A Sound of Thunder, MindMaze, Iris Divine, and Metanium
Friday, June 6 at the Pinch, $10

Local power-metal quartet A Sound of Thunder doesn’t often play within D.C.’s borders, so this is a rare chance for Metro-dependent fans to catch its crazy guitar riffs and thunderous lead vocals live. ASOT is one of the more prolific local metal acts, having released an album each of the last three years, with another one due out this year, so it’s always adding new tunes to its set. Joining A Sound of Thunder are the Pennsylvania power metal band MindMaze, local progsters Iris Divine and Metanium. (CPL)

Janka Nabay and The Bubu Gang
Friday, June 6 at Tropicalia, $10 to $13

Janka Nabay and The Bubu Gang’s En Yay Sah was one of the most exciting D.C.-affiliated albums to come out in 2012. Around the time of its release, Nabay—originally from Sierra Leone—was working here, on Fojol Bros. food trucks. His band was also one of the first acts to play Tropicalia when the club opened in the fall of 2012. Nabay hasn’t released much new music since that fine LP, but the speedy sound of his very own bubu genre hasn’t aged whatsoever since he first brought it to D.C. listeners’ attention. (Ally Schweitzer)

Nothing, Superheaven, Myrrh Myrrh
Saturday, June 7 at DC9, $14

Philadelphia’s Nothing features a Dominic Palermo from the hardcore band Horror Show, but this new project has far more of a shoegaze sound than a punk one. It’s not a surprise that Palermo has left his aggressive side behind: After a 2002 knife fight, Palermo spent two years in prison for assault and attempted murder, eventually starting the Nothing project in 2011. It’s a good transition: Nothing’s debut, Guilty of Everything, is reminiscent of My Bloody Valentine with its distortion and indistinguishable vocals. Nothing will be joined by Pennsylvania rock band Superheaven and local newcomers Myrrh Myrrh. (CPL)

Typefighter
Saturday, June 7 at the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage, free

The Kennedy Center has a free show every day at 6 p.m. as part of its Millennium Stage series, and once in a while, they team up with local promoter Listen Local First to bring D.C. artists to the stage. This month’s LLF show features D.C. garage-pop quartet Typefighter, who will certainly be playing a lot from its new album, The End of Everything. (CPL)

Babe Rainbow and Rich Morel’s Hot Sauce
Saturday, June 7 at the Black Cat (backstage and mainstage), $10

It’s Capital Pride week, and there are events all over the city. During the day on Saturday, dance the day away to the sounds of Rita Ora, Betty Who, DJ Cassidy, Bonnie McKee, and Karmin. At night, move the party up to U Street, where DJs are taking over the entire Black Cat: downstairs, you can boogie to the Rich Morel half of Blowoff, and upstairs you can blow off steam to a whole cadre of DJs that you’ve heard at Gay/Bash, Cobalt, and BearZerk. (CPL)

Deafheaven, Pallbearer, Wreck & Reference
Tuesday, June 10 at Rock & Roll Hotel, $15

With the release of Sunbather last year, Deafheaven eclipsed Liturgy as the most buzzed-about hipster black-metal band. This isn’t trve black metal, though: imagine shoegazer instrumentals with black-metal vocals on top, and you’ll get a pretty good picture of how Deafheaven sounds. Opener Pallbearer is a fantastic doom band from Little Rock, Arkansas, and the first band of the night is California’s Wreck & Reference. (CPL)

Other notable shows:

Beautiful Swimmers, Sami Y. and Jane Junior at Lost Society (Thursday); Feedel Band at Bossa (Thursday); Pharoah Sanders at Blues Alley (Thursday through Sunday); Spoonboy, Colour Me Wednesday, and The Goodbye Party at DC9 (Friday); The Men, Heavy Breathing, and Passing Phases at Rock & Roll Hotel (Saturday); Future at Fillmore Silver Spring (Sunday); Ratking, Show Me the Body, Sir E.U at DC9 (Tuesday); Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 at Howard Theatre (Wednesday).

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.

Channels, Soccer Team, Bells≥
Friday, May 30 at Rock & Roll Hotel, $12

Baltimore rock band Channels features J. Robbins (from Jawbox and Burning Airlines) alongside bassist Janet Morgan and drummer Darren Zentek of Kerosene 454. Their recorded output in their 10-year career has been relatively minimal (one album and one EP), and their live shows seem even more rare, so this is an excellent chance to check out these almost-locals. They’ll be joined by D.C. rockers Soccer Team and Brooklyn instrumental band Bells≥. (Catherine P. Lewis)

Foul Swoops, Nic Fits, Anchor 3, and Luke Reddick
Friday, May 30 at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, $5 to $10

St. Stephen’s doesn’t host benefit shows as often as it used to, but it’s back at it this weekend with an all-local lineup that will benefit UNICEF’s work to help Syrian children. The show features Arlington rockers Foul Swoops, D.C. punkers Nic Fits, D.C. indie-pop band Anchor 3, and Alexandria’s Luke Reddick (of Dudes). (CPL)

Eels and Chelsea Wolfe
Saturday, May 31 at Lincoln Theatre, $35

This is Chelsea Wolfe’s “acoustic with strings” tour leg, which I hope means the gothic-folk/rock artist plans to perform a whole set of gorgeous tunes like this special version of one of her best songs to date, “Flatlands.” Wolfe’s last album, the synth-infused Pain Is Beauty, had plenty of memorable moments (especially the thunderous “We Hit A Wall“), but I always return to the seething, lower-key Unknown Rooms: A Collection of Acoustic Songs. Here’s hoping Saturday’s show (with headliner Eels) coaxes out more of that understated beauty. (Ally Schweitzer)

Outputmessage, Paperhaus, and The Effects
Saturday, May 31 at 945 Florida Ave. NW, free

A solid lineup of local performers, free admission, and dogs? I can’t think of many reasons to miss this show, co-presented by DCist.com, which takes place Saturday in the parking lot that formally hosted District Flea. Electronic wizard Outputmessage and indie-rock mainstays Paperhaus top the bill, but new band The Effects is worth an ear, too, featuring members of Medications, Buildings, and Deleted Scenes. The dogs come courtesy of Metro Mutts, which hosts a “Canines and Cocktails” happy hour before the show. (AS)

Priests, The Shondes, and Pinkwash
Monday, June 2 at Black Cat Backstage, $10

Local punk band Priests isn’t one for social media, but it’s all over the press, both locally (on Bandwidth and in the pages of Washington City Paper and the Washington Post) and nationally. The group finally drops its debut EP Tuesday—a step up from its previous cassette releases—but its DIY ethos still rages on. Opening group The Shondes joined this lineup after being booted from the Washington Jewish Music Festival because of their support of Palestine. (CPL)

Also recommended this week:
Internationally Known Global Hip-Hop Showcase at Tropicalia (Friday); Drop Electric, The Walking Sticks, and The Raised By Wolves at the Howard Theatre (Friday); Janel Leppin’s Volcanic Ash at Twins Jazz (Friday and Saturday); Queering Sound at Pyramid Atlantic (Saturday); The Menzingers, Lemuria, Pup, and Cayetana at Rock & Roll Hotel (Sunday); Br’er, Wei Zhongle, Three Brained Robot at the Paperhaus (Monday); Louis Weeks at Anacostia Arts Center (Wednesday).

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.

Trans Am and Heavy Breathing
Thursday, May 22 at the Black Cat Backstage, $10

Trans Am isn’t based in D.C. anymore, but it will always be a D.C. band: the Bethesda-born post-rock trio has been steadily releasing albums on Thrill Jockey since 1996 despite its members now being scattered across the country (guitarist Phil Manley is a recording engineer in San Francisco, and drummer Sebastian Thomson joined the progressive metal band Baroness last year). The group’s latest (and 10th overall), Volume X, continues the group’s heavy electro-rock tradition with a dash of thrash (!) and some bizarre vocoded vocals. Opening band Heavy Breathing will set the energy bar high, so come ready to move.

Ayman Fanous and Jason Kao Hwang, Jaimie Branch, Nine Strings
Thursday, May 22 at Back Alley Theater, $10

Get your experimental/improvisational fix here: This is the CD-release show for Egyptian guitarist/bouzouki player Ayman Fanous and violinist/violist Jason Kao Hwan, who have just released their first album together, Zilzal (the Arabic word for “earthquake”). Also performing is trumpeter Jaimie Branch and a double bass/cello duo called Nine Strings.

Fu Manchu, Electric Citizen, Borracho
Friday, May 23 at Rock & Roll Hotel, $15

Most of the area’s metalheads will be in Baltimore this weekend for Maryland Deathfest, but those who stay in town will find their way out to this heavy show, featuring SoCal stoner-rock band Fu Manchu. On its last two trips through D.C., the band played two of its older albums in their entirety, but since they’ve just released a new album (Gigantoid), this show will likely (finally!) feature some new Fu tunes. Opening the show will be Ohio’s Electric Citizen and local stoner band Borracho.

TEEN and The Sea Life (Update: This show has been canceled.)
Saturday, May 24 at the U Street Music Hall, $15

When Kristina Lieberson (aka “Teeny”) left the Brooklyn indie-rock band Here We Go Magic, she teamed up with her sisters Katherine (drums) and Lizzy (keys) and unrelated bass player Boshra AlSaadi to form the R&B-laced alterna-rock band TEEN. Not to be confused with that other four-letter band featuring sisters (the one with the bass face), TEEN’s new album The Way and Color is synth-driven and saturated with vocals from all four of the group’s members. Local indie-rock band The Sea Life will open.

Estonia in Concert: The Music of Arvo Pärt
Tuesday, May 27 at the Kennedy Center, free

This show is a rare opportunity to see legendary Estonian composer Arvo Pärt in person and hear some of his best works performed—for free. His intimate show at the Phillips Collection on May 29 has been sold out for months, but the Kennedy Center is hosting this Estonia In Concert event, featuring the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, with a repertoire hand-selected by Pärt scholars at St. Vladimir’s Seminary. The President of the Republic of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik, will also be in attendance. The performance is free, and tickets will be distributed at the Kennedy Center beginning at 4:30 p.m., so queue up early. If you’re interested in learning even more, there’s an Arvo Pärt panel discussion at George Washington University on Wednesday.

Wild Luck, ShowPony, Penguin Gentry
Wednesday, May 28 at DC9, $8

Wild Luck is a new D.C. post-rock instrumental band, very much in the vein of Explosions in the Sky or Drop Electric’s instrumental work. This will be their first live performance, following an EP that they released last December. They’ll be joined by math-rock group ShowPony and funk/rock/jam/fusion band Penguin Gentry.

 Also recommended this week:

The Sun Ra 100th Birthday Celebration at Bohemian Caverns (Thursday); Deleted Scenes, Celestial Shore, and Laughing Man at Rock & Roll Hotel (Thursday); Mobb Deep at Howard Theatre (Friday); The Great Noise Ensemble at Atlas Performing Arts Center (Friday); Oumar Konate at Tropicalia (Friday); The Caribbean, Nice Breeze, Marriage Blanc at Velvet Lounge (Saturday); The Flatmates, Foul Swoops, Expert Alterations, and DJ Archie Moore at Comet Ping Pong (Tuesday); Teen Mom, Minka at Black Cat Backstage (Wednesday).

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.

I Dream Of Wires
Thursday, May 15 at Goethe-Institut, $8 to $12

This isn’t actually a concert, but tonight’s showing of the documentary I Dream Of Wires (7 p.m.) is a must-do for followers of electronic music—or really any music that’s been shaped by synthesized sounds. Showing as part of the ongoing Forward Festival, I Dream Of Wires examines the development and influence of the modular synthesizer, one of last century’s most important and lasting musical innovations. Trent Reznor, Morton Subotnick, Gary Numan, and Carl Craig are just a few of the film’s key talking heads. After the doc, stop by Flash to check out an extended techno set from Daniel Bell, who’s also performing as part of Forward. The fest goes through the weekend. Check out its complete schedule at forwarddc.com. (Ally Schweitzer)

Panda Bear, Regal Degal, Geologist
Friday, May 16 at 9:30 Club, $25

Panda Bear (aka Noah Lennox) is the most prolific solo member of Animal Collective, having released four solo albums since the late 1990s. Truthfully, his career might have peaked in 2007 with the release of Person Pitch, which landed on several Top 10 lists thanks to the catchy haze of its single “Bros.” Still, Lennox promises a new solo album this year, with the ominous title Panda Bear Meets the Grim Reaper. The Los Angeles psych-rock band Regal Degal opens this show, and fellow Animal Collective member Geologist is on tap to DJ. (Catherine P. Lewis)

Los Master Plus, G-Flux, The Empresarios
Friday, May 16 at Artisphere, $12

Called the “new kings of cumbiatronica,” Mexico’s Los Master Plus may be better known for their silly YouTube videos. It’s hard to tell where the charismatic, funny duo draws the line between sincerity and absurdity, but somewhere in their comic routine, there’s a jab at machismo and the masculine ideal. When they come to town this weekend, their show at Artisphere will feature D.C.’s Empresarios and local space-cumbia producer G-Flux. (AS)

Titus Andronicus, Baked
Friday, May 16 at Black Cat, $15

Titus Andronicus is a New Jersey indie-rock band that puts on an intense live show—and if you don’t believe my word on that, then check out this report, published last year, of every single D.C. show the band has played since 2008. When Titus Andronicus plays live, expect the whole crowd to be jumping so vigorously that the entire building will either levitate or implode into itself, creating a Titus Andronicus-shaped black hole. Opening the show is Brooklyn rock band Baked. (CPL)

Franz Nicolay, Louis Weeks, Sean Barna, The Room Outside
Friday, May 16 at The Alamo, by donation

This show is a rare opportunity to see Franz Nicolay in a DIY space; his last few times through town, he’s played more-traditional spots like Black Cat and Galaxy Hut. The punk-rock musician is known for his time in The World/Inferno Friendship Society and The Hold Steady, but he also has a lengthy discography under his own name and with the composer/performer collective he founded called Anti-Social Music. Rounding out this show are D.C. songwriters Louis Weeks and Sean Barna, plus the New Mexico alterna-folk trio The Room Outside. (CPL)

Chain and the Gang, The Ar-Kaiks
Saturday, May 17 at DC9, $10

What’s left to say about D.C. songwriter, frontman, filmmaker, tongue-in-cheek intellectual, fashion plate, Instagram expert, and provocateur Ian Svenonius? The Washington Post recently deemed him the most interesting man in rock ‘n’ roll, and around these parts, he’s earned the title. His band Chain and the Gang—usually stacked with a rotating cast of promising young musicians—just released its fourth LP. The group’s Saturday show with Richmond’s The Ar-Kaiks promises to be part victory lap, part performance-art project, and part comic routine—just like always, and just how we like it. (AS)

Highasakite and Faces On Film
Sunday, May 18 at Black Cat Backstage, $12

Admittedly, most of the Norwegian acts I follow are metal bands, but Highasakite is a bright and bouncy exception. The indie-pop quintet gained a nod of approval from both tastemakers Pitchfork and Bon Iver at the 2012 Øya Festival, but the group’s newest album Silent Treatment shows that it’s not just a buzz band with no substance. There’s plenty of nuance in the band’s instrumental textures, but the real spotlight is on frontwoman Ingrid Helene Håvik, whose pronunciation adds to the band’s captivating feel—and who can somehow make the words “Darth Vader” sound both charming and seductive. Opening the show is Boston’s Faces On Film. (CPL)

Alice Despard Group: Farewell D.C. show with Marshall Keith and Sri Baba Marley Jones
Sunday, May 18 at Galaxy Hut, $5

Clarendon hasn’t always looked as trendy as it does now, but it’s (almost) always had the Galaxy Hut, the dive bar and local music venue that opened there in 1990. Singer-songwriter Alice Despard operated the space until 2005, when she sold it to longtime bartender (and half of the duo Aerialist) Lary Hoffman. Despard and her husband are now moving out of the area, so it’s fitting for her to say farewell to D.C. in the bar where she booked bands like Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Low for all those years. (CPL)

Solstafir and Junius
Monday, May 19 at Empire, $12 to $15

Quick, name a band from Iceland besides Sigur Ros and The Sugarcubes. Stumped? Check out Solstafir to broaden your Icelandic horizons: The Reykjavik-based folk/progressive metal band is in the U.S. for a brief tour leading up to next weekend’s Maryland Deathfest. They’ll be joined on tour by Boston post-rock band Junius, who doesn’t hide its love for the Cure. (CPL)

Unholy Grave, War Master, D.O.C., Bestial Evil
Wednesday, May 21 at Union Arts, $10

This show’s Facebook event page isn’t kidding with the advertisement: “fast bands, over quickly!” These grindcore bands will fly through their sets, so don’t show up on punk time or you just might miss longstanding Japanese grind band Unholy Grave, who formed in the early 1990s but hasn’t been to D.C. in almost a decade. (They’ve kept busy, though, if their lengthy list of split 7-inches is any indication). They’ll be performing with the Bolt Thrower-influenced Texas band War Master, D.C. grindcore band D.O.C., and new Baltimore death/thrash band Bestial Evil. (CPL)

Also recommended this week:

The Chuck Brown Band at Howard Theatre (Friday); DTMD and Redline Graffiti: Luce Unplugged at the American Art Museum (Friday); Melanie Fiona and Black Alley at Howard Theatre (Sunday); Deer Tick at Black Cat (Tuesday [sold out] and Wednesday).

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.

Redline Graffiti
Friday, May 9 at the Hill Center, $10 to $15

Washington Post pop-music critic Chris Richards has an ongoing series at the Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital called District Sounds, featuring an interview and performance with a local band. May’s installment features electro-rock quartet Redline Graffiti, a chillwave-influenced electronica project that just released a new EP, The Drill. (Catherine P. Lewis)

The Haxan Cloak
Friday, May 9 at U Street Music Hall, $15

I don’t tend to associate Friday nights with cavernous dronescapes, but that’s what’s in store for attendees at tomorrow night’s Haxan Cloak show at U Street Music Hall. U.K.-based artist Bobby Krlic is behind the moniker, and last year released Excavation, the latest LP from his blackened drone project. There’s little glee to be found on the record; on the contrary, it produces an enveloping feeling of loss and helplessness, with moments of heinous beauty. In the right state of mind, The Haxan Cloak can be, somehow, cleansing. (Ally Schweitzer)

Side Yards at the Yards: U.S. Royalty, Shark Week, Drop Electric
Saturday, May 10 at the Yards, free

Sometimes music alone isn’t enough, and the evening party Side Yards at the Yards has you covered: In addition to the Bluejacket beer garden, there will be three stages of sideshow performers, from contortionists and jugglers to fire breathers and sword swallowers. If all that is too boring, then there are still three local rock bands performing: U.S. Royalty, Shark Week and Drop Electric. (CPL)

Protect-U, Peaking Lights Sound System, Maxmillion Dunbar
Saturday, May 10 at Comet Ping Pong, $12

I won’t write anything fawning about two of the acts on this bill—having been friends with them for years—but I will say that this is a record-release show for (my pals) Protect-U, a local electronic duo that tends to play partially improvised, exploratory sets with an ear for abstract house and techno. Joining them is DJ and producer Maxmillion Dunbar (another pal), as well as (not a pal) Aaron Coyes from the great dubby twosome Peaking Lights, whose gorgeous song “Beautiful Son” (from 2012’s Lucifer) still ranks among the best of label Mexican Summer. (AS)

Young Rapids, Big Hush, The Sea Life, The Effects
Saturday, May 10 at Rock & Roll Hotel, $12

D.C. alt-rock band Young Rapids has been a staple of the local music scene for the past few years, performing all around town at venues ranging from the Paperhaus and the Dunes to Comet Ping Pong and the 9:30 Club. But this will be that group’s final show. For this finale, they’ve put together a solid lineup of other great local rock: Big Hush, The Sea Life, and the debut of The Effects (featuring Devin Ocampo from Medications, Matt Dowling from Deleted Scenes and David Rich from Buildings). (CPL)

Cognitive, Palkoski, Existentium
Sunday, May 11 at the Lab, $8 to $10

If you’re taking your mom out to celebrate Mother’s Day, it should probably not be to this show, unless she’s a big death-metal fan: Cognitive is a relatively new tech-death-metal band from New Jersey with a new full-length album out this year. They’ll be joined by two solid locals: grindcore band Palkoski and Baltimore death metal band Existentium. Bring earplugs, but leave the booze at home—the Lab is a dry DIY space. (CPL)

Maimouna Youssef
Wednesday, May 14 at Howard Theatre, $13 to $17.50

Local singer and rapper Maimouna Youssef has been on a roll lately, flipping radio-pop tunes into sharp social commentary. Her new track “Student Loans”—premiered today on this website—transforms Rihanna’s far-from-transgressive hit “Pour It Up” into a critical track about crushing debt. Her new project comes out next Tuesday, and the following night, she plays a release show at Howard Theatre. (AS)

Listen to “Student Loans” here.

Amen Dunes and Amos Piper
Wednesday, May 14 at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, $10 to $12

There’s a lot to love on Love, the forthcoming album (now streaming at Pitchfork) from psych-folk artist Amen Dunes (Damon McMahon). My favorite cut is “Lilac In Hand,” a simple, hypnotic tune from the experiment-prone songwriter who almost quit making music entirely. Give it a listen and you may be thankful he didn’t put down his guitar. (AS)

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.

Megafaun and Grandma Sparrow
Thursday, May 1 at DC9, $14

Before Justin Vernon recorded as Bon Iver, he was in a Wisconsin indie-rock band called DeYarmond Edison. Vernon’s three former DeYarmond Edison bandmates, now based in Durham, North Carolina, are the psychedelic rock band Megafaun. Merging vocals reminiscent of Fleet Foxes with off-kilter instrumentation and a lo-fi aesthetic, the trio might not be quite as famous as their former bandmate, but Megafaun’s folk/post-rock style is well worth hearing. Opening the show is the psychedelic Grandma Sparrow.

Nakatani Gong Orchestra
Friday, May 2 at tBack Alley Theater, $12

Friday, acoustic sound artist Tatsuya Nakatani leads a group of 11 local musicians in a large gong ensemble. These instruments, both bowed and struck with mallets, produce a sound both melodic and percussive; Nakatani’s last visit to D.C. saw him performing at the Kennedy Center, so the DIY feel of the Back Alley Theater will give this ensemble quite a different feel. Preceding the ensemble performance, Nakatani will perform a solo percussion set.

The Whigs and Nikki Lane
Friday, May 2 at Rock & Roll Hotel, $15

Athens-based garage rock band The Whigs blend their noisy riffs with some serious pop-influenced hooks—not surprising influences for a band that’s toured with acts ranging from Kings of Leon to Band of Skulls. The fuzz and distortion that permeates their music is perfect for a sweaty Friday night. Opener Nikki Lane has a distinct country point of view; her sassy twang is reminiscent of early Neko Case.

The Funk Parade
Saturday, May 3 on U Street NW; free

Coordinated by the folks behind Listen Local First, the inaugural Funk Parade is an all-day street festival with a participatory parade (from their web site: “Get up, get into it, get involved!”), dance performances and workshops. At night, the funk moves into many of U Street’s top music venues—DC9, Tropicalia,  U Street Music Hall, Patty Boom Boom, and Twins Jazz, among others—with free-admission performances by performers including Cheick Hamala Diabate, Elikeh, and Sugar Bear and EU.

Kohoutek, Taiwan Housing Project, Tulsa
Sunday, May 4 at Velvet Lounge, $8

Kohoutek used to be a D.C.-based band, and the group’s drummer, Scott Verrastro, regularly put on DIY shows at his home on Florida Avenue NW. Those days have passed now that Verrastro has moved to Philadelphia, so Kohoutek’s improvised psych-noise shows in the District are a much rarer occurrence than they used to be. Verrastro still knows how to put together a killer lineup, though: joining Kohoutek are Taiwan Housing Project (a collaboration between Kilynn Lunsford of Little Claw and Mark Feehan of Harry Pussy) and Tulsa, a band featuring members of the psych-shoegaze band Dark Sea Dream.

Jessy Lanza, Ricky Eat Acid
Monday, May 5 at Black Cat Backstage, $12

This week Stereogum declared that R&B-tinged electronic music—inescapable for the last three years—had reached its saturation point. I can’t disagree, but I’m not quite ready to take Jessy Lanza’s electronic-meets-R&B album “Pull My Hair Back” out of my headphones. The whispery Canadian vocalist and producer is too good at earworms. A live video she recently recorded for KCRW is entrancing, particularly her deft performance of “Keep Moving,” a highlight from “Pull My Hair Back” (and my running playlist). Monday night, she’s supported by College Park, Maryland’s own Ricky Eat Acid. (Ally Schweitzer)

Also recommended this week:
Heavy Metal Night at Port City Brewing and Foul Swoops, Flesh Panthers, and Neonates at The Dougout (tonight); Typefighter, Shark Week, Sunset Guns, and Teen Mom at Rock & Roll Hotel (Saturday); A Minor Forest and Two Inch Astronaut at DC9 (Sunday); The Dead Women and Nice Breeze at Galaxy Hut (Monday).

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.

Acid Mothers Temple and Perhaps
Thursday, April 24 at DC9, $10

Acid Mothers Temple is a Japanese psychedelic band formed in 1995 whose lineup—beyond core guitarist Kawabata Makoto—changes regularly. In the studio, the band seems to don a new name for every slight lineup shift (Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O., Acid Mothers Guru Guru Gong, Acid Mothers Temple & the Cosmic Inferno, and so on); live, they perform just as “Acid Mothers Temple.” They’ll be joined by Boston’s experimental collective Perhaps.

Avey Tare’s Slasher Flicks, Dustin Wong, Co La, Geologist
Friday, April 25 at U Street Music Hall (early), $15

Don’t be fooled by the name: Animal Collective’s Avey Tare isn’t writing horror soundtracks with his new project Slasher Flicks. The group (a collaboration with Angel Deradoorian of Dirty Projectors and Ponytail’s Jeremy Hyman) bears a strong resemblance to Animal Collective—albeit a little more stripped down—and with AC’s Geologist DJing, it might just feel like a mini-Animal Collective show. Also performing are Ponytail’s Dustin Wong (watch our recent video of his show at Black Cat) and Baltimore’s Co La.

Lo-Fang, Kate Berlant
Saturday, April 26 at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, $15-$18

A former D.C.-area resident, Lo-Fang‘s mastermind Matthew Hemerlein now lives in Los Angeles—and just wrapped up a tour opening for Lorde. He’s swinging back through town on his own headlining tour in celebration of his debut album, “Blue Film.” Hemerlein is classically trained and performed all the instruments on his album, switching seamlessly from cello to piano to banjo, all while singing in a soft voice reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens. Opening this show is not another reformed folkie, but instead a comedian: Kate Berlant.

They Might Be Giants
Saturday, April 26 at Walter E. Washington Convention Center, free (two shows: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.)

For those who think that a science and engineering festival might be a little dry, They Might Be Giants is here to spice things up. Seriously: The alternative band (who often dabbles in children’s music) is performing two shows at the USA Science & Engineering Festival this Saturday, and since the entire event is free, these shows are, too. Come for the tunes, and then poke around the fest for a little math and science learning—everything from hands-on experiments to a lecture by Hollywood stuntman Steve Wolf.

Woods, Quilt
Saturday, April 26 at the Rock & Roll Hotel, $12

Brooklyn’s Woods are an experimental indie-folk outfit that bury beautiful, catchy melodies beneath their noisy instrumental effects. If this is what campfire music sounds like for the hipster crowd, then a weekend in a tent without running water wouldn’t be so bad. Woods is performing with Boston experimental indie-folk band Quilt, which formed when its members were students at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.

Jowe Head and The Fleeting Glimpses, Foul Swoops, Luke Reddick, and DJ Paul Krolian
Thursday, April 17 at CD Cellar, by donation

British musician Jowe Head is best known for his time in the Brit noise-pop band Swell Maps in the 1970s and then the indie-pop band Television Personalities in the 1980s. He’ll be opening for the legendary Loop in Baltimore Friday night, but we’re exceedingly lucky to have him play a special D.C.-area show on Thursday night with a backing band of D.C. musicians called The Fleeting Glimpses, featuring members of The Plums, Harness Flux, and America Hearts. Joining Jowe Head at this show are the energetic Foul Swoops and Luke Reddick from Dudes and Post-Nasal Drip.

Kill Lincoln, Boardroom Heroes, Still Alive, Collapser
Friday, April 18 at Rock & Roll Hotel, $12

Ska-punk band Kill Lincoln certainly keeps busy: the local septet plays regularly around town, and this show is the kickoff for a national tour. They promise to play a bunch of new songs at this show, where they’ll play alongside D.C. pop-punk band Boardroom Heroes, Chicago ska band Still Alive, and local punks Collapser.

Warning: This song includes explicit lyrics.

Black Panties, The Sniffs, Radiator Greys
Friday, April 18 at the Pinch, $7

It’s always fun to see a show at a dive bar with good food: wander upstairs between bands for the Pinch’s famous duck fries and a beer. Head downstairs to see St. Louis garage-punkers Black Panties, D.C. pop-punk band The Sniffs, and Radiator Greys, atmospheric noise from Select DC’s Josh Levi.

Warning: This song includes explicit lyrics.

Broccoli City Festival
Saturday, April 19 at St. Elizabeths Gateway Pavilion, $29 to $45

I’m not clear on why chicken and waffles and lobster rolls are being sold at a festival that’s supposed to be about healthy living, but setting that aside, the ostensibly eco-friendly fest Broccoli City is a fine place to catch big names in hip-hop (including Cam’ron, whose trip to D.C. will hopefully go better than his time here in 2005, when he was shot three times) alongside up-and-coming acts with local roots, like R&B artist Kelela and Virginia MC GoldLink. Go for the fresh rhymes, stay for the fresh juices. (Ally Schweitzer)

Cloud Cult
Saturday, April 19 at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, $18 to $20

Experimental indie rockers Cloud Cult hail from Duluth, Minn. (fun fact: also the birthplace of Bob Dylan and the home of slo-core rockers Low). The eight-member band features string players, horn players, and a visual artist (!), and this “An Evening with…” show will feature two full sets of the band’s music, one acoustic and one electric—so expect a wide breadth of songs from the group’s two-decade career.

Andrew W.K., Adam Warrock, Rare Candy
Saturday, April 19 at Black Cat, $20

D.C.’s new comic-con Awesome Con is this weekend, but you don’t have to be into comics to enjoy this after-show, featuring performances by Andrew W.K., “overly enthusiastic hip-hop” artist Adam WarRock, and Baltimore’s synth-rock video-game tribute band Rare Candy. Note that AWK will also be giving a lecture at the Con, as well as signing autographs—hopefully slightly more engaging than his last area appearance, when he DJed rock songs before Black Sabbath’s show last summer.

The Pietasters, Caz and the Day Laborers
Saturday, April 19 at DC Brau, $12

Shows at bars can be great, but a show at a brewery means you’re getting beer right from the source. DC Brau celebrated its third anniversary this week, and the party continues with a performance by D.C. ska band The Pietasters and rocksteady group Caz and the Day Laborers. Last year, the Brau collaborated with Colorado’s Ska Brewing on a Pietasters beer called the Tasters Choice, a coffee doppelbock. DC Brau hasn’t said publicly whether they’ll be brewing more of the Tasters Choice, but we wouldn’t be surprised if they brought out a special batch of it for this show.

Pentagram, Satan’s Satyrs, Coke Bust, Unholy Thoughts
Saturday, April 19 at the Mary Graydon Center at American University, $20

Doom-metal legends Pentagram are playing their first show in the District proper since their infamous 2005 Black Cat show where vocalist Bobby Liebling overdosed backstage and collapsed during the band’s first song. Liebling has appeared to be a little more under control at recent shows (although he does wear some ridiculous shirts on stage). Also performing are the blues-rock inspired Satan’s Satyrs, hardcore punks Coke Bust, and Richmond’s hardcore Unholy Thoughts. Note that American University is a dry campus, so no drinking or smoking at this show.

Omar S, Chris Burns, R&B
Sunday, April 20 at Dirty Bar, $13 in advance

Detroit producer Omar S has made his FXHE imprint one of the best American dance labels out there, and he’s done that while remaining somewhat isolationist and stubbornly attached to doing things his way. If that state of mind is what keeps producing records as great as 2011’s “It Can Be Done But Only I Can Do It“—a killer, if occasionally X-rated encapsulation of his warehouse-ready sound—well, stay grumpy forever, Omar S. (Ally Schweitzer)

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.

Damaged City Fest
Thursday, April 10 to Sunday, April 13 at the Dougout, St. Stephen’s Church, The Pinch, and Dance Institute of Washington

The Damaged City Fest, D.C.’s DIY punk extravaganza, returns for its second year this weekend, boasting a jam-packed lineup at St. Stephen’s in Columbia Heights on Friday night and all day Saturday, plus a pre-show tonight at The Dougout, after-shows at the Pinch and a Sunday matinee at the Dance Institute of Washington. The lineup is insanely packed, from California powerviolence pioneers Infest to D.C.’s Priests and Give, but the real draw—especially for locals—is a reunion of Government Issue‘s 1980 lineup, featuring John Stabb, Jon Barry, and Brian Gay, performing early demos and the “Legless Bull” EP. Presales are now all sold out, but there will be a few tickets available at the door (tip: get there early!).

Title Tracks, Passing Phases, Cane & the Sticks
Friday, April 11 at Comet Ping Pong, $10-plus donation

After the passing of Windian Records founder Travis Jackson in January, there have been a number of benefit shows for his wife and 1-year-old son. This is another (so donate freely at the door!), featuring John Davis’ power-pop project Title Tracks, pop-punkers Passing Phases, and fuzzy rockers Cane & the Sticks.

Vanguard Festival
Saturday, April 12 at Union Arts, $20

Put on by the noise-embracing collective Select DC, the inaugural Vanguard Festival brings together artists, producers and DJs to showcase “outstanding explorations, tastes, and talent.” Highlights include electronics guru John Wiese (who in addition to his own projects has also toured with Sunn O))) and performed with Wolf Eyes), Earcave/Peoples Potential Unlimited founder Andrew Morgan (who put together this exclusive mix for Bandwidth), ex-Black Eyes member Ital, and local electronic duo Protect-U.

Tereu Tereu, J. Flax & the Heart Attacks, Mattress Financial
Saturday, April 12 at the Beehive, by donation

If you missed Tereu Tereu‘s headlining show at the Black Cat a few months ago, here’s your chance to see this offbeat rock band play a much more intimate venue. Also performing are Norfolk surf-punkers J. Flax & the Heart Attacks and a Two Inch Astronaut solo project called Mattress Financial.

Over N Out, The Oddities, Threads, Arkestry
Saturday, April 12 at the Electric Maid, $5

Despite having a fairly active concert calendar, the Electric Maid always seems to slip under the radar. Reacquaint yourself with the Takoma Park space for this pop-punk/emo/hardcore lineup featuring Baltimore’s Over N Out, D.C.’s The Oddities, West Virginia’s The Threads, and D.C.’s Arkestry.

GoldLink and Lakim
Saturday, April 12 at U Street Music Hall, $15

Who is GoldLink? While the Virginia-based MC has released a string of increasingly promising recordings—culminating recently with his new EP “The God Complex”—he’s remained anonymous. In a recent interview with Bandwidth, the “future bounce” artist wouldn’t divulge his plans for Saturday’s release show, which you’d think would involve donning a mask à la MF Doom. Then again, maybe this will mark the first time he lets fans see behind the veil. (Ally Schweitzer)

Warning: This track contains explicit lyrics.

Carcass, The Black Dahlia Murder, Gorguts, Noisem and Coke Bust
Sunday, April 13 at The Fillmore Silver Spring, $26.50

This tour, sponsored by Decibel Magazine, puts together two death-metal bands who released comeback albums last year: Carcass, whose “Surgical Steel” was the group’s first album in 17 years, and Canada’s Gorguts, whose excellent “Colored Sands” broke the group’s 12-year silence. Michigan melodic death-metal band The Black Dahlia Murder and Baltimore’s death/thrash youngsters Noisem are also along for the ride. As an added bonus, if you don’t get enough Coke Bust at the Damaged City after-party Friday at the Pinch, this is your chance to see them again on a significantly larger stage.

Beds, Sellout Youth, Curse Words
Wednesday, April 16 at CD Cellar Arlington, by donation

Shows at a record store are always awesome because you have time to browse between bands. This show is a benefit for the DIY festival Fest Too, happening in June at the Lab in Alexandria, and the bands performing are Sterling, Va., emo-punk outfit Beds (who are apparently basketball fans, given that one track on their “Michael Jordan” EP is called “Dunking on Patrick Ewing”), Alexandria’s garagey Sellout Youth and D.C. punks Curse Words.

Cloud Nothings, Ryley Walker
Wednesday, April 16 at Black Cat, $15

Cloud Nothings’ “I’m Not Part Of Me” is one of this year’s catchiest rock anthems. But instead of sticking it on the A side, the band made it the final track on its recent third album, “Here and Nowhere Else” (out now on D.C.’s own Carpark Records). Getting there is no slog—the album is full of good cuts—but once you’re there, you’ll probably understand why they made you wait. (Ally Schweitzer)

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.

Stranger in the Alps, Aaron Tinjum and the Tangents, and The Low Bends
Friday, April 4 at the Velvet Lounge, $8

Local indie-folk act Stranger in the Alps released its debut album in December and has been playing in DIY spaces since then—until now. I’m not clear on whether this will be a solo performance or if main man Steve Kolowich will have guests recreating the album’s rich harmonies, but either way, these downtempo tunes are just the right speed for a Friday night after a long week. This is an all-D.C. bill with singer-songwriter Aaron Tinjum and the Tangents and Americana band The Low Bends.

Cigarette, Margy Pepper, and Olivia Neutron-John
Friday, April 4 at Paper Sun, donations accepted

D.C. ambient shoegaze quintet Cigarette embraces the area’s DIY spaces, and this is another one: Catch the band’s ethereal tunes at this Columbia Heights house, along with Olympia noise-pop trio Margy Pepper and D.C. bedroom-pop act act Olivia Neutron-John (yes, it’s my favorite local band name, too).

Lazapalooza: The Bills and Brews Craft Beer and Band Fest
Saturday, April 5 at Union Arts, $35

Get a jump-start on the upcoming festival season with this all-day fest that joins local tunes and local beer as a benefit for reporter Matt Laslo’s “Bills and Brews” Web series. The ticket price includes all-you-can-drink local craft brews (while supplies last, of course) from your favorite locals: 3 Stars, Bluejacket, Chocolate City, DC Brau, Devils Backbone, Heavy Seas, and Flying Dog. If unlimited booze isn’t enough enticement, there’s also a solid music lineup of U.S. Royalty, Pree, Paperhaus (acoustic set), Marian McLaughlin, Beyond Modern, Margot MacDonald, Laughing Man, and The North Country, with DJ sets by Brett and Ra Ra Rasputin.

Cavale, JoyCut, Pleasure Curses, Furniteur
Saturday, April 5 at the Dunes, $10

Cavale calls itself post-punk, but the D.C. duo’s fusion of electronic beats and eerie vocals sounds more like uptempo trip-hop. Devise your own description at the pair’s debut-album release show, which also features Italy’s darkwave electronic duo JoyCut, D.C. synthpoppers Pleasure Curses, and the first show from Furniteur, the new pop collaboration between Brett and artist Brittany Sims.

David Klinger
Sunday, April 6 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, free

Luce Unplugged is a concert series that pairs musicians with art: They select some pieces from the museum’s collection and perform after a staff-led talk about those pieces. This week’s performer (note the 1:30 p.m. start time!) is David Klinger of the experimental indie band Frau Eva, which is currently on indefinite hiatus.

All That Remains, Darkest Hour, Wilson
Wednesday, April 9 at the 9:30 Club, $20

If you’re wondering which one of these shows is not like any of the others, you’ve found it. Massachusetts metal band All That Remains has its own followers, but I’d like to highlight opener Darkest Hour, a local metalcore outfit that formed in our Virginia suburbs in the mid-’90s. The quintet has definitely worked its way up over the years, and it’s great to see them on the big stage on a national tour. Catch them here, because their next area stop is at Jiffy Lube Live for Mayhem Fest in August, where they’ll be sharing the stage with Ice-T’s metal project Body Count (I’m not joking).

D.C. Music Salon: DC Jazz, Deeper than Duke
Wednesday, April 9 at Shaw Library, free

Hankering for a music event that won’t require earplugs? This is for you. For this edition of the D.C. Music Salon, WPFW DJ and jazz scholar Rusty Hassan will show an excerpt from the documentary “7th & T” and discuss D.C.’s rich jazz history beyond Duke Ellington, touching on national musicians (Charlie Byrd, Billy Taylor, Frank Wess) as well as lesser-known locals and the clubs they played in.

These and other show listings can be found on ShowListDC.