Arcade Fire performs at Capital One Arena on Saturday (Photo by Guy Aroch).
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Nicole Atkins has always made music that recalls the bygone pop of Roy Orbison and Scott Walker. On her latest album Goodnight Rhonda Lee, the New Jersey-born artist adds a touch of her new Nashville home. She performs at The Hamilton with The Kernal. Doors 6:30 p.m. $15-$30.
Shoegazing alt-rock originals Swervedriver hit the Black Cat to play their seminal albums Raise and Mezcal Head in full. Doors 7:30 p.m. $23/$25.
As Teen Daze, Jamison Issak makes woozy indie pop with an electronic haze. He performs at Songbyrd with D.C’s Rivers Wilder Green. Doors 7 p.m. $10/$12.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Alternative hip-hop innovator Del the Funky Homosapien has been at it since the early ’90s, releasing left-field classics both as a solo artist and as a member of Hieroglyphics or Deltron 3030. He headlines at the Rock and Roll Hotel with support by Richie Cunning and DJ Bad DJ. Doors 7 p.m. $20.
Paramore ditched pop punk for synth pop and new wave on After Laughter, an album of impeccable—and surprisingly heavy—pop songs. The band performs at The Theater at MGM National Harbor with surf rock aficionados Best Coast. Doors 7:30 p.m. $59-$68.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Reggaeton star J Balvin brings his smash hit album Energia to the EagleBank Arena, riding a new wave of interest in Latin American dance pop. Doors 7 p.m. $75-$95.
Chicago’s Varsity teams with D.C. dance rockers Mystery Friends at Comet Ping Pong. Doors 9 p.m. $10.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
D.C. adopted son Ted Leo returns for a two-night stand at the Black Cat, supporting his first solo album in seven years. A pair of D.C. bands serve as openers: new outfit TK Echo on Friday and Soccer Team on Saturday. Doors 8 p.m. $20.
Since 2001, D.C.’s Sonic Circuits Festival has celebrated a wide range of experimental music. The three day festival has found a home at Rhizome this year, and the opening night features Ryan Keberle & Catharsis, Geoff Wilt, Jax Deluca, and the trio of MV Carbon, Eve Essex, and Hunter Hunt-Hendrix. Doors 8 p.m. $15.
Head to the 9:30 Club for “Next Up,” a night of D.C. artists that you need to know. The loaded bill features beat-making duo footsXColes, experimental upstarts Dawkins, pop newcomer Saba Abraha, soulful polymath Dreamcast, and more. Doors 8 p.m. $16.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Indie rock titans Arcade Fire return to the Capital One Arena in support of Everything Now, an album that attempts to bring social commentary to the dance floor. Doors 6:30 p.m. $25-$86.
Her Records co-founder Suda is one of the leading voices in underground electronic music, both as a producer and purveyor of visceral club music. The London talent helps kick off The Drum House, a new party series at the 9:30 Club Backbar, alongside Panch, Benbo, and L’Enfant. Doors 11 p.m. $10.
The Rock and Roll Hotel celebrates the H Street Festival with its sixth annual Brodown Throwdown. Catch rapper Mike of Doom, shoegazers Venn, a host of DJs, and many more at the all-day party. Doors 12 p.m. FREE
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Toronto’s BadBadNotGood is not your average jazz band, unless your average jazz band collaborates with Kendrick Lamar, Future Islands frontman Sam Herring, and DJ-producer Kaytranada—all on the same album. The genre-agnostic four-piece performs at the 9:30 Club. Doors 7 p.m. $25.
D.C. synth-pop siblings Loi Loi celebrate the release of their new record, with support by D.C. trio Park Snakes and Philly electro-rockers Thrills. Doors 7 p.m. $10.
A show with something for everyone: Philadelphia’s Sitcom returns to Comet Ping Pong alongside D.C. rap iconoclast NappyNappa and pop weirdo Jennifer Vanilla. Doors 9 p.m. $10.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
The legendary Randy Newman brings his nearly five-decade discography and new album Dark Matter to The Birchmere. Doors 7:30 p.m. $93.75.
Brazilian blues rockers The Baggios head to the Black Cat backstage with D.C. veterans Pitbull 1999. Doors 7:30 p.m. $10.
