MONDAY
Death Cab for Cutie proved they could do lush and cinematic arrangements back in 2003. As such, it makes sense that they’d team up with an orchestra. The Magik*Magik Orchestra, which made an appearance on the last DCFC album will be backing them tonight at the Strathmore. We can’t wait to hear the full treatment they give to “Transatlanticism.” Youth Lagoon opens. Sold Out, 8:00 p.m.
Black Cat: Mittenfields, Paperhaus, Me & This Army. $8, 8:00 p.m.
Birchmere: Nick Lowe & His Band, Tift Merritt. $45, 7:30 p.m.
TUESDAY
She’s written a lot of folk and country hits for other people, but Nanci Griffith‘s chops as a singer/guitarist are just as strong as her songwriting. She’ll be at the Birchmere tonight. Sold Out, 7:30 p.m.
Black Cat: Bear in Heaven, Blouse, Doldrums Sold Out, 8:00 p.m.
Fillmore: Marilyn Manson. Sold Out, 8:00 p.m.
Velvet Lounge: Musicband, Radio Control, Shat Shorts, Mary Christ. $8, 9:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
They’re weird, off-putting and oddly catchy and enticing. See also: a bizarre band name to match. Xiu Xiu will be at Rock and Roll Hotel with Dirty Beaches, the man who put Elvis Presley through a Suicide filter. Father Murphy opens. $15, 8:00 p.m.
Red Palace: The Features, Monument, Teen Mom. $10 in advance/$12 day of show, 8:30 p.m.
Black Cat: We Were Promised Jetpacks, Breton, Fort Lean. $15 in advance/$18 day of show, 8:00 p.m.
THURSDAY
He’s well past the days of being Kanye’s protege and apparently he’s even starting to outgrow the venues he normally sells out here in town. As such, you’ll have to drive out to Fairfax and catch hip-hop troubadour Lupe Fiasco will be at the Patriot Center. $35-$45, 8:00 p.m.
Black Cat: Hume, The Dreebs, Co La. $10, 8:00 p.m.
9:30 Club: Fun. and Miniature Tigers (first of two nights) Sold Out, 7:00 p.m.
Rock and Roll Hotel: Ugly Purple Sweater, Southwork, Presto Bando. $10, 8:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Jana Hunter’s current project has the same long, evocative guitar solos and serrated-edge psychedelia that reminded us of the second Deerhunter album. That’s a good thing. Catch Lower Dens at Rock and Roll Hotel tonight with Violens. $10, 8:00 p.m.
Howard Theatre: Blue Oyster Cult. $35 in advance/$40 day of show, 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.
Red Palace: Acid Mother’s Temple, Phantom Family Halo, Buildings, Clang Quartet. $10 in advance/$12 day of show, 8:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
The Cornel West Theory impresses us every time they play, not only because the songs are an interesting mixture of ‘90s hip hop beats and ‘60s jazz piano but because their lyricism and in-your-face stage presence draws a lot from ‘80s hardcore. Yet their “Type 1” style and the social issues they bring up in their music are very modern. Catch the former Three Stars subject at the Black Cat. Acme and DJ Underdog open. $12, 9:00 p.m.
U Street Music Hall: Light Asylum, Daughn Gibson. $12, 7:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
It’s kind of a low-key night for music, so checking out some under the radar local acts will be your best bet tonight. We profiled Mobius Strip in our Three Stars column last summer and we saw Art Sorority For Girls perform as a featured act at Bloom Bars and the two are very different: the former is a loud punk act and the latter has very visual Ben Gibbard-esque songwriting. We don’t know much about Southern Problems but we suspect a totally different direction for a diverse show. They’ll all be at the Black Cat. $8, 8:00 p.m.
9:30 Club: Rusted Root, Rebecca Pidgeon. $25, 7:00 p.m.