Thursday, August 2
Old Crow Medicine Show are one of the main reasons bluegrass is cool again—the Nashville-based trio’s most
famous song, “Wagon Wheel, “is a reworking of an unreleased Bob Dylan track, and you’ve
got to hear it if you haven’t yet.
7 PM at 9:30 Club, sold out.
Two of Motown’s larger-than-life legends come to Wolf Trap tonight—the
Temptations and
Four Tops have been touring off and on for the past ten years. The fact that they’re through
here all the time doesn’t mean you’ll ever get tired of hearing “My Girl” or “Sugar
Pie, Honey Bunch.”
8 PM at Wolf Trap, $22 to $38.
Friday, August 3
Ted Nugent’s outrageous comments about President Obama got him so much publicity you’d be forgiven
for forgetting he actually makes music. It’s probably worth showing up to the Fillmore
just for the dog-and-pony show.
8 PM at the Fillmore, $30.
Kool A.D., one half of hipsterish it-rappers Das Racist, recently released a mixtape that samples
Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. His laid-back flow oozes cool, and if you’re really lucky, maybe you’ll get a rendition
of “Combination Pizza Hut/Taco Bell.”
9 PM at Red Palace, $12.
Saturday, August 4
Merriweather is hosting a who’s who of soul-y music with its
Summer Spirit Festival.
Erykah Badu (remember her?) headlines, and you’ll also get
Estelle,
Eric Roberson, a tribute to
Chuck Brown, and more.
3 PM at Merriweather, $44 to $125.
Along with Rush,
Yes are probably the best-known prog-rock band of all time. They’re still making music
that makes you feel like you’re inside a ’70s pinball arcade or roller rink, all these
years later.
7:30 PM at Warner Theatre, $49.50 to $89.50.
Sunday, August 5
San Fran’s
Aesop Rock became king of the underground rappers during the early 2000s for his lyrical somersaults
and refusal to get too commercial. Last month’s
Skelethon was his first CD in five years, and he proved he’s still got it, racking up glowing
reviews.
Kimya Dawson even lends her eccentric talents, laying down something resembling a verse on “Crows
1.”
7 PM at 9:30 Club, $20.
Monday, August 6
DC-based
the Sea Life make laid-back rock you can tap your toes to—lots of soaring instrumentals, noodling
guitar riffs, and whoa-oh-ohs. Perfect for a Monday night.
8 PM at Black Cat, $10.
Tuesday, August 7
Serj Tankian and
System of a Down haven’t put out a new album in seven years, but they’re still playing shows. Tankian’s
voice is one of the most iconic in metal, and the band’s music is accessible enough
even for non-metal fans.
8 PM at Verizon Center, $68.
Speaking of bands that disappeared forever—the
Mighty Mighty Bosstones led ska’s late-’90s popularity and then broke up. Their reunion in 2007 sold out four
straight shows, and they’ve played shows semi-regularly since then. Knock on wood
that they don’t go incognito again.
7 PM at 9:30 Club, $30.
Wednesday, August 8
American Idol is in turmoil, with fading ratings and major judging shakeups, but it’s still a juggernaut.
The stars of last season are coming through Verizon Center—just hope winner
Phillip Phillips (really?) is more Kelly Clarkson than Ruben Studdard.
7 PM at Verizon Center, $30 to $66.
The
Gipsy Kings play a very danceable mix of
flamenco, salsa, and funk. Check them out if you think
dancing consists of more than just swaying back and
forth.
8 PM at Wolf Trap, $25 to $42.
Know of a great show happening in town? E-mail Jason Koebler at jasontpkoebler@gmail.com,
or find him on Twitter @jason_koebler.
