The Local Weekend: Kicking June Off Right Part I

Another month has passed us by. Summer is starting. Time for great music to come through the area in massive quantities. This weekend is no exception. Friday is loaded with big names and your local favorites. Here is what's hapening:


So many huge acts are hitting the IA area this weekend. For those of you that cut your musical teeth around my time (late '80s/early '90s), a couple of shows may peak your interest. Jane's Addiction and Nine Inch Nails are on tour together. Maybe if was in my early 20's, I would hit this one up. I'm getting old. Catch them at Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden. Doing a double dip in the area is PJ Harvey. She is joined by John Parish for a show Friday at the Warner Theater in DC and Sunday in Philly at The Troc.

mp3: Jane's Addiction - Three Days (sparkart.net)
mp3: Nine Inch Nails - Lights In The Sky (band website)

A little bit of the eclectic Friday and Saturday when Talking Heads frontman David Byrne brings his new world sound to the area. Set to open is DeVotchka. Nothing beats a band with a Sousaphone as a primary instrument. They are slated for The Mann and Wolf Trap.

mp3: DeVotchka - You Love Me (Anti Records)

If you haven't heard, Doves are coming to town. We are running a little contest for the 9:30 Club show Saturday. Can't make that show? The Troc hosts Friday. Set to open is Wild Light.

mp3: Doves - Kingdom of Rust (rcrdlbl.com)
mp3: Wild Light - California On My Mind (rcrdlbl.com)

Back before we started IA, Denali came out of Richmond and made a splash on the scene. Then they disappeared. Five years or so seems to have been long enough as they are back and playing two shows in the area. Friday catch them with Autocue and Robes at the First Unitarian Church in Philly. The Black Cat is the place Saturday, this time with KI:Theory and Pygmy Lush.

mp3: Denali - Hold Your Breath (band website)
mp3: Robes - The Breaks
mp3: KI:Theory - My Thoughts (band website)

Still haven't made up your mind? Here is more to choose from:

DC9 is hosting Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. The Rock & Roll Hotel has the loudest band pretty much anywhere A Place To Bury Strangers along with Caverns and True Womanhood. Over at the Black Cat, Dean & Britta perform with Cheval Sombre. Ohioans Like Bells join up with Baltimore's Kadman for a show at the Velvet Lounge. Cross the river to IOTA for Viva Voce and Cut Off Your Hands. Small venue for a great up-close experience.

mp3: A Place To Bury Strangers - My Weakness (from band)
mp3: True Womanhood - Cosmic Ray (last.fm)
mp3: Like Bells - Atlas (Exit Stencil)
mp3: Kadman - Sorry (band website)
mp3: Viva Voce - Octavio (Barsuk Records)
mp3: Cut Off Your Hands - Oh Girl (rcrdlbl.com)

As for Philly, one more show of note. White Rabbits are in Fishtown at Johnny Brenda's with The Subjects and Busses.

mp3: White Rabbits - Percussion Gun (pitchfork)
mp3: The Subjects - Numbers (rcrdlbl.com)

That's Friday, plus a little more. Check back for the rest of the weekend. A couple of festivals to tell you about. Enjoy the music.