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Let’s say that June 18, 2011, is the only day in your life when you can see a Beatles tribute band. You can choose between “1964”…The Tribute at the Birchmere or RAIN at Wolf Trap. I’m the perfect person to help you: I have never seen a Beatles tribute band. Or a real Beatle perform solo. Or the Beatles, duh. In the realm of simulacra, ignorance is divine! With that in mind, and some cursory YouTube research in hand, I recommend that you see 1964. They stick to the “touring years” of the Fab Four, so the show is basically early-to-middle era hits, vintage guitars, and shag haircuts. RAIN was on Broadway, and its music—-weighted toward the later years—-is extremely polished. So, essentially, one is a “band” and the other is a “show.” Both seem slightly odd, but I’d take the “band.” Or maybe I’m not being counter-intuitive enough? Damn you, realm of simulacra!

“1964”…The Tribute performs June 18 at 7:30 at the Birchmere, 3701 Mt. Vernon Ave., Alexandria. $35. RAIN performs June 18 at 8 p.m. at the Wolf Trap Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna. $25-$40.