Aimee Mann and Ted Leo stage their annual holiday show at The Birchmere on Tuesday.
Monday
Hot 99.5 Jingle Ball: 5 Seconds of Summer, Demi Lovato, Shawn Mendes, Zedd, Tove Lo, Charlie Puth, Hailee Steinfeld, R City, Alessia Cara, Natalie La Rose @ The Verizon Center 6 P.M. $20-$200. All ages accessible venue.
2015 was a good year for pop music, and Hot 99.5’s yearly Jingle Ball does a good job of putting the biggest pop stars together to play through at least three of their hits. While this year’s line-up doesn’t have some of the heavier hitters from previous years, it does have a nice mix of veteran stars like Demi Lovato and new up and comers like Ocsar nominated Hailee Stienfeld and party hater Alessia Cara. Though the bill would be stronger without Charlie Puth and Shawn Mendes, Jingle Ball is a fun way to waster an evening.
>>9:30 Club: The Arcs, Mariachi Flor del Toloache 7 P.M. Sold Out. All ages accessible venue.
Tuesday
The Aimee Mann & Ted Leo Christmas Show @ The Birchmere 7:30 P.M. Sold-Out All ages accessible venue.
Aimee Mann and Ted Leo are no strangers to collaborating. The band formed The Both in 2013 and have kept busy touring ever since. The duo are bringing their annual Christmas show to the Birchmere with special guests Jonathan Coulton and Liz Phair featuring Christmas songs, originals, and a mix of comedy and sketches. This is the pick of the week to get into the holiday spirit.
>>Rock and Roll Hotel: The Struts, Karma Killers. 7 P.M. Sold Out. All ages accessible venue.
Wednesday
Des Ark, Pygmy Lush, The City & I @ Comet Ping Pong 9 P.M. $12. All ages accessible venue.
Aimée Argote took her time with Des Ark’s third album Everything Dies. While she had the record prepped, three of her family members were diagnosed with terminal cancer. Argote put the record on hold for a couple of years, but finally released it this October. The final record is dark and emotional, seeing Argote expand her songwriting skills. It’s the best album in Des Ark’s small discography. They haven’t been in the area for some time so this is a not to miss show.
>>9:30 Club: San Fermin, Sam Amidon 7 P.M. $20. All ages accessible venue.
>>Lincoln Theatre: Foals, Circa Waves 6:30 P.M. Sold-Out. All ages accessible venue.
Thursday
>>Black Cat: Jucifer, Stonewalled 7:30 P.M. $10. All ages accessible venue.
>>AMP: Chris Cornell 12 P.M. Sold-Out. All ages accessible venue.
Friday
>>Howard Theatre: Bobby Brown 8 P.M.$45 – $85. All ages accessible venue.
>> U Street Music Hall: Matthew Dear, Sassmouth, Mike Gushansky 11 P.M. $10. 18+ accessible venue.
Saturday
Perfect Pussy, Big Ups, Birth Defects @ Black Cat 9 P.M. $13. All ages accessible venue.
Perfect Pussy put on one of the loudest shows to grace the Black Cat stage. Their songs are short bursts of hardcore heavy on feedback and screaming that lasts for 30 minutes. Once the band lock in they don’t unleash their grip until they leave the stage, crushing everything in their wake. This shows sees the band teaming up with D.C.’s Birth (Defects) who are celebrating the release of their new EP. This is sure to be one loud sweaty show.
>> Songbyrd Music House & Record Café: The Walking Sticks, Redline Graffiti, Cautious Clay, Moonlight Mask 8 P.M. $10. All ages inaccessible venue.
Sunday
>>Galaxy Hut: The Circus Life Review featuring Justin Trawick 9 P.M. $5. 21+ accessible venue.
>>Songbyrd Music House & Record Café: Rick (from Pile), Snail Mail (solo), Mattress Financial, Charlie Down 4:30 P.M. $10. All ages inaccessible venue.
