TUESDAY, AUGUST 20
Tired: An album for every state. Wired: D.C. duo Dove Lady, aka Andrew Thawley and Jeremy Ray, is at work on making an EP for every letter of the alphabet. Also on the bill at Comet Ping Pong: Austin’s Why Bonnie and Philadelphia’s Bleary Eyed. 9 p.m. All ages, venue accessible. $12.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21
Led by vocalist-multi-instrumentalist Bonnie Bloomgarden and guitarist Larry Schemel, L.A.’s Death Valley Girls make propulsive rock that’s exacting and enthralling. Detroit’s Craig Brown Band opens with throwback punk-tinged tunes at DC9. 7:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show. All ages, inaccessible space. $12.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22
It’s a lineup that feels like a mini-music festival as Beck and Cage the Elephant coheadline the Night Running Tour. Get there early for a set from indie rock vets Spoon, who recently released a greatest hits compilation record, and up-and-comers Sunflower Bean. Merriweather Post Pavilion. 5 p.m. gates, 6 p.m. show. All ages, venue accessible. $29.50+.
Australian singer-songwriter Alex Lahey’s sophomore LP, The Best of Luck Club, is rich with pop-punk anthems that beg to be blasted from the speakers. Florida native DIYer Kingsbury, aka Caroline Kingsbury, also performs at U Street Music Hall. 7 p.m. All ages, venue accessible. $15.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23
Back in 2017, Ted Leo self-released a solo album, The Hanged Man. On Friday, he returns to the Black Cat with the Pharmacists. Philadelphia trio Control Top joins on the heels of the band’s debut album, Covert Contracts. 8 p.m. doors. All ages, venue accessible. $20 advance/$25 day of show.
MC Hammer turns the Entertainment and Sports Arena into his living room for his Hammer House Party Tour. Sir Mix-A-Lot, Kid ‘N Play, Tone Loc, DJ Kool, and others will also stop by for the show—Hammer’s first big tour in 18 years. 8 p.m. All ages, venue accessible. $20-$75
SATURDAY, AUGUST 24
Next month, Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard will release her debut solo album, Jamie. Get a preview of her new material when she headlines two nights at the 9:30 Club, beginning on Friday night with Thelma and the Sleaze opening. 9:30 Club. 8 p.m. doors. All ages, venue accessible. $55.
With Basking in the Glow, Oso Oso, the solo project of Long Island’s Jade Lilitri, has released perhaps the year’s best album of the emo revival movement. Triple Crown labelmates Future Teens and Epitaph band the Sidekicks round out the bill. DC9. 7:30 p.m. doors, 8 p.m. show. All ages, inaccessible space. $15.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25
What could be more appropriately endless summer than a Sunday matinee show? Brave the heat, bring a blanket and prepare to sing along as the Beach Boys bring a set of beloved surf rock classics to the Wolf Trap Filene Center. 1:30 p.m. gates, 3 p.m. show. All ages, venue accessible. $35+.
Prepare for a night of electrifying guitar sounds as Gary Clark Jr. and Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats headline Merriweather Post Pavilion. Rateliff and co. released Tearing at the Seams last year; Clark Jr.’s latest, This Land, came out this past February. Neptune singer-songwriter Nicole Atkins opens. 5:30 p.m. gates, 6:30 p.m. show. All ages, venue $45-$75.
Next month, Zac Brown Band will released the group’s sixth album, The Owl. Expect to hear new tracks (there’s a collaboration with Skrillex on the horizon) and classic songs, including “Colder Weather,” “Chicken Fried” and “Toes”) at Jiffy Lube Live. Caroline Jones also performs. 7 p.m. All ages, venue accessible. $41+.
MONDAY, AUGUST 26
Since his days with the Police, Sting has remained commercially successful while incorporating new sounds, even collaborating with Shaggy on a record last year. Performances at the Wolf Trap Filene Center featuring Joe Sumner continue nightly through Wednesday. 6:30 p.m. gates, 8 p.m. show. All ages, venue accessible. $55+.
