June Concert Preview

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‘DSC04273’
courtesy of ‘Matt Lancashire’

It’s June! We made it! Finally, an end to those cold temperatures and a hearty welcome to sundresses and summer concerts. I know I’m excited. For that reason, I have included a couple of larger venues in my June concert preview that I’ve been leaving out in the past. Because what better time is there than summer to hang out on the lawn, enjoying a huge band you’ve always wanted to see? Can I interest you in some Eric Clapton, No Doubt, or even indie fan fave The Decemberists, perchance? Details after the break!

Seattle-based psychadelic indie rockers Viva Voce visit Iota Friday, June 5 ($15). These dudes rely heavily on some rockin’ electric guitar solos and pretty spacey vocals. Enjoy hallucinatory drugs and tie-dye tshirts? You might like this band.

The Decemberists and Andrew Bird will be coming to Merriweather Post Pavillion Monday, June 8 and college students everywhere rejoice.

Who doesn’t enjoy the extreme cheesiness of Earth Wind and Fire? AND THEY’RE TOURING WITH CHICAGO?! <passes out from cheese overdose> Wait, wait, it gets better: the two bands have collaborated on a few songs and are contemplating a full-scale album together. Oh man. Check out this new phenomenon at Merriweather Post Pavillion Wednesday, June 10.

The Verizon Center brings Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood to our fair city on Saturday, June 13. Sounds like a good night to bring your young’uns and complete their musical education. Did you know Clapton is the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times?

After Nissan Pavillion broke my heart at last year’s Radiohead show, I’ve often wondered what it would take to bring me out there again. Money? Guaranteed good weather? No Doubt? It’s true, the band is back together and on the road this summer. I’ve heard rumors that they’re playing some of their greatest hits and Gwen is bringing it back 1997 style. They’ll be at Nissan with similarly girl-fronted Paramore Sunday, June 14 for those of you with more forgiving hearts than mine.

Better Than Ezra might have hit their heyday in the 90s with songs like “Good” and “Desperately Wanting,” but the boys are still pumping out the jams in 2009. They’re on tour to promote their new album Paper Empire and will be hitting up the 9:30 Club Tuesday, June 16 ($25).

The 9:30 Club is the place to be on Wednesday, June 17. Plain White T’s take the stage early in the night ($18), followed by a drastic turn for the dirrrrty with Peaches at 10:00 pm ($20). Is anyone really ever ready for the teaches of Peaches?

Camera Obscura take the stage at the 9:30 Club Sunday, June 21 at the same time Aerosmith and ZZ Top will be rockin’ it old school out at Nissan Pavillion.

Wednesday, June 24 the Nylon Summer Tour will be making a stop at the Rock and Roll Hotel with headliner Patrick Wolf ($18). That same night, Beyonce and all the single ladies will be taking over the Verizon Center. All I can say is, you better put a ring on it.

There are also a ton of other great shows in June that are completely sold out and therefore not included in my round-up. Can someone please tell me how I missed the memo about Phoenix coming to Rock and Roll Hotel June 21?! Sad.

Anything else you’re excited about for the month of June? Leave it in the comments!

Jasmine is a Spin magazine contributor who is completely obsessed with music and all things new and different. She’s lived in the DC area since 2006, and still has plenty to discover about this great area! Find out why she loves DC.

3 thoughts on “June Concert Preview

  1. Since I am coming home for a week, the first thing I did was check some show schedules. There is some really good and/or “big” stuff coming to D.C. in the near future!

    At the Black Cat, in addition to my friend (and We Love DC profile-ee) Mike’s We Were Pirates record release party on 6/23 (which I will actually be attending), there is also Dean & Britta, Blind Pilot, Passion Pit, Jay Reatard, Magnolia Electric Co, and Destroyer.

    Rock & Roll hotel has Detroit Cobras, The Dilinger Escape Plan, Phoenix, Torche (who put out what a lot of critics thought was one of the best records of 08), and local but no less impressive Pree.

    Wheeee!