>> DAM! Fest kicks of with its first night of shows featuring a dozen different bands at three venues, including New York’s A Place to Bury Strangers (don’t miss our interview with the band) and Dirty on Purpose at the Rock and Roll Hotel, Vandaveer and Julie Ocean at the Red and The Black, and Foreign Islands at DC9, among many others. Check out our guide to the DAM! highlights. >> Two film festivals open…

MONDAY >> Love him or hate him, Connor Oberst’s and his Saddle Creek Records have a whole lot to do with indie kids adding some alt to their country. And, there are a lot of people in this town who fall into the “love him” category. That’s probably why Bright Eyes sold out the 9:30 Club. >> If you were planning on taking in The Young Knives and Foreign Islands tonight at the Black…