While the first two months of DC shows definitely kicked butt, March throws things into high gear. Whether you’re looking for synth rock, indie pop or acoustic loveliness, we’ve got the known, and unknown, picks for you.

Ex Hex
Wednesday, March 5th
Black Cat
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As you may have heard, Mary Timony, who I argue is D.C.’s best and highest profile guitarist, has a new band, Ex Hex. The all-female trio consists of Timony, bassist Betsy Wright and drummer Laura Harris. They release their first single, “Hot and Cold,” on Merge Records on March 18, with a full debut album soon to follow. Ex Hex kicks off an 18-date tour on March 5 with a show at the Black Cat. After catching their fuzzy yet glammy high-energy set opening for The Hives last fall, I’m convinced they are going to leave their audiences wanting more! — Mickey

Cheatahs
Thursday, March 6th
U Street Music Hall
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Do you like punk rock? If yes, this thirsty Thursday show is for you. At this show you’ll definitely jam out with big guitar playing, arrhythmia producing drums and deep, Cobain-ish vocals. Who said grudge was dead? — Rebecca

The Orwells
Saturday, March 8th
U Street Music Hall
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Speaking of new bands, The Orwells may have been around a little bit longer now but they still aren’t old enough to drink. That doesn’t stop the punk quintet from becoming one of my favorite discoveries of the past two years. After touring around the United States, they leapt to the United Kingdom and got picked up as the opening act for the Arctic Monkeys for a handful of shows in the past several months. I saw them at DC9 and the Rock and Roll Hotel, and now they are bringing their garage rock strummers as the main act at U Street Music Hall. You’ve got to respect young rockers who admire Iggy Pop as much as The Orwells do! — Mickey

Broken Bells
Sunday, March 9th
930 Club
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Broken Bells has been dropping tastes  – a few tracks and futurist music videos/teasers – of what they’ve cooked up in their sophomore album “After The Disco,” and my palate is oh so ready for the main course. The duo (James Mercer from The Shins and Dangermouse) combine fresh hypnotic, disco-based beats with profound lyrics producing a joyful, dance invoking vibe while you digest and contemplate the messages hidden within the tracks. — Rebecca

Sharon Corr
Monday, March 10th
The Hamilton
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In my personal arrogant opinion, the 90s were largely a loss for most musical genres except perhaps Celtic rock! Enter The Corrs, a family of three sisters and one brother from Dundalk, Ireland, who enjoyed early success before fading out and then going on hiatus in 2006. Since the hiatus, several of the sisters, including oldest sister Sharon, have embarked on solo careers. Last year, she released her second solo album, The Same Sun, and this month she performs at The Hamilton in downtown D.C. in support of it! –Mickey

Com Truise
Wednesday, March 12th
DC9
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Producer Seth Haley a.k.a. Com Truise is hitting DC9 in the middle of the month before he joins many of his fellow synth specialists at Moogfest in Asheville, N.C., April 23-27. On the heels of his second full-length album, 2012’s In Decay, Com Truise released a new EP, Wave 1, in February. The EP demonstrates hallmarks of Com Truise’s bag of tricks with songs such as the groovy electronic “Subsonic” and the smooth yet glitchy “Declination.” Paired with L.A. dance duo Phantoms as an opener, this synthy spectacle will likely sell out soon, so don’t wait to buy your ticket. –Mickey

Steve Hackett: Genesis Revisited
Wednesday, March 26th
Lincoln Theatre
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Prog rock god? Check! Extensive and eclectic catalog? Check! Stopping in D.C. in the perfect place to see him live? Check! Steve Hackett is coming to the Lincoln Theatre on his tour to promote his second album of reworked Genesis classics, Genesis Revisited II, performing tracks from The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Nursery Cryme, Wind & Wuthering and others. It’s an unparalleled opportunity to catch an extremely influential guitarist reflect on the material that initially put him on the map. –Mickey

Red Baraat’s Festival of Colors
Saturday, March 29th
The Hamilton
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While in its third year, 2014 marks the first time Red Baraat brings its “Festival of Colors” to our fair city and presents the opportunity for you to get familiar with new and diverse South Asian artists. Red Baraat headlines and curates the festival so expect an evening full of bhangra-based, eclectic sounds. –Rebecca