MONDAY
Since putting on one of our favorite shows of 2010, The Joy Formidable has gone on to headline the Black Cat Mainstage and open for The Foo Fighters off of the strength of their aptly named LP, The Big Roar, a powerhouse of catchy melodies and shoegaze-y guitar riffs. They’ll be playing at the 9:30 Club with their compatriots in high decibel level, A Place to Bury Strangers (who we interviewed a few years ago) and Exitmusic. $25, 7:00 p.m.
Black Cat: Kevin Seconds, Vic Ruggiero, Franz Nicolay, Kepi Ghoulie. $12, 8:00 p.m.
Montserrat House: Redline Grafitti, Cornel West Theory, Happy New Year. $10, 8:00 p.m.
TUESDAY
One of the ‘90s most skilled artists in ambient beat production, DJ Shadow, continues to create interesting music and he’ll be back in town at the Fillmore. He’s previously performed from inside of a giant egg-like structure with a light show projected onto it, but even when those projections fail to work, DJ Shadow still puts on an entertaining show. $30, 8:00 p.m.
9:30 Club: Sleigh Bells (read our live reviews), Liturgy (read our live review). Sold Out, 7:00 p.m.
Rock and Roll Hotel: Metronomy, Friends. $15, 8:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Think that the DCist music section is all indie rock all the time? Clearly, you didn’t read our Guns n’ Roses review. Another band on the ‘80s nostalgia train, Van Halen, is coming to the Verizon Center: with another stadium-filler, Kool & The Gang. Yeah, we don’t get the pairing either, but hey. $79.50-$149.50, 7:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
For something darker and heavier tonight, head to DC9 for bands that are at its heaviest, a combination of metal and My Bloody Valentine and even at its lightest, pretty heavily recall the very loud Explosions in the Sky. Alcest, deafhaven, Black Clouds and Auroboros will be in town tonight. $12, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
She’s been an industry staple for several decades, she’s a Grammy winner and she’s sung anywhere from three to five songs that we hear EVERYWHERE. Now, Patti LaBelle will be doing a two night stint at the Strathmore. Some of the sections are sold out, but there are still options. $35-$120, 8:00 p.m.
9:30 Club: SBTRKT, Willis Earl Beal. Sold Out, 8:00 p.m.
Rock and Roll Hotel: Swervedriver, Heaven. $18 in advance/$20 day of show, 8:00 p.m.
Comet Ping Pong: Violent Vickie, LAZERBITCH, Lost Bois. $10, 10:00 p.m.
SATURDAY
We reviewed San Diego’s Delta Spirit back when they were playing DC9 and now the spirited rockers that count trash can lids among instruments and sound more heartland than California will be playing a late show at the 9:30 Club.<.a> Well done, guys. Waters opens. Sold Out, 10:00 p.m.
9:30 Club: (early show) The Temper Trap. Sold Out, 6:00 p.m.
Red Palace: Cloud Nothings, Classic Education. Sold Out, 8:00 p.m.
Patriot Center: Mac Miller. $25-$45, 8:00 p.m.
DC9: Imperial China, Regents, Ladder Devils. $10, 9:00 p.m.
Iota: Perfume Genius, Parenthetical Girls. $12, 9:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
Does Bruce Springsteen really need an introduction? Do we really need to give you any more information about a man called The Boss? No. For one thing, his performances with the E Street band are as legendary as his albums and for another thing, he’s sold out Verizon Center. Bruuuuce! Sold Out, 7:30 p.m.
9:30 Club: Andrew W.K., Math the Band, Aleister X. Sold Out, 7:00 p.m.