Andrew Bird. Photo by Francis Chung.MONDAY
Country-music icon Willie Nelson makes a twice-postponed appearance at the 9:30 Club. All tickets from last year’s October 13 and November 3 dates will be honored. Sold out. 7 p.m.
>> Black Cat Backstage: We Are Serenades, Bike Trip. $12. 8 p.m.
TUESDAY
Classically-trained multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird can boast more chops than your average four-dude indie group put together, but the Chicago native embraced a newly “communal” approach while making his latest album, Break It Yourself, relinquishing his normal in-studio autonomy in favor of recording with a full band. When Bird arrives at the 9:30 Club on Tuesday with his three-piece touring ensemble, fans will find out whether this looser, more inclusive modus operandi translates to a live context, or if his looped layers of violin, guitar, and vocals will continue to carry the show. Canadian singer-songwriter Patrick Watson offers a supporting set. Sold out. 7 p.m.
>> Black Cat Backstage: Mount Carmel, Thee Lolitas, Technicians. $10. 8 p.m.
>> Birchmere: Mike Doughty (book reading, concert, and Q & A). $25. 7:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Leslie Feist may never achieve a crossover hit of the magnitude of 2007’s inescapable “1234,” but on last fall’s Metals, her fourth solo LP, the Canadian singer-songwriter continues to deliver a brand of finely-crafted, idiosyncratically-charming indie-pop that should keep the critical plaudits coming for years to come. Catch her with her four-piece touring band at The Music Center at Strathmore on Wednesday night, with fellow Canucks Timbre Timbre in support. $45. 8 p.m.
>> Black Cat: Active Child, Balam Acab, Superhumanoids. $15. 8 p.m.
>> U Street Music Hall: Ben Browning (Cut Copy) DJ set. $5. 9 p.m.
THURSDAY
English art-rocker Jason Pierce leads the current iteration of Spiritualized back to the District for the first time in four years, unveiling the live arrangements of songs from their much-anticipated new record Sweet Heart Sweet Light, a triumphal (if not quite transcendent) collection recorded during the 46-year-old frontman’s recovery from a life-threatening illness. Singer-songwriter Nikki Lane opens at the 9:30 Club. $25. 7 p.m.
>> Verizon Center: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sleigh Bells. Sold out. 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
At the Black Cat, Portland’s Horse Feathers offer plaintive, country-tinged indie-folk songs from their latest release, Cynic’s New Year. Mount Moriah and Matt Bauer round out the bill. $15. 9 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Mark Lanegan Band, Sean Wheeler and Zander Schloss. $20. 6 pm.
>> Patriot Center: The Avett Brothers. $47.35. 8 p.m.
SATURDAY
Nostalgia may overflow — and the unintentional-comedy scale may overload — at the fourth annual M3 Rock Festival, as Merriweather Post Pavilion hosts Ratt, Queensrÿche, Skid Row, Warrant, Quiet Riot, L.A. Guns, and other hirsute bands from yesteryear. $40-$60. 11 a.m.
>> Rock and Roll Hotel: Black Clouds, Tone, Imperial China. $10. 9 p.m.
>> RFK Stadium: DC101 Chili Cook-Off featuring Incubus, Cake, The Airborne Toxic Event, et al. $46.25-$218.55. 11:30 a.m.
>> 9:30 Club: M83, I BREAK HORSES. Sold out. 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
M. Ward. Photo by Francis Chung.SUNDAY
Lauded indie troubadour M. Ward brings his formidable, yet understated talents to the 9:30 Club, offering selections from A Wasteland Companion, the latest addition to his distinctively vintage-timbred songbook. Arrive early to catch the opening set by Lee Ranaldo, who — along with his Sonic Youth bandmate Thurston Moore — shares the top spot on SPIN’s (methodologically questionable) list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” Backed by Sonic Youth drummer Steve Shelley and fellow noise-rock guitar luminary Alan Licht, Ranaldo will showcase songs from his recent solo outing, Between the Times and the Tides, which tempers his trademark experimentalism with a newfound pop accessibility. Sold out. 7 p.m.
>> Bohemian Caverns: Chicago Underground Duo (Ray Mazurek and Chad Taylor). $15. 7 p.m.
>> Merriweather Post Pavilion: The Metal Lords’ Day featuring Rob Zombie and Megadeth. $40-$55. 3 p.m.