After a brief hiatus, your weekly “Best Bets” feature is back. This week is still a little slow on the live music front, but there are a few shows worth checking out. Thursday’s Fourth of July concert blowout on the Capitol lawn is always a big draw, even if this year’s performers were hand picked by your Nana–seriously, Barry Manilow and the creepy deep-voiced kid from American Idol?? Anyway, here are some concerts that may give you a little more bang for your buck.

• Mon. 7/1 – CSS & IO Echo @ 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
• Wed. 7/3 – Afrika Bambaataa @ U Street Music Hall, Washington, D.C.
• Wed. 7/3 – Lionize @ Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, D.C.
• Thurs. 7/4 – A Capitol Fourth @ West Lawn of U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
• Fri. 7/5 – The Mantles, Title Tracks & Sick Sick Birds  @ Comet Ping Pong, Washington, D.C.
• Fri. 7/5 – Brazilian Girls @ 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C.
• Sat. 7/6 – Polyphonic Spree @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington, D.C.
• Sat. 7/6 – Trouble Funk (35th Anniversary) @ Howard Theatre, Washington, D.C.
• Sat. 7/6 – DJs Rex Riot & Basscamp @ Rock & Roll Hotel, Washington, D.C.