Rare Essence returns to U Street on Sunday (Photo courtesy of Rare Essence).
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Austrian “avant-violinist” Mia Zabelka and D.C. “maximal minimalist” Andras Fekete team up for a mind-expanding live collaboration at Rhizome, with support from Jeremy Hurewitz’s Rootless project and D.C. guitarist-composer Jon Camp. Doors 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation.
Two bands from Columbus, Ohio—indie-folk duos CAAMP and Doc Robinson—head to DC9. Doors 8:30 p.m. $12/$14.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Canadian indie rock collective Broken Social Scene is back, touring in support of their first album in seven years, Hug of Thunder. The first night of their two-night stand at 9:30 Club is sold out, but you can still catch them on Wednesday with opening act Belle Game. Doors 7 p.m. $36.
D.C. native Laura Burhenn returns to town with her band The Mynabirds and the just-released Be Here Now in tow. She performs at DC9 with fellow singer-songwriters Luke Rathborne and Madeline Kenney. Doors 8 p.m. $12/$15.
Brandy is more than a nostalgia act. The dexterous vocalist has continued to influence the worlds of R&B and pop, long after her mid-’90s breakthrough. See a living legend at the Fillmore. Doors 7 p.m. $40.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
DJ-producers Sinjin Hawke and Zora Jones live on the leading edge of club music, creating futuristic audio-visual experiences on their Fractal Fantasy platform. They take over U Street Music Hall with ballroom innovator Vjuan Allure, North Carolina tastemaker GRRL, and D.C.’s own Rewak. Doors 10 p.m. $10.
D.C. trio Park Snakes blasts post-punk into rock’s bluesy past for a sound the band describes as “rock noir.” While the band would be perfect for the Twin Peaks Roadhouse, you’ll have to settle for this show at the Mount Pleasant Library. Doors 6:30 p.m. FREE
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Every day is Halloween as darkwave androgyne Drab Majesty brings the expansive album The Demonstration to Songbyrd with support by Brooklyn industrial duo Statiqbloom and DJ Dianamatic. Doors 8 p.m. $12/$14.
Ex-Das Racist rapper Kool A.D. headlines a loaded bill at the Uptown Art House that features Cult Days, Weekend Money, and a host of DMV hip-hop talent, including Sugg Savage and Mike of Doom. Doors 7 p.m. $10.
Sounds of the Underground lives up to its billing, bringing three, D.C.-based avant-garde acts to the Dupont Underground: post-rockers Tone, shoegazers Koshari, and Super Silver Haze, which features Fugazi’s Brendan Canty. Doors 8 p.m. $15.
D.C. techno veteran Dubfire plays an open-to-close set at Flash. Doors 8 p.m. $25.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
The New York Times is right: rock isn’t dead, it’s ruled by women. Catch three acts that prove the point as Jay Som, Stef Chura, and Soccer Mommy take over the Rock and Roll Hotel. Doors 7 p.m. $15/$18.
Mushroom Jazz curator Mark Farina spins at U Street Music Hall alongside D.C. veteran Sam “The Man” Burns. Doors 10:30 p.m. FREE before 11 p.m. for 21+. $10.
FuzzQueen, Lushfarm, and Circadian Clock rock out at Slash Run. Doors 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
It doesn’t seem possible, but somehow, go-go O.G.s Rare Essence have not performed on U Street proper in over a decade. This “New D.C.” wrong is finally righted as the hometown legends perform at U Hall with opener DJ Jahsonic. Doors 7 p.m. $15.
Alt-pop upstart DeQn Sue brings her eclectic sound to the Black Cat with local contemporaries Echelon the Seeker and Sir E.U. Doors 7:30 p.m. $10.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
Post-punk innovators Wire headline at the Black Cat in support of their sixteenth studio album, Silver/Lead. Noveller, the experimental solo project of guitarist-filmmaker Sarah Lipstate, opens the show. Doors 7:30 p.m. $25/$30.
Pop superstar Katy Perry brings the Witness tour to the Capital One Arena. $50.50-$200.50
Vibraphonist Drew Tucker and his band the New Standard reinvent classic radio hits with an inventive mix of jazz, soul, and old school hip-hop. They play two shows at Blues Alley. Doors 6 p.m. / 9:45 p.m. $22.
