MONDAY >> Everyone, we’re stumped. We’ve been scratching our heads for weeks now, trying to figure out why three bands with as much buzz following them around as Cold War Kids, Midlake, and Sound Team (pictured) would be playing the Black Cat’s back stage, especially when nothing else is booked upstairs. We loved Cold War Kids when we saw them last month. Midlake is winning fans left and right, including a very hyperbolic Jason Lee….

Brendan Benson’s latest album, The Alternative To Love, played heavily into this summer’s soundtrack. His name has been a frequent one on music bloggers’ lips (fingers?), especially with talk of his upcoming project with Jack White and the Greenhornes in a band called The Raconteurs. Suffice it to say, we were looking forward to last night’s show at Black Cat. The aforementioned Greenhornes opened for Benson (which brought all of the Raconteurs to D.C. this…

For your buying pleasure this week, we have tickets recently on sale, tickets going on sale in the next few days, or just tickets that, in general, you need to be getting on. >> Who doesn’t know of Chuck Brown, the godfather of D.C. go-go? You know him, you love him, and now you can party down with him at his official birthday bash at the 9:30 Club on August 27. Tickets are just $25;…

We’re continuing our summer of concert love here at DCist with the tickets you need to be purchasing…so make sure to have your mouse and credit card at the ready! And remember, you can always buy tickets in person at the 9:30 Club, and the Black Cat box office is open from 8 p.m. to midnight. Which tickets do you plan on getting? >> Our favorite star-spangled, big-chested, country crooning lady is coming to D.C….