Ben E. Kessler

Radiohead make their long-awaited return to D.C. proper, and I head south to see a country pop star. A variety of factors went into making this decision. They did not include my generally contrarian spirit or a desire to be ironic. I do not keep my Miranda Lambert fandom a...

When thanked in advance publicly for not attending a concert on a particular evening, one should likely not buy a ticket on that date in question. When the request comes from family, I would advise taking that request seriously. And if the event to which you are invited is your...

It turns out that Adele doesn't come to D.C. every year to help celebrate the week of my birthday. Rude as that may be, we are left still with an embarrassment of riches. It's a time of bands rising to deservedly bigger stages and an abundance of game-time decisions. The...

To sum up the below, Marilyn Manson will likely not be the strangest show of the week. These acts run the gamut from the incredibly beautiful to the slightly bizarre. There will be voices and sounds on display that might even have a touch of both.

Monday, April 30 --...

They come from all around the globe to play in D.C. this week. There are those who are returning to a place they once called home, new comers selling out this city's best club, and smaller shows that might prove to be better than of the rest of performances that...

Back to nearly a full week of music in D.C. for me. It's not entirely complete, as I'll be celebrating Record Store Day by throwing a bachelor party for my future brother-in-law. These festivities, however, are likely more predictable than what will be happening at the Howard Theatre...

One more night with Bruce and a rare evening with Pulp keep me away from the District for a couple of nights this week. As if we needed further evidence that concert promoters do not consult with me before plotting out tours, The Magnetic Fields will be at the 9:30...

It isn't for a lack of good music that I leave the District this coming weekend for shows elsewhere. April 6 begins a series of extraordinary circumstances. It's time for the Boss at the world's most famous arena. It is with no regret that I head north, but I would...

There are times when we all have to make decisions, and other times that I refuse. This week is an example. When experiencing a concert conflict, do not give up all hope. We shouldn't be punished because two acts are playing in the same night within walking distance of each...

This week is another celebration of personal live music choice. Even with evil forces at work, options remain. So a very very large corporation's ticket distribution practices may or may have not prevented you from seeing everyone's favorite Maya Angelou devotee. I am here to tell you that...

They want you to to think that anyone with an ounce of musical creativity will be in Austin this week. If you wanted to go to SXSW, and for some reason can't make it, you may have convinced yourself that the aforementioned statement is true. Never fear, those who have...

Only four shows for me this week. It's a relatively light stretch in terms of quantity, that ends just about as heavily as possible. The venues remain familiar, although it's only one stop at the 9:30 Club. Days are open, but conflicts remain. It appears as though I still have...

Once again, I'm skipping out on the big name. The other name typically seen in modest lights has left his band behind and instead of playing in the bigger club in town, he's settling for the more cramped space across the way. The genres are a relatively mixed-bag, offering entertainment...

The most notable shows of the week may be the ones I am choosing not to attend. There's the hip hop artist I've seen before, and whose musical output is even less consistent than that which we see from him on the big and little screens. Then there's the frontman...

Of the six shows I plan to attend this week, all but one will be new to me. This phenomenon is not entirely uncommon, as I am willing to see a new band on little more than a whim and a general understanding of what genre I will hear that...

This week demonstrates the difficult life of a person who feels the need to go to as many shows as possible. Strangely, concert promoters will not check to see if you have a (concert) conflict, leading to choices just a bit less tragic than Sophie's. The decisions are based largely...

Taking a few nights off this week, and unless I'm missing something, the alternative is not entirely tempting. The weekend is surprisingly bare, but there's also the Super Bowl with which to contend. The game is seldom over by the time a headliner hits the stage, which I learned the...

This is not, and will not be, a comprehensive concert calendar for D.C. and the surrounding area. This is my schedule. Whether or not you care is up to you. (Although I hope you do.) I do my best to go see the best shows our fair city has to...

While emotions may change and opinions shift, the relationship I have with the musicians in 2011 is drawing to a close. Of those who make up my list of ten, nine of them performed in D.C. this year.

10. Kurt Vile - Smoke Ring For My Halo (Rock and...

I may be the first person in the history of the world to even begin to think about saying the next sentence. Kid Rock got me thinking. He has my mind combing through campaign songs. If it takes such a mind-numbing phenomenon to get me to care, is there a...