Photo of Battles by Jason Frank Rothenberg, courtesy of Warp Records.
MONDAY
In its current three-piece format, Battles has been to D.C. at least twice in the past year. So what? See them again. In addition to having one of the best drummers in rock and roll, they make combining electronic and organic instruments, a feat that isn’t without precedence or imitators, seem new, unique and exciting. They’ll be at Black Cat with another band that makes electronic inflected rock and roll seem unique and exciting, D.C.’s Imperial China. $15, 8:00 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Mogwai, Balam Acab. Sold Out, 7:00 p.m.
TUESDAY
Although most people have heard of them now due to being the subject of what might have been the most poorly written music review of all time, Grass Widow’s airy harmonies and bold guitar parts impressed us last year when they opened for The Raincoats. They’ll be at @ Comet Ping Pong tonight with locals Mary Christ and recent Three Stars subjects, Priests. $10, 10:00 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Laura Marling, Willy Mason. $25, 7:00 p.m.
>> Sixth & I Synagogue: CéU, Curumin. $35, 7:00 p.m.
>> Fillmore: The Cult, Against Me!, Icarus Line. $32, 8:00 p.m.
>> Iota: Antigone Rising, A Fragile Tomorrow. $12, 8:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
He has a groove like Elvis Costello, an old country swagger and he’s opened for The White Stripes. Now, talented guitarist Dan Sartain will come to the Black Cat. Teenage Boredom and Beach Bloods open. $10, 8:00 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Grouplove, Reptar. Sold Out, 7:00 p.m.
THURSDAY
Marissa Nadler is a pro at making beautiful, haunting songs with complex textures, so DC9 will be a great intimate venue for experiencing her songs. Marian McLaughlin and Faces on Film open. $10, 8:30 p.m.
>> Howard Theatre: Tinariwen, Buke and Gase, Piers Faccini. $22 in advance/$25 day of show, 8:00 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Brazilian Girls. $25, 7:00 p.m.
FRIDAY
JEFF the Brotherhood are definitely making their rounds of the D.C. venues. The sludgy rockers—who can jam with the best of them or front an aural assault—have been to at least three local spots in the past year, and now they’re bringing their noise to Red Palace. Get there early for Heavy Cream, who will impress with their brash in-your-face punk rock. Lady Cop (who tours in a vehicle run entirely on vegetable oil) also opens. @ . $10, 9:00 p.m.
>> Velvet Lounge: Buildings, Heliotropes, Washerwoman. $8, 8:30 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Balkan Beat Box, Mucca Pazza. $22, 8:00 p.m.
>> Comet Ping Pong: EDH, Phoebe Jean & the AIr Force, Glitterlust. $10, 10:00 p.m.
SATURDAY
If I have to explain why you should see Little Richard, you should probably re-examine your record collection. Furthermore, the man still has stage presence at age 79. You can catch him at the Howard Theatre. $75 in advance, $80 day of show, 8:00 p.m.
>> Artisphere: Sasha Lord Presents…Teen Battle of the Bands (produced and programmed by the high school graduate interns of the Artisphere Work Experience program.) $5, 6:00 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Destroyer, Sandro Perri. $20, 8:00 p.m.
>> Black Cat: Frau Eva (CD release), Heavy Breathing, Paperhaus, Janel & Anthony. $10, 9:00 p.m.
>> Comet Ping Pong: Eternal Summers, Beach Week. $10, 10:00 p.m.
SUNDAY
It takes some serious clout for bands to appear on The Colbert Report. Either you’re a founding member of Elephant 6, a dueling hyperliterate group of aesthetes from Portland, or apparently, the Black Belles. That Jack White connection sure helps, but so do their gothic garage tunes which they’ll be bringing to Montserrat House. Suns of Guns and Hand Grenade Job will open. $10, 8:00 p.m.
>> Birchmere: Patterson Hood, Howle+Mosley. $20, 7:30 p.m.