Devotchka did their part by warming up the crowd, when The Magnetic Fields took the stage it was as if all the energy was sucked out of the club. Pianist, vocalist and apparent band manager, Claudia Gonson’s pedantic explanations and counting off the start to nearly every song reduced the set to seeming like a freshman seminar entitled The Magnetic Fields: 101.

FRIDAY: >> Baltimore’s Fertile Ground return to 9:30 Club for a concert with collaborator Raheem DeVaughn called Let’s Do It Again. Also singer Anthony David. 9 p.m., $22. >> Gallery Openings of Note: Maria Friberg opens her show, titled embedded, at Conner Contemporary, reception 6 to 8 p.m. That’s embedded #4 at left. Also we checked out a preview of Colby Caldwell’s new show, Small Game, at Hemphill Fine Arts on Wednesday, and definitely recommend…

So it all comes down to this: on Tuesday, we began a discussion about an official song for D.C. That prompted tons of comment suggestions for potential anthems, and we subsequently took two votes in order to narrow down our choices to four. These four are: “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight,” by the Postal Service. “Banned in DC,” by Bad Brains. “Washington, DC,” by Magnetic Fields. “Chocolate City,” by Parliament. Vote here, and note…

So, this morning we told you all about Lincoln Ross’ potential District anthem. Now, as suggested in the comments, we’re going to take a vote. Here are the nominees: “Come to Washington,” by Lincoln Ross. “Chocolate City,” by Parliament. “Washington, DC,” by Magnetic Fields. “Washington, DC,” by Johnny Cohen. “Rock Creek Park,” The Blackbyrds. “Bustin’ Loose,” by Chuck Brown “DC Will Do That To You,” by Smart Went Crazy. “DC Fight Song,” by Federal City…