DC’s reputation is that its summers are unpleasant.
Congress skips town for long stretches, leaving behind hordes of tourists who block the sideways and metro escalators around the National Mall. The weather veers between sudden storms and the kind of humidity that soaks you in sweat after mere seconds. There is a kernel of truth there, but this is also the time when outdoor events thrive, along with late-night shows in cramped clubs.
No matter what type of live music you prefer — or how much sunblock you require to see it — DC has something for everyone, whether it’s hip-hop, twee indie pop or experimental noise rock.
This is your guide to the best, most exciting DC shows this summer. Don’t worry: they all still have tickets on sale.
June
A Place to Bury Strangers at Songbyrd, June 7
Because you believe post punk gets exponentially better with each added effects pedal
Quelle Chris at DC9, June 13
Because you like your hip-hop with a sense of world-weary deadpan comedy
Coi Leray at Howard Theatre, June 14
Because if you’re going to party, it’s going to be with folks who treat “No More Parties” as their new mantra
Belle and Sebastian with Japanese Breakfast at Wolf Trap, June 15
Because twee sad bastard music sounds better with rosé wine and picnic blankets
Something in the Water Festival at The National Mall, June 17-19
Because you *want* to be excited about Pharell and Tyler the Creator, but you’re secretly there to see Dave Matthews Band without judgment
Kraftwerk at The Anthem, June 19
Because a 50-year-old song about robots still sounds like it’s from the future
Purity Ring at The 9:30 Club, June 30
Because your desire for ethereal pop music hasn’t waned, even though you and your partner bought tickets two friggin’ years ago
July
Bikini Kill at The Fillmore Silver Spring, July 11-12
Because the war on women is about to take a dark turn, and you need a sense of angry solidarity in order to fight it
The Linda Lindas at The Black Cat, July 20
Because young punk rockers are not jaded yet, and still have something to prove
Sharon Van Etten, Angel Olsen and Julien Baker at Wolf Trap, July 21
Because you need no fewer than three amazing vocalists weaponizing their talent and heartbreak to make you feel something
Shamir at Songbyrd, July 22
Because of course the talented, multi-genre artist who draws comparisons to Prince sounds nothing like him
Tim Heidecker at The Capital Turnaround, July 30
Because maybe this time you’ll be able to figure out exactly when he’s trolling and when he’s not
August
Charli XCX at The Anthem, August 6
Because she oozes charisma and the documentary about her pandemic record might be the best movie you’ve seen this year
Summer Spirit Festival at Merriweather Post Pavilion, August 7
Because soul music and party hip-hop beat the heat better than a trip to the pool
Starjuice at The Pocket, August 18
Because punk with lots of “whoa-ooh” choruses sounds better in a space not much larger than your living room
Los Campesinos! at The Black Cat, August 26
Because you’re an aging millennial who fondly remembers back in 2008 when you could enter a club and recognize nearly everyone there, and maybe go home with the ones you didn’t
Boris at The 9:30 Club, August 31
Because the most exciting metal bands constantly evolve, and don’t give a fuck about how weird they get
September
Arlo Parks at 9:30 Club, September 13
Because the refrain “it won’t hurt so much forever” doesn’t sound like a lie when she sings it
Nation of Language at Union Stage, September 14
Because you saw Kraftwerk back in June, and need more danceable music performed by nerds
Pet Shop Boys and New Order at Merriweather, September 21
Because a lawn concert with cross-generational appeal is the only way to celebrate the summer that’s gone too soon
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