Get Into the LA Groove: Aug. 12-18, 2024

DJ Moist presents a weekly dose of hip-hop and related genres at La Cita for Moist Mondays. On August 12, The Candy Rain will be in the DJ booth with ‘90s hip-hop and R&B for anyone who wants to start off the week on the dance floor. RSVP at Eventbrite for free entry before 11pm.

Live music showcase High Country returns to Gold-Diggers on Tuesday, August 13 with local alt-country outfit Patrolled by Radar and Austin-based folk singer Phil Hollie on the bill. This is a fairly early show, with 7pm doors and performances expected to begin around 8pm, that promises to be a good time for those who can’t stay out late on weeknights. Tickets at Dice.

On last year’s album, Amatssou, Tinariwen fused North African and North American sounds with collaborators like banjo player Wes Corbett, fiddler Fats Kaplin and musician/producer Daniel Lanois. Catch the Tuareg band when their current tour stops at The Belasco on Tuesday, August 13. Tickets at Live Nation.

Classic alternative superstars Jane’s Addiction and Love & Rockets bring their co-headlining tour to the YouTube Theater on August 13. Joining them is Crawlers, the British band who released their debut album, The Mess We Seem to Make, earlier this year. Premium tickets, which include theater box seats with a private suite for your group, are also available for this show. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Beloved by critics and fans alike, Herbie Hancock’s seminal jazz-funk album Head Hunters has gone on to influence generations of cross-genre musicians and DJs. To celebrate the album’s 50th anniversary, Hancock is reuniting the band. Original Head Hunters players Harvey Mason, Bennie Maupin and Bill Summer will be on stage with Marcus Miller performing in place of the late bassist Paul Jackson for what will be the band’s only reunion show.

Orange County’s Funk Freaks are celebrating their 15th anniversary on Sunday, but the party starts this week when the popular DJ crew joins Miami-based modern funk band Psychic Mirrors and DJ Randy Ellis at Highland Park’s Lodge Room on Wednesday, August 14.

With influences that include Armenian, classical and new age music, Artur Zakiyan’s performances at Catalina Jazz Club have become quite popular with the jazz club’s audience. For his show on August 14, Zakiyan will be playing pieces from last year’s solo album, You, as well as works by Armenian composers.

With his latest album, Alex Izenberg & The Exiles, out now and earning critical acclaim, LA-based Alex Izenberg heads to Zebulon with his brand of introspective, psychedelic-tinged pop songs that tap into metaphysical themes. Singer-songwriter Marina Allen, whose latest album, Eight Pointed Star, dropped in June, will be opening the show. Tickets at Dice.

Bikini Kill’s first run wasn’t that long— they only existed from 1990 until 1997— but the feminist punk band was profoundly influential with songs like “Rebel Girl” becoming an anthem for generations to follow. The reunited group, led by Kathleen Hanna, kicks off their North American tour with two nights at The Wiltern. The Ghost Ease opens for Bikini Kill on Thursday, August 15, while Death Valley Girls gets the show started on Friday, August 16. Tickets at Live Nation.

If you weren’t able to score tickets for Megadeth’s August 9 concert at YouTube Theater, no worries! Tickets are now on sale for a second show on Thursday, August 15. VIP packages include a photo op with the band, VIP merch and pit tickets. You can also upgrade your tickets on the band’s website to include a meet-and-greet with one member of the band, based on availability. For fans of openers All That Remains, note that they also have VIP packages with a photo op available.

MC Chris is back! The nerdcore rapper whose turn as MC P Pants on Aqua Teen Hunger Force garnered him a large cult following, brings his “I Thought The Last Tour Was The Last Tour” show to Permanent Records Roadhouse on Friday, August 16. Joining him are bass music nerds Crunk Witch and local analog synth outfit Fartbarf. Tickets at Dice.

GRAMMY Award winners The Gipsy Kings return to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday, August 16 for a night filled with flamenco and more dance rhythms. Opening the show is Maro, the singer and multi-instrumentalist from Portugal, whose song “Saudade, saudade” made it to the Eurovision finals in 2022.

With echoes of Nick Cave, PJ Harvey and Kate Bush, All Born Screaming, the latest album from St. Vincent, was seemingly made for the concert stage and your chance to catch the tour in Los Angeles is Friday, August 16 at The Greek Theatre. Avant-pop artist Eartheater opens. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

On Hold, his fifth album as Wild Nothing, Jack Tatum dove into dance music influences and 1980s-style pop music production to build lowkey jams like “Suburban Solutions” and “Basement El Dorado.” Catch him live at The Regent on Friday, August 16 with support from Mamalarky. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

With songs like “Have Love Will Travel,” “Strychnine” and “The Witch,” The Sonics have influenced generations of bands since their heyday in the 1960s. The Pacific Northwest garage rockers, who were the subject of the 2018 documentary Boom!, play Echoplex on Friday, August 16 with locals The Rhythm Shakers and The Toe Tags. Tickets to the all-ages show at Live Nation.

Rhyme Fest celebrates the best in indie hip-hop on Saturday, August 17 with a stacked lineup that includes Atmosphere, Dilated Peoples, Freestyle Fellowship, Project Blowed, Sage Francis and so many more. Be sure to check out DJ sets from the likes of Abilities, Nu-Mark, Qbert, Mr. Choc and others who are amongst the most skilled around. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

With stages dedicated to techno, house, dubstep, drum ’n’ bass and hard dance, Kingdom LA has something for everyone in your crew! Beyond the music, this massive, multi-room party at the legendary Catch One will include a 360 stage, LED giant robot, a glow-in-the-dark face and body paint station and much more.

Tickets to the 18+ event at Dice. August birthdays get in for free; group discounts and VIP passes are available.

Space Yacht has a secret. It’s the lineup for the popular party brand’s August 17 event at Academy LA. Tech My House is the name of the event and house is what you can expect to pulse through the club. Other than that, you’re just going to have to show up to find out. Free entry before 11pm with an RSVP and VIP table reservations are available.

If you love roller skates, rock music and horror films, then Skate Oddity: Aloha from Hell is the place to be on Saturday. The monthly party in an outdoor roller rink brings together dark rock with lots of goth, post-punk and ‘80s in the mix, with horror themes. This month, hell is the inspiration and skaters are encouraged to dress accordingly. DJs Brynna Ashley and James David will be serving the jams. Skate rentals are available at the rink. Tickets at Eventbrite.

Sister Sledge, the disco superstars who now, with the addition of Sledgendary, are a multi-generational family band, head to Downtown LA this weekend, where they will headline a free outdoor show at The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza on August 17. Opening the night is DJ Duo Fashion Forward. A limited number of seats are available. There’s no cover, but RSVPs are encouraged.

Buck/Off, Laser Fox and Nic Jericho provide the soundtrack to this month’s Pearl Pool Party on August 18. Head to Hotel Ziggy for this LGBTQ+ daytime event that emphasizes body positivity and good times. Poolside room rentals are available for the afternoon. Tickets at Dice.

Soul Source presents the August 18 installment of Sunday Sessions at Gloria Molina Grand Park, featuring a DJ lineup that includes Karizma, Juliet Mendoza and blksoap, plus Mantron of popular local hip-hop night Boombox and Beat Junkies J Rocc and Mr. Choc. This free, all-ages party includes a beer garden for the 21+ crowd. Plus, the little ones will have a splash pad to enjoy at the park! The party goes from 3pm to 8pm.

For a chill Sunday evening vibe, head to the Hollywood Bowl on August 18 for the historic venue’s annual Smooth Summer Jazz concert. Headliner George Benson will be backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Also appearing are GRAMMY-winner Gregory Porter and critically acclaimed singer Lizz Wright. The show doesn’t begin until 6:30pm, so you’ll have two hours to relax in the Bowl’s picnic areas before the smooth grooves carry you into the night.