Photo by Dusdin Condren
The National scores this month with an indie-rock one-two punch. First, Philadelphia-based War on Drugs, led by frontman Adam Granduciel straddles the line between straight-ahead and neo-psychedelic rock, with country and soul influences. Last year’s Lost in the Dream release was a huge favorite with critics, who credited Granduciel’s indelibly melodic songwriting. Then, Tune-Yards — aka Merrill Garbus and Nate Brenner — boasts a madcap drum loops-bass-and-ukelele fusion. The epitome of hipster quirkiness, the New England group released its self-recorded Bird-Brains five years ago to wide acclaim. Follow-ups Whokill, in 2011, and last year’s Nikki Nack have been more mature, but by no means sedate. The War on Drugs plays March 29 with Hop Along (8 p.m., $26). Tune-Yards appears March 30. (8 p.m. $24). 612-1900 or thenationalva.com.
