In its fourth year, the seems to be finding its identity. Past editions have felt thrown together and lacking in any real focus; there was little to distinguish the festival from any other weekend of shows in the D.C.
area. But the 2007 version has a more unified feel, thanks to the addition of a number of out-of-town bands and an emphasis on some of the area's up-and-coming alt-rock/power-pop bands. Like the more national-band-oriented DAM!
Festival, which had its inaugural edition last fall, Six Points still hasn't been able to get the area's biggest venues -- namely the 9:30 club and Black Cat -- to play along, but the festival will be represented with shows at the Red the Black, DC9, HR-57, the Rock and Roll Hotel, the Mansion at Strathmore, Iota, Velvet Lounge and the new RNR Bar Lounge. A can be found at the festival's Web site, but if you are looking for some quick tips on bands worth checking out, consider the following to be your cheat sheet. (Note: The first link, on the band's name, will take you to their MySpace page where you can sample some tunes; the second link, on the venue/date, will take you to the City Guide profile for that show.
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The trio hails from Detroit but favors a Big Star/Flamin' Groovies retro-pop sound instead of the garage rock attack that its hometown is best known for.
No-frills garage rock done just right. Click the link above to hear songs like "Be Your Man," "Girls" and "Cry," the titles of which fit the band's mission -- timeless themes for a timeless sound.
Maybe it's just the common first syllable of the band name, but this local group's output reminds me of the recent work by Scots Belle Sebastian with a breezy pop sound heavy on the keys.
The debut album "Lights Out" proved that this quintet is one of the most tuneful bands in the area, the type that could make a splash nationally with a bit of luck.
This trio pays homage to the angular Dischord sound while adding its own post-punk and big rock flourishes.
The local quartet plays riffy, '90s throwback alt-rock and does it well. It's also one of the few bands in the area to feature three singers-songwriters.
The veteran roots/blues guitarist has been a fixture on the local scene since long before many members of these other bands were even born.
His six-string skills are always a pleasure to behold.
Refreshingly straightforward power pop full of sunny harmonies and jangly guitars.
The extremely good natured and catchy local alt-rock quintet has become one of the most popular bands in the area over the past year, headlining gigs at the 9:30 club, Black Cat and Rock and Roll Hotel.
This show at Iota may be the last time the group plays a venue so small in the D.C. area.
Folk troubadour Jesse Elliott is as ubiquitous on the local indie scene as Chuck Taylor All-Stars. He'll have a full band in tow for this performance opening for MDR.
A catchy pop-punk sound + high-energy, over-the-top live performances = a band that's gaining new fans by the bushel every time it plays.
This local singer-songwriter can do the serious folkie thing when he's alone on acoustic guitar and he can deliver rollicking country-rock when he teams with his backing band.
Sometimes the acoustic folkie is so quiet that it's easy to let his songs fade into the background, but there are enough nuances in his playing, voice and lyrics to make you pay attention.
The festival founder is one of the biggest champions of the local music scene and an accomplished roots rock singer-songwriter in his own right.
This Baltimore band does the moody post-punk thing, but it can also rev up for some big arena rock choruses that recall the Killers.
These guys are office favorites, playing clean, crisp pop with warm vocals and the slightest hint of twang.
The New Yorkers could be the best example of this year's "Six Points sound," with energetic, sharp, accessible indie rock songs.
Like the festival itself, the brothers have incorporated some more power-pop elements into their roots rock sound as of late, which makes for easier and more enjoyable listening.
The Fredericksburg, Va., band brings to mind Throwing Muses and Tsunami with its aggressive and pretty brand of indie rock.
In a small bit of irony, this five-piece from Durham, N.C., is the Six Points band with the most classic D.
C. indie sound, with jagged guitars and shouted vocals that recall Fugazi and Jawbox.
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