TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
A decade after her ’80s-inspired indie rock hit “Daniel,” Bat for Lashes is still trafficking in haunting, synth-heavy atmospherics. Last year’s Lost Girls showcases singer and multi-instrumentalist Natasha Khan’s ethereal vocals and penchant for creating distinctive moods. Sixth and I. 7 p.m. doors. 8 p.m. show. $29. All ages, accessible venue.
Though he’s known for his role in cult funk collective Vulfpeck, singer-guitarist Theo Katzmann’s main pursuit is his solo project. He recently released Modern Johnny Sings: Songs in the Age of Vibe, which traffics in a similar glossy pop-funk with playful tracks and songs that takes aim at the rise of authoritarianism and toxic masculinity. The Hamilton. 6:30 p.m. doors. 7:30 p.m. show. Sold out. All ages, accessible venue.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Band leader Kamasi Washington is still touring behind his the expansive rhythms of his 2018 album Heaven and Hell, which, much like 2015’s The Epic, positioned the saxophonist as one of the most exciting names in modern jazz. Over the years, Washington has had his work commissioned by The Whitney Museum of American Art and has collaborated with Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, and Run the Jewels, Howard Theatre. 6 p.m. doors. 8 p.m. show. $50. All ages, accessible venue.
Most people can find something to relate to in Super Whatevr’s annoyingly catchy “better.” “Oh, I hate the words I’m holding down in my throat,” Skyler McKee sings “I can’t believe in anything and they know/ I’m so messed up, we’re all messed up.” The track comes from this month’s don’t you wanna be glad?, an album that sounds like what happens when you try to make early 2000s pop punk with 2020 pop production techniques. Songbyrd Music House. 6:30 p.m. doors. 7:30 p.m. show. $15-$17. All ages, inaccessible space.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20
The Mattson 2 is made up of twin brothers who play guitar and drums and always seem to be able to anticipate the other’s next move. The duo’s core blend of instrumental jazz and surf rock got an infusion of vocals on last year’s sunny Paradise, which followed a full-length cover of John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme. Songbyrd Music House. 7 p.m. doors. 8 p.m. show. $13-$15. All ages, inaccessible space.
Zack Villere’s oddball music defies classification, borrowing from the electro-folk of Bon Iver, the low-fi bliss of the chillwave movement and hip-hop’s production style and samples—all of which are on display within last week’s new album Cardboard City. Union Stage. 8 p.m. doors. 9 p.m. show. $16. All ages, accessible venue.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Pomplamoose (and Patreon) co-founder Jack Conte reunited with his old friend Ryan Lerman (who has played guitar for Michael Buble and John Legend) to form Scary Pockets, a groove-based cover band that reinvents pop and rock hits in a variety of unusual ways with guest vocalists. The band’s Stick the Landing, released last Christmas Day, includes reimagined takes on Fiona Apple’s “Criminal,” The Police’s “Roxanne” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.” Union Stage. 10 p.m. show. $20-$40. All ages, accessible venue.
Swedish hardcore band Refused released War Music last year, an album meant to be confrontational and in your face, lyrically, musically—even down to the artwork. With raw guitars and powerful lyrics about politics and capitalism, it may be the band’s most urgent release in years. 9:30 Club. 7 p.m. doors. $32. All ages, accessible venue.
Jacquees, the self-anointed King of R&B, tries to live up to that lofty crown on last fall’s King of R&B, in which he boasts and compares himself to the kings that came before him. Though many have argued that he’s not worthy of the title, Jacquees does his best to make that claim across 18 smooth tracks that often border on hip-hop. Fillmore Silver Spring. 7 p.m. doors. 8 p.m. show. $33. All ages, accessible venue.
Versatile D.C. guitar hero Anthony Pirog (The Messthetics, Janel & Anthony, New Electric) will celebrate his birthday at the Black Cat’s Red Room with a free performance featuring friends from the local music scene. 8 p.m. doors. FREE (donation suggested). All ages, accessible venue.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Canada’s Wolf Parade was a product of early 2000s indie rock blog culture—blowing up after the release of their 2005 debut Apologies to the Queen Mary. But just six years later, the band went on hiatus. The Spencer Krug- and Dan Boeckner-led group returned in 2016, and last month released the glossy, maximalist Thin Line, their first album as a trio. 9:30 Club. 6 p.m. doors. $30. All ages, accessible venue.
Marc Anthony is touring behind his latest album Opus, which is full of the salsa music that made him an arena headliner—and continues to keep him there, despite going against recent trends in Latin music. Capital One Arena. 8 p.m. show. $59-$179. All ages, accessible venue.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Ever-evolving Swedish progressive metal band Opeth celebrated three decades of existence last year with the release of In Cauda Venenum. Die-hard fans have two options to choose from: an English-language version and a Swedish one. Casual fans may not be able to tell the difference over the band’s fast and heavy riffs. Fillmore Silver Spring. 7 p.m. doors. 8 p.m. show. $39.50. All ages, accessible venue.
The DMV throws its own version of Mardi Gras at Pearl Street Warehouse, courtesy of Annapolis’ New Orleans-style second line band Naptown Brass and DC Meters, local drummer Jared Skora’s tribute to the NOLA funk band The Meters. 5 p.m. doors. 6 p.m. show. $10. 21+, accessible venue.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24
D.C. guitarist Garrett Gleason is currently on tour playing in the orchestra of SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical, but he’ll return home for a night of experimental music with drummer Ethan Snyder in the Black Cat’s Red Room. 7:30 p.m. doors. $10. All ages, accessible venue.