Correction appended
Need to unwind after a long election season? The Scene found some ways to calm your soul this weekend with some of the best music D.C. has to offer.
Paul Banks Friday @ The Howard Theater 8 p.m., Tickets $15 in advance, $17 at door
Former Interpol frontman Paul Banks will perform solo this Friday at the Howard Theater. After ditching his Julian Plenti alter-ego, the solo artist will feature songs from his album released last month, “Banks.”
Diverging from the simple punk-rock sound of Interpol, Banks’ newest album is more lush and instrumental. His work features violins and hypnotic looped key work, resulting in otherworldly music with twinges of melancholy. Audience members can expect a moody yet moving performance from a more mature artist.
National Symphony Orchestra Prelude Saturday @ The Kennedy Center 6 p.m., free
One of the many benefits of living in the District, the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage hosts free concerts that range from classical to jazz to everything in between, every night of the week. This Saturday’s pick is a recital by the National Symphony Orchestra Prelude.
Prelude Chamber Recitals seek to showcase the varied preferences for composers, eras of music and styles of NSO musicians. Ensembles form and re-form for various projects and repertoire, giving audience insight into the vast and varied world of chamber music.
But don’t fret if you can’t make it to Saturday night’s performance. Every free concert on the Millennium Stage is available for viewing at www.kennedy-center.org.
Grass Widow Sunday @ Comet Ping Pong 9:30 p.m.. $10
This week’s freshest concert spotlights indie girl trio Grass Widow, who will be playing at the equally hip venue Comet Ping Pong.
The San Francisco-based group is known for their egalitarian, do-it-yourself embrace of creative collectivity. Their music is simple and sweet, timed by a skittering, sense of rhythm.
But don’t be fooled by the ethereal innocence of their three-part harmonies: the ladies of Grass Widow call out texting audience members and pushy photographers.
With a low ticket price of $10 and the promise of pizza, Grass Widow chill Sunday performance can’t be missed.
Lucky Dub Tuesdays at Tryst Coffeehouse and Bar 8 p.m.-11 p.m., free
Looking for a fresh study venue after the midterm slump? Search no further than Tryst Coffeehouse & Bar in Adams Morgan (which is owned by AU alum Constantine Stavropoulos), where reggae group Lucky Dub plays for customers every Tuesday night.
With the scent of coffee and free Wi-Fi in the air, Lucky Dub adds positivity to Tryst’s trendy atmosphere. With songs with uplifting titles like “No Money, No Worries” and “Give a Little Love,” Lucky Dub aims to transform your study experience from tedious and painful to smooth and pleasurable.
Correction: This article previously misidentified Grass Widow as Grass Willow.
thescene@theeagleonline.com
