Local Music Nation

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/15-4/21

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Kristen

I didn’t get to go to Coachella this weekend and I’m still quite sad about that (especially since Biffy Clyro’s set was not including on the Coachella livestream), BUT I did spend the day yesterday in the Palm Springs/Coachella area so I was able to get in some music and bask in the desert sun. The best part of the experience was the Coachella after-party, Neon Carnival. Carnival games (I won a stuffed black panther named Carly) and rides (Ferris wheel!), plus a raging dance floor where the celeb-filled party kept going into the wee hours. Let’s just say that today, I am tired. Also, I saw Clint Eastwood.

Still, excited about more music this week. I think what I’m most looking forward to (seeing that I failed to get tickets to The El Rey on Tuesday) would be the arrival of UK’s Young Guns to the LA area. Not sure I can make it to Pomona on Friday, but seeing them play acoustic Saturday afternoon at Sound Check Hollywood has the potential for greatness…

Monday: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Sally Seltmann, Parade of Lights, Laura Mvula (9pm)…FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Chris Stills at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Raheem Cohen and Gavin Turek FREE at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: The Postal Service at The Fox Theater in Pomona (8pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 (8pm)

Tuesday: Foals and The Neighbourhood at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Great White Buffalo and Raheem Cohen FREE at Hemingway’s (9pm)
ALSO: Escondido at The Standard Hotel (7:30)
ALSO: Xander Smith bday show at Genghis Cohen (7:30)
ALSO: Laura Mvula at Bootleg Theater (10pm)
ALSO: Gary Clark Jr. at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Franz Ferdinand at The Fonda Theater (9pm)
ALSO: Beachwood Tuesdays FREE at The Piano Bar featuring Barnaby Saints (8pm)

Weds: Lelia Broussard and David & Devine at The Hotel Cafe (9:30, 10)
ALSO: NO at The Library at The Redbury Hotel …FREE with RSVP
ALSO: Jake Newton and Andy Davis at The Mint (9, 9:45)
ALSO: Holly Conlan at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Tall Tales & the Silver Lining and Ferraby Lionheart at The Satellite (10pm)

Thursday: Atomic Tom FREE at the Rooftop of The Standard downtown LA (7:30)
ALSO: Escondido at The Hotel Cafe (10:15)
ALSO: Terra Naomi at WitZend (9pm)
ALSO: Korey Dane at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Little Green Cars at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Against Me! at Hollywood Palladium (7pm)

Friday: The Brendan Hines, Jackie Does Joel, Naia Kete at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)
ALSO: Belmont Lights at The House of Blues (7pm)
ALSO: The Call at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Young Guns and Halestorm at Fox Theatre Pomona (6:30)

Saturday: Young Guns acoustic performance and in store signing at Sound Check Hollywood (3pm)
ALSO: Wakey Wakey And Tyrone Wells at The Troubadour (8:35, 9:30)
ALSO: Wheeler Brothers at Bootleg Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Justin Nozuka w/ Marty O’Reilly, London Shover, Stop Motion Poetry at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)

Sunday: The Silent War Foundation Benefit show at The Hotel Cafe featuring David & Devine, Keaton Simons, Nina Story, Curtis Peoples, Justin Hopkins, etc. (7pm)
ALSO: The Material with Back Pocket Memory, Rival Tides, Culprit and The Goodnight at The House of Blues Sunset (7pm)
ALSO: The Heavy Guilt at Central SAPC (9pm)

To Keep in Mind:
April 23^rd: The Revival Tour at The El Rey
April 25^th: Dear Boy at Bootleg Bar
April 26^th: Chappo at The Satellite
April 27^th: The Virginmarys at The Viper Room
April 27^th: The Lonely Forest at The Satellite
May 2^nd: Lights at The El Rey
May 2^nd: Crash Kings at Saint Rocke
May 2^nd: Meiko at Los Globos
May 2^nd: The Rolling Stones at Staples Center
May 4^th: The Brobecks at Amplyfi
May 4^th: Alice Russell at First Unitarian Church
May 4^th: Saint Motel at The Roxy
May 6^th: Iron and Wine at The Grammy Museum
May 7^th: Tom Odell at The Troubadour
May 7^th: Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy
May 8^th/9^th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
May 9^th: Dead Sara at The El Rey
May 9^th: Sara Watkins, Fiction Family, Kris Orlowski at Bootleg Theater
May 9^th: Mayday Parade and You Me at Six at Hollywood Palladium
May 11^th: Speak at The Roxy
May 12^th: Stephen Kellogg at The Hotel Cafe
May 13^th: Serena Ryder at The Troubadour
May 14^th: Sara Bareilles at The El Rey
May 15^th: Andrew McMahon at The Troubadour
May 18^th: Dan Wilson at McCabe’s
May 18-19^th: Overture Con at The Mint
May 21^st: Kate Nash at The Echo
May 22^nd: Youngblood Hawke at Avalon
May 24^th: Sir Sly at The Troubadour
May 28^th: Lissie at Masonic Lodge at The Hollywood Forever Cemetery
May 29^th/30^th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
June 1^st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 1^st: CHVRCHES at The Troubadour
June 4^th: Willy Moon at The Troubadour
June 5^th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
June 6^th: Meg Myers and Dear Boy at The Troubadour
June 6^th: Capital Cities at The El Rey
June 7^th: The Boxer Rebellion at Avalon
June 8^th: Bjork at Hollywood Palladium
June 25^th: Rachael Yamagata at The Troubadour
August 19^th/20^th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center
September 26^th: Hanson at House of Blues Sunset

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/1-4/7

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Kristen

Happy Easter! After a long and tiring week, it is really nice to relax and celebrate. When I moved to Los Angeles 5 years ago, one of the things I knew I would miss would be sharing these big holidays with my family, but I’m pretty sure that first year celebrating Easter in LA was when I realized what a great new family I had made here. And in the subsequent years this gathering has become my yearly reminder of how many wonderful and inspiring people I have since met and claimed as my own. I’m pretty sure this year is our largest gathering yet. I mean, the leg of lamb my roommate brought home yesterday…well, I wasn’t even sure it would fit in the oven!

I hope to extend my celebratory mood into the week with the help of some excellent shows. I think the two I’m most looking forward to are the amazing string of acts at The Hotel Cafe Wednesday and Sunday nights. People often ask me what my favorite venue in LA is and I have to say The Hotel Cafe because there is no other venue that can so consistently put together solid lineups from front to back. As much as I venue hop, sometimes it’s nice to see a bunch of your favorites all in one place…

Monday: Western Scene FREE at Bootleg Bar (9:30)
ALSO: 8MM FREE at The Viper Room (11pm)…performance after a video screening of Tapeheads at 8pm
ALSO: Stonefeather FREE at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Garrison Star, AG, Broken Anchor, Whispertown, etc. (8pm)

Tuesday: Basement Sessions FREE at Hemmingway’s featuring The Gallery and Great White Buffalo (9:30)
ALSO: Matt Hires at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Low at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Night FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

Weds: William Beckett w/ Jillette Johnson, Tyler Hilton, David & Devine at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Glen Hansard at The Grammy Museum (8pm)
ALSO: Bronze Radio Return at Bootleg Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Armada and Red Circle Underground at Silverlake Lounge (9, 10)
ALSO: Fortress Social Club at Harvard and Stone (11:30)
ALSO: Air Dubai and For The Foxes at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Goo Goo Dolls at The Troubadour (8pm)

Thursday: NO at The Troubadour (10:15)
ALSO: Justin Furstenfeld (Blue October) and Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe (7:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Kopecky Family Band at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Zero 1 at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Colin Hay at Largo (8:30)

Friday: The Rescues at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: George Stanfrod at Harvelle’s (8:30)
ALSO: Blackberry Smoke at House of Blues Sunset (8pm)
ALSO: Soul Asylum with The Bolts, A Mayfield Affair, Still The Sky’s Limit at The Roxy (8pm)

Saturday: The Rescues at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Keaton Simons and Lee Dewyze FREE at Universal City Walk (8pm)
ALSO: Meiko at The Hapa Festival at the Japanese American National Museum (7:30)
ALSO: Solwave FREE at TRiP (8pm)
ALSO: Taddy Porter at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Jill Sobule at McCabes (8pm)

Sunday: Scott Mellis, Zane Carney, Ernie Halter and Friends w/ Keaton Simons, Curtis Peoples, etc. at The Hotel Cafe (7, 8, 9)
ALSO: Zookeeper’s Palace at The Viper Room (9pm)

To Keep in Mind:
April 9^th: Andrew Ripp at The Hotel Cafe
April 10^th: Curtis Peoples at The Roxy
April 13^th: Langhorne Slim at The Echoplex
April 16^th: The Neighbourhood at The El Rey
April 17^th: Lelia Broussard at The Hotel Cafe
April 18^th: Little Green Cars at The Troubadour
April 20^th: Tyrone Wells and Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
April 23^rd: The Revival Tour at The El Rey
April 25^th: Dear Boy at Bootleg Bar
April 26^th: Chappo at The Satellite
April 27^th: The Virginmarys at The Viper Room
May 2^nd: Lights at The El Rey
May 2^nd: Crash Kings at Saint Rocke
May 2^nd: Meiko at Los Globos
May 4^th: The Brobecks at Amplyfi
May 4^th: Alice Russell at First Unitarian Church
May 7^th: Tom Odell at The Troubadour
May 7^th: Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy
May 8^th/9^th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
May 9^th: Dead Sara at The El Rey
May 9^th: Sara Watkins, Fiction Family, Kris Orlowski at Bootleg Theater
May 12^th: Stephen Kellogg at The Hotel Café
May 14^th: Sara Bareilles at The El Rey
May 15^th: Andrew McMahon at The Troubadour
May 18-19^th: Overture Con at The Mint
May 21^st: Kate Nash at The Echo
May 22^nd: Youngblood Hawke at Avalon
May 24^th: Sir Sly at The Troubadour
May 29^th/30^th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
June 1^st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 1^st: CHVRCHES at The Troubadour
June 5^th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
June 6^th: Capital Cities at The El Rey
June 7^th: The Boxer Rebellion at Avalon
August 19^th/20^th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center

~ Kristen

SXSW ’13-Day 4

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Amanda

I apologize if my last post seemed a little lackluster. I think tiredness and soreness had set in. Today was a different story however. I’m still really jazzed from the events of the day despite how much my feet are screaming at me.

We started off with lunch at the ASOS lounge where we munched on free tacos and indulged in some free music thanks to RedTouch Media. From there we went to see Third Eye Blind at Hangar Lounge however, they were half an hour late and the sound was so loud that even with ear plugs, my ears hurt. We decided to leave right then and there but not before scoring some free Sony headphones. A quick dash to Filter on Cedar Street for our wristbands and some stuff, including a slap band with a usb drive! We got back to the ASOS lounge in time to catch some K. Flay and another taco but our bags of swag were weighing us down and we needed to drop our stuff at the hotel.

I was determined to catch some Airborne Toxic Event since I had never seen them and with Fitz and The Tantrums playing after, I knew I found a place to hang. After catching a bit of Airborne Toxic Event, I went to meet with my other half at Empire Automotive but they were running so far behind that I went back to make sure I made it in for Fitz and the Tantrums. This was an epic show at Old School Bar and Grill presented by StubHub and I was so glad to be there. I even got a set list!

From there was a quick dash across the street to catch the tail end of Free Energy at Peckerheads. We hiked over to Rachel Ray’s Feedback House for dinner but dinner never seemed to come. The gang split up and I took the chance to get a quick rest at the hotel before coming out to dance with Semi Precious Weapons at The Main. All of the SXSW High Voltage crew was there dancing and singing along with the band at the top of our lungs. We all had smiles by the time Semi Precious Weapons ended, which was far too soon.

I decided to make a go for The Roxy Showcase at Empire Automotive to see Dead Sara. However, Capital Cities went way late and despite the line outside, I managed to make it in and up front. Dead Sara blew the house down, as is their usual style. However, by the time my feet were screaming at me and I had to call it a night. But it ended on such a great note, I, couldn’t be happier!

Check out more photos below.

~ Amanda

addendum: I just wanted to mention the amazing time I had at The Blackberry House. It was the best sound I’ve heard all week plus I got to see two of my favorites, Keaton Simons and Leogun back to back. Add in the comfy chairs, accessible outlets, and ice pops and we have the makings of a highly enjoyable afternoon.

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 12/31-1/6

Posted on December 30, 2012 by Kristen

Happy New Year!! Whatever you end up doing to celebrate the transition into 2013, I hope you stay safe and have a blast. Once again I am foregoing my former tradition of staying in and watching Star Wars in favor of some live music. My concert of choice this year is Dirty Sweet at The Griffin in San Diego! A one-off reunion show from a band I love that hasn’t played in a couple of years. How can I refuse? I think more bands “on hiatus” should do this kind of thing.

Anyway, I’m really looking forward to so many shows coming in the New Year, starting with next week! I’m particularly excited about Thursday night at The Roxy with Lakes, The Active Set and Royal Teeth. I hope to see you all out at a show soon!

Here are my other top picks:

Monday: Vintage Trouble at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Puddle of Mudd at Whiskey a Go Go (7pm)
ALSO: Petty Cash at Smoke (10pm)

Tuesday: Beachwood New Year’s Day FREE at The Piano Bar featuring Tripp Rezac and Foster Timms (9pm)

Weds: ?

Thursday: Lakes, The Active Set, and Royal Teeth at The Roxy (7:30)
ALSO: Belmont Lights, Oedipus, Back Pocket Memory, etc at The House of Blues (8pm)

Friday: Scott Mellis at Room 5 (7pm)
ALSO: Wildcat! Wildcat! at The Natural History Museum as part of First Fridays (5:30)

Saturday: Keaton Simons, Steve Carlson, and The Borrower’s Debt at The Hotel Cafe (9,10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: Terra Naomi and Sonia Rao at WitZend (8, 10)

Sunday: Stonefeather at The Central SAPC (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
January 9^th and 10^th: Andrew McMahon at The Viper Room
January 10^th: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute Show at The Roxy
January 16^th: Andrew Bird at Largo
January 19^th: Tyler Hilton and Teddy Geiger at The Roxy
January 23^rd: The Airborne Toxic Event at The Mayan Theatre
January 23^rd, 24^th, 26^th: Muse at The Staples Center
January 26^th: The Nervous Wreckords at The Satellite
January 27^th: Joshua Radin at The Hotel Cafe
Feb. 1^st: Tegan and Sara at Club Nokia
Feb. 2^nd: Augustana at The Troubadour
Feb. 9^th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 12^th: Ellie Goulding at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 13^th: Papa Roach at Club Nokia
Feb. 13^th: Dear Boy at The Troubadour
Feb. 17^th: Ed Sheeran at Nokia Theatre LA Live
Feb. 21^st: twenty one pilots at The Troubadour
Feb. 26^th: Anberlin at The House of Blues Sunset
Feb. 28^th: Matthew Perryman Jones at Bootleg Bar
Feb. 28^th: Jukebox the Ghost at The Echo
March 5^th: Marcus Foster at The Troubadour
March 13^th: Frightened Rabbit at The Music Box
March 20^th: Nico Vega, Atlas Genius, and Imagine Dragons at The Wiltern
April 20^th: Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
August 19^th/20^th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 11/19-11/25

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Kristen

I can’t believe it’s Thanksgiving week. I wish I could be more excited about it, but since people tend to leave LA for the holidays, there aren’t as many show options. I’d like to say that I’ll be spending the extra time off working on my end of year mix and continuing to fill out my SXSW 2013 spreadsheet, but I will mostly likely be playing catch-up at work. I’m actually quite thankful for the opportunity to do this, so hopefully I’ll be able to make the most of it.

I’m also thankful for a couple notable returns to the scene this week. Josh Kelley back at The Hotel Cafe and Nico Vega returning to the stage after what seems like a very lengthy break. Unfortunately, The No Doubt show that Nico Vega is playing sold out before they were even put on the bill…but just knowing they are playing again makes me happy.

Here are the rest of my show suggestions this week:

Monday: A House for Lions, Irontom, The Record Company FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Belmont Lights, Hot Bodies in Motion, The New Limb at The Hotel Cafe (7,8,9)
ALSO: Rimpau and Drive He Said FREE at Silverlake Lounge (9,10)
ALSO: Monday in the Round at Room 5 featuring Trevor Menear, Griffin Young, Joel Eckels and Kristen Toedtman (9pm)

Tuesday: The Watkins Family Hour at Largo (9pm)
ALSO: a Tribute to ABBA FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Paul and the Kir at Molly Malone’s (9pm)
ALSO: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey (9pm)
ALSO: The Postelles, Mayday Parade, and The Maine at House of Blues (7:30)

Weds: Keaton Simons and Nikki Leonti at WitZend (7pm)
ALSO: Josh Kelley at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Half Moon Run at First Unitarian Church (7pm)

Thursday: Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday: Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes FREE at TRiP (10pm)

Saturday: Nico Vega opening for No Doubt at Gibson Ampitheatre
ALSO: Viza at The Troubadour (11:10)

Sunday: New Found Glory at The Troubadour (9:45)

To Keep in Mind:
November 26^th: The Neighbourhood at The Viper Room
November 27^th: Soundgarden at Fonda Theatre
November 28^th: Youngblood Hawke at The Roxy
December 1^st: Milk Carton Kids at Luckman Fine Arts Complex
December 1^st: Ellie Goulding at Nokia Theater LA Live
December 6^th: Biffy Clyro at The Satellite
December 6^th: Imagine Dragons and Garbage at San Manuel Casino
December 7^th: Lakes at Molly Malone’s
December 7^th: Tony Lucca at The Hotel Cafe
December 8^th: Boyce Avenue at Club Nokia
December 8^th: KROQ Acoustic Xmas night 1
December 9^th: KROQ Acoustic Xmas night 2
December 9^th: The Neighbourhood at Bootleg Bar
December 11^th: Atlas Genius at The Troubadour
December 11^th: High Voltage Holiday Party at Silverlake Lounge
December 12^th: Alt J and Wildcat Wildcat at The Fonda
December 13^th: The Mountain Goats at The Troubadour
December 20^th-22^nd: Camp Freddy at The Roxy
January 19^th: Tyler Hilton and Teddy Geiger at The Roxy
January 23^rd and 24^th: Muse at The Staples Center
Feb. 9^th: Ed Sheeran at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 12^th: Ellie Goulding at Hollywood Palladium
Feb. 17^th: Ed Sheeran at Nokia Theatre LA Live
Feb. 28^th: Matthew Perryman Jones at Bootleg Bar

~ Kristen