Killer Mike and El-P’s collaborative project Run The Jewels headlines the 9:30 Club Saturday night. Photo courtesy of the artist.
TUESDAY
If you told me that any of the bands on this bill were still playing music, I would have called you a liar. Wolf Trap will hosts a concert that appears to be compiled of my middle school CD collection tonight with Smash Mouth, Sugar Ray, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon and Fastball. Nostalgia fueled cash grab aside, the Gin Blossoms is definitely worth the price of admission. $28-42, 7 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Beth Orton, the singer-songwriter who graced Lilith Fair and Chemical Brothers records in equal measure in the 90s, is back with her sixth full-length Sugaring Season and her first batch of new music since 2006. The England native who helped pioneer folktronica will be sharing the stage at the 9:30 Club with fellow singer-songwriter Dawn Landes. $25, 7 p.m.
THURSDAY
Fort Reno 2013 is shutting its doors on another splendid season of picnic dinners and adorable dogs with Paint Branch and Quivered. The former Q and Not U bandmates Chris Richards and John Davis released their debut I Wanna Live earlier this year. As always, bring your dogs, friends and children but leave your drugs, glass bottles and alcohol at home. Free, 7:00 p.m.
>> Merriweather Post Pavilion: Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch. $45-75, 5 p.m.
SATURDAY
El-P and Killer Mike produced two of the finest hip-hop records of 2012 in Cancer For Cure and R.A.P. Music. So when they announced their free, collaborative effort this year under the psuedonymn Run The Jewels, one would have expected nothing more than a victory lap. But instead of phoning it in, they made arguably the best rap album of the 2013. They’ll be sharing the 9:30 Club stage with Das Racist ex-pat Kool A.D. $20, 8 p.m.
>> Merriweather Post Pavilion: The Killers, The Virgins. $40-75, 6:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
Anthemic, positive reinforcement peddlers Jimmy Eat World will be headlining the 9:30 Club behind their sixth studio album Damage – a strong collection of music from a band that has always been capable of cranking out seemingly effortless gems. The always charming Royal Bangs will be sharing the bill. Sold out, 7 p.m.
>> Birchmere: Nick Lowe, Kim Richey. $35, 7:30 p.m.
>> Wolf Trap: Peter Frampton, B.B. King. $30-45, 7:30 p.m.
