TUESDAY

Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen of Portlandia

While the show meanders through its second season, Portlandia the Tour rolls into town with a great deal of excitement surrounding it, having sold out two shows at the 9:30 Club. Previous dates have included appearances from the likes of St. Vincent — pulling off a Pearl Jam cover, no less — and since Fred and Carrie are familiar with DC notables, those lucky enough to have tickets are likely in for an unexpected treat or two. 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Sold Out.

In the ‘see them at a small venue while you still can’ department, those without Portlandia tickets should head over to the Red Palace for Radiohead tour mates Other Lives. WIM opens. 8:30 p.m., $12.

WEDNESDAY

After much loved lo-fi weirdos The Unicorns disbanded back in 2004, Nicholas Thornburn didn’t miss a beat, forming Islands shortly thereafter. The band comes to the Black Cat to promote its fourth album, A Sleep & A Forgetting, which was released just last week. With Idiot Glee. 8:00 p.m., $15.

THURSDAY

“Hey downtown Silver Spring….you’re in the jungle, baby!” So it isn’t exactly the Sunset Strip — nor is it 1987 — but the band formerly known as Guns N’ Roses come roaring into the ‘burbs for the most rock and roll reason possible: a brief club tour coinciding with New York’s fashion week. Tonight, they (presumably) take the stage of the Fillmore Silver Spring for what is likely the most debauchery seen on Colesville Road since AFI Silver‘s last screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. 10:00 p.m., Sold Out.

>>D.A.R. Constitution Hall: Rick Ross and Jeremih. 7:00 p.m., $50-120.

>>Black Cat: Saul Williams, CX Kidtronik. 8:00 p.m., $18.

>> Rock and Roll Hotel : The Twilight Sad, Forest Fire, Micah P. Hinson. 8:00 p.m., $12.

>>DC9: Monument Music and Arts Festival benefit for DC Vote with Farewell Republic and Head on Sticks. 9:00 p.m., $10.

FRIDAY

Few local bands are as reliably fun live as Ra Ra Rasputin, whose distinct brand of synth-pop can get even the most leaden of DC audiences moving. Tonight, they headline over at The Red Palace with Chappo opening. 9:00 p.m., $8.

>>Rock and Roll Hotel : Pearl and the Beard, The Torches, Drawbridges. 9:00 p.m., $10.

>>U Street Music Hall: Carl Craig. 10:00 p.m., $10.

>>Fillmore Silver Spring: Flogging Molly, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, The Devil Makes Three. 8:00 p.m., $30.

SATURDAY

Brooklyn’s Javelin

With last year’s high-concept Western-themed Canyon Candy, Brooklyn’s Javelin offered a sharp left turn to those charmed by their twitchy, sample heavy electro-pop. The duo, now signed with David Byrne’s Luaka Bop, will bring the Jamz n Jemz to The Red Palace along with Black Hills. 10:00 p.m., $14.

>>St. Stephens Church: Frontier(s), Troubled Sleep, Police & Thieves, The Fordists, The Deads. 7:00 p.m., $5.

>>Comet Ping Pong: Priests, Noon:30. 10:00 p.m., $10.

SUNDAY

The Academy Awards seems to have all touring bands glued to their televisions, leaving scant options for the club bound. One of the few options in town, The Kennedy Center’s Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, is sold out. Those looking to catch the glamorous festivities outside their living room can head over to The Black Cat’s Stars in Bars Oscar party, which kicks off at 7.