Get Into the LA Groove: Aug. 19-25, 2024

Ice Spice, the hip-hop sensation who was nominated for a Best New Artist GRAMMY months before her debut album, Y2K!, hit the streets, brings her world tour to the Hollywood Palladium on Monday, August 19. Joining her are frequent collaborator RiotUSA and Cash Cobain, whose hit “Fisherr,” features Ice Spice on the remix. VIP tickets include early entry to the venue. Tickets to the all-ages show at Live Nation.

You never know what will happen at Planet Queer. The long-running variety show, which celebrated its 12th anniversary last month, brings the party to Akbar’s stage on the third Monday of the month with a mix of drag, burlesque, live music and more.

With their deluxe edition of last year’s album, Welcome, out now, Nashville-based, acoustic three-piece The Arcadian Wild bring their bluegrass and folk-influenced take on contemporary indie pop to the Lodge Room on Monday night.

For the new wavers at heart, YouTube Theater is the place to be on Tuesday, August 20, when Howard Jones, singer of ‘80s hits like “Things Can Only Get Better” and “New Song,” hits the stage. Also playing are ABC, whose soulful synthpop jams “The Look of Love, Pt. 1” and “Poison Arrow” still drive dance floors wild; and Haircut 100, the band behind bops like “Love Plus One” and “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl).” Howard Jones & ABC VIP packages are still available. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

With four sold out shows at the Kia Forum under her belt, Olivia Rodrigo takes the GUTS World Tour to Inglewood’s brand new arena, Intuit Dome, on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 20-21. Wednesday’s show has already sold out, but as this post goes live tickets were still available for Tuesday’s concert. Make sure you arrive early to catch ‘90s alt rock icons The Breeders. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

After dropping his EP Back to Reggaeton late last year, Don Omar launched his first headlining tour in a decade. The tour has been a hit— he sold out Kia Forum last March— which resulted in a second lap around the U.S. Catch the pioneering reggaeton artist behind global smash hits like “Danza Kuduro” at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

On his most recent album, Like Neptune, Son Little creates a lush, soulful vibe with rousing choruses, tight beats and his own, compelling vocals. Catch him at The Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever on Tuesday, August 20. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketweb.

Both Lamb of God and Mastodon are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year, so the two bands have hit the road with the Ashes of Leviathan Tour, which stops at Kia Forum on Wednesday. The co-headlining tour marks the 20th anniversary of the release of Lamb of God’s first major label album, Ashes of the Wake; and Mastodon’s influential, Moby Dick-inspired concept album, Leviathan. Support from Kerry King, the Slayer guitarist who released his first solo album this past May; and British metal band Malevolence. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

Since going viral with “The Cigarette Duet” more than a decade ago, Princess Chelsea has pulled from references as varied as 1960s girl groups and early '90s dance music. The New Zealand-based artist launches her brief North American tour on Wednesday, August 21 at Highland Park’s Lodge Room.

After five albums and four GRAMMYs, last March Gary Clark Jr. released his most inventive album yet, JPEG Raw - a journey across genres with contributions from the likes of Stevie Wonder and George Clinton. The singer and guitarist takes to the Hollywood Bowl stage on Wednesday, August 21 with husband-and-wife duo The War and Treaty opening.

Bands comprised of staffers from Eagle Rock Brewery, as well as ten other local breweries, will compete for supremacy in a Battle of the Bands at Teragram Ballroom on Thursday, August 22. This is one of Eagle Rock Brewery’s most popular events and typically sells out, so even though there's a larger stage this year at Teragram, you should get your tickets at Ticketmaster as soon as possible.

Inglewood’s own SiR brings his Life Is Good Tour to a rousing conclusion on home turf when he plays the Hollywood Palladium on August 21 and 22. The Wednesday night show sold out a while back, but there are still tickets available for Thursday’s concert, including a limited number of Heavy VIP Experience tickets, which include a meet-and-greet with the R&B singer. Tickets at AXS.

Squeeze, the British band that helped soundtrack the ‘80s with hits like “Tempted” and “Black Coffee in Bed,” have been celebrating their 50th anniversary with a North American tour. Joining the band for their LA stop at Inglewood’s YouTube Theater is Boy George. Multiple VIP packages are available, including one with access to Squeeze’s soundcheck; a Boy George meet-and-greet and exclusive merch for both artists. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

Originally scheduled for June 1, Banda Cuisillos, the long-running group from Jalisco, will now be performing at the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE on Thursday, August 22. Tickets for the June concert will be honored for the rescheduled date. Lexus Box Rentals, which include a VIP entrance and lounge as well as private box seats, are available for this all-ages show. Tickets at AXS.

In July, Emile Mosseri and Sam Gendel released their collaborative album, Hardy Boys. This week, they’ll be playing music from the improvisational album live inside the library at Philosophical Research Society. This is a great opportunity to hear music inside an intimate, historic space and tickets have been selling quickly. The duo are playing two shows a night on Thursday, August 22 and Friday, August 23. The 9pm shows have sold out for both nights, but as this post goes live there are still tickets for the 7pm sets. Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite and going fast.

With his mix for the prestigious DJ Kicks series out now, London-based, Australian DJ Boring makes a quick jaunt up and down the West Coast, with a stop in Los Angeles at Sound on Friday, August 23. Playing alongside him is local favorite Heidi Lawden. Tickets at Dice, with table reservations available.

Teragram Ballroom and Club Nevermore bring together a mix of local favorites and touring artists for the Dark Summer Festival, the can’t-miss darkwave show of the month. On the bill: Gost, Magic Wands, Straight Razor, Ms. Boan, Body of Light, Night Sins, Bestial Mouths, Creux Lies, Crow Jane, Swaza6 and Topographies. The all-ages show runs from 6pm to 2am - plan on sticking around for the whole thing! Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Hailing from Hawthorne, the same South Bay suburb that spawned 1960s rock ’n’ roll idol Chris Montez and The Beach Boys, Thee Heart Tones are a young, immensely talented band tapping into Chicano Soul influences. Their debut full-length, Forever & Ever, is out on August 23 and they’ll be celebrating with an all-ages show at The Paramount with 54 Ultra opening. Tickets at Dice.

For their Punk Jazz Tour 2024, Peter DiStefano (Porno for Pyros) and Mike Baggetta (mssv) have been crossing the country with improvised tunes played with two guitars and electronics. Joining them for the LA date at The Mint are Mike Watt, known for his time with bands like the Minutemen, Dos and Firehose; and Petra Haden, the singer and violinist who has played with everyone from The Decemberists to Greg Anderson of Sunn O))). Brazilian blues guitarist Artur Menezes and funk guitarist Azuri Moon open the show. Tickets at Dice.

Based between Los Angeles and Bologna, Nuovo Testamento has cultivated a sound that fuses darkwave and Italo disco. Their modern take on ‘80s dance music has gained popularity with DJs across the globe, like Curses, who has remixed two cuts from the band’s latest album, Love Lines. Catch them live at Highland Park’s Lodge Room on Saturday, August 24.

Bass stars Black Tiger Sex Machine will be performing two shows at The Torch at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, August 24. Get ready to experience both Anime Show and Skull Machine with new stage designs. Cosplay is encouraged for this special event. TIckets at Ticketmaster.

Def Leppard returns to SoFi Stadium on Sunday, August 25, this time as part of their co-headlining tour with Journey. If two superstar headliners weren’t enough, be sure to arrive early because the Steve Miller Band is opening the night. VIP packages, including a Def Leppard meet-and-greet, are available. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

Folk rock group Mt. Joy, who built their fanbase, in part, through festival gigs and tours with the likes of The Lumineers and Greta Van Fleet, headline the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday evening. Support from LA-based Local Natives, who released their sixth studio album, But I’ll Wait for You, this past spring. KCRW DJ Chris Douridas hosts.

Every year, The Smiths/Morrissey Convention draws fans of the iconic British band and its lead singer to Avalon Hollywood for a night of tribute bands, dancing, contests and more. This year’s event will feature three tribute acts, with These Charming Men from San Francisco and Tijuana-based Tormentors joining locals Strangeways, plus a stacked DJ lineup. Fans can “sing your life” in the MorrisseyOke room, shop at the vendor booths and try to win prizes throughout the night. This year will also include a vinyl pop-up store and a guest DJ set from Boz Boorer, the guitarist and co-founder of The Polecats, who is also known for his longtime collaboration with Morrissey. It’s all hosted by LA radio icon Richard Blade!