A decade ago there were few reasons to venture downtown for music. Now, there are at least ten venues worth hitting.
Consider the Belasco and the Mayan, two theaters on Hill Street that in the 1900s were considered “off Broadway” (the Orpheum and the Ace are on Broadway). Now lines have to form in separate directions when they host shows on the same night.
“The Belasco is a really beautiful, ornate theater,” says Todd Miller, Live Nation’s Senior Vice President of Talent and Booking. “The acoustics of the room are amazing, and the sound system is new.”
It’s one of at least 17 different venues where you can catch some live music this fall and beyond. Below is a list of 20 various concerts more than worth the price of admission. Let’s boogie.
Because this Mali funk band has more grooves than an unpaved road
Songhoy Blues at The Moroccan Lounge – 10/4
Because any time day or night is the right time for sexy country music
Nikki Lane at The Roxy – 10/04
Because Todd Miller said that this was the live act he was excited to see again
Angels and Airwaves at The Belasco – 10/9
Because her recent soulful solo effort was well worth the wait
Brittany Howard at The Theatre at Ace Hotel – 10/8 & 10/9
Because Flaming Lips. Because Wu-Tang. Because Ween. Because the desert!
Desert Daze Festival – 10/10 – 10/13
Because this atmospheric rock band has a dreamy Rolling Stones feel
Because you want to dance for two hours straight to some joyous vibes
Sofi Tukker at the Shrine – 10/10
Because you want to do a New Orleans second line
Rebirth Brass Band at The Bootleg – 10/19
Because this Texas-based band sounds like late-’60s soul
Black Pumas at The Regent – 10/23
Because his new album, Ma, is like an easy-breezy sunny day
Devendra Banhart at The Theatre at Ace Hotel – 10/24
Because his “Daily Battles” is a moody, jazzy masterpiece
Thom Yorke at The Greek Theater (stubhub) – 10/29 & 10/30
Because sometimes talent doesn’t skip a generation
Justin Townes Earle (Steve Earle’s boy) at The Troubadour – 10/30
Because this post-punk, electronica band puts on a big, cinematic performance
Two Door Cinema Club at the Hollywood Palladium – 11/06
Because you want to get down to some soulful tunes an intimate theater
PJ Morton at the Belasco – 11/08
Because you want to dance with hipsters (remember hipsters?) to wry pop electronic music
Because the Queen of Pop is doing an epic run at L.A.’s best indoor venue
Madonna at the Wiltern – 11/12 – 11/24
Because dance music, hip hop and animated hilarity is your bag
Adult Swim Fest at Banc of California Stadium – 11/15 – 11/16
Because their new album Let’s Rock delivers the sort of high octane music its name suggests
The Black Keys at The Forum – 11/19
Because he strums Americana the way it’s supposed to be strummed
Ryan Bingham at the House of Blues Anaheim – 11/22
Because you need a little funky bluegrass
The Dead South at The Belasco – 11/27
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