’s content. $25, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday

>> We’re not sure why a band hailing from eastern Pennsylvania calls themselves Illinois, but you can ask them tomorrow at DC9, where they’ll be performing their rather fractured pop take on roots rock. Beach Boys revivalists Explorers Club will be harmonizing for all they’re worth, and Giant will kick things off. $8, 8:30 p.m.

>> In case you missed this weekend’s tribute to the anniversary of the deaths of Richie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper, there’s another event commemorating the tragedy this week, on the actual anniversary of the day their plane went down (February 3, 1959). Musician J.P. McDermott will deliver a lecture and give a performance devoted mostly to Holly at the National Museum of Natural History‘s Atrium Cafe. $40, 6:45 p.m.

>> Fan of electro-poppers Passion Pit but disappointed that their Black Cat backstage show sold out? Good news, the ‘Cat moved them up to the mainstage and tickets are available again. Paper Route and Cale Parks open. $12, 9 p.m.