Wale. Photo by Francis Chung.MONDAY
Local hip-hop standard-bearer Wale headlines the grand reopening of Shaw’s historic Howard Theatre, with fellow D.C. rapper Tabi Bonney and go-go group Loud Pac joining in on the festivities. $35. 9 p.m.
>> IOTA: Sarah Neufeld (Arcade Fire), Billy Martin (Medeski Martin and Wood), Gregory Rogove. $16. 8:30 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: The Magnetic Fields, DeVotchKa. Sold out. 7 p.m.
TUESDAY
In celebration of John Cage’s centennial, noted string ensemble Arditti Quartet and guest pianist Stephen Drury perform the avant-garde composer’s 1991 piece “Two4” at the Library of Congress’ Coolidge Auditorium. Free, but requires tickets. 7 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Nada Surf, An Horse. $22. 7 p.m.
>> Black Cat Backstage: Imperial China, Meta, The Plums. $8. 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
A Brooklyn-based duo featuring guitarist/vocalist Eric Emm (Don Caballero, Storm and Stress) and keyboardist Jesse Cohen (Professor Murder), Tanlines showcase their buoyant, cosmopolitan electro-pop at DC9, with Rewards and Black Hills sharing the bill. Sold out. 8:30 p.m.
>> Rock and Roll Hotel: Delta Rae, Astra Via, Wendall Kimbrough. $12. 8 p.m.
>> Black Cat Backstage: Yellow Ostrich, Teen. $10 in advance / $12 day of show. 8 p.m.
THURSDAY
Fresh off his (tepidly-received) guest appearance at the local stop of Portlandia: The Tour, local rock personality Ian Svenonius brings his current band, Chain and the Gang, to the Black Cat Backstage, unleashing his firebrand Marxian rhetoric amidst simmering, Motown-inflected grooves. Alex Minoff (Extra Golden, Weird War) opens. $10. 8 p.m.
>> State Theatre: Raekwon. $20 in advance / $24 day of show. 9 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: The Ting Tings, MNDR. Sold out. 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
Tommy Stinson, who has (incredibly) now played bass for “Guns N’ Roses” longer than he did for The Replacements, comes to Vienna Jammin’ Java to perform material from his second solo album, One Man Mutiny. Trapper Schoepp &The Shades and The 27s open. $12. 8 p.m.
>> Howard Theatre: Robert Randolph and The Family Band. $25 in advance / $30 day of show. 11:30 p.m.
>> Velvet Lounge: Ugly Purple Sweater, Mynoni & Friends, Charlie Harrison and the Contraband, Get Right Band. $8. 9 p.m.
Widowspeak. Photo by Francis Chung.SATURDAY
Brooklyn’s Widowspeak gave an impressive performance opening for Dum Dum Girls at the Black Cat back in February, winning over early-arrivers with their lush, entrancing indie pop. The four-piece returns on Saturday night, this time opening for post-punk standouts Crystal Stilts at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Local prog-rockers Hume round out an excellent bill. $12 in advance / $14 day of show. 8 p.m.
>> St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church: Positive Force benefit for DC Jobs with Justice featuring Scream, Beasts of No Nation, Mobius Strip, Outlook. $10. 7 p.m.
>> Black Cat Backstage: Lost In The Trees, Poor Moon. $12. 8:30 p.m.
>> Fillmore Silver Spring: Of Monsters and Men, Lay Low. Free. 8 p.m.
>> Howard Theatre: Yasiin Bey (the artist formerly known as Mos Def). $45 in advance / $50 day of show. 11:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
Kurt Wagner and his acclaimed art-country outfit Lambchop arrive in Arlington for a performance at IOTA, sharing songs from their latest album, Mr. M. $20. 8 p.m.
>> Howard Theatre: The Roots. $55. 9 p.m.
>> Black Cat Backstage: Sister Crayon, Pree. $10. 8 p.m.