Miguel has spent the decade back-to-the-futuring R&B’s glory days, and he’s never been shy about nodding to his influences. “Pineapple Skies,” off last year’s War & Leisure, has a vocal melody so similar to “Sexual Healing” that Marvin Gaye is credited as a co-writer. It also has promises of “pineapple purple skies” that evoke images of Prince, and makes plans to “Stevie Wonder through the night”—an obvious ode to the legendary soul singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Those artists—plus bits of Michael Jackson, Babyface, and Lenny Kravitz—form the foundation for the 32-year-old crooner. Across his four albums, Miguel has strummed and strutted his way through sun-dappled songs full of love and lust, carving out space for lightheartedness and buoyancy during a decade in which R&B often overdoses on hip-hop. He promised that War & Leisure would have “political undertones,” but don’t expect fiery, funky polemics. Instead, he closes the album with “Now,” a windswept hymn to working together and finding common ground that plays like “What’s Going On” for today. Read more>>> Miguel performs at 8 p.m. at The Anthem, 901 Wharf St. SW. $45–$295. (202) 888-0020. theanthemdc.com. (Chris Kelly)
OH AND ALSO
D.C. rock quartet Bottled Up performs at DC9. 8 p.m. at 1940 9th St. NW. $8.
The Library of Congress presents Echoes of the Great War: American Experiences of World War I, an exhibition exploring the upheaval of the world war at home and abroad. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 10 First St. SE. Free.
Renowned Paraguayan harpist Marcelo Rojas performs at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage. 6 p.m. at 2700 F St. NW. Free.
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