If you're looking for a place to check out a band in DC without having to brave the crowds at one of those basketball arena sized venue, check out the 9:30 Club. They tend to attract acts that fall somewhere between the relatively unknown and the chart toppers (meaning they pretty well run the gamut), and the venue itself is a great place to watch. It has two stories (plus a bar in the basement that's worth trying out if you arrive early) with multiple locations where you can see the stage clearly. Check out the Washington City Paper or the weekend section of the Post for upcoming shows.
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