Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 12/17-12/23

Last week was a blur of holiday parties, sleepless nights, and dwarves. Saturday night, I attended the annual Hotel Cafe Holiday party and after hearing the gentlemen of Broken Anchor do their traditional Christmas rap followed by Cary Brothers and Harper Blynn merging their talents on what might now be my new favorite rendition of “O Holy Night”, it officially feels like The Holiday Season! Now, if only I could get some elves over to finish up my Christmas gifts, I’d be all set!

This week hosts another Holiday tradition, Camp Freddy at The Roxy. Instead of every Friday in December, this year the super group + unknown special guests are doing three nights in a row this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I can’t wait to see what surprises are in store for us this year.

The other must-see this week is Tuesday at The Hotel Cafe. This marks the last night of Harper Blynn’s residency. If you haven’t gotten around to seeing this amazing band, this is your last chance. DO IT!

Here are my other recommendations:

 

Monday: The Dead Ships FREE at The Echo (11pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring The Mowgli’s and Peace…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Monday in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: All Spots to Black, My Name is You, Harper Blynn, Act As If, and Commercial at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Broken Anchor at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)
ALSO: Lifehouse at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: A Tribute to The Rolling Stones featuring Brett Anderson, Chris Shiflett, The Dustbowl Revival, etc. FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at Piano Bar featuring Johnny Moezzi (9pm)

 

Weds: Watkins Family Christmas at Largo (8pm)
ALSO: Robert Francis, Trevor Hall, and Brian Wright at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Haim at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO Western Scene at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Great Northern FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)

 

Thursday: Ringside at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Tic Tic Boom! at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Thomas Nicholas Band and Rocco Deluca at The Viper Room (10,11)
ALSO: Camp Freddy at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: The Merry Minstrel Musical Circus: A Holiday Gathering & Goodwill Jamathon featuring Mike Campbell, Bob Weir, Jackson Browne, and Benmont Tench (8pm)

 

Friday: Camp Freddy at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: Jessie Payo at Harvelle’s (9:30)
ALSO: Rufus and Martha Wainwright at UCLA Royce Hall (8pm)

 

Saturday: Camp Freddy at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Rufus and Martha Wainwright at UCLA Royce Hall (8pm)

 

Sunday: The Neighbourhood at Bootleg Bar (9pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
December 23rd: The Neighbourhood at Bootleg Bar
December 27th: Parade of Lights at Bootleg Bar
January 3rd: Royal Teeth at The Roxy
January 19th: Tyler Hilton and Teddy Geiger at The Roxy
January 23rd: The Airborne Toxic Event at The Mayan Theatre
January 23rd, 24th, 26th: Muse at The Staples Center
Feb. 1st: Tegan and Sara at Club Nokia
Feb. 9th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 12th: Ellie Goulding at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 13th: Papa Roach at Club Nokia
Feb. 17th: Ed Sheeran at Nokia Theatre LA Live
Feb. 28th: Matthew Perryman Jones at Bootleg Bar
Feb. 28th: Jukebox the Ghost at The Echo
March 13th: Frightened Rabbit at The Music Box
March 20th: Nico Vega, Atlas Genius, and Imagine Dragons at The Wiltern
April 20th: Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 12/10-12/16

It’s been an interesting week. Mostly because I haven’t been able to talk now for nearly seven solid days. It really makes you appreciate how valuable one’s voice truly is. This isn’t the first time this has happened. I lost my voice the day my best friend got married and I had to croak out a Maid of Honor speech. I lost my voice in the middle of my teaching a course. Now, I lose my voice when I’ve been given the opportunity to interview the lead singer of my favorite band. You know, I wonder if there is a pattern emerging here…

Anyway, vocal problems aside, I got to see Biffy Clyro last week so life isn’t even remotely close to being bad. I was also treated to KROQ’s Acoustic Xmas last night which meant I got to see some heavy hitters like Garbage, Bush, and Linkin Park as well as personal favorites like Youngblood Hawke, Gaslight Anthem, and The Lumineers. There was also a Gwen Stefani/Gavin Rossdale duet which felt pretty darn special.

Speaking of holiday shindigs, The High Voltage Holiday party is this Tuesday at Silverlake Lounge. We’ve got some great bands, copies of our newest issue, and everyone who comes through the door gets a gift! I’d love to see you all there J

Here are the rest of my recommended shows (and numerous holiday parties):

Monday: It’s A School Night at Bardot featuring Madi Diaz and Harper Blynn (9pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Jackie Does Joel and Monday in the Round feat. Brother Sal, Joe Purdy, and Brian Wright at Room 5 (8,9)
ALSO: Wires in the Walls FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11:15)
ALSO: The Dead Ships and Eastern Conference Champions FREE at The Echo (9pm)…RSVP for priority access http://do213.net/event/2012/12/10/monday-night-residency-with-the-dead-ships
ALSO: Mind the Gap FREE at Bootleg Bar (8:30)
ALSO: Stevie Wonder FREE at The Grove (3:30)

 

Tuesday: High Voltage Magazine Holiday Party FREE at Silverlake Lounge featuring Toy Bombs, Omniflux, Irontom, and Deluka (doors at 7:30) http://www.facebook.com/events/178665638939504/?fref=ts
ALSO: Harper Blynn and The Dunwells at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Atlas Genius at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Ryan Adams, Lindsey Buckingham, and Graham Parker at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Holiday Party FREE at The Piano Bar (9pm) http://www.facebook.com/events/305343412910443/

 

 

Weds: Ruby Friedman Orchestra at Los Globos (9pm)
ALSO: The Young Romans and Jessie Payo at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9)
ALSO: Meg Myers at The Troubadour (9:15)
ALSO: The Mountain Goats at The Masonic Lodge at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery (9pm)
ALSO: Alt J and Wildcat Wildcat at The Fonda (9pm)

 

Thursday: Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: The Mountain Goats at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Rival Tides and Hell or Highwater at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Golden State FREE at On the Rox (8:30)
ALSO: The Cab, Delta Rae, Onerepublic at Hollywood Palladium (7pm)

 

Friday: The Hotel Cafe Holiday Party Night 1featuring Brendan Hines, Meiko, Joe Purdy, The Young Romans, Brother Sal, Jesse Thomas, Brian Wright, and many more! (7pm)
ALSO: Chris Wilson at Genghis Cohen (9:30)
ALSO: Alex Band and Jared Lee at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Vanaprasta at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Korey Dane at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Red Circle Underground and Stonefeather at O’Brien’s (10pm)
ALSO: The Mowglis and Friends Holiday Party at Dakota Lounge (8pm)
ALSO: Kate Earl and Passenger at The Troubadour (8:40, 9:40)
ALSO: 8mm at The Roxy (10pm)

 

Saturday: The Hotel Café Holiday Party Night 2 featuring Cary Brothers, Holly Conlan, Harper Blynn, Jake Newton, Sweet Talk Radio and many more! (7pm)

 

Sunday: The Neighbourhood FREE at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: The Gallery at The Viper Room (8:15)
ALSO: Lifehouse In-Store Performance at Fingerprints Music in Long Beach (3pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
December 18th: Lifehouse at The Troubadour
December 19th: Watkins Family Christmas at Largo
December 20th-22nd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 23rd: The Neighbourhood at Bootleg Bar
December 27th: Parade of Lights at Bootleg Bar
January 19th: Tyler Hilton and Teddy Geiger at The Roxy
January 23rd and 24th: Muse at The Staples Center
Feb. 1st: Tegan and Sara at Club Nokia
Feb. 9th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 12th: Ellie Goulding at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 17th: Ed Sheeran at Nokia Theatre LA Live
Feb. 28th: Matthew Perryman Jones at Bootleg Bar
Feb. 28th: Jukebox the Ghost at The Echo
April 20th: Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/16-7/22

I feel like I missed out on a lot this weekend. Mostly, everything Comic-Con related: The Firefly reunion, the Lost Girl and Supernatural panels, all those new TV pilots, The Questionable Content guy, the Aushole gathering…I’m still a bit sour about the whole thing. It was also my 10 year high school reunion this weekend, but honestly, that would have probably been more awkward and uncomfortable than being immersed in a sea of costume-wearing Trekkies speaking in Klingon.  I did, however, get two references to Engelbert Humperdinck two days in a row, so…that’s exciting.

Moving forward, we have another great week for music ahead of us! If you haven’t made it out to Terraplane Sun’s Monday night residency at The Satellite, this would be a great week to do so. Friday night I’m looking forward to checking out Western Scene, a band built from the remnants of San Diego’s Dynamite Walls. Then Saturday night, it’s time to celebrate George Stanford’s record release at The Hotel Cafe. Here’s what else I’d recommend:

Monday: Terraplane Sun, The Mowgli’s, The Janks, Ry Cuming FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Keaton Simons at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Matisyahu, Foxes, Leftover Cuties, and The Royal You (9pm)…free with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Susanna Hoffs at The Grammy Museum (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Lovers Drugs at The Central (8pm)
ALSO: Milo Greene FREE at Amoeba Records (7pm)
ALSO: Foxes at The Bootleg Bar (10:30)
ALSO: Badwater at Amplyfi (8:15)

 

Weds: Indians FREE at 3 Clubs (9pm)
ALSO: Matt Simons and Chris Ayer at Room 5 (9,10)
ALSO: The Dig FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)

 

Thursday: Butterfly Boucher and Missy Higgins at The Troubadour (9,10)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs and Picture Atlantic at Lot 1 (8pm)
ALSO: The Active Set, Hello Vegas, Of Verona at Bootleg Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Mind the Gap, Josh Tatum, So & So, and London Cries at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Bobby Long, Naia Kete, Jen Hirsh at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9, 10)
ALSO: Jessie Payo, Bryan Rooney, Belmont Lights at WitZend (8pm)
ALSO: NO at the Del Monte Speakeasy (9pm)

 

Friday: Western Scene at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Barcelona at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Howlin Rain at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Haim FREE at California Plaza Downtown LA (12pm)
ALSO: Satellite and Uncle Daddy at WitZend (8pm)

 

Saturday: George Stanford and Brian Wright at The Hotel Cafe (11,12)…George Stanford’s Record Release Show
ALSO: Bloomfest LA featuring NO, Grace Woodroofe, The Neighbourhood, and more! FREE downtown LA http://www.bloomfestla.com/

 

Sunday: Jim Bianco at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 25th: Emery at The Roxy
July 25th: Charlotte Martin at The Hotel Café
July 30th: The Silent Comedy at The Satellite
August 3rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 4th: Band of Skulls at The Annberg Space for Photography
August 8th: Langhorne Slim & The Law at The Troubadour
August 10th and 11th: Jack White at Shrine Auditorium
August 13th: The Kills at The El Rey
August 13th: Birdy at The Roxy
August 14th: The Dunwells at The Hotel Cafe
August 16th-18th: SSMF
August 19th: fun. at The Wiltern
August 23rd: Civil Twilight and Morning Parade at The El Rey
August 24th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
September 1st & 2nd: FYF at Downtown LA
September 4th: Gotye at The Greek Theatre
September 14th: The Hives at The Wiltern
September 22nd: Epicenter at Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 2nd: Garbage at The Wiltern
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
October 19th: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour
October 20th: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/20-3/25

Just got back from the long drive from Austin, TX where we spent a glorious week immersed in the musical insanity that is SXSW. Check out our site for some recaps of our experience (http://www.localmusicnation.net/). Also, I did some coverage for High Voltage Magazine, so check that out as well (http://www.iamhighvoltage.com/festivals/). Due to overwhelming exhaustion, I have little sense of space and time but I made a to do list and at the top is “put out this week’s calendar” so here we go! (p.s. I am writing this wearing a bunny ears and a tiara…leftovers from some birthday shenanigans).

Some people may be all showed out after a week of non-stop concerts, but honestly, I’m already feeling some withdrawal. Fortunately this week is full of amazing musical opportunities, including some new SXSW finds like fiN, Morning Parade, and Marcus Foster. Here are my picks:

Tuesday: Ben Rector and NEEDTOBREATHE at Club Nokia (8pm)
ALSO: Harper Blynn at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Of Monsters and Men at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: The War on Drugs and Sharon Van Etten at The Avalon (8pm)
ALSO: The Driftwood Singers at The Satellite (9pm)

 

Weds: Tournament of Hearts, Satellite, Boyce Avenue at The Avalon (7pm)
ALSO: Paul McDonald at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Of Monsters and Men at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Wicker at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at The Largo (8:30)
ALSO: The Naked and Famous at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: The Ting Tings at The El Rey (9pm)

 

Thursday: The Lumineers at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Morning Parade, The Other Side of Morning, Zero1, Oedipus at The Roxy (7pm)
ALSO: Eddie Cohn at Genghis Cohen (9pm)
ALSO: The Ting Tings at The El Rey (9pm)

Friday: Brian Wright and Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour (9, 10)…this is last Truth & Salvage show in LA before the band moves to Nashville
ALSO: Marcus Foster, The Lumineers and Whispertown Record Release Show with Buddy, Haim, Jonathan Rice, etc. (7, 9, 11)
ALSO: Juke Kartel and fIN at The Viper Room (11, 12)
ALSO: The Nervous Wreckords and Robert Schwartzman at The Satellite (9pm)

 

Saturday: Marcus Foster and Jesse Thomas at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9)
ALSO: Run Run Run at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Allen Stone at The Troubadour (10:15)

 

Sunday: Allen Stone at The Troubadour (10:15)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
March 30th: All American Rejects at The Troubadour
March 31st: Tyrone Wells at The Roxy
April 1st: Charlotte Martin at The Bootleg Bar
April 4th/5th: Dan Layus (of Augustana) at The Hotel Cafe
April 10th: Neon Trees at The Troubadour
April 11th: Mike Doughty at Bootleg Theater
April 12th: Joseph Arthur at The Largo
April 18th: Dar Williams at The Largo
April 19th: Foxy Shazam at The Roxy
April 13th-15th AND 20th– 22nd: Coachella
April 24th: The Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
April 25th: Ben Kweller at The El Rey
April 26th: Jasmine Ash at The Roxy
April 26th: Zoe Keating at The Largo
April 27th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
May 2nd: Cage the Elephant at The Mayan
May 3rd: James Morrison at The Avalon
May 8th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
May 10th: Jay Nash at The Hotel Cafe
May 11th: Imagine Dragons at The Troubadour
May 19th: Eric Hutchinson and Graffiti6 at The Troubadour
May 30th: Eve 6 at The Troubadour
June 3rd: Deas Vail at The Troubadour
June 5th: Ben Howard at The Troubadour
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour
June 16th: Thrice at Club Nokia

 

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 2/27-3/4

This week’s concert list is brought to you from an Academy Awards viewing party. So far, Hugo is winning a lot more than I anticipated, but I’m still pulling for The Artist for the win. I did pretty well seeing all but one of the best picture nominees (sorry War Horse, not gonna happen). I’m sad that there weren’t more original song nominations…and that we aren’t going to see a live performance of “Man or Muppet”. Although, I am enjoying the live music playing out to commercials (was that an electric guitar?).

I can’t believe next week we enter the month of March! It’s almost SXSW time!! In preparation, I may be a little light on show-going next week. Alternatively there are some great shows on the West Side this week which will really save me on travel time. Mind the Gap/Maniac at The Central and The Makepeace Brothers at WitZend on Tuesday and a fantastic lineup at Harvelles on Thursday with Garrison Starr, Jamestown Revival, Jake Newton and Satellite. Here are the rest of my recommendations:

 

Monday: Indians and Dead Sara at The Viper Room (9, 10)
ALSO: A House for Lions and Milo Greene FREE at The Satellite (9, 11)
ALSO: It’s a School Night FREE at Bardot featuring Haim (9pm) http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Paris Carney and Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (8, 9)

 

Tuesday: Mind the Gap and Maniac at The Central (10, 11)
ALSO: Ruby Friedman and Abbot Kinney at The Hotel Cafe (7, 11)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds FREE at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: The Jealous Sound at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: The Makepeace Brothers at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: Foxy Shazam at The SIidebar in Fullerton (8pm)

 

Weds: Milow and Infantree at The Hotel Cafe (8, 10)
ALSO: Dana Williams at Room 5 (10pm)

 

Thursday: Garrison Starr, Jamestown Revival, Jake Newton, and Satellite at Harvelles (8pm)
ALSO: Harper Blynn and Madi Diaz at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Taylor Locke & The Roughs and Purple Melon at The Viper Room (9, 10)
ALSO: He’s My Brothers, She’s My Sister at The Echo (11pm)

 

Friday: Joe Purdy, Brian Wright and Brother Sal at The Hotel Cafe (10:30)
ALSO: Jackie Greene at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Ilsey Juber at Room 5 (9pm)

ALSO: Armada at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Justin Hopkins at WitZend (9pm)

 

 

Saturday: The Shakers at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Kevin Martin at On the Rox (9pm)
ALSO: O’Brother at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Ty Segall at The Troubadour (10:45)

 

Sunday: Miniature Tigers at The Troubadour (9:45)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
March 5th: Scars on 45 at The Troubadour
March 5th-6th: Dan Wilson and Rachel Yamagata at The Hotel Cafe
March 8th: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
March 9th: Vanaprasta at The Bootleg Bar
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 10th: Nico Vega at The Roxy
March 10th: Twin Atlantic at The Viper Room
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)
March 14th: The Pretty Reckless at The HOB Sunset
March 16th: Guster at Largo
March 18th: Dia Frampton at The Troubadour
March 20th: Needtobreathe and Ben Rector at Club Nokia
March 20th: War on Drugs at Avalon
March 22nd: The Lumineers at The Hotel Café
March 23rd: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour
March 24th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater
March 24th and 25th: Allen Stone at The Troubadour
March 31st: Tyrone Wells at The Roxy
April 1st: Charlotte Martin at The Bootleg Bar
April 11th: Mike Doughty at Bootleg Theater
April 12th: Joseph Arthur at The Largo
April 19th: Foxy Shazam at The Roxy
April 13th-15th AND 20th– 22nd: Coachella
April 25th: Ben Kweller at The El Rey
April 27th: Ingrid Michaelson at The Troubadour
May 2nd: Cage the Elephant at The Mayan
May 8th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
May 11th: Imagine Dragons at The Troubadour
June 3rd: Deas Vail at The Troubadour
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour

 

~ Kristen

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Amanda’s Top Ten Musical Experiences (cont.)

I bet you thought I forgot all about this! Well, the truth of the matter is… I haven’t been home to write and when I am home, I’m sleeping. I’ve been out making new musical experiences for 2012! As such I’m giving you three more of my top musical experiences and I promise the top 2 won’t be far behind.

 

5.SXSW- I don’t really know how to describe SXSW to anyone other than calling it a musical orgy of sorts. There is so much to see and do whilst in Austin, Texas that it’s hard to keep your head on straight. Last year was my first year and I hope to be going every year after. The cool thing about SXSW is you really only need money for a place to stay and some food. We never went to any official shows (which is what badges are required for) and we had a hard time keeping up with all the musical options out there. During our time at SXSW we saw; Fierce Creatures, Viva City, Purple Melon, AWOLNATION, Neon Trees, The Head and The Heart, The Kin, Dead Sara, Fitz and The Tantrums, Tailor Made Fable, Keaton Simons, Liam Finn, Atomic Tom, Ivan and Alyosha, Queen Caveat, The Gallery, Sabrosa Purr,  The Greenhornes, The Silent Comedy, Mother Mother, Agnes Obel, Brian Wright, Brooke Fraser, Cary Brothers, Holly Conlan, Jim Bianco, Joey Ryan, Kenneth Pattengale, Laura Jansen, Little Red Radio, OK, The Milk Carton Kids, Deluka, Hugo, Meriwether, My Cousin The Emperor, Sinai, Taylor Locke & The Roughs, The Good Natured, Augustana, Doll and The Kicks, Empires, Lenka, Twin Atlantic, and The Stone Foxes. Well, you get the idea…

 

4. Blink-182- I was never a huge fan of Blink. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t change the radio station when their music came on or anything but nothing about them made me have a burning desire to see them live. In 2011, I saw them not once but twice and they will always have a warm spot in my heart. The first time I saw them was for the Honda Civic Tour. I was working with Kevin and Rebecca Joelson and doing some shooting of the event which means I was in the pit for the first few songs and was able to be side stage for the rest of their set. I was surprised at just how many Blink-182 songs I knew and Rebecca and I sang along from the sidelines. What really blew my brain was when they ‘finished’ their set and this giant rig comes down from the batons where all the lights are. I had been staring at it all night trying to figure out what it was. Well, it was a giant arm with a drum set attached! Travis got on this rig and was taken out over the audience while he played a solo for a few minutes. The rig would tilt down, back up and move around. It was mind blowing!!!! Needless to say, I was a fan after that.

 

3. Bonnaroo- In 2011, Bonnaroo was what Coachella should have been lineup wise. If you’ve ever been to or know about Coachella, think of Bonnaroo as the cooler sister who is both hippie and hip. Bonnarro is also held in a giant field and while it lacks the artistic attractions like the wandering robot and the giant hand that can kill a car, it has yoga and it’s own post office. Bonnaroo also has this giant fountain which I’ve been told gets painted different colors every year but it’s a great way to stay cool in the heat. Coachella doesn’t have that. Granted Coachella is easier to get to, but flying out gave us the chance to hang out in Tennessee and check out Nashville for a day or two. Our highlights from Bonnaroo were already posted on this site but we had a blast watching Eminem, The Head and The Heart, Portugal. The Man, Neon Trees, Kopeckey Family Band, Mumford and Sons, Cory Chisel and The Wandering Sons, Alberta Cross, The Black Angels, and The Decemberists. Bonnaroo is a new tradition in my book and I can’t wait to see the lineup for 2012!

 

See you soon for my top 2!

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 12/5-12/11

I barely survived last week. I can’t remember the last time I pushed my poor body so hard for so long. I can’t say it was a bad week because it was peppered by some amazing musical experiences, but it’s not a good sign when going to a show is a “break” rather than the end of your day. But it is weeks like these that make me most thankful for great live music and its ability to get me through just about anything.

Here’s to hoping this week can be fabulous without the severe sleep deprivation!  Musically, there is a lot of promise. Friday I’m going to wish I could be in 10 places at once. Thankfully, my fave rockers Queen Caveat will also be making an appearance Weds night down in Hermosa Beach. They’ve been busy recording new music and I’ve been suffering withdrawals…

As for the rest, here’s my list:

 

Monday: Brian Wright at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Sabrosa Purr FREE at Silverlake Lounge (9pm)
ALSO: Beverly Kills at Howl at The Moon in Universal City (10pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Daniel Lanois and Rocco Deluca…free with RSVP (10pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Maniac and The Postelles at Bootleg Bar (8:30,10:30)
ALSO: Benefit for Free The Slaves at The Hotel Café featuring Joe Purdy, Cary Brothers, The Rescues, The Makepeace Brothers, etc. (8pm)
ALSO: Me Talk Pretty at The Key Club (10:30)
ALSO: The Dahls at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Carina Round and Puscifer at The Orpheum (8pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Night FREE at The Piano Bar (9pm)

 

Weds: Queen Caveat FREE at The Shore Lounge in Hermosa Beach (9:30)
ALSO: Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Scott Weiland at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: The Kooks at The Music Box (9pm)

 

Thursday: Ryan Cabrera at The Viper Room (midnight)
ALSO: The Kooks at The Music Box (9pm)

 

Friday: Jon McLaughlin and Stephen Kellogg at The Key Club (9, 10:15)
ALSO: Queen Caveat and Kevin Martin at The Viper Room (11, 8pm)
ALSO: The Silent Comedy at Villian’s Tavern (?)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill at Molly Malone’s (8:30)
ALSO: Camp Freddy at The Roxy (9pm)
ALSO: Sara Bareilles and Joshua Radin at The Palladium (7:30)
ALSO: The Belle Brigade at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: William Elliot Whitmore and Trampled by Turtles at The Troubadour (9,10)
ALSO: The Chris Robinson Brotherhood at The El Rey (8pm)

 

Saturday: Quiet Mind, Soul Puppet, The Young Royals, and Roman Candle Wars at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: Aimee Mann Christmas Show at The Wiltern (8pm)
ALSO: Sugarcult at Chain Reaction in Anaheim (7pm)
ALSO: KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas at The Gibson Amphitheater featuring Incubus, Bush, Chevelle, New Found Glory, etc.

 

Sunday: Satellite Holiday Recital and Toy Drive FREE at The Satellite featuring Steven Wikin (Vanaprasta), Useless Keys, Rob Kolar & Lauren Brown (He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister), etc. (7pm)
ALSO: Odd Us and Parker Ainsworth at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Brandi Carlile at Broad Stage in Santa Monica (?)
ALSO: KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas at The Gibson Amphitheater featuring The Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, Death Cab for Cutie, Florence + The Machine, Mumford & Sons, The Naked and Famous, etc.

 

Advance Notice NEXT MONDAY: High Voltage Holiday Party at On the Rox featuring Zero 1, The Active Set, Suddyn, and Bethpage Black (8pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
December 14th: Deas Vail and Lakes at The Roxy
December 16th: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 16th: Oh Land at The El Rey
December 16th: Forrest Day at Molly Malone’s
December 16th: Chris Cornell at The Orpheum Theater
December 16th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 1
December 17th: Hotel Café Christmas Party night 2
December 17th: Tori Amos at The Orpheum Theater
December 18th: Tori Amos at The Orpheum Theater
December 23rd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
December 31st: Semi Precious Weapons at The Roxy
January 12th: Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
January 29th: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke
January 31st: Atomic Tom at Bootleg Bar
Feb. 2nd: Mutemath at Club Nokia
Feb. 14th: Twin Atlantic and You Me at Six at The Troubadour
March 9th: William Fitzsimmons at The Troubadour
March 13th-18th: SXSW (Austin, TX)
March 24th: Ani DiFranco at The Orpheum Theater

~ Kristen

 

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