Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 7/8-7/14

It was recently pointed out to me that one of my current
band obsessions, twenty one pilots, has music released before they came onto my
radar with their most recent album, Vessel.
Let’s just say that this past week had a very piano-rap sound to it. I am also
considering hunting down tickets to Fall Out Boy’s arena tour primarily to see
twenty one pilots open.

As for top show picks this week, Crash Kings are having
their CD release show on Wednesday at The Troubadour. I haven’t heard too much
from this band lately but it looks like they are gearing up for a come-back and
I can’t wait to see it all unfold.

Also, be sure to stop by The House of Blues Foundation Room
on Tuesday night for a High Voltage show featuring some of my favorites like
Lelia Broussard and The Filthy Souls. Speaking of High Voltage Magazine, we’re
starting to send out newsletters to keep everyone up to date on all our events,
reviews, and general happenings. Let me know if you’d like to be on that list
too!  

As for the rest of this week, here are my show suggestions:

Monday: The Cerny
Brothers, Harper Blynn, Miner, Tyler Lyle FREE at Bootleg Bar (8:30)
ALSO: Last American Buffalo FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: The Absolute, The Roof Beam Carpenters FREE at Silverlake Lounge (10,11)
ALSO: It’s A School Night FREE at Bardot featuring London Grammar and Air Dubai
(9pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE Room 5 featuring Erin Willett, Scott Mellis, etc (8pm)

Tuesday: High
Voltage Presents at The House of Blues Foundation Room featuring Patrick
Droney, Lelia Broussard, The Adventures of Todd and Niki, The Filthy Souls,
Little Dove, The New Electric Sound, DJ High Voltage and more (8:30)…RSVP to get
in for $5 https://www.facebook.com/events/533966016667075/

ALSO: Quiet Company at Molly Malone’s (10:45)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

Weds: Crash Kings
with Atomic Tom and Night Riots at The Troubadour (8:30)
ALSO: Joel Taylor, Amie Miriello, Bartholomew at The Viper Room (8,10,11)
ALSO: Wisecub at The Satellite (10pm)

Thursday: Song
Preservation Society, The Melodic, Charlie Wadhams at Bootleg Bar (9, 10, 11)

Friday: David
& Devine and Kendra Morris at The Viper Room (8:45, 10)
ALSO: My Name is You at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Song Preservation Society and The Melodic at McCabe’s (8pm)
ALSO: The Heavy Heavy Hearts with The Ragged Jubilee at Harvelle’s (9pm)
ALSO: Zookeeper’s Palace at The Good Hurt (9:30)
ALSO: Sunday Lane, Terra Naomi, Joel Taylor at Sunset Marquis
ALSO: Eisley at House of Blues Sunset (8pm)
ALSO: Young Dubliners with Brother Sal and Nina Storey at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Portugal. The Man at The Wiltern (7pm)

Saturday:
Fauntella Crow at WitZend (10pm)
ALSO: The Active Set, Black Hi-Lighter at El Cid (10,11)
ALSO: The Parlotones at The Viper Room (10:30)
ALSO: Sugar Ray, Smash Mouth, Gin Blossoms, Vertical Horizon, Fastball at The
Greek Theatre (7:30)

Sunday: John
Reilly & Friends (f. Becky Stark and Tom Brosseau) at Bootleg Theater
(7:30)

 

To Keep in Mind:
July 15th: The Neighbourhood at The Fonda Theater 
July 17th: Alpha Rev at The Hotel Cafe 
July 19th: Passenger at El Rey Theatre
July 21st: Sister Hazel at Molly Malone’s
July 22nd: Kid Karate at Bardot 
July 23rd: Bastille at The Troubadour 
July 23rd: Savages at The El Rey
July 23rd/24th: The Postal Service at The Greek Theatre
July 25th: Dan Wilson at The Hotel Cafe 
July 26th: Saint Motel at The El Rey 
July 27th: Fitz and The Tantrums at The Wiltern
July 28th: Shakey Graves at Bootleg Bar 
July 28th: Zane Carney at Bootleg Bar 
August 1st: Semi Precious Weapons at The Viper Room 
August 2nd: Kitten and Dear Boy at The
Troubadour 

August 4th: The Both at The Troubadour 
August 1st-3rd: Sunset Strip Music Festival 
August 8th: The Silent Comedy at Fonda Theatre
August 11th: Ivan & Alyosha at The Troubadour 
August 14th: Jamie N Commons at The Troubadour 
August 16th: Michael Bernard Fitzgerald at The Troubadour 
August 16th: Serena Ryder at The Roxy 
August 17th/18th: Echo Park Rising

August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center
August 22nd: Andrew Belle at Bootleg Bar 
August 24th: NEEDTOBREATHE at Harvest Social in Anaheim 
August 24th: Truth & Salvage Co. at The Troubadour 
September 4th: Tegan and Sara at The Greek Theatre
September 6th: Gold Fields at The Troubadour 
September 10th: Ewert and The Two Dragons at The Satellite 
September 11th: Churchill at Greek Theatre 
September 14th: Hem at The Troubadour 
September 18th: Bastille at The El Rey 
September 19th: Cold War Kids at The Wiltern 
September 20th: twenty one pilots at House of Blues Anaheim (w/ Fall Out Boy
and Panic at The Disco)
September 26th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset
September 27th: The Naked & Famous at The Wiltern 
September 27th/28th: The Lumineers at The Greek Theatre 
October 1st: Jake Bugg at Fonda Theatre
October 3rd: Matt Nathanson and Joshua Radin at The Wiltern 
October 4th: Travis at The Wiltern 
October 8th: Daughter at The Wiltern
October 9th: The Avett Brothers at Shrine Auditorium 
October 10th: Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe  
October 11th: KT Tunstall at Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery 
October 12th: 30 Seconds to Mars at The Hollywood Bowl
October 14th: Frank Turner at The Fonda 
October 16th: Langhorne Slim & The Law at The Troubadour
October 16th: The Delta Saints at The Mint

October 21st: Carbon Leaf at The Hotel Café
October 26th: Boy at The Fonda  
October 31st: Iron & Wine at Orpheum Theatre

~
Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/8-4/14

Watching some season 1 Veronica Mars in honor of the super successful Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the VM movie. I’m excited (and yes, I pledged). I’ve seen these episodes so many times, it’s the perfect background for getting some work done.

Speaking of work, it’s been overtime for me lately, so I haven’t been going to as many shows. There are some good ones next week too.  I’m most excited about Curtis Peoples’ record release show on Wednesday at The Roxy. Then of course, if you’re lucky enough to have tickets, week 1 of Coachella is this weekend. Please go and enjoy Biffy Clyro for me…

Here’s what else I’d recommend:

 

Monday: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Escondido and The Dustbowl Revival (9pm)…FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Audra Mae FREE at The Central SAPC (8pm)
ALSO: Abbot Kinney FREE at Silverlake Lounge (11pm)
ALSO: The Diamond Light at Gavin Turek FREE at Bootleg Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Thao & The Get Down Stay Down at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Mackenzie Bourg at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Juliet Simms at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Death of a Star at House of Blues (9:30)
ALSO: Toy Bombs and Eastern Conference Champions at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

 

Weds: Curtis Peoples at The Roxy (10pm)…album release show!
ALSO: David & Devine at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Andy Davis at The Mint (8pm)…residency alert!

 

Thursday: Caitlin Crosby and Wild Feathers at The Hotel Cafe (9,10)…start of Caitlin Crosby Residency
ALSO: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Korey Dane at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Friday: The Elizabeth Kill, 28 North, and Badwater at El Cid (9:30, 10:15, 11)
ALSO: Father Tiger at The Virgil  (9pm)
ALSO: Shane Alexander and Brother Sal at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)…Shane Alexander Record Release Show
ALSO: OWL at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Coachella!

 

Saturday: Langhorne Slim and Lucero at The Echoplex (9pm)
ALSO: The Honey Trees at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: The Rocket Summer with The Classic Crime and Joe Brooks at Chain Reaction (7:30)
ALSO: Coachella!

 

Sunday: Tic Tic Boom! at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Coachella!

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
April 16th: The Neighbourhood at The El Rey
April 17th: Lelia Broussard at The Hotel Cafe
April 18th: Little Green Cars at The Troubadour
April 20th: Tyrone Wells and Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
April 23rd: The Revival Tour at The El Rey
April 25th: Dear Boy at Bootleg Bar
April 26th: Chappo at The Satellite
April 27th: The Virginmarys at The Viper Room
April 27th: The Lonely Forest at The Satellite
May 2nd: Lights at The El Rey
May 2nd: Crash Kings at Saint Rocke
May 2nd: Meiko at Los Globos
May 4th: The Brobecks at Amplyfi
May 4th: Alice Russell at First Unitarian Church
May 4th: Saint Motel at The Roxy
May 7th: Tom Odell at The Troubadour
May 7th: Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy
May 8th/9th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
May 9th: Dead Sara at The El Rey
May 9th: Sara Watkins, Fiction Family, Kris Orlowski at Bootleg Theater
May 11th: Speak at The Roxy
May 12th: Stephen Kellogg at The Hotel Café
May 14th: Sara Bareilles at The El Rey
May 15th: Andrew McMahon at The Troubadour
May 18-19th: Overture Con at The Mint
May 21st: Kate Nash at The Echo
May 22nd: Youngblood Hawke at Avalon
May 24th: Sir Sly at The Troubadour
May 29th/30th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
June 1st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 1st: CHVRCHES at The Troubadour
June 4th: Willy Moon at The Troubadour
June 5th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
June 6th: Capital Cities at The El Rey
June 7th: The Boxer Rebellion at Avalon
June 25th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center
September 26th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset

~ 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: 3/26-4/1

Last week my body finally retaliated for all the stress I’ve been putting it through. I completely lost my voice and have a nasty head cold. I’m bummed because it forced me to missed some stellar shows. Tonight I’m heading out to The Avalon for Belle Brigade/The Good Old War. Hopefully I won’t regret it tomorrow. Here’s what else I hope to be well enough to do this week:

Monday: Infantree, Vanaprasta, and Voxhaul Broadcast FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: NO FREE at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: Patrick Park at Bootleg Theater (7:30)
ALSO: The Janks FREE at Bootleg Bar (10:30)
ALSO: Ari Shine, Adam Bones, and Jack Littman at Redwood Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Laura Stevenson & The Cans at The Troubadour (8:45)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: The Stone Foxes at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Used FREE at The Troubadour (8pm)…playing songs from their new album, no lineups before 4

 

Weds: Ernie Halter at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)

 

Thursday: Shane Alexander, Chris Pierce, Brother Sal at WitZend (8,9,10)

 

Friday: Lady Sinatra and Indians at The Viper Room (10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: Nightmare & The Cat and Lovers Drugs FREE at Dim Mak Studios (AKA Cinespace) (11:15, 1)
ALSO: Mind the Gap at The Hotel Cafe (11:30)
ALSO: Justin Levinson at Room 5 (8pm)
ALSO: Justin Hopkins at WitZend (10pm)
ALSO: All American Rejects at The Troubadour (8pm)
ALSO: The Silent Comedy at House of Blues Anaheim

 

Saturday: Tyrone Wells at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: George Stanford at Witzend (11pm)

 

Sunday: Mariah McManus and Charlotte Martin at Bootleg Bar (9,10)
ALSO: The Elizabeth Kill FREE at The Other Door (9pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
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 12th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Café
April 13th: Kill the Alarm at Room 5
April 16th: Band of Skulls, We Are Augustines, The Sheepdogs at The El Rey
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 25th: Dead Sara at Club Nokia
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 6th: Middle Class Rut at The Troubadour
May 8th: Snow Patrol at The Hollywood Palladium
May 10th: Jay Nash at The Hotel Cafe
May 11th: Imagine Dragons at The Troubadour
May 12th: Augustana at The El Rey
May 19th: Eric Hutchinson and Graffiti6 at The Troubadour
May 30th: Eve 6 at The Troubadour
May 31st: Greg Laswell at The El Rey
June 3rd: Deas Vail at The Troubadour
June 5th and 6th: 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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1 night. 4 venues. 7 bands: A Tale of a Music Enthusiast

On any given night in Los Angeles there will be a great band playing somewhere. I will go, enjoy the music, chat with friends and call it an evening. Sometimes, the gods of music seem to get angry with me and book too many amazing musical events on the same evening, thus forcing me to make somewhat agonizing decisions that, more often than I care to admit, leave me so paralyzed I don’t venture out at all. Monday night I choose to defy those gods as I successfully completed the near impossible feat: Hit up 4 venues in one evening. Here is my story.

It all started with one of my favorite hometown bands, Scarlet Grey. Even since I helped out on their music video for “The Sky & I,” seeing this band has been a bit like a family reunion. The boys of Scarlet Grey are taking off for London for a while and booked their last LA show for Monday August 22nd at The Troubadour.  In my calendar it went with indelible black ink.

Soon after, I was incredibly pleased to see that one of my favorite Nashville-based artists, Ben Rector, had booked a gig at my favorite LA venue, The Hotel Cafe. Ben doesn’t come to LA that often, so this was not something I wanted to miss. I went to ink it in the calendar and was dismayed when I saw the date already filled. Fortunately Ben played at 8pm and Scarlet Grey at 9:45 so I could catch both.. Excellent! A full and exciting evening planned with two great acts.

Things started to get a wee bit complicated when I met Bay, a musician in the band Some Hear Explosions, outside The Viper Room after The Veronicas show.  Bay handed me a CD sampler and spoke of this magical Some Hear Explosions show taking place at The Viper Room. He painted such an enticing picture, I was excited…until I asked him when said show was to occur. Monday August 22nd. Why Monday is often the most convoluted day of the week show-wise is beyond me. It’s MONDAY! Anyway, after listening to said sampler and cursing the goodness of it, I penciled in the 11:15 SHE set thinking that The Viper usually runs late anyway, so it was entirely possible to make it after The Troubadour…the venues are fairly close together.

Finally, during SSMF, a friend of mine pointed out two additional bands also playing on Monday. Chappo, a Brooklyn-based band I had heard good things about, was playing a set at The Satellite and The Constellations were going to be at The Bootleg. I really wanted to see Chappo because I juuuust missed them at SSMF, but their Satellite set fell right in the middle of my already inked in events, so I cast that thought aside. The Constellations, however, were playing at midnight. The Constellations are a band from Atlanta, Georgia. They make infrequent appearances in Los Angeles and I had been craving a live set since their CD came out last year.  I didn’t care about the excess driving, the time crunch, or the fact that I would be too tired to function the next day. I needed to be at that show! I penciled it in right after Some Hear Explosions.

Come Monday night, every little thing just seemed to be working out. Traffic was shockingly light and I arrived at The Hotel Cafe early. I immediately found street parking (something that doesn’t often happen for me) and I went into the venue to find the 7pm act, Korey Dane, still playing. I only caught 2.5 tunes, but I was impressed. Just as I was thinking, “I really need to see this guy again,” someone hands me a flier for BuskerFest, an event taking place this Saturday in Long  Beach at which Korey Dane is playing along with Everest , Jay Buchanan, and more.

Ben Rector took the stage shortly after 8pm and for the next 30min or so I was lost in his world. He played many of my favorites (“When a Heart Breaks,” “The Beat,” even “Hank”!) going back and forth from the guitar to the piano. It was only Ben’s second time playing in Los Angeles, but fans were out in full force, singing along, clapping unprovoked(!), and listening attentively to Ben’s stories.  There was Frisbee throwing, “Loving You Is Easy” got an improvised verse about grilled cheese, and throughout the whole set I could not stop smiling. My only complaint was that he didn’t play “Moving Backwards,” the song that first introduced me to Ben a couple of years ago. I still haven’t heard it performed live…and this bothers me greatly.

As soon as Ben Rector’s set was over, I left The Hotel Cafe to head to show number 2: Scarlet Grey at The Troubadour. On the way back to my car I passed by The Piano Bar. There was good tune-age coming from within, so I ducked in for a song. Turns out it was Waylon Payne, the guy who played Jerry Lee Lewis in the movie Walk the Line. It would have probably been a great night of music just hanging out at The Piano Bar (I spotted piano extraordinaire Brother Sal in the corner), but I couldn’t stay.

Heading to The Troubadour I was again amazed to find traffic to be light and free parking to be a piece of cake. I walked into the venue in time to hear my favorite Dead Country song, “Euro Thrash” and find where all my friends were hiding before the quickest set change ever occurred and suddenly Scarlet Grey were on the stage rocking out to “No Boys in the Ballroom” and “Fancy Blood.” The band played quite a few new songs that gave me the impression that they are aiming to up the rock factor, adding longer musical interludes and shifting the audience dance from jumping up and down to head banging. The set was over way too quickly but the boys came back out to do an encore which included “The Sky & I” so I was quite pleased.

I was even more pleased to realize I had some time after the set to hang out with The Grey Family for a few minutes before taking off to show number 3. The Viper was easy to get to and for the third time that evening, I made it in time to catch a few songs from the previous band (in this case, The Mulhollands).  I was excited to see the cat walk had been brought out and I spent the time in between sets saying hello to some familiar faces in the room and recollecting my last Viper/cat walk experience (Semi Precious Weapons).

Some Hear Explosions started around 11:30. Bay wasn’t kidding when he said a lot of effort was going in to that night’s performance. Lights, video, sound effects in addition to the runway upped the level of intensity for the already energetic band. Some Hear Explosions played a couple songs I knew from the sampler with such panache, it was impossible not to get into it. It was difficult to disengage 20 minutes into the set, but the call of The Constellations was strong.

I arrived at The Bootleg just as Robert Francis was ending (thankfully things were running late). I found my peeps and we recounted stories of our evening’s adventures thus far. Between the three of us, we had gone to 6 different shows before convening at The Bootleg. I was starting to fade but then the set began and before I knew it, the music had taken over and I was a dancing machine! The Constellations proved to be as good if not better than I had anticipated. I love bands that really fill the stage (there are six of them…and only 1 guitarist) and lead singer, Elijah Jones, has a unique voice that sits somewhere between groovy rock and growling spoken word and can hit the most perfect maniacal laugh with impressive ease.  New Band Love!!

The Constellations played all the songs I wanted to hear (“Felicia,” “Setback,” “Step Right Up”) and the set had put me in such a good mood, I found myself lingering at the venue for some time after the music had ended. I just wanted to retain as much of that magical energy for as long as possible. I don’t think I want to tell you want time I finally got home that evening/morning. At the end of it all, I had seen two of my favorite acts, discovered a great new artist, added a new band to my local must see list, and fallen in love.  For a music enthusiast such as myself, this was not a bad way to spend an evening. 7 Bands. 4 Venues. 1 night. Not bad…not bad at all!

 

 

~ Kristen

 

 

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/20-6/26

This weekend was supposed to be SO much fun, but I ended up spending most of it sleeping. I guess I can only run away from sickness for so long. Fortunately, before the fever descended, I was able to spend an amazing night Weds at Empire, the weekly party Semi Precious Weapons throws at On the Rox (bar above The Roxy). So many of my friends were out, celebrating a few birthdays. SPW put on a stripped down miniset, including a slower version of their new tune “Free Booze” that I might just enjoy more than the original. Finally, we all danced the night away to tunes provided by my favorite DJ (DJ High Voltage). Such a memorable night! There are only two more Empires left (this Weds and next) so if you haven’t been, be sure to get on the list and go!

As for the rest of the week, here’s my wish list. At the moment, I can’t really fathom going out, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to. So many good shows this week. You’ll have to enjoy them for me until I’m back on my feet.

 

Monday: Armada at The Viper Room (11:15)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Jenny O FREE at Bootleg (9pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 featuring Shane Alexander, John Elliot, Joel Eckels, and Jon Green (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Blue n Green: To Jopin With Love benefit concert at The Hotel Cafe featuring Tony Lucca, Keaton Simons, Raining Jane, Stop Motion Poetry, and SO many more (9pm)…door proceeds to benefit The Joplin Schools Tornado Relief Fund
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at Lot 1 Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Two Gallants at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: Paris Carney at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Weds: High Voltage Night at The Mint featuring Eli James, Hell & Lula, and Toy Bombs (9pm)
ALSO: The Watkins Family hour at Largo at The Coronet (8:30, 10)
ALSO: Meiko at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Jarrod Gorbel and Bell X1 at The Troubadour (8:30, 9:30)
ALSO: My Morning Jacket at Pantages Theater (8pm)
ALSO: Empire Presents Semi Precious Weapons On the Rox (10pm)…free with RSVP to rsvp@semipreciousweapons.com

 

Thursday: War Tapes and Dead Sara at Bootleg Theater (9:45, 10:45)
ALSO: Austin Hartley Leonard, Chris Pierce, and The Canyons at The Hotel Cafe (9,10,11)
ALSO: Allen Stone and Nikka Costa at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Lovers Drugs at The Prospector in Long Beach (9pm)
ALSO: The Kooks at The Troubadour (9:45)
ALSO: Okkervil River at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: The Mountain Goats at The El Rey (8pm)

 

Friday: Lakes at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Rooney and Maniac at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Viza at The Troubadour (11:15)
ALSO: Alex Dezen at Bootleg (9:30)

 

Saturday: The Silent Comedy at The Roxy (1pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi, Lelia Broussard, Andy Clockwise, and Brother Sal at The Hotel Cafe (9,10,11,12)
ALSO: Jamestown Revival at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Allen Stone and Nikka Costa at Saint Rocke (9pm)

Sunday: Jonah Montraga at The Hotel Cafe (7:30)

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 29th: Brooke Fraser at The Music Box
July 4th: Hotel Café Presents Ford on the 4th of July featuring Truth & Salvage Co., Cary Brothers, The Rescues, Anya Marina, etc.
July 14th: Parade of Lights at The Viper Room
July 15th: Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe
July 19th and 21st: Alkaline Trio at The Troubadour
July 22nd: Langhorne Slim at The Echo
July 26th: The Indigo Girls at The Troubadour
July 28th: A Perfect Circle at Gibson Auditorium
August 12-14th: Outside Lands in San Francisco
August 18th: The Veronicas at The Viper Room
August 19th: Buckcherry at The Roxy
August 18-20th: SSMF
September 22-24: Hotel Carolina (South Carolina)

~ Kristen

 

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