This Week's Concert Forecast: Hot with a Chance of Dancing and Jumping for Joy

Although summer in DC is almost always blazing, a few weeks are certainly hotter than others in the music scene. This week has a pretty major heatwave in store for Marylanders.

First up, start your weekend early by catching electropop genius Owl City at Sonar tomorrow night. His albums can magically pick you up and take you on a whirlwind tour of the skies from California ("West Coast Friends") to Vienna ("Dear Vienna"). He may be known for his good production and MySpace success, but his live performances are said to be just as flawless as the performances he records in his basement. His sold-out show in Vienna, VA this May got stellar reviews on his official street team site. I've heard that show was a non-stop dance party, and I'm sure tomorrow's show will be no different.

Owl City's summer tour is winding down in preparation for the release of his sophomore album, Ocean Eyes, this July. Sorry for the short notice, but tomorrow is the last chance to catch him until his fall tour stops at Rock n Roll Hotel on September 12th.

The big festivals don't come to Maryland until July and August, but it's never too early to start preparing for Virgin Mobile Festival. Normally, this preparation would include months of saving up for the event (but wasn't it worth $80?), but this year, the cheap music gods have smiled upon Maryland. The Virgin Mobile FREEFESTival will be bringing Blink-182, Weezer, Taking Back Sunday, Mates of State, and too many other amazing acts to list to Merriweather Post Pavilion. And no, by "free," they are not referring to freedom and liberty and all that jazz. Tickets really are free. Really. Check The Washington Post if you need proof.

Calling the tickets "hot" would be like calling dry ice "lukewarm," so you'd better plan on snagging some the second they go on sale - er, on give away? how do you describe this? - this Saturday at 10:00. Get to that website like your life depends on it, or better yet, like you're getting Jonas Brothers tickets for kid sister who will pout all year if she misses their summer tour.

Then on Tuesday, the party's coming to Recher Theater in Towson. Cash Cash, Every Avenue, Valencia, The Morning Light, and Sparks the Rescue will all be performing. Five bands for $12: now that deal's almost as good as Virgin's. Listening to Cash Cash is always a party, in your bedroom or elsewhere. I don't really listen to any of the other bands, but I've heard great things about Every Avenue and Valencia, and I definitely think they're worth a look.

Those are my must-sees for the week (and since I'll be out of the country for the rest of the week, I fully expect you readers to check them out then comment on their fabulousness). I predict that the next big heatwave coming to the area begins around July 13th, when the Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks, and Honor Society's fans mob the Verizon Center, those not blessed enough to get tickets party with Honor Society at a church in the middle of the night, and those too cool to care about those guys see Hey Monday, This Providence, The Friday Night Boys, Stereo Skyline, and The Bigger Lights at Jammin Java. (Funny story: Hey Monday's show has sold out, but the Jonas Brothers still have a few single seats available. But Hey Monday aren't the one's touting a "sold-out tour"...). Then of course, Warped Tour comes to Merriweather Post the next day.