district beat

wherein I keep you on top of music coming to and out of DC

[districtbeat]

THE WEEK AHEAD 5/5

Live

Monday I think you should go to this because this band says what the darkest, deepest reaches of your brain are thinking: Margot & the Nuclear So & So's w/ Empires and Kate Myers, Rock & Roll Hotel, 7 p.m. doors, $15

Avant-garde folk: The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger w/ Jeffrey Lewis, U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15

Alt-rock/post-punk: The Dead Women and Nice Breeze, Galaxy Hut, 9 p.m., $5

Metal DJ night (yup): Heavy Metal Mondays, Satellite Room, 9 p.m., FREE

R&B with an electronic touch: Jessy Lanza w/ Ricky Eat Acid, Black Cat backstage, 8 p.m. doors, $12

In which the frontman of Foo Fighters hosts a party: Big Tony's Birthday Celebration hosted by Dave Grohl ft. Trouble Funk + more, 9:30 Club, 8 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT

Tuesday Folk takes a synth turn: Wye Oak w/ Braids, 9:30 Club, 7 p.m. doors, $22

Garage rock: Leopold and His Fiction w/ Sunwolf, DC9, 8:30 p.m. doors, $10

Wednesday I think you should go to this because you should get into post-rock: Mogwai w/ Majeure, 9:30 Club, 10 p.m., $25

Or this, because there are some killer tracks on his debut: SOHN w/ Mr. Little Jeans, Rock & Roll Hotel, 7 p.m. doors, $13

Indietronica: Jumpcuts w/ WhoaBear and Maryjo Mattea, Velvet Lounge, 7:30 p.m. doors, $8 DOS

Mostly local guitar-driven folk: Marisa Anderson, Marian McLaughlin, and Alex Tebeleff, Bathtub Republic (3119 11th St. NW), 7:30 p.m., donations por favor

British alt-rock: Blood Red Shoes w/ Radkey, DC9, 8:30 p.m. doors, $12

Rock with an Americana flare: Animal Years w/ Wild Adriatic and The Higher Concept, Black Cat backstage, 8 p.m. doors, $10

Folk: Stu Larsen w/ Adam Burrows, U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15

Israeli songstress: NOA, Howard Theatre, 6 p.m. doors, $25-$45

Sold-out soft rock: HAIM w/ Shy Girls (Wednesday and Thursday), 9:30 Club, 6/7 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT

Thursday HOLY SHIT GO TO THIS ALL OF YOU: The Dillinger Escape Plan w/ Tera Melos, Vattnet Viskar, and Black Clouds, Rock & Roll Hotel, 6:30 p.m. doors, $10 DOS

Or go to this if you prefer synthpop to metal: Haerts w/ X Ambassadors, U Street Music Hall, 8 p.m., $12 ADV/$15 DOS

The French Elvis, basically: Jonny Hallyday, Lincoln Theatre, 6:30 p.m. doors, $55

Indie/acoustic: Matt Pryor (of The Get Up Kids) w/ Blue of Colors and Wanted Man, DC9, 7:30 p.m. doors, $12

Dance, Dance

Monday Latin reggae + cantina opening + Cinco De Mayo: KICKOMAN, Impala Cantina (1358 H St. NE), 7 p.m., FREE

As always: S.I.N. (Service Industry Night) ft. DJ Earic Patten, DC9, 8 p.m., $5 (FREE before 10)

Wednesday Alt-80s dance night: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Little Miss Whiskey's, 9 p.m., FREE

[districtbeat]

JUST ANNOUNCED FROM 9:30/I.M.P.

Thursday, June 5: Washed Out w/ Wunder Wunder @ 9:30 (chill/trip-hop)

Tuesday, June 10: People Under the Stairs @ UHall (hip-hop)

Saturday, June 14: tUnE-yArDs w/ Sylvan Esso @ 9:30 (second night added)

Saturday, June 28: No Scrubs ft. DJs Will Eastman and Brian Billion @ 9:30 ('90s dance party)

Thursday, July 24: Flume @ 9:30 (venue change; was at UHall)

Friday, July 25: The Antlers @ 9:30 (lush indie rock)

Sept. 29: Bryan Ferry @ Lincoln (second night added)

[districtbeat]

WEEKEND PLANNER 5/2

In which I don't even try to list all of the cool stuff happening for Funk Parade. Check it out via DCist. AGAIN: FUNK PARADE SHOWS ARE NOT LISTED BELOW BECAUSE THIS POST WOULD BE FIVE MILES LONG. 

Live

Friday Aimee Mann and Ted Leo got together and made: The Both w/ Nick Diamonds of Islands, 9:30 Club, 8 p.m. doors, $20

Dreamy synthpop: Broods w/ Meg Myers, U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15

Eleven gongs on one stage (seriously): Nakatani Gong Orchestra, Back Alley Theater, 7 p.m. doors, $10 ADV/$12 DOS

This is pretty fucking amazing if you think about it: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Artisphere, 8 p.m., $25

Local groove rock: Spanish Noir w/ Round About and South Rail, Velvet Lounge, 9 p.m. doors, $8 DOS

Garage rock: The Whigs w/ Nikki Lane, Rock & Roll Hotel, 8 p.m. doors, $15

Retro indie rock: Smartbomb w/ Erik Weinberg, IOTA Club, 9 p.m., $12

Indie pop: Bad Veins w/ Ghost Hotel, DC9, 6:30 p.m. doors, $10

Saturday Local garage/fuzz pop: Typefighter w/ Shark Week, Sunset Guns, and Teen Mom, Rock & Roll Hotel, 7 p.m. doors, $12

Indie rock: Matt Pond PA w/ The Lighthouse & The Whaler and Dot Dash, Black Cat mainstage, 9 p.m. doors, $15

More indie rock, but from Canada: The New Mendicants w/ Skylar Gudasz, IOTA Club, 9 p.m., $15

Rootsy folk: Sean Hayes w/ Deer Creek, Sixth & I, 7 p.m. doors, $18 ADV/$20 DOS

A Tool tribute show: Wild Eyes w/ Cyrenic, Scott Lester and What Army and others, Fillmore Silver Spring, 7:15 p.m., $10

Local blues and roots rock: Stereosleep w/ Big Country Express and Jackknife Sympathy, Velvet Lounge, 9 p.m. doors, $8 DOS

Funky stuff off of U Street: Redline Graffiti, Go Cozy, and DJ AYESCOLD, Union Arts, 8 p.m., $15

RiYL festivals and radio music: DC 101 Kerfuffle ft. 311, SOJA, Cage the Elephant, and others, Merriweather Post Pavilion, 1:30 p.m., $40-$75

Both nights of this sold out very quickly: Nickel Creek w/ The Secret Sisters (Saturday and Sunday), 9:30 Club, 8/7 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT

Sunday Local chamber pop and rock: Teething Veils, Frankie & Betty, and The Red Fetish, The Pinch, 4 p.m., $6 DOS

Women for women: We Rock So Girls Rock! ft. lots of female artists, U Street Music Hall, 6 p.m., $20 ADV/$25 DOS

Touring againnnnnn: A Minor Forest w/ Two Inch Astronaut (math rock/loud), DC9, 8:30 p.m. doors, $14

Psych and noise: Kohoutek w/ Taiwan Housing Project and Tulsa, Velvet Lounge, 7:30 p.m. doors, $8 DOS

Heavy metal: Black Label Society w/ Devil You Know and Down, Fillmore Silver Spring, 7:30 p.m., $35

Doom/stoner metal: Floor w/ Hot Victory and Darsombra, Rock & Roll Hotel, 7 p.m. doors, $14

Experimental jazz: Trio OOO and Andrew Barker/Michael Foster Duo, CD Cellar, 4 p.m., $8 suggested donation

Prog rock/groove: Happy Body Slow Brain, Gavin Castleton, Exit Salida, and No Stranger, Tree House Lounge, 7 p.m., $8 DOS

British singer/songwriter: David Ford w/ Jarrod Dickenson, IOTA Club, 8 p.m., $15

Dance, Dance

Friday Techno: Divergence ft. Symmetrical, Darius Twin, and DJ Octane, Backbar, 11 p.m., $5

Funk-influenced techno: Sety w/ DAVI and Raffi, Flash, 10 p.m., $12 (FREE before 11)

Eastern music to get you moving: OTTOMANIA ft. DJ BEATrix, Inda Nile, and DJ Anjali and the Incredible Kid, Zeba Bar, 10 p.m., FREE

Groovy deep house: Walker & Royce w/ Alamont, Charles Martin, and Jus Nowhere, U Street Music Hall, 10 p.m., $10 (FREE before midnight for 21+)

Grooves of the Latin variety: Bio Ritmo w/ DJ Crown Vic, Tropicalia, 8 p.m. doors, $10 DOS

'80s and '90s jams: Tainted Love, Dunya, 9 p.m., FREE

Party party party: CLSTRFCK ft. DJs BillyDoll and LanceDontDance, Rock & Roll Hotel (2nd floor), 9:30 p.m., FREE

Saturday House from Germany: Tensnake w/ Ray Casil and Man & Woman, U Street Music Hall, 10 p.m., $10 (FREE before 11 for 21+)

Trap/moombah/heavy bass: Backbar (Trapped in the Basement) ft. Dopethrown, DJ Syck Turtle, and Daed Digital, Backbar, 11 p.m., $5

A no-pants, Kentucky Derby-themed dance party: Pants Off Dance Off ft. DJs Shea Van Horn and Devon Trotter, DC9, 11 p.m., $5

Big deal at the backstage: Rich Morel's Hot Sauce, Black Cat backstage, 10 p.m., $8 DOS

M.I.A. collaborator and club wizard: BLAQSTARR w/ Ozker, Mista Selecta, and Shawn Smallwood, The Lodge at Red Rocks, 9 p.m., FREE

Club night: Pop Off ft. Micah Vellian, Rock & Roll Hotel (2nd floor), 8:30 p.m., FREE

Straight from Amsterdam: Dance Spirit, Nuno Dos Santos, Justin Bright, and Edo, Flash, 10 p.m., $8

As always: DJs Rex Riot and Basscamp, Rock & Roll Hotel, 11:30 p.m., FREE

[districtbeat]

JUST ANNOUNCED FROM ROCK & ROLL HOTEL

Wednesday, June 25: Peter Matthew Bauer (of The Walkmen)

Saturday, June 28: Circa Survive (post-hardcore)

Thursday, July 3: Fucked Up (punk)

Wednesday, July 9: Avers (spawn of Head and the Heart; psych-ier)

[districtbeat]

JUST ANNOUNCED FROM THE BLACK CAT

Friday, June 6: Booty Rex Pride Party @ BOTH FLOORS (yeahhhh)

Monday, June 9: My Gold Mask @ the backstage (garage rock-ish)

Monday, June 16: Asgeir @ the backstage (Icelandic dream pop)

Tuesday, June 17: Painted Palms w/ Saint Pepsi @ the backstage (sunny psych)

Wednesday, June 18: Tweens @ the backstage (garage-y pop)

Thursday, June 19: Gemini Club w/ The Griswolds and Speak @ the backstage (indie dance)

Monday, June 23: Wreckless Eric @ the backstage (rock is as simple as I can get)

Wednesday, June 25: Old Man Canyon w/ The Modern Electric @ the backstage (folk)

Monday, June 30: Pattern is Movement @ the backstage (indie rock)

Tuesday, Sept. 9: Mineral w/ Into It. Over It. @ the mainstage (emo, the real kind)

Saturday, Sept. 27: Pomplamoose @ the mainstage (literally everything)

[districtbeat]

JUST ANNOUNCED FROM U STREET MUSIC HALL

Thursday, May 15: Compa, Asylum, and Kursk (dubstep/D&B)

Saturday, June 7: J. Phlip w/ Kill Frenzy (house/booty house)

Friday, June 20: Lee Foss w/ El_Txef_A (underground house/techno)

Thursday, June 26: Goldroom (synthpop)

Friday, June 27: Miguel Migs (soulful electronics)

[districtbeat]

Venue Guide: Rock & Roll Hotel

R&R is a love or hate sort of venue. People who hate it complain about the sound system (we'll get to that), the location, and other more minor things. People who love it like the intimacy, the variety of acts, the lack of pretentiousness, and the mac and cheese...or maybe that's just me. Let's move on, shall we?

Disclaimer: Some parts of this are concrete fact, and other parts are based on my personal experiences at the club. Your mileage may vary.

The basics

Address: 1353 H St. NE Via metro: This can get a little complicated, folks, so here are some options:

Feel like walking? Take the red line to Union Station and head east on H Street. It's a solid 15 blocks. 

Live near U StreetAdams Morgan/Columbia Heights/that part of the world? Take the 90 or 92 bus south; both lines stop at H & 8th. 

Live on the Hill? Same idea, except take the 90/92 north. 

Coming from downtown? Catch the X2 in Chinatown; it runs the length of H Street. 

Someday, the streetcar will exist.

And, of course, cabs are always an option. 

Parking: Limited. There are usually some spots on the side streets. Parking south of the venue tends to be safer.  Age limit: All shows are all ages. DJ nights on the second floor are 21+. Dress code: Clothed.

***IMPORTANT CAVEAT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION AND SAFETY: The H Street corridor is getting safer. There are enough people around that you'll be fine on H itself, but be smart on the side streets (speaking as someone who once lived on one of said side streets).***

Tickets

RnR primarily hosts rock, indie, and metal shows with the occasional electro artist thrown into the mix. Tickets are usually between $10 and $20. DJ nights on the second floor are always free, as are the weekly residencies by Rex Riot and Basscamp on the first floor. (Go to these, yo.) 

RnR uses Ticketfly. Fees are a few bucks. You can also buy tickets at the box office whenever the club's open (6 p.m. most nights). 

RnR also hosts "adult" spelling bees, occasional comedy nights, and other neat things. Check it. 

Space

RnR is a three-floor venue. The box office is outside the front door on the left; you'll need to stop by even if you printed your ticket at home to get a stamp. ***This is a fairly recent change, as the box office used to be inside, so heads up if you haven't been in a while. The coat check used to be next to the box office. I'm not sure if it's moved.***

Once inside, the stage is ahead of you through the double doors. On your left is the bar; the sound booth is on your right. Restrooms are past the stage on the right. Be aware that they are very small.

The second floor (up the stairs on the right before you enter the room of tunes) plays host to DJs. The bar is directly in front of you, with booths to your left, merch and a dance floor to your right, and changing rooms for the bands and restrooms for you down the hall on the far right. These are also very small; you will get smacked in the back by the door if you're waiting in line for a stall in the women's restroom. Everyone knows this and tries to be careful. Return the favor.

The third floor is actually a very pleasant, very cozy deck. It's (mostly) covered, and there are space heaters in the winter. There's also another bar up here, which is often the least crowded.

Crowd

With a wide variety of artists gracing the stage, the crowd changes from show to show. In general, though, people are young, energetic, and pretty friendly. They also tend to be music aficionados, since a) as previously mentioned, R&R can be hard to get to, and b) the acts who play here are superb but maybe not household names.

Sold out for an R&R show means sold out. Things will be very tight. If you have a good spot near the front and give it up to use the bathroom, you will not be able to worm your way back in no matter how much you want to. It will be physically impossible. True story. 

Eats & dranks

R&R has a long, diverse beer list. It's not posh, but it's classic and dotted with some really excellent brews. Mixed drinks are small but very boozy. The bartenders are super chill and will eagerly discuss beer with you if they're not too busy. Tip them.

Don't drink? There's a water cooler on each bar.

Food is available at the bar. The menu is short and consists of typical bar fare. It's not bad, and there are a few vegetarian options. Vegans will have a more difficult time. 

Timeline

Doors and the set time for the first band are announced when the show is announced. On weeknights, these are usually 7 and 8, respectively. On weekends, they're 8 and 9. The headliner will finish around 11:30 on weeknights and after midnight on weekends. DJ nights always start at 10 (with the exception of Rex Riot's and Basscamp's residency, which starts at 11:30/whenever the show preceding them is over). Things tend to run more or less on time. 

The sound system...

...gets is own section, because it's the number one complaint people have--namely, that it's not very good.

And let's be realistic: R&R doesn't have the setup of some of the bigger venues in town. The room's acoustics aren't ideal. But that's kind of the point. R&R is trying to transport you to your friend's basement, where the band is five inches away and the sound is lo-fi and blaring. They've just enlarged the space and added a full bar. Having pristine sound in such a venue would be just as jarring as unapologetic, unfiltered noise can be.

This isn't an excuse for levels being off or things like that. Those things happen at all venues from time to time, and it sucks for everyone when they do. Here's the thing, though: don't knock sound unless you've done it yourself. You try to deal with a room that doesn't change and bands that do every single night--or the reverse if it's the band's sound engineer flipping the switches. 

Pro tips

As mentioned, the dressing rooms for the bands are upstairs. Especially with the openers, you're likely to catch them hanging around the merch table if you head up there between sets.

If there's a DJ night happening upstairs, the merch table will be in the main room on the first floor. 

Follow R&R on Twitter for specific set times, low ticket warnings, and the like. They also occasionally give away tickets and vinyl if you retweet things. Do that.

There is no photo barricade at R&R. The photographers appreciate your enthusiasm but do not want to dance and/or mosh with you while carrying thousands of dollars' worth of equipment. Please and thank you.

[districtbeat]

Venue Guide: Black Cat

The Black Cat (particularly the backstage) is probably my favorite venue in town. It's grungy, full of character, and all about the music. (And the burlesque. And the cult TV shows. And a bunch of other awesome ish.) As always, drop me a line if you have tips of your own, and I'll add them in.

Disclaimer: Some parts of this are concrete fact, and other parts are based on my personal experiences at the club. Your mileage may vary.

The basics

Address: 1811 14th St. NW Via Metro: Take the green/yellow line to U Street and get off on the 13th Street side. Go straight from the escalator to the corner (past &pizza), walk a block, and turn left on the 14th. The Black Cat will be on your left in about two and a half blocks. Parking: There are bunch of pay lots in the area; the closest is on 14th between T and U. Age limits: All shows are all ages. Dress code: Good joke.

Tickets

There are two stages at the club. For the mainstage, which hosts major indie/punk/rock acts as well as local big names, expect to pay between $15 and $20. For the backstage, which is more for niche genres, local up-and-comers, and bands you've never heard of much to the dismay of their cult followings, tickets are usually between $10 and $15. 

The Black Cat also hosts regular DJ nights on the weekends. These range from free for smaller nights at the backstage to $10 for the FYM dance parties upstairs (which you should always, always attend). 

The Black Cat uses Ticketfly. Fees are modest--usually a few bucks. You can also buy tickets at the box office when the club is open (8 p.m. most nights; sometimes earlier on show nights).

Space

The Black Cat is a two-floor club. Upon entering, Food for Thought is to your left, the mainstage is up the stairs directly ahead, and the Red Room is to your right. Now, what all of those words mean:

Food for Thought is a cash-only café of awesomeness. It's extremely vegan-friendly. Have a cupcake. 

The Red Room is essentially a dive bar. There are couches, booths, pool, arcade games, a jukebox, and other items of excellence. 

The Red Room is also where you'll find the ATM, which you'll need, as the club is cash-only. The restrooms are on the right before you get to the bar; the women's is tucked away in the corner. 

At the very back, left-hand corner of the Red Room is the door to the backstage. If you're coming to a gig here, you won't show your ticket until you reach this point. 

The backstage is a bit like a basement house venue. There's no barricade between you and the stage. On the left side of the room is a slightly higher platform to stand on, which is useful if you're short. Merch is in the back, as is a free water cooler.

Now let's say you're headed to a mainstage show...

Show your ticket to the friendly guy at the counter by the stairs. He'll give you another ticket, which you give to the guy sitting three feet away. Go with it. 

Here's the layout upstairs: to your left are the coat check and bathrooms. (Tip your coat checker, loves!) To your right are the merch table and a bunch of other tables tucked away in the back if you want to sit down. The room is flanked by bars on either side. And directly ahead of you is the stage. 

Crowd

The acts here vary pretty widely, so the crowd changes from show to show. In general, though, they're a little punkier (that's a word now) than the crowd at 9:30. Depending on the show, they're also a little bit younger or a little bit older. At backstage shows, the crowd tends to move and will sometimes even do so at the mainstage. Props. 

Sold out for a mainstage show means a packed room. Sold out for a backstage show is full but not eff-what-is-my-elbow-touching. Sold-out shows at the backstage are actually quite enjoyable, precisely because there is room to breathe.

Eats & dranks

If you want food, you'll need to go to Food for Thought. The bars don't serve munchies. They do, however, have a solid, no-frills beer list and neat shots/mixed drinks that change with the season. The bartenders are cool people. Tip them.

Don't drink? There are free water coolers on the bar in the mainstage room and one on the merch table at the backstage.

Timeline

Set times are announced via Facebook and Twitter on the day of the show. For a weeknight show, doors are usually at 8 with the first band on at 8:30-ish if there are three bands and 8:45-ish if there are two. The "ish" is important, because I've never been to a show at the Black Cat that ran on time. It'd be pretty disconcerting if a show at a gritty rock club did run on time, but you'll need to watch the clock on weeknights if you're depending on the metro, as encores can sometimes make things tight. (The last train home is at 11:50 or 12:20, depending on which direction you're going.) The headliner usually goes on after 10. 

For a weekend show, doors are at 9, and the headliner will go on around midnight. 

Pro tips

Because the sound booth is in the middle of the room at the mainstage, it follows that the crowd is more tightly packed there. The sides are really your best bet. 

That said, the speakers sit in stacks on the sides, so watch proximity if volume is an issue for you. (Or get some earplugs. C'mon.) 

Sometimes, the Black Cat offers a mobile ticket option. If you choose this option, increase your screen's brightness BEFORE you get to the front of the line so the door guy/gal's scanner can actually read your ticket. 

Follow the Black Cat on Twitter and like them on Facebook. This is how they announce low ticket warnings. What's nice is that they'll often list just how many tickets are left so you can judge how quickly you need to move. 

There are no photo barricades, so don't step on/flail at/attempt to mosh with the photogs. Basically, follow rule one of showgoing: be a decent human.

[districtbeat]

Venue Guide: 9:30 Club

I'm shaking things up a little bit with some handy-dandy venue guides in lieu of reviews. These are obviously aimed at newcomers to our fine city (welcome, welcome), but I hope show veterans will also find some tidbits of use. And if you have additional tips, do message me and I'll add them in.

Up first: 9:30 Club, because everyone in the DMV will end up there eventually.

Disclaimer: Some parts of this are concrete fact, and other parts are based on my personal experiences at the club. Your mileage may vary.

The basics

Address: 815 V St. NW Via Metro: Take the green/yellow line to U Street and get off on the 10th street side. Go up the escalator and turn around so you're facing U Street. Go right (east) to the intersection of U and Vermont. Head north on Vermont until you get to the gas station. From your current perspective, 9:30 is on the other side of the gas station. The intersection here is confusing, but follow the inevitable hordes of people and you'll figure it out. From the metro to the door of 9:30 should take you about 3 minutes.  Parking: Is a pain. You can buy a parking pass in advance, but a) they cost $12 and b) space is very limited. If you're coming from out of town, it may be easier to park at one of the outer metro stations and metro in. Age limits: All shows are all ages. Don't forget your ID, or you'll get massive blue monstrosities stamped on both of your hands that will take days to wash off. True story.  Dress code: Hahahahahahaha.

Tickets

Because of the variety of shows hosted by the club, ticket prices vary widely. You can expect to pay $15-$20 for an up-and-coming band, around $25 for an established group, and up to $55 for the big names. 

9:30 uses Ticketfly. Fees are reliably around $10. If you live in the area, it is therefore highly advisable to stop by the box office (open at noon during the week), where fees are only $1 per ticket. Don't count on being able to buy tickets on the day of the show, because almost everything sells out.

Space

9:30 is a three-floor club. The main floor is essentially a giant warehouse. Upon entering the club, the stage is to your right. Restrooms are straight ahead on your left, and the coat check, which is seasonal, is straight ahead all the way to the back. It's $2. Tip your coat checker, dears. 

In the stage area, there are two bars (one on either side of the room) and a food stand (on the left past the bar). Merch is in the back on the right. They take cards. 

Upstairs is the balcony (duh). The stairs are on your left by the entrance. There is also a coffee bar up here. Baller. 

In the basement is Backbar, which feels like a dive bar but whose prices will make you die a little inside. Backbar hosts its own club nights, which have separate covers. During shows, though, you can head down there for a quiet drink if you need to get away from the mayhem. 

***BIG PLUS OF 9:30: Are you a hardcore fan seeing your FAVORITE BAND IN THE WORLD at a sold-out gig and want to be sure you get that front row spot? Arrive an hour before doors, pick up your ticket at will call if you don't already have it, and head to Backbar. (There's a separate entrance around the side.) The first 25 or so people in line who are of age get early entrance to the club via Backbar.***

Crowd

Again, 9:30 has hosted everyone from Goblin to 2Chainz, so the crowd changes with the show. In general, however, people are well-behaved, really enjoy the music but don't move a lot (the front of the room aside), and keep to themselves. Age-wise, they tend to be mostly 20s-30s. 

Sold out at 9:30 means the room will be packed. You'll have room to breathe if you stay towards the back, but if you want to get closer to the stage, expect to have your personal space invaded. 

Eats & dranks

As mentioned, food is available through the magical window past the bar on the left side of the club. The menu is varied, pretty good, and very vegetarian-friendly. (It's not too bad for vegans either.) 

9:30 has a solid beer list featuring local brews and national favorites. Mixed drinks are small but boozy. Don't drink? There's a free water cooler on every bar. 

The bartenders are friendly and put up with you. Tip them.

Also, coffee bar. Upstairs. Coffee. Go. 

Timeline

Set times are never announced until the day of the show, at which point they're posted in the slider on the homepage of 9:30's website. Inevitably, there will be people who don't realize this and ask about it in the FAQ section of the 9:30 forum. Eddie is a patient moderator and will sometimes give estimates a bit further in advance.

Generally, for a weekday show, you can expect 7 p.m. doors with the first band on around 7:45 or 8. The headliner will usually go on around 10, assuming two openers. This is designed to get you out the door and to the metro before the last train home (11:50 or 12:20, depending on the direction you're going). Because of this, things tend to run more or less on time. 

On the weekends, doors are usually at 8 with set times proceeding at the same intervals that they would during the week. 

Sometimes, 9:30 will host an early and a late show on the same night. In this case, doors are usually at 6 for the early show and 10 for the late show. 

Pro tips

The will call line is a pain. It moves quickly, but it's just so damn long. Save yourself a headache and print your tickets at home (or the office; let's be realistic) or have them mailed to you. 

Buy merch between sets. The merch table is right by the exit, which was a smart marketing move but also means that there will always be a mob there at the end of the show, even if the mob is not buying merch. 

The only bad sight line at the club is behind a really tall person--but if you need to be close and arrive after the openers, the room is wider towards the front on the right side. You can usually worm your way closer via that route. 

That said, the openers on 9:30 bills are serious bands whom you should check out. I have always been pleasantly surprised by the opening acts I've seen here.

The guys who book at 9:30 also book Merriweather Post Pavilion and the Lincoln Theatre, as well as regular shows at U Street Music Hall and a few other larger venues under the I.M.P. label, such as Echostage and DAR Constitution Hall.

Get yoself on the 9:30 mailing list. There are presales galore.

Follow 9:30 on Twitter. They regularly tweet out low ticket warnings and tag everything with #LTW930 for easy browsing. As you may have noticed if you looked at the 9:30 calendar, most things sell out, even if just the day before the show, so it's good to stay on top of things. (They also retweet the myriad businesses/organizations who give away tickets to their shows, so there's that.)

Need a midnight snack after the show? The Satellite Room is attached to the back side of the club (you have to go outside to enter) and serves wondrous alcoholic milkshakes. Also, regular milkshakes. 

UPDATE: A tip from Clarissa Villondo, who has shot more shows than you: don't put your stuff on the table in the photo pit. It will get moved to who-knows-where, and it will be your fault. C'mon. 

[districtbeat]

THE WEEK AHEAD 4/28

Live

Monday I think you should go to this because it's like the Black Keys on steroids: Band of Skulls w/ SACCO, 9:30 Club, 7 p.m. doors, $22

RIP The Dunes. Love The Dunes. Live The Dunes.: Goodbye Party ft. Rain Tears, AG/LG, and Jonny Grave, The Dunes, 8 p.m. doors, $5

Killer guitar work: Raul Midón w/ AVERY*Sunshine, Howard Theatre, 6 p.m. doors, $22.50 ADV/$27.50 DOS

Acoustic rock: Paulo Franco and Rob Williams, Galaxy Hut, 9 p.m., $5

Tuesday Garage rock: The Standells w/ Jake Starr and the Delicious Fullness, Black Cat backstage, 8 p.m. doors, $15

It's a great week for guitar aficionados; here's some work from Costa Rica: Strunz & Farah, Howard Theatre, 6 p.m. doors, $25 ADV/$30 DOS

Folk rock with punk touches: Art Decade w/ Wise Eyes, Velvet Lounge, 7:30 p.m. doors, $8 DOS

Rock 'n roll: Loi Loi, Run On Sentence, and David Klinger, Bathtub Republic (3119 11th St. NW), 8 p.m., donations por favor

The first night of this sold out before it was officially on sale: CHVRCHES w/ The Range, 9:30 Club, 7 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT (also sold out on Wednesday)

Sold-out British indie rock: David Gray w/ John Smith, Lincoln Theatre, 6:30 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT

Wednesday Noise + other heavy sounds: Full of Hell, Column of Heaven, Nyodene D, and D.O.C., Casa Fiesta, 8 p.m., $7

Indietronica: Chrome Sparks w/ Infinity Shred and LanceNeptune, DC9, 8 p.m. doors, $10

Folk rock: Jessica Lea Mayfield w/ Gambles and The Petticoat Tearoom, Rock & Roll Hotel, 7 p.m. doors, $15

Rap: The Lox w/ NaVon Smith and K.O.V.E., Howard Theatre, 7 p.m. doors, $30 ADV/$35 DOS

Thursday Dream pop/art rock/shoegaze: Go Cozy, The Dig, Conveyor, and BRNDA, Paperhaus, 8 p.m., donations por favor

Mostly local funk and lo-fi fuzz: Foul Swoops, Flesh Panthers, Neonates, and SNEAKS, The Dougout, 8 p.m. doors, $5 suggested donation

Indie rock: Say Hi w/ Big Scary, Black Cat backstage, 8 p.m. doors, $15

Semi-local rock/psych/blues: Soup of the Day w/ Raoul and the Dukes, Jacob Panic, and Sweatshop Inferno, Velvet Lounge, 7:30 p.m. doors, $8 DOS

Psych folk: Megafaun w/ Grandma Sparrow, DC9, 8 p.m. doors, $14

Rap: Tayyib Ali, Fuze the MC, G-3, and JDVBBs, Howard Theatre, 6 p.m. doors, $15

Sold-out Baltimore synthpop: Future Islands w/ Ed Schrader's Music Beat and Oh Hang, 9:30 Club, 7 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT

Dance, Dance

Monday As always: Service Industry Night ft. DJ Earic Patten, DC9, 8 p.m., $5 (FREE before 10)

Tuesday Hip-hop/heavy bass: Jack Beats w/ AC Slater and Harry Ransom, U Street Music Hall, 9 p.m., $15

Wednesday House: Lane 8 w/ Caleb L'Etoile and Baronhawk, U Street Music Hall, 10 p.m., $10

Euro/German club hits: Maifest, Döner Bistro, 7 p.m., FREE

Thursday Electro house/glitch/moombah: Pegboard Nerds w/ RaceCarBed, Massacat, and DJALLA, U Street Music Hall, 10 p.m., $12 ($15 for under 21)

'90s industrial and techno: Club 90, Little Miss Whiskey's, 9 p.m., FREE

[dcfunkparade]

FUNK PARADE SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED!

Saturday, May 3, 2014

DAY FAIR (NOON-5 PM)

Music, performance, art and workshops in areas along U Street from 9th to 16th will bring the neighborhood the spirit of Funk.  Programming will include:

Music performances by Funk Ark, Brass Connection, Batala Percussion Band, Future Band, Yamomanem Jazz, the Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers, Head Roc and many more!

Dance by Urban Artistry, Alliance Francaise, Universal Capoeira, Da Originals, and friends;

Dragon and Lion Dancers from the Hung Tao Choy Mei Leadership Institute.

a Tech Embassy at Affinity Labs (920 U St.) will thrill and amaze all ages!

A dedicated Family Area at 11th and U will feature performances, activities and workshops organized by Words, Beats & Life!

A Vinyl Lounge at Den of Thieves, courtesy of Vinyl District.

Street performers will do their thing, courtesy of the Kennedy Center; Flash Mobs will flash; Graffiti art projects by Art Under Pressure, No Kings Collective, and One Love Massive will appear.

and much, much more!

PARADE (5-7 PM)

Convening at Vermont and U Sts. NW. This is a PARTICIPATORY parade, not a watching parade.  Get up, get into it, get involved! Come ready to dance, clap, sing, blow a horn, whatever. In addition to YOU, your friends and neighbors, the parade will include:

- The Ballou High School Marching Band - Batala Percussion Band - Asheru - Hung Tao Choy Mei Lion and Dragon dancers - Yamomanem Jazz - BicycleSPACE riders

and the world’s first FLASH MOP, a spontaneous clean-and-dance civic action squad!

MUSIC FESTIVAL (7-10 PM)

Free shows, in a dozen of the neighborhood’s finest venues. The lineup:

U Street Music Hall: Sugar Bear & EU, Nappy Riddem Tropicalia: Cheick Hamala Diabate, Backbeat Underground, Joe Keyes “The Late Bloomer” and The Late Bloomer Band Solly’s: Flashband Project - Flashband Funk Party DC9 Nightclub: Elikeh Afropop, Black Masala Patty Boom Boom: Lucky Dub, Kickoman - Official Liv Nightclub DC: Clones of Funk The Brixton: Aztec Sun, Beyond Modern Jojo Restaurant: The Good Thing Busboys and Poets: A Special Edition of Live! From Busboys: Women of Funk Twins Jazz Club: Tony Martucci Work It! Studio by WandaWoman - Funk Dance Party featuring “The Root of Funk” with drum sensation Tiacoh Sadia 7pm - 9pm

And an after-party!

Ben’s Next Door: “THE SOUL OF FUNK” Wes Felton World and Sol Zahran All Star Jam Session After-party. Starting at 10pm

[districtbeat]

I told myself that, whatever I reviewed this week, I wasn't going to jump on the Galantis bandwagon. BYT did. CUFF did. Of course, 9:30 did, but UHall jumped in too. Newdust, All Things Go, and even Hailo did giveaways. Galantis everywhere, Galantis always. I am above the fray, I said, and will continue to do what I usually do: give some press to smaller acts. 

But fuck that noise, because Galantis is kind of brilliant.

Let me be clear: Galantis is not small. They're half international indie pop powerhouse Miike Snow and half guy-who-produced-"I Love It"-plus-a-bunch-of-other-songs-you've-heard. It would be shocking if they didn't produce a stellar catharsis of an EDM EP. (They did. Don't worry.)

At first listen, Galantis' EP is upbeat, uplifting, and endlessly fun. But it's the intricate, expert production that makes it a standout in the sea of electronics-driven pop that is today's mass music market. (Even Avril Lavigne has jumped on the bandwagon. I am not responsible for the three minutes of your life that you will never get back if you click that link.) When everyone is trying slap synthesizers and drum machines on traditional pop song structures, rising above means layering sounds so smartly that it seems easy until you start picking apart how many different instruments and effects make up each track. That they come together seamlessly is a testament to Galantis' skill and a true treat for pop grazers and nightlife veterans alike. 

Unless you've managed to avoid the Internet for the past month (impressive, and sad), you know that Galantis is playing tonight at 9:30 Club. You also know that it's a late show and you have work tomorrow. You also know that the ticket price--$30--is on the high end for a show at 9:30. Go anyway. If you're a casual music consumer, you'll feel so good at the end of the night that you'll ride the wave through Friday with ease. If you're more in-tune with the EDM scene, you'll learn something from some of the industry's finest. Either way, it'll be a killer time. 

[districtbeat]

WEEKEND PLANNER 4/25

In which I discriminate against bands who use racial slurs in their names. And country music. Which are pretty much the only reasons I ever discriminate. Sorry not sorry.

Live

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: M3 DEATH FEST TESLA, KIX, EXTREME, MORE @ MERRIWEATHER DETAILS

Friday Semi-local psych and experimental: Big Tusk, Cigarette, Cain/Scheible Duo, and Louis Weeks, Communiverse (14th and Webster NW), 8 p.m., donations por favor

Diverse local indie rock: StereoRiots w/ Electric Grandmother and Catscan!, Velvet Lounge, 9 p.m. doors, $8 DOS

Pop/rock/feel-good music that makes you feel like you shouldn't be feeling good: Art Sorority for Girls, Dan and Rachel, and Kissing Fractures, Radio Shock (3169 18th St. NW), 7 p.m., $5 suggested donation

She's opening for Nick Cave in July; see her headline: Nicole Atkins w/ Shilpa Ray and Davey Horne, Rock & Roll Hotel, 8 p.m. doors, $12 ADV/$14 DOS

Animal Collective and Dirty Projectors got together and made "power jazz": Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks w/ Dustin Wong and Geologist, U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15

Singer-songwriters: Nathaniel Rateliff w/ Erin Weston, DC9, 6 p.m. doors, $12

Rap: Yg w/ DJ Mustard and Fat Trel, Fillmore Silver Spring, 8 p.m., $33

Both nights sold out super fast; well: Alabama Shakes w/ Lee Baines & The Glory Fires, 9:30 Club, 8 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT

Saturday I think you should go to this for sometimes beautiful, sometimes disturbing, always interesting experimental sounds: Sontag Shogun, Aaron Martin, and Br'er, Union Arts, 8 p.m., $9 DOS

A killer local indie rock/dream pop lineup: Baby Bry Bry & The Apologists, The Walking Sticks, Haile Supreme & Sun Cycle, and Farma Wesley, The Lot at Union Kitchen (1110 Congress St. NE), 5 p.m., FREE

Crazy French disco + local electro rock: Zombie Zombie, Young Rapids, and Heavy Breathing, Comet Ping Pong, 10 p.m., $12

Local power pop ft. former Minor Threat bassist: Dot Dash w/ Alarms & Controls, Regents, and Highway Cross, Black Cat mainstage, 9 p.m. doors, $12

Folk rock: Woods w/ Quilt, Rock & Roll Hotel, 7 p.m. doors, $12

Pretty decent indie rock: Fanfarlo w/ Lillies on Mars, U Street Music Hall, 7 p.m., $15

These guys are kind of a big deal, so: Perfect Pussy w/ Yamantaka // Sonic Titan, Green Dreams, and Golden Looks, DC9, 8 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT

Also these guys: Kindred the Family Soul w/ Moses the Comic, Howard Theatre, 6 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT

Sunday I think you should go to this because duh: M.I.A. w/ A$AP Ferg, Echostage, 7:30 p.m., $45

You should also go to this because it will haunt you in the best way: Timber Timbre w/ Fiver, Rock & Roll Hotel, 7 p.m. doors, $15

Riot grrl post-punk/power bass: Company Calls w/ Crunk Witch and Hiphopmcdougal, Velvet Lounge, 7:30 p.m. doors, $8 DOS

Electro/classical pop: Lo-Fang w/ Kate Berlant, Sixth & I, 8 p.m., $15 ADV/$18 DOS

Legendary grunge: Toadies w/ Supersuckers and Battleme, Black Cat mainstage, 8 p.m. doors, $20

Southern rap: Nappy Roots w/ Hannah J and LX, Howard Theatre, 6 p.m. doors, $15 ADV/$20 DOS

Guitar-driven folk: Steve Gunn w/ Marian McLaughlin, DC9, 8:30 p.m. doors, $12

Sold-out '90s rock that keeps on going: Better Than Ezra w/ Jon McLaughlin, 9:30 Club, 7 p.m. doors, SOLD OUT

Dance, Dance

Friday I think you should go to this because if you don't think it's cool you have no soul: New Order/Duran Duran Dance Party, Black Cat mainstage, 9:30 p.m., $10

I'm also a big fan of this: COALBXX (indie dance party), DC9, 10 p.m., FREE

Also this, as it's a consistently deadly bass night: Forecast ft. Atticus, Jett Chandon, D. Martin, and DENMAN, Backbar, 11 p.m., $5

Hip-hop + opportunity for a discussion with the artist: Diamond D, Sammy Needlz, and Sharkey, The Lodge at Red Rocks, 8 p.m., FREE

Indie club music: Lightwaves, Little Miss Whiskey's, 9 p.m., FREE

A women's LGBTQIA dance night: glittHER, Zeba Bar, 9 p.m., FREE

Minimal house: Art Department w/ Jubilee (DC), U Street Music Hall, 10 p.m., $20

Saturday I think you should go to this because it's a bhangra party, hello: U.S. Department of Bhangra ft. DJ Beta-G, Black Cat backstage, 9:30 p.m., $7 DOS

The producers on this bill make different, weird, awesome electronic music: Hz So Good. ft. Outputmessage, Canine Teeth, Micah Vellian, and DJ Ayescold, Backbar, 9 p.m., no cover listed but everything at Backbar is $5

Sexy techno (yup): Sensual Session 1.0 ft. DeepCutta, Darius Twin, Sinestro, and Ron Jackson, Rosebar (1215 Connecticut Ave. NW), 10 p.m., FREE with RSVP (plus free open bar for earlybirds)

Blissful house/nu-disco/etc.: BLISS ft. MK, Will Eastman, and Jackson Ryland, U Street Music Hall, 10 p.m., $10 (FREE before 11 for 21+)

Let's just say a shark and some of the DMV's best DJs are involved #CRANKPARTY11 ft. Rex Riot, Basscamp, Jon Kwest, and James Nasty, Liv Nightclub (2001 11th St. NW), 10 p.m., $5 ADV/$10 DOS

Sundays Because parents should have fun too: Baby Loves Disco, Rock & Roll Hotel, 11 a.m. doors, $18

Funk and deep house fusion: Sleazy McQueen w/ Joe L and Keenan Orr, Flash, 9 p.m., $10.49 ADV/$12 DOS

Bass music/hip-hop: Survival and Homemade Weapons w/ Rogue State b2b Julez, High Tolerance b2b DJ K, and MC Concept, U Street Music Hall, 10 p.m., $8 ADV/$10 DOS

[districtbeat]

UPCOMING: DOT DASH WITH ALARMS & CONTROLS, REGENTS, AND HIGHWAY CROSS THIS SATURDAY, 9 PM @ BLACK CAT (MAINSTAGE) $12 VIA TICKETFLY

For once, let’s forget about layers of meaning and rock out. The place: the Black Cat this Saturday. The soundtrack: Dot Dash’s Half-Remembered Dream, an impeccable piece of power-pop musicianship.

You’d expect Half-Remembered Dream to be a solid record, given that the band’s members have been collectively in half a dozen other groups. The recent addition of Minor Threat’s Steve Hansgen on bass is bound to make for some explosive new tunes. Seeing what he’ll add to the lineup is reason enough to head to the mainstage this weekend. (P.S. I really like Minor Threat. #statingtheobvious)

But don’t think that Dot Dash is just a ripoff of other groups’ sounds. They describe themselves as “post-punk pop,” a nod to the more melodic nature of songs like the aptly named “Do Re Mi” that hints at the garage-y, lo-fi goodness of “Light in the Distance.” In essence, this is a riotous bit of power-pop with tight guitar work, smart arrangements, and a classic punk nonchalance.

Amidst the tight musicianship, it’s useful to remember that Dot Dash is still a young band; despite having put out three full-lengths, they only formed in 2011, and they’re still growing. The group’s one weakness is in its lyrics—someone decided that every line should rhyme, regardless of how forced those rhymes may be—and while this doesn’t intrude on the jammability of the songs, it does create an artificial ceiling for the band. But Dot Dash is bright, talented, and guaranteed to smash that in a storm of drums and guitars.

[districtbeat]

JUST ANNOUNCED FROM 9:30/I.M.P.

Sunday, June 15: BadBadNotGood @ UHall (jazz with electronic touches)

Monday, June 16: The Knocks and ASTR @ 9:30 (funk/trip-hop/disco)

Thursday, July 3: Pigeons Playing Ping Pong with Cabinet w/ B Side Shuffle @ 9:30 (psych funk)

Thursday, July 17: Puss N Boots ft. Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson, and Catherine Popper @ 9:30 (jazzy pop/folk)

Friday, July 18: Camera Obscura w/ Laura Cantrell @ 9:30 (indie pop)

Saturday, July 19: Mac DeMarco w/ Calvin Love and Delicate Steve @ 9:30 (indie rock)

Sunday, July 20: Bebel Gilberto @ 9:30 (bossa nova/Brazilian pop)

September 28: Bryan Ferry @ Lincoln (Roxy Music frontman)

August 6: Passenger @ Echostage (let her/it/some pronoun go)

[districtbeat]

JUST ANNOUNCED FROM ROCK & ROLL HOTEL

Thursday, May 8: The Dillinger Escape Plan w/ Tera Melos, Vattnet Viskar, and Black Clouds (heavy heavy music)

Saturday, June 14: Crystal Stilts w/ Juan Wauters (noisy post-punk)

Tuesday, June 17: Dead Kennedys w/ Reagan Youth and Burning Streets (legendary hardcore punk)

Sunday, June 22: Jolie Holland w/ Shy Hausers (soulful Americana)

Friday, June 27: Black Taxi (pop punk)

[districtbeat]

Pop music is popular because it gets stuck in your head. It's lasting when it resonates. PLOY's achieved both with "Friend of a Friend," the brand-new single from the Hyattsville electropop duo. Typically, PLOY's tracks are a bit more atmospheric, each note drawn out and milked for every decibel of feeling. "Friend of a Friend" is upbeat, danceable, and endlessly catchy--all the makings of a summer jam. Lyrically, though, it reflects on a fleeting relationship that still manages to linger, much like the song itself will do in your head. It's somewhere we've all been, and dancing and sharing make for great medicine.

Mindless summer pop? Not at all. Have a listen.