Hercules & Love Affair / Wednesday, August 11
Jason Goldwatch
Nneka: Erykah Badu without the crazy.
Emily Kinsolving
Hardly Art’s newest signees, Woven Bones.
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Hercules & Love Affair, the brainchild of New York DJ Andy Butler and his BFF Kim Ann Foxman, shook up the club scene in 2008 with their eponymous debut on James Murphy's DFA Records. That was mainly due to the record's first single, the disco-rific "Blind," co-written and featuring vocals by Antony Hegarty. But even the Antony-less tracks are undeniably danceworthy, pulsing with heat and soul. H&LA's follow-up, Blue Songs, is completed and will be released in early 2011. In the meantime, Butler's got a new lineup together and on the road, including a full band and classically trained transgender Venezuelan vocalist Aera Negrot; the new material is said to bow even more to Butler's passion for '90s house music. With CyberTramp, DJ Colby B. Neumos, 925 E. Pike St., 709-9467. 8 p.m. $17.50. ERIN K. THOMPSON
PonyHomie / Wednesday, August 11
Lately there seems to be a collective of musicians in town armed with turntables, synths, and an ear for catchy hooks, and ready to grab Seattle by the throat and scream "Dance, white kids, dance!" Add up-and-comers PonyHomie to that list. The keyboard/bass/drum combo plays it on the edgy electric tip with nods to '80s Wave influences and inspiration from acts like Ghostland Observatory, She Wants Revenge, and TV on the Radio. Also on this crazy Comet bill is New Zealand's third-most-popular folk-rock artist, Jake Nannery, who may have a problem keeping the PonyHomie crowd around for his mellow acoustic set. With the Next Door Neighbors, the Yes Pleases. Comet Tavern, 922 E. Pike St., 323-9853. 9 p.m. $6. MA'CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR
The B-52s & Blondie / Thursday, August 12
Here comes a bikini whale! Imagine being at NYC punk club Max's Kansas City in 1978, hearing party band the B-52s' first single, the wacktastic "Rock Lobster." Now imagine going back a few nights later to see the sensational Blondie, whose amalgam of punk, rock, and proto-rap elevated the definition of New Wave. So maybe you missed those defining moments in musical history (and Blondie's performance at Bumbershoot '06)? You can celebrate summer with both groups at the gorgeous Woodinville winery this weekend. The B-52s' Kate Pierson has left her Catskills love shacks (she's owner of the cabin-and-Airstream Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel) to rock out in our equally beautiful Northwest. Toast your good luck with a glass of the Winery's raspberry-licious dry rosé, and commence the clambake. Chateau Ste. Michelle, 14111 N.E. 145th St., Woodinville, 425-415-3300. 7 p.m. Sold out. RACHEL SHIMP
Chromeo / Thursday, August 12
Hall & Oates are very much alive, but should they perish in a Jet Ski accident or fall down a well, the heir to their throne just may be Montreal's Chromeo. The electro-disco-funk-pop duo has a long way to go to match Daryl and John's sterling songbook, but P-Thugg and Dave 1—the self-described "only successful Arab/Jewish partnership since the dawn of human culture"—know how to find an unstoppable groove and fire up a dance floor, or croon a soulful, righteous slow jam. Chromeo's live sets feature Prince-worthy guitar licks, New Wave synths, and enough flashing lights to make Justice look like they forgot to pay the electric bill. Daryl Hall himself has endorsed Chromeo by performing with them at Bonnaroo and hosting them on his hit online series, Live From Daryl's House. You can't buy that kind of hipster cachet! With Holy Ghost!, Telephoned. Showbox at the Market, 1426 First Ave., 628-3151. 8 p.m. $21 adv./$24 DOS. All ages. MICHAEL ALAN GOLDBERG
Nneka / Thursday, August 12
Fresh off the release of her third record, Concrete Jungle—her American debut—singer/songwriter Nneka does a wondrous thing with crossover. Combining the sounds of her dual heritage (she has an Igbo Nigerian father and a German mother), the R&B artist meshes Afro-pop melodies, hip-hop rhythms, and vocals that have garnered comparisons to legends like Erykah Badu and Lauryn Hill. But aside from her musical prowess, Nneka's music is hopeful, searching for salvation. She's got soul, and she'll remind you that you do, too. With Pigeon John. Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave., 441-7416. 8 p.m. $12. NICK FELDMAN
Southern Lord Tour / Thursday, August 12 See Rocket Queen.
Doe Bay Fest / Friday, August 13–Saturday, August 14
Take everything there is to love about Sasquatch! (talented, much-loved independent bands backed by beautiful scenery) and subtract all its irritating qualities (way-too-drunk teenagers camping 10 feet away, prohibitively expensive food and drink, and Memorial Day weekend traffic), and you'll have Doe Bay Fest. In its third year, the festival at Doe Bay Resort & Retreat on Orcas Island has managed to stay hyper-local in both amenities and lineup. The resort sells mostly organic food from local farms while remaining committed to green practices; the festival's lineup, exclusively, is buzzed-about Northwest bands. Last year, David Bazan and the Long Winters were the main draws; this year, it's Grand Archives, THEESatisfaction, and The Head and the Heart. Add breathtaking natural surroundings and clean campgrounds, and it's no surprise that this year's event, with only 750 tickets available, sold out in just 10 days. With Fruit Bats, the Maldives, Hey Marseilles, Grand Hallway, Drew Grow & the Pastors' Wives, Portland Cello Project, Fences, the Dimes, Zoe Muth & the Lost High Rollers, Ivan & Alyosha, Shenandoah Davis, Kimo Muraki, Curtains for You, Ravenna Woods, Kaylee Cole, Black Whales. Doe Bay Resort & Retreat, 107 Doe Bay Road, Olga, 360-376-8059. Sold out. All ages. PAIGE RICHMOND
