BUFFALO NICHOLS: “I want more Black people to hear themselves in this music that is truly theirs,” blues musician Buffalo Nichols says on his website. The Houston-born, Milwaukee-raised musician uses little more than his guitar and his unforgettable voice to craft stripped-down blues numbers about love, loss, and the perils and triumphs that accompany being Black in America. (Kennedy Center; Friday, Jan. 6; FREE)
MERIDIAN BROTHERS: Eblis Álvarez’s influences include psychedelic Argentine rock, Frank Zappa, modern alternative electronic music, and Latin American folk traditions. What exactly does the result of such an eclectic group of influences sound like? If you’re curious, treat yourself to an evening with Álvarez’s musical project, Colombia’s Meridian Brothers. (Songbyrd Music House; Wednesday, Jan. 11; $18+)
ARI VOXX: Born and raised in D.C., Ari Voxx writes dreamy, soulful pop songs about her life: the good, the bad and the dark. You’ll have three chances to catch the “dreamy pastel pop princess” in January, and one more on Feb. 1. The shows form Voxx’s residency at DC9, and she promises to bring something different each week. (DC9 Nightclub; Jan. 11, 18, 25, and Feb. 1 $5)
EKKO ASTRAL: Punk is alive and well in the world of Ekko Astral, the local rockers specializing in “mascara mosh pit music.” Their witty, sharp debut EP Quartz was inspired by frontwoman Jael Holzman’s gender transition, which coincided with the early days of the pandemic. The resulting music is funny, angry, subversive, and begs to be listened to at the center of a mosh pit. (Songbyrd Music House; Saturday, Jan. 14; $14+)
THE RAMEN LEGION: The same Saturday, another local punk outfit is waiting to make you mosh. The Ramen Legion, an emerging punk and rock group from Northern Virginia, is bringing their pop punk repertoire to Pie Shop. They’ll be accompanied by Richmond’s post-hardcore group Followship and Woodbridge punks Fake Bodies. (Pie Shop; Saturday, Jan. 14; $14)
MAGIC CITY HIPPIES: Listening to Magic City Hippies is like microdosing Miami. Florida’s three-piece indie pop group makes sunny, feel-good tunes out of synths and catchy refrains. Enjoy a momentary escape from January’s bitter cold and see Magic City Hippies at the 9:30 Club. They’ll make you feel like you’re lounging by the pool. (9:30 Club; Sunday, Jan. 15; $25)
WALLIS BIRD: When Ireland’s Wallis Bird was a child, an accident with a lawnmower left her with only nine fingers. The accident’s impact on her is the subject of her latest release, Hands, which she also calls Nine and a Half Songs for Nine and a Half Fingers. The album also explores trust issues, alcohol abuse, self-censorship and self-empowerment. (Jammin’ Java; Monday, Jan. 16; $13)
JUNIOR H: Born in 2000 in Guanajuato in Central Mexico, Antonio Herrera Perez, better known as Junior H, grew up listening to traditional Mexican music and hip-hop in equal measures. It shows on Contingente, his 2022 release that blends Sierreño-style songwriting with trap, forming an album that holds up a mirror to modern Mexican and Latin American music. (The Fillmore Silver Spring; Friday, Jan. 20; $41+)
LADY WRAY: If you’ve heard Missy Elliot’s “Gettaway,” you’ve heard Lady Wray’s silky voice. Her career started in the late ‘90s and included collaborations with Elliot, Big Boi, Mike Jones and The Black Keys. R&B record Piece of Me, Wray’s first album in six years, finds her a stronger, more self-assured vocalist than ever before. (Black Cat; Friday, Jan. 20; $20)
MORMOR: In Swedish, “mormor” means grandmother. Born in Toronto and adopted by a Swedish family, Seth Nyquist has adopted the name in a reference to his own grandmother. As MorMor, he releases gentle, experimental indie records that bring to mind Blood Orange and Yves Tumor. In January, he’s coming to Union Stage to tour Semblance, his 2022 release. (Union Stage; Friday, Jan. 20; $25+)
FUTURE: Kick your 2023 off with a party hosted by none other than Future. The prolific trap pioneer from Atlanta is coming to D.C.’s Capital One Arena for a show he’s calling One Big Party. He says he’s bringing “friends,” but you’ll have to go to the show to find out who they are. (Capital One Arena; Sunday, Jan. 22; $65+)
GREENSKY BLUEGRASS: Greensky Bluegrass, an expansive string band from Michigan, recently sold out three consecutive nights at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Colorado’s iconic concert venue. The feat is a testament to the bluegrass group’s ability to put on a good show. Snag your tickets to their stop at the Anthem before they sell out another. (The Anthem; Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28; $45+)
NE-YO: Are you so sick of never having seen Ne-Yo in concert? Get rid of that feeling and treat yourself to a ticket to see the R&B and pop star perform at the Kennedy Center, where he’ll perform all his greatest hits and more. Chances are you’ll have the time of your life. (Kennedy Center; Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28; $29+)
LOCALS ONLY: JØRDYN (Songbyrd Music House; Wednesday, Jan. 4; $13+), J.Addo (Union Stage; Friday, Jan. 6; $20+), Moozy (Songbyrd Music House; Saturday, Jan. 7; $14+), Strutman Lane (DC9 Nightclub; Saturday, Jan. 7; $13+), East Coast Offense (Pie Shop; Sunday, Jan. 8; $15), Ten Pound Snail (DC9 Nightclub; Sunday, Jan. 8; $15+), Inside Voices (Pie Shop; Wednesday, Jan. 11; $15); The Goons (Black Cat; Jan. 20; $20), Bleary Eyed (Pie Shop; Friday, Jan. 27; $12+), Soroche (Pie Shop; Sunday, Jan. 29; $12+)
