Ms. Lauryn Hill headlines Warner Theatre on Thursday.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15
The Radio Dept., German @ Black Cat. 7:30 P.M. $18. All ages, accessible venue.
The Swedish dream pop band, The Radio Dept., started in 2001. Like many bands, they signed to a label and thought everything was great. After the band finished touring their third album ,Clinging to a Scheme, the members finally decided to take a look at their contract and what they saw upset them. The Radio Dept. took its label, Labrador, to court, sparking a period of inactivity. The group ultimately lost the suit, but Labrador agreed to free the band from its obligations if it released one more album on the label. That recording, 2016’s Running Out of Love, is rife with disappointment. The songs address not only the band’s situation, but also the current political climate and the rise of the right wing. The Radio Dept. used to employ more guitars, but has elevated synths on recent albums in the vein of New Order.
Slash Run: Teamster, Sundrainer, Consumed With Hatred. 8 P.M. $5. All ages, accessible venue.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Ms. Lauryn Hill, Emmanuel Jal @ Warner Theatre. 7 P.M. $63-$73. All ages, accessible venue.
Ms. Lauryn Hill is a legend. From her start with The Fugees to her Grammy award winning record The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the artist proved she is a creative force. She has had troubles more recently, but her live show has not suffered one bit. Hill and her band know how to work a crowd into a frenzy. This show is part of her MLH Caravan: A Diaspora Calling! concert series which features artists from across the African diaspora. Hill’s touring set list is packed with hits from both her Fugees days and singles from her classic debut.
Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd @ 9:30 Club. 7 P.M. Sold Out. All ages, accessible venue.
Grammy winner Maren Morris is the country artist you need to know. Last year, Maren piqued the Nashville establishment’s interest with her award winning sling, “My Church”, and the buzz has followed her to the release of her debut album, HERO. The eleven-track set is one of the best albums of 2016. Every track on HERO could be a hit single. This show is sold out but Morris will be back in the area this summer with Sam Hunt.
Black Cat: Kodie Shane, Saucy Longwe, Cymia, Cawl Sted. 7:30 P.M. $15. All ages, accessible venue.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Cashmere Cat, DJ Earl @ 9:30 Club. 8 P.M. $22. All ages, accessible venue.
Magnus August Høiberg, better known as Cashmere Cat, might not be a household name, but you have probably heard songs of his on the radio. Along with his collaborator Benny Blanco, Cashmere Cat has worked with everyone from Charli XCX to Kanye West. He also helped produce “LUV”, the break out single by Tory Lanez. Cashmere Cat is set for a big 2017 with the release of his debut album, Wild Love. Thus far, the album has spawned the singles “Trust Nobody” with Selena Gomez and Tory Lanez, the title track with The Weeknd and Francis and the Lights, as well as the latest single, “Throw Myself A Party”. Cashmere Cat isn’t the only draw for this show, opener DJ Earl is alone worth the price of admission.
U Street Music Hall: Mickey Avalon. 7 P.M. $20. All ages, accessible venue.
Rock and Roll Hotel: Seán Barna, Paperhaus, Redline Graffiti. 8 P.M. $15. All ages, accessible venue.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Sinkane, No BS Brass Band @ Black Cat. 8 P.M. $18. All ages, accessible venue.
Sinkane is the band led by Ahmed Gallab, a London-born, Sudanese immigrant who landed in Ohio at age five. Gallab gigged around Columbus before he got his big break as the fill-in drummer for Caribou. Gallab went on to play with Yeasayer while releasing his own music as Sinkane. Sinkane has released six albums, including Life & Livin’ It, which dropped just last week. While previous albums had rotating members Life & Livin’ It features Gallab’s touring band, and it is his tightest record yet.
Slash Run: Nobunny, Des Demonas, The Combs, Pink Film. 8 P.M. $10-$12. All ages, accessible venue.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19
U Street Music Hall: XXYYXX. 9 P.M. $20. 18+, accessible venue.
