Score tickets for these awesome acts performing at concert venues across the District this autumn.
Alright, so, summer is over (or almost, anyway). We’re disappointed. You’re disappointed. But have no fear! Many of Washington, DC’s amazing music venues will welcome dozens of great artists from numerous genres to their stages. There are plenty of great concerts to see at these venues, and all over DC, throughout the fall.
IDLES – Sept. 14
Punk rock does not get much better than this five-piece from the English city of Bristol. IDLES are four albums into a cerebral, celebratory and confrontational career, as the group is not afraid to dive deep into relevant political and social issues in their rousing, anthemic opuses. Joy as an Act of Resistance, 2018’s breakthrough, is one of the most visceral punk statements of the last five years and the group has only built on its success. Their live show will turn The Anthem into a rollicking bundle of energy.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
The Afghan Whigs – Sept. 14
From grunge roots to rhythm-based, soulful rock, The Afghan Whigs have consistently kept fans and critics buzzing, wondering what they’ll do next. With their first album in five years on the way, the group is heading back out on the road to play its ridiculously stacked catalogue along with tracks from the new record. The 9:30 Club is likely to be packed with longtime fans.
7 p.m. | Tickets
9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Caifanes
Caifanes – Sept. 15
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by seeing one of Mexican rock's greatest bands at Wolf Trap in Virginia. Originally formed in 1986, Caifanes have altered the course of Mexican rock history by melding powerful lyrics with Latin influences. Music lovers all of generations will find something to love in their groove-filled tunes.
7 p.m. | Tickets
Wolf Trap, 1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA 22182
Phoenix – Sept. 16
French indie pop group Phoenix rode the fireball that was 2009’s Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix, their fourth studio LP. After its release, which included two hit singles in “1901” and “Lisztomania,” the group became a household name, going from playing smaller venues to packing stadiums. The state-of-the-art Anthem at the Wharf (which seats roughly, 6,000, if you were wondering) will host these pop stars for one night only this September.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Mary J. Blige – Sept. 18
Commonly referred to as “The Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige has nearly three decades' worth of hits under her belt, making her a must-see at DC’s Capital One Arena. A packed house will witness Blige, a Grammy Award winner and Oscar nominee, show off her powerful voice and chart-topping catalog. Ella Mai and Queen Naija will also perform.
7 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Father John Misty – Sept. 20
With the recent release of Chloë and the Next 20th Century, Father John Misty is now five brilliant albums deep into a career that shows no signs of slowing down. The Maryland native (real name: Josh Tillman) combines introspection with absurd wit on each one of his records, crafting songs that hearken back to other songwriting savants like Harry Nilsson, Leonard Cohen and 1970s Bob Dylan. Father John brings his thrilling stage show, which is sure to pack a punch via his songs and often hilarious observations, to The Anthem.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Rosalía – Sept. 26
Currently, on a skyrocket to the moon in terms of international stardom, Rosalía is fresh off the massive success of Motomami, revered by critics as one of the best albums of the year and responsible for four hit singles. The Spanish singer’s eclectic blend of experimental pop, reggaeton, avant-garde and dance make her one of the most compelling performers in pop today. Don’t miss her at The Anthem in late September.
8:30 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Lizzo – Sept. 27
Capital One Arena welcomes R&B royalty when Lizzo comes to town. Across the last three years, the singer/songwriter has emerged as an unstoppable, chart-topping force, with one song after another earning steady airplay and her live performances always generating buzz. Her most recent release, Special, is one of the most successful albums of the year, and now she’s touring to celebrate. Latto joins her as a special guest.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Carly Rae Jepsen – Sept. 29
Ahead of the October release of The Loneliest Time, Carly Rae Jepsen brings her So Nice Tour to the confines of The Anthem. Ever since “Call Me, Maybe” turned the singer into a household name, Jepsen has only added sounds and styles to accompany her wondrous voice. Now into the third decade of her recording career, Jepsen is at the peak of her powers.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Melvins – Oct. 1
Whatever you want to call the Melvins is up to you; it certainly doesn’t matter to them. It hasn’t mattered since the group, led by enigmatic frontman Buzz Osborne, emerged from the depths of Montesano, Washington in the early 1980s with a sludged-up take on metal and punk that redefined what rock music can sound like. The reverberations could be heard all the way in Seattle, where a young Kurt Cobain saw the Melvins as idols (Osborne actually introduced Cobain and Krist Novoselic to some guy named Dave Grohl). Kurt would love to know that 40 years on, the group can still rock the hell out of any venue in the country, including DC’s Black Cat, and their influence on the modern rock landscape is more than secure.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
The Mars Volta – Oct. 3
After a decade of silence, one of progressive rock’s greatest bands returns. Formed by guitarist/composer Omar Rodríguez-López and singer/lyricist Cedric Bixler-Zavala after the dissolution of their outstanding hardcore punk band, At the Drive-In, in 2001, The Mars Volta went on to create some of the most innovative rock music of the 2000s. Now the group triumphantly returns with a new album and a rollicking tour that includes a date at The Anthem.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street NW, Washington, DC 20024
Post Malone – Oct. 4
With a distinct look, an eclectic sound and an unforgettable grin, Post Malone is the current chill king of hip-hop. The multiplatinum artist has become a poster boy (no pun intended) for rap that’s not afraid to stretch beyond genre constraints. Post will have plenty of new songs to accompany crowd favorites for what will be a packed house inside Capital One.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
of Montreal – Oct. 6
Sprung from the mind of singer/songwriter Kevin Barnes, of Montreal is one of indie rock’s enduring treats, a project that has kept fans guessing for more than two decades. The group, which features an ever-rotating cast of members besides Barnes, is also prolific, with nary a year going by without one or two releases. Bank on hearing a wide-ranging set that will veer from upbeat, sunny pop to dirgy disco to funk spasms without ever breaking a sweat.
7 p.m. | Tickets
9:30 Club, 815 V Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Pavement – Oct. 6
Led by singer/songwriter Stephen Malkmus, Pavement continues to tour equipped with one of the great catalogues in rock music history, including hallmarks of the genre such as “Cut Your Hair,” “Summer Babe” and “Gold Sounds”. Beginning with 1992’s Slanted and Enchanted, the group cut a series of universally acclaimed albums in the decade before disbanding. The band is now on its second reunion, extending their career into a fourth decade. See them at DC’s historic Warner Theatre while you still can.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Cate Le Bon – Oct. 9
There’s an exhilaration in first listening to the music of Cate Le Bon, like discovering a diamond in the rough or stumbling upon a beautiful stream. Her songs blend an array of influences, from the repetition of Krautrock to the otherworldliness of late-‘70s Bowie to the robotic earnestness of Laurie Anderson. However, the end result is a sound that no one else in the current pop music soundscape can create. Make way; Le Bon comes to DC ready to pull you right into her orbit.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Rare Essence – Oct. 9
One of DC’s signature bands can be enjoyed inside Howard Theatre this October. The historic venue will be perfect for Rare Essence and their inspiring take on go-go, the District’s de-facto, go-to sound. Expect non-stop rhythm, infectious sing-alongs and a party-like atmosphere. Rare Essence knows how to fire up and incorporate a crowd. You’ll be treated to a distinctly DC experience.
9 p.m. | Tickets
Howard Theatre, 620 T Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
The Killers – Oct. 10
Among the most successful rock bands of the 21st century, The Killers have sold more than 28 million records worldwide and all seven of their albums have topped the charts in the UK. Prepare for an evening of the group’s signature combo of new wave, rock and pop, including hits like “Mr. Brightside,” “When You Were Young” and many, many more.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Demi Lovato – Oct. 10
One of the most audacious and creative pop singers working today, Demi Lovato, is currently conquering the world, one thrilling live concert at a time. Her North American tour touches down at The Anthem in October, and she’ll have special guests Royal & The Serpent with her. Prepare yourself for one hell of a party in the nation’s capital.
8 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Broken Social Scene – Oct. 13
Every few years, the Canadian indie rock ensemble known as Broken Social Scene (which once counted singer Feist as a member) emerges with an epic tour. Mark 2022 down as one of those years, as the acclaimed group takes its set of classic songs on the road as part of a 20th anniversary celebration of their most adored album, You Forgot It In People. The legendary Lincoln Theatre plays host to a group Pitchfork has called one of the most influential of the last 25 years.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
An Evening with Regina Spektor – Oct. 16
When there’s a day named after you in New York City, you have done something spectacularly right. On the back of three independent releases in the early 2000s, Regina Spektor sprung to mainstream recognition once she signed with Sire Records in 2004. The singer/songwriter, who lived in the Soviet Union before emigrating to the Bronx at the age of nine, will bring her incredible, world-famous talent to the Warner Theatre.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Warner Theatre, 513 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
The Smashing Pumpkins – Oct. 18
Masterminded by singer/guitarist Billy Corgan, The Smashing Pumpkins have built a decades-long career from never staying in one lane too long. Bursting onto airwaves (both radio and TV) in the early 1990s, the Pumpkins became one of the biggest rock bands in the world thanks to hits like “Today,” “1979” and “Tonight, Tonight”. Their sound has expanded to include electronica and a range of other influences in the ensuing years. They’ll be joined by fellow icons Jane’s Addiction for this special show at Capital One Arena.
6:30 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena, 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Iron Maiden – Oct. 23
Heavy metal royalty visits the District just a week ahead of Halloween. Iron Maiden bring their Legacy of the Beast world tour to the nation’s capital for one night only this fall. The English group, formed in 1975, is practically an institution thanks to years and years of platinum and gold albums and world-beating tours. Iron Maiden even has a mascot, known as “Eddie”. Prepare to rock out with the whole crew for this Sunday night show.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
Capital One Arena 601 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20004
Dehd – Oct. 23
The Chicago trio known as Dehd are ready to melt some faces for this show at DC’s Black Cat. The group just released their fourth LP and arguably their second consecutive breakthrough, Blue Skies, which offers some of the most compelling and compulsive tracks of their career thus far. Expect it to be rowdy inside one of DC’s most intimate music venues.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Dropkick Murphys – Oct. 25
Certainly the most famous American Celtic punk band – and perhaps the only one still standing – Dropkick Murphys are notorious for bringing the house down. The band’s uproarious shows, which always feature their anthem, “I’m Shipping Up to Boston,” feel like a giant shot of adrenaline. Turn your Tuesday night upside down when you visit Lincoln Theatre for what’s going to be one of the most energetic performances of the season.
7:15 p.m. | Tickets
Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Arcade Fire – Oct. 27-29
Canadian supergroup Arcade Fire have gone from indie rock darlings to worldwide megastars. Their albums are journeys, taking on topics that range from coping with loss to finding spirituality to contemplating the suburbs to dancing through the night. The group’s live shows are life-affirming experiences, so don’t miss what promises to be a series of riveting performances at The Anthem. Did we mention that the legendary Beck will also be there? Get your tickets now.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC 20024
Plains – Nov. 9
Two current critical darlings of indie rock, Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee and singer/songwriter Jess Williamson, have teamed up to create Plains, a daring new project. While Crutchfield and Williamson are commonly categorized as “folk music”, Plains is a headlong dive into the realm of cosmic country. Union Stage presents this show at The Howard Theatre, a fitting venue for the exciting new sonic adventure.
7:30 p.m. | Tickets
The Howard Theatre, 620 T Street NW, Washington, DC 20001
Cloud Nothings – Nov. 11
Hailing from Cleveland, Oh., Cloud Nothings bring forth guitar-driven pop and expertly crafted songs from bandleader Dylan Baldi. Their early, DIY recordings were fuzzed up and catchy, while 2012’s Attack on Memory signaled a much louder and streamlined sound for the group. Since then, Baldi and co. have only built on this breakthrough, leading to a sustained career packed with unforgettable songs. Black Cat hosts the group for a show on Veterans Day.
8 p.m. | Tickets
Black Cat, 1811 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
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