ELEL play Black Cat on Tuesday night. Photo by Mike Beatty
MONDAY
The Beehive: Stronger Sex, Concord America, and Black Checker. 8 p.m..
Bohemian Caverns: Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. Every Monday, 8 p.m. & 10 p.m., $10.
TUESDAY
ELEL with Avers @ Black Cat Backstage. 7:30 p.m., $12.
The words “indie-pop collective” doesn’t have the kick in 2015 that it did in, say, 2007. Many under that title bank on “best friends making rad music” as a marketing scheme, and we’re just not buying it anymore. If you’re going the way of The Polyphonic Spree, take yourselves seriously and deliver something new. ELEL are wise to do just that. The Nashville—yes, collective—just released a bright and hippietastic music video for their new single “40 Watt” that could convince the sourest of shut-ins to join a dance party in a meadow. — Tori Kerr
U Street Music Hall: Deakin & Geologist (Animal Collective) DJ sets with Nightbird (U.S. Royalty) 10 p.m., $10
THURSDAY
Desert Noises, Paperhaus, and Linear Downfall @ DC9. 9 p.m., $10-$12.
Although psych-rock certainly has its share of mega-fans (usually colorful and philosophical desert creatures), the truth is that a little psychedelia goes a long way. If you like your rock accessible and danceable but with a pinch of weird, this is the lineup for you. Utah’s Desert Noises deliver rollicking fun in the form of psychedelic Americana, perhaps the route that Kings of Leon should have taken instead of trying too hard to make mediocre stadium rock. And, if Desert Noises follow on their current trajectory, they could certainly be as big. They’re on the road more than at home, with Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo appearances already under their belts. Locals Paperhaus will, of course, rock the house (at this point, you have no excuse if you haven’t seen these guys yet) and Linear Downfall is the perfect band for those who have more experimental music tastes. — Tori Kerr
The Fillmore: Logic with DJ Rhetorik and Michael Christmas. 8 p.m., $30
FRIDAY
Cursive, John Congleton & the Nighty Night, and Beach Slang @ Black Cat Mainstage. 9 p.m., sold out.
With only two EPs under their belt, it’s hard to think of a band that generated more buzz with so little last year than Philadelphia, Pa.’s Beach Slang. Fuzzed-out guitars, anthemic declarations, and powerful sentiments make up the formula for Beach Slang’s heart-on-sleeve brand of punk. Though their songs are reminiscent of early Goo Goo Dolls (who were more punk than you in their early days) more than anything, Beach Slang’s James Alex—who fronted the ’90s pop-punk band Weston—writes powerfully emotional songs that feel like they’re stripped right from his journal. Beach Slang were unequivocally and unabashedly my Most Important Band of 2014. I will be front and center screaming out my lungs with my best friends. — Matt Cohen
Hundred Waters, Mitski, and Soft Cat @ U St Music Hall. 7 p.m., $15
Hundred Waters have evolved from a little Florida band to a force to be reckoned with. The five piece singed to Skrillex’s OWSLA label and have released two beautiful albums, mixing folk instrumentation with electronic blips. Their most recent release, The Moon Rang Like A Bell, was one of the best albums of the year. After a long tour opening for Interpol, the band recently teamed up with Coke for a Superbowl drop and are now on their biggest headlining tour yet. Their live show is all live loops and a stadium-worthy light experience that alone would be worth the ticket price. The band drops by U Street Music Hall Friday with another artist making waves, the enchanting garage-grunge songwriter Mitski. — Rohan Mahadevan
SATURDAY
Young Rapids (Album release!), Go Cozy, The Sea Life, and Den-Mate @ Rock & Roll Hotel. 9 p.m., $12
This weekend marks quite a milestone for Chimes Records, the D.C. label run out of The Sea Life/Babe City punk complex near Dupont Circle. This weekend, psych-pop purveyors Young Rapids will release their new LP Pretty Ugly, officially becoming CHM-001—the first proper Chimes Records album. To celebrate, the band will headline a record release show and Chimes Records showcase at Rock & Roll Hotel Saturday night, featuring labelmates The Sea Life, Go Cozy and new signee Den-Mate. — Ron Knox
Carpark Records Sweet 16 Celebration @ DC9. 8 p.m., $10
As far as “D.C. record labels” go, Carpark records is more so in name than in roster. After getting their start in New York City, the label moved south but didn’t maintain any regional focus the way many D.C. labels do. The Carpark folks focused more on Charm City talent, and eventually, original and endearing acts like Beach House and Dan Deacon jumped on board. One of their most recent editions, Speedy Ortiz, shows them expanding their sound but always curating slightly off-beat music. This is simply a team that has a keen musical ear and good taste. The Sweet 16 show will feature Lexie Mountain Boys, Greys, Chandos, and much more, plus DJ sets from Montag and Young Magic. The widespread lineup promises something for everyone (really, EVERYONE). — Tori Kerr
SUNDAY
CD Cellar: Trust Fall, Soundtrack to Sleep (EP release!), Joy, and The Bodies.
Positive Force Presents: Jobs Not War: A Benefit for the Washington Peace Center @ Wilson Center. With Priests, War on Women, Trophy Wife, and Big Hush. 6 p.m., $5-$10.
