Animal Collective plays tonight at Merriweather Post Pavilion. (Via Facebook).
TUESDAY
If last year’s trip to their 2009 album’s namesake was any indication than tonight’s Animal Collective show with fellow experimental noisemakers Micachu & the Shapes at Merriweather Post Pavilion will be a dizzying trip through the songs on Centipede Hz as the quartet is surrounded by Fraggle Rock-meets Disney’s interpretation of Tomorrowland-meets acid trip stage setup. So, basically, it’ll be worth the trip to Columbia in the rain. $30-$45, 6:30 p.m.
>> Sixth & I Synagogue: First Aid Kit, Dylan LeBlanc. Sold Out, 7 p.m.
>> 9:30 Club: Two Door Cinema Club, Friends, Guards. Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 p.m. Both shows sold out
>> Black Cat: Polica, Gardens and Villa. $15, 8 p.m.
>> Fillmore: Wolfgang Gartner. $23, 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Listening to the heavy pulsating grooves of Big Business, it’s probably not terribly surprising that these guys were in bands like Murder City Devils, Karp and The Melvins. It may not also be terribly surprising that there are two people in the band: singer/bassist Jared Warren and drummer Coady Willis because instead of trying to make all the noise they possibly can, they’ve streamlined their instruments into densely packed punches. They’ll be in town to floor you at DC9 with House of Lightning and Black Clouds. $12 in advance/$14 day of show, 8:30 p.m.
>> Black Cat: The Soft Pack, Heavy Hawaii, Browns. $15, 8 p.m.
>> Red Palace: The Dig, We Shared Milk, The Sea Life. $10, 8:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Are the dirty parts of your electroclash-loving soul longing for the teaches of Peaches? You’re in luck. She’s bringing her DJ Extravaganza to the Howard Theatre tonight. $17 in advance, $20 day of show, 9 p.m.
>> Red Palace: The Octopus Project, Torild. $10 in advance/$12 day of show, 8:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
The Walkmen hold a very special place in the previous music editor’s heart (no, seriously) and they’ve released a new album this year, Heaven. Thursday night’s show has sold out so if you want to see them play with the band that released one of my favorite albums of 2011, The War on Drugs at 9:30 Club, tonight is the night to do it. $25, 8:00 p.m.
>> U Street Music Hall: Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. $22, 7:00 p.m.
SATURDAY
If Sonic Circuits (which was last weekend) is the area’s longest running music festival and Sweet Tea Pumpkin Pie (starting on Friday) is the little festival that could WILL, DAMMIT, then Virgin Mobile FreeFest is the juggernaut that claims the title of most well-attended. The price of free for the quality of acts certainly doesn’t hurt. For the fourth year year in a row, Merriweather Post Pavilion will be swarmed with people there to see marquee acts like Jack White, Skrillex, Nas, ZZ Top and Ben Folds Five, bands that sell out the 9:30 Club like M83, The Dismemberment Plan, Santigold, and The Alabama Shakes, local talent like Alvin Risk, Volta Bureau and Justin Jones and acts like Das Racist, Future Islands and Portugal. The Man who come through the area regularly to a good response. The complete list includes Allen Stone, Trampled By Turtles, Above & Beyond, Porter Robinson & Zedd, Thomas Gold, Nervo and Penguin Prison. Sold out. Begins 11 a.m.
>> Black Cat: The Raveonettes, Melody’s Echo Chamber. $20 in advance/$25 day of show, 9 p.m.
>> Red Palace: Willis Earl Beal, Brandon Butler, Brandon Moses. $10 in advance/$12 day of show. 9 p.m.
SUNDAY
Now that we’ve seen Jack White, see his duet partner from Elephant-closer “It’s True That We Love One Another.” Sassy British alt-country chanteuse Holly Golightly will be at Iota. $15, 8:30 p.m.
>> U Street Music Hall: Flosstradamus, DJ Sliink, Obeyah. $10, 9 p.m.
>> Black Cat (Backstage): Lord Huron, Night Moves. $10 in advance/$12 day of show, 8 p.m.
>> Black Cat (Mainstage): Frightened Rabbit, Flashlights. Sold Out, 8 p.m.
