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At shows, always the more, the merrier -
better for the fans, the bands, and the venues.
Friday offers a strong run of local originals and inventive covers. Start at Fridays at the Fountain, where The Montaines bring their melodic alt-pop and indie-rock sound to National Landing. From there, MoxieMeelo plays an eclectic rock-and-pop set at Westover Beer Garden (I’m going), while The Mercy Alliance offers an intimate hour of original indie roots rock at Three Whistles.
Saturday’s standouts include Half Pint Harry, bringing lively rock and pop favorites to Clare and Don’s, followed by Amorous Theft at Ballston Local—a particularly good pick for anyone ready for a night of Gen X rock favorites (I’m hoping to catch this one late night).
Wednesday (8/26)
ARLINGTON
- Amuse at Le Méridien Arlington: Wine Down with Live Music 5–8 PM
- Bronson Bierhall: Luke James Shaffer (Folk / Pop / Soul / R&B) 6 PM
- Westover Market Beer Garden: Malarkey (Irish / Celtic) 6–8 PM
- Hyde Social: Bill Schroeher (Acoustic / Rock / Americana / Folk) 6 PM
- The Renegade: Renegade RoundUp (Country Swing / Line Dancing / Two-Step) 8–11 PM
- Singo: Ballston Local (7pm), Quincy Hall (7:30pm)
- Karaoke: Big Tony's (9pm), Ireland's Four Courts (9:30pm), Freddie's Beach Bar (10pm)
FALLS CHURCH
- JV's Restaurant: Rick Tiene (Sinatra / Jazz Standards / Broadway / Beatles) 8 PM
TYSONS / McLEAN
- Starr Hill Biergarten: Mackenzie Ryan (Rock / Country / Funk / Soul) 5–8:30 PM
Thursday (8/27)
ARLINGTON
- Bronson Bierhall: Kevin Koa Band (Soul / Blues / Acoustic / Originals) 6 PM
- The Renegade: Dark Constellation presents ANARCHY – Back to School (Goth / Industrial / Darkwave / Post-Punk / New Wave) 7–11 PM
- O'Sullivan's Irish Pub: Britton James (Acoustic / Rock / Reggae / Covers & Originals) 8:30 PM–Midnight
- Samuel Beckett's: Lenny Burridge (Rock / Pop / Blues / Acoustic) 9–11:30 PM
FALLS CHURCH
- JV's Restaurant: Phil Gates (Blues / Funk / Rock / Jazz) 8 PM
TYSONS / McLEAN
- Starr Hill Biergarten: Justin Trawick & The Common Good (Americana / Folk / Roots) 5–8:30 PM
- Shipgarten: Karaoke Thursdays 7 PM–Midnight
Friday (8/28)
ARLINGTON
- Fridays at the Fountain: The Montaines (alt-pop / indie rock), 5:30–8 PM; music begins at 6 PM
- Westover Beer Garden: MoxieMeelo (rock / pop), 6–9 PM
- Three Whistles: The Mercy Alliance (indie roots rock / originals), 8–9 PM
- Bronson Bierhall: Howling at the Earth (alternative / indie rock), 8 PM–midnight
- Ballston Local: Doc Holliday (rock), 9–11:30 PM
- Samuel Beckett’s: Eddie Pasa (singer-songwriter / acoustic), 9–11:30 PM
- Ireland’s Four Courts: Jason Hibler (acoustic rock), 9:30 PM
- O’Sullivan’s: The Darts (rock, pop, country and ’90s–’00s covers), 9:30 PM
- Ragtime: Sean Tracy (folk rock / alt-country), 9:30 PM
- The Renegade: Party Fowl (party rock / covers), 10 PM–1:30 AM
FALLS CHURCH
- JV’s Restaurant: Peck and Partlow Band (Americana / roots), 4–7 PM
- Clare and Don’s Beach Shack: The Key City 7 (funky pop, rock and soul covers), 5:30 PM
- JV’s Restaurant: Phil Gates (blues, funk and soul), 8 PM
- The State Theatre: Jimmie’s Chicken Shack (alternative rock), 8 PM; doors at 7 PM
- Dogwood Tavern: Roxanne Cook (singer-songwriter; folk, jazz and indie rock), 9:30 PM
TYSONS / McLEAN
- Starr Hill Biergarten: Römper Rüme (rock covers), 6:30–10 PM
- Greenhouse Kitchen and Bar: Javier Arias Orchestra (Latin), 8–10:30 PM
Saturday (8/29)
ARLINGTON
- Westover Beer Garden: Alex Parez (acoustic rock and eclectic covers), 5–9 PM
- Three Whistles: Bill & Karen (acoustic rock and pop), 8–10 PM
- Bronson Bierhall: Chris Tolentino (solo acoustic), 8 PM–midnight
- Ballston Local: Amorous Theft (Gen X rock covers), 8:30–11 PM
- Samuel Beckett’s: Jon G. (singer-songwriter / acoustic), 9–11:30 PM
- Ireland’s Four Courts: Steve Bray (acoustic rock and pop), 9:30 PM
- Ragtime: Talk in Waves (indie pop / rock), 9:30 PM
- The Renegade: Collective Band (high-energy rock, pop and pop-punk covers), 9:30 PM
FALLS CHURCH
- Clare and Don’s Beach Shack: King Bullfrog (family-friendly roots and rock), 10:30 AM
- JV’s Restaurant: The Barco Beat Band (classic-rock variety), 4 PM
- Clare and Don’s Beach Shack: Half Pint Harry (rock and pop covers), 5 PM
- JV’s Restaurant: Second Sole Band (rock, party and dance music), 8:30 PM
- Dogwood Tavern: Dogwood Hollow (bluegrass), 9:30 PM
TYSONS / McLEAN
- Starr Hill Biergarten: Pool Boys (rock, pop and hip-hop covers), 6:30–10 PM
- Greenhouse Kitchen and Bar: Ricardo Marlow (flamenco / rumba guitar), 7:30 PM
- Starr Hill Brewpub: The Poprocks (pop-punk covers), 9 PM–12:30 AM
Sunday (8/30)
ARLINGTON
- Freddie’s Beach Bar: Karaoke 8 PM–1:30 AM
FALLS CHURCH
- JV’s Restaurant: Gunsmoke & Cheap Perfume (Roots Rock / Americana / Country / Classic Rock) 4 PM
- Clare & Don’s Beach Shack: The Dulcetones (Acoustic Pop / Rock / Jazz / Folk) 5 PM
- JV’s Restaurant: Crowbait Blues Band (Blues / Soul / Rock ’n’ Roll) 8:30 PM
TYSONS / McLEAN
- Starr Hill Biergarten: Brian Franke (Singer-Songwriter / Acoustic Variety) 2–5:30 PM
- The Boro: Latin Dance Experience presented by Classé Dance Company (Salsa / Bachata) 5–9 PM
The SoundWave is for the fans, and by the fans. So if you have any ideas, requests, missing venues, bands to watch out for, etc, please email me at [email protected]. Thanks! - Matt
