Nadastrom returns for the Moombahton Massive Reunion at U Street Music Hall (Photo via Facebook)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 22
Ride into the “Danger Zone” with the “Soundtrack King” as Kenny Loggins revisits the hits of your favorite ’80s movies at Wolf Trap’s Filene Center. Doors 8 p.m. $35-$45.
South Carolina’s Lewis Brice headlines the rare country show at U Street Music Hall with support by Nashville’s Celeste Kellogg. Doors 7 p.m. $15-$20.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23
Philadelphia band-to-watch Sheer Mag has mastered the riff-heavy hard rock of the ’70s, but has otherwise torn up the rulebook on the band’s debut album, Need to Feel Your Love. Raspy voiced frontwoman Tina Halladay and the rest of the band reject the era’s boys-will-be-boys ethos in favor of anti-Trump anthems. They headline the Black Cat alongside Arabic punk band Haram and D.C. punks Rashomon. Doors 7:30 p.m. $15.
The music of DJ-producer-percussionist Nicola Cruz has roots in both his Ecuadorian heritage and his French upbringing, taking house music on a journey through time and space. British-born, Brooklyn-based DJ-producer Quantic takes similar journeys; catch both at U Hall. Doors 10 p.m. $12.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 24
D.C.-based polymath Aaron Abernathy recalls the glory days of R&B and soul music without falling into pastiche, whether as musical director for Black Milk and Slum Village, as the leader of his band Nat Turner, or as a solo artist in his own right. Abernathy performs at the American Art Museum as part of its Luce Unplugged series. Doors 6 p.m. FREE
Roots rockers Delta Rae bring their “A Long And Happy Life Summer Tour” to the 9:30 Club with support by country newcomer Lauren Jenkins. Doors 7 p.m. $25.
Head to Ten Tigers Parlour for a “multi-sensory soireé” featuring D.C. sonic explorer Tony Kill, the multi-talented Londyn Douglas, and Otherfeels mastermind Lundazi. Doors 8 p.m. FREE
FRIDAY, AUGUST 25
Experimental pop duo Tar Of celebrates their just-released debut album with a show at Rhizome alongside D.C. chamber folk duo Teething Veils and Machine Drift, the solo electronic project of ex-Screen Vinyl Image shoegazer Jake Reid. Doors 8 p.m. $10.
Divisive soft rocker John Mayer brings his seventh studio album, The Search for Everything, to Jiffy Lube Live. Like-minded folk rock band Dawes opens the show. Doors 7 p.m. $36-$140.
The Crystal Method came to prominence in the mid-’90s as part of the big beat explosion alongside acts like The Prodigy, The Chemical Brothers, and Fatboy Slim. Formerly a duo, co-founder Scott Kirkland continues to DJ under the moniker and will deliver a set at U Hall. Baltimore duo Malphunktion and D.C. DJ Ken Lazee open the show. Doors 10 p.m. $20 / free before 11 p.m. for 21+
SATURDAY, AUGUST 26
If absence makes the heart grow fonder, then the hearts of D.C. clubgoers should be ready to burst as the Moombahton Massive party returns to U Hall for the first time in a year. Join Moombahton inventor Dave Nada, his Nadastrom partner-in-crime Matt Nordstrom, and surprise guests for a night of 108 BPM butt-shaking. Doors 10 p.m. $12-$15.
It’s a showcase of D.C. bands at Comet Ping Pong: punk weirdos Puff Pieces, all-female “drudge pop” trio Governess, and new act TK Echo, which includes members of Orthrelm, Et At It, Protect-U, and Q and Not U. Doors 10 p.m. $12.
R&B singer-turned-reality star Tamar Braxton returns to the DMV with a concert at the Howard Theatre. Doors 7 p.m. $55-$95.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 27
Rock out for a good cause: United Against Islamophobia presents a pair of D.C.-based post-rock bands, Drop Electric and We Were Black Clouds, along with experimental pop act Small Leaks Sink Ships at the Black Cat backstage. Doors 7:30 p.m. $15.
Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton doesn’t just back up Adam Levine. As a solo artist, he is an accomplished soul singer-songwriter. He brings April’s Gumbo to The Hamilton with Major and Ash. Doors 6:30 p.m. $20-$30.
MONDAY, AUGUST 28
Slash Run lives up to its metal-as-fuck billing with a thrash-heavy line-up that features High Command, D.C.’s Narrow Grave and World Peace. Doors 9 p.m. $8.
D.C. electronic rock duo Catscan! headlines DC9 with angsty New Orleans rockers Cult Wife, D.C. singer-songwriter Herschel Hoover, and D.C. trio Trajectories. Doors 7:30 p.m. $10.
