Maybe there’s something in the air, but it seems like the best up-and-coming artists are flocking to D.C. this weekend.
On Friday, start slow with Wolf Alice or take it up a notch with Sharam. Saturday, see sisters 2:54 or a snarky comedy show, and on the first day of March, check out Suuns or try interactive smartphone poetry.
Friday
Wolf Alice Concert: The “Best Breakthrough Artist” at the U.K. Festival Awards is fronted by Ellie Rowsell, who croons her way through powerful songs while wearing little dresses, bomber jackets and a distinctly focused pout. Wolf Alice defines its sound as “rocky pop,” but sweet songs like the recent release “Heavenly Creatures” are not so easily defined.
9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. 7 p.m. $15.
Sharam Concert: This 45-year-old DJ was born in Tehran, Iran and only hit the music scene in a meaningful way in 2009: He collaborated with Kid Cudi on “She Came Along,” which stayed in Bulgaria’s Top 40 for nearly four months. Since then, he’s won a Grammy and played a 10-hour set in Brazil.
U Street Music Hall, 1115 U St. NW. 10:30 p.m. $12.
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Saturday
2:54 and Honeyblood Concert: Sisters Colette and Hannah Thurlow were born in Ireland, raised in Bristol and formed their first band together in 2007. They’ve toured with big names like The Big Pink and The xx, and 2:54 has gained a slow but steady following across the pond. Their latest, “Orion,” is a sweeping song reminiscent of the Irish coast: rocky, rebellious and oddly beautiful.
DC9, 1940 9th St. NW. 8:30 p.m. $10.
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Humor Me: The Betches of Comedy: The ladies in charge of the snarkiest blog online organized a stand-up night in the District featuring comedians Liza Treyer, Megan Gailey, Sara Armour and Jared Freid. If the evening is anything like “Betches Love This,” it will be full of topical digs at celebrities, political humor and Spring Break diet tips. The blog declared its love for GW back in 2012, citing betchy alumni like Rachel Zoe and Jackie Kennedy.
Sixth & I Synagogue, 600 I St. NW. 8 p.m. $20.
Sunday
Suuns Concert: The band is signed to a label called Secretly Canadian and they do, in fact, hail from Montreal. Their latest singles, “2020” and “Edie’s Dream,” are a blend of their rock core, psychedelic sound … and womping. Their simple lyrics and pleasant, if not redundant, beats should melt away your midterm worries.
Rock & Roll Hotel, 1353 H St. NE. 8 p.m. $14.
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“Txt” Poetry Project: The D.C. premiere of experimental artist Brian Feldman’s latest endeavor is an interactive poetry experience that examines technological communication through the lens of prose. Attendees are encouraged to bring fully-charged smartphones.
American Poetry Museum at The Center for Poetic Thought, 716 Monroe St. NE. 6:45 p.m. $20.
