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20
WEDNESDAY
Arlington quartet Barcelona could easily capture the award for “Most Wanting to Sound like a Band Featuring Mark Robinson.” This might not be an honor to those who think all music must continually break new ground or that any tuneful offerings that come out of this city need to have the Dischord stamp. But it’s undeniably a good thing for D.C., especially because our pop scene hasn’t been much of a scene lately. Barcelona is an example of what happens when ’80s kids have their minds blown by indie rock in the ’90s but still want their bands to give props to the earlier sound: They mix Air Miami-style vocal harmonies with singsong ’80s melodies that make you want to wear your hair like Robert Smith. (Hey, it might come back in style someday, you never know.) Barcelona plays with Tahiti 80 at 10 p.m. At the Metro Cafe, 1522 14th St. NW. $8. (202) 588-9118. (Tina Plottel)