Kanye West performs onstage during the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards at Madison Square Garden on August 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
WEDNESDAY
Sleigh Bells, Miya Folick @ U Street Music Hall 7 p.m. Sold-Out. All ages, accessible venue.
Sleigh Bells has been raising hell since 2008. The duo of former popstar Alexis Krauss and guitarist Derek E. Miller mixes abrasive music with sweet harmonies perfect for starting a party. The band is set to release a fourth album—Torn Clean—in November and they’re on a short club tour playing venues too small for them, so it is no wonder the band has sold this gig out. The singles from Torn Clean are some of the best music the band has made since debut album Treats, so shell out the cash and try to get in.
Rock and Roll Hotel: Basement, Eskimeaux, Ovlo 7:30 p.m. $15. All ages, accessible venue.
9:30 Club: Of Montreal and Ruby the Rabbitfoot 7 p.m. $25. All ages, accessible venue.
THURSDAY
Kanye West @ Verizon Center 8 p.m. $75-$190. All ages, accessible venue.
Kanye West doesn’t do anything small, and for his latest tour he is going bigger than before. Artists take advantage of Verizon Center’s capabilities by floating through the crowd. On the St. Pablo tour, Kanye doesn’t just zoom around for a minute—he takes the stage and puts it above the crowd. The Life Of Pablo is not West’s best record but it is still great. West may be an egotistical asshole, but his music pushes boundaries unlike any other artist in the game. Because The Life of Pablo has not been physically released, West has been able to edit it multiple times—making it a living breathing document of his genius.
Dinosaur Jr., Cloud Nothings @ 9:30 Club 7 p.m. $30. All ages, accessible venue.
When a band reunites one should always be weary, especially if the band decides to put out some fresh music. A tour to relive the glory days usually works, but new music often doesn’t. If you were playing a game of bands who put out solid albums after reuniting, Dinosaur Jr. should top the list. Since 2005, he original three members of Dinosaur Jr. have put out four solid albums that are some of the best music the three piece has ever made. The band’s latest Give a Glimpse of What Yer Not rocks like their 80’s heyday and features two of the best songs Lou Barlow has put to tape on a Dinosaur Jr. record. Usually overshadowed by front man J. Mascis, Barolow songs are toss offs, but “Love Is…” and “Left/Right” are great. Openers Cloud Nothings are nothing to frown at either. The band is a perfect pairing for Dinosaur Jr., as they too can shred hard.
Black Cat: Priests, Diat, Vacant Life 7:30 p.m., $10. All ages, accessible venue.
FRIDAY
U Street Music Hall: Gold Panda, Open Mike Eagle, Nature Rage 10 p.m. $15. 18+, accessible venue.
Wolf Trap: Bryan Adams 8 p.m. $42-$72. All ages, accessible venue.
SATURDAY
Merriweather Post Pavilion:The Lumineers, Borns, Rayland Baxte 7 p.m. $39.50 – $59.50. All ages, accessible venue.
SUNDAY
LVL UP, All Dogs, Foozle @ DC9 7 p.m. $14. All ages, inaccessible venue.
Purchase, NY’s LVL UP held true to their name this year moving from the label they run, Double Double Whammy, to the indie powerhouse Sub Pop. After touring their last record Hoodwink’d for the last couple of years, including a ton of stops in D.C., members of the band knew they had to go big or pack it up. The band recorded latest record Return To Love, out this month, not knowing who was going to put it out, and then Sub Pop stepped in and saved the day. Return to Love is the band’s most mature record yet—10 songs and no filler. Each of the band’s three songwriters gets a showcase. While influences like Pavement and Built to Spill still linger, they aren’t overpowering. LVL UP has been slowly building a fanbase, and they are sure to blow up with this record.
Peaches, Cakes Da Killa @ 9:30 Club 7 p.m. $25. All Ages, accessible venue.
There isn’t anything quite like a Peaches show. The Canadian electronic artist breaks down barriers with loud costumes like a dress made of breasts, and another shaped like a vagina. Her backup dancers follow suit as well, with even crazier costumes. None of this would matter if the music wasn’t top notch, and it totally is. Peaches latest record Rub makes a strong case that electro-clash didn’t die. Peaches takes her shtick up multiple notches becoming even more subversive then before. For anyone asking “what else is in the teaches of Peaches,” there is still a lot to learn.
