Few birthdays can rattle us like our 30th, the official death knell of youth. More responsibilities accumulate while hairlines recede and joints begin to ache. But the long-standing indie-rock stalwarts of Yo La Tengo began their third decade on the heels of releasing their best album in years, 2013’s Fade. Over the course of its existence, the band has enjoyed a regularity that’s rare among music acts, with a stable line-up, consistently great records, and a sense of creativity and adventure that helped it survive the indie-rock booms and busts that sideswiped many of its contemporaries. The group has earned a reputation, at times, for an ornery live show—those not interested in at least one distortion heavy freak-out need not attend. Still, tonight’s anniversary performance will likely eschew alienating noise jams, instead focusing on crowd-pleasers and more than a few obscurities to satiate the diehards who’ve been with the band since its birth. Yo La Tengo performs with Lambchop at 8 p.m. at 9:30 Club, 815 V St. NW. $30. (202) 265-0930. 930.com.