Get Into the LA Groove: July 1-7, 2024

Kick off July at Motown On Mondays, the weekly soul celebration at The Short Stop in Echo Park. A rotating crew of resident DJs, the MOM Players, and special guests bring in a mix of classic Motown jams, deep cuts and so much more that’s related to the iconic record label. Follow Motown on Mondays for updates on the lineup this Monday night. No cover.

Colombian DJ Harvy Valencia makes his debut as a headliner on Tuesday night at Sound for the House of Dreams Red, White & You party. Joining him are locals Redtape and Sabrosura Boyz, plus a special surprise set at midnight. Tickets at Dice, bottle service is available.

It wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl! This year's celebration spans three nights with Harry Connick Jr., a Hollywood Bowl Hall of Famer, at the historic venue. Shows scheduled for July 2-4 all start at 7:30pm, with gates opening two hours prior.

With “2 The Moon,” his latest collaboration with Pitbull and Ne-Yo, and a new single from Afroki, his collab with Steve Aoki, Afrojack heads to the Hollywood Palladium on Wednesday night. Catch the superstar Dutch DJ play a four-hour set to start the holiday weekend. Tickets to the 18+ event at Live Nation, with VIP balcony tickets available for the 21+ crowd.

For those whose ‘80s nostalgia stems from the final years of the decade, New Kids on the Block, who recently released the new album, Still Kids, are bringing the ’88 vibes to Kia Forum with their “Magic Summer” tour. Headlined by NKOTB, the night also features performances from Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

Before heading to Mosswood Meltdown, the Bay Area music festival hosted by John Waters, Hunx & His Punx headline the Lodge Room in Highland Park. The beloved indie band, whose members include visual artist Seth Bogart and Shannon Shaw of Shannon and the Clams, are currently working on a new album, so now is an ideal time to see them. Soltera, Sandy Honig and DJ Mosher Hall are also set to play. Tickets to the all-ages show at the Lodge Room.

Dallas-based Club Kaiju brings their touring Ara Ara: Ero Anime Rave to Los Angeles on Fourth of July. Head to 1720, a fairly convenient location for those who are staying in Downtown LA for Anime Expo this holiday week, for this adult anime-themed music event headlined by Ghost Data. Tickets for the 18+ show at Dice.

Hailing from Puerto Rico, Dávila 666 has gained a cult following for their energetic garage rock and rollicking live shows. Their current tour is taking the band up and down the West Coast with a Fourth of July stop at The Paramount in Boyle Heights. Tickets to the all-ages show at Dice.

The annual 4th of July Block Party at Gloria Molina Grand Park returns with two stages and a stellar lineup that includes cumbia from Grupo Soñador, local cross-genre bands Healing Gems and Tropa Mágica, Kati Hernandez, KimBambula Cuban Dance and Music Ensemble, plus DJs Captain Planet, Jeremy Sole, Francesca Harding and Nu-Mark. The FREE all-ages event also includes a Ferris wheel, food trucks and a drone light show. RSVP at Eventbrite.

With origins in the late 1970s LA punk scene, Redd Kross are local underground icons. The long-running band has two recent singles, “Candy Coloured Catastrophe” and “Born Innocent,” and are heading up to Oakland to play Mosswood Meltdown, the music festival hosted by John Waters, this weekend. Before they hit the road, though, you can catch the band at Alex’s Bar in Long Beach on Friday night. Special guests are TBA. Tickets at Dice.

Yoi Toki is a touring event series that focuses on the Internet-centric genres of Vaporwave and Future Funk, which relies heavily on samples from ‘80s Japanese funk and pop music. The party lands at Teragram Ballroom just in time for Anime Expo, featuring Yoi Toki resident 96.FM and locals PROM1SE and Jak Syn. Tickets to the 18+ show at Ticketmaster.

As an openly gay pop-punk band in the early 1990s that addressed LGBTQ+ issues in their music, Pansy Division has been quite influential on subsequent generations of rock bands. Catch the trailblazers at Lodge Room on July 5, where they’ll be joined by solo funk artist Tolliver and post-punk band Agender. Tickets to the all-ages show at Lodge Room.

European party brand Brunch Electronik heads to LA this Fourth of July weekend for a Saturday afternoon takeover at Exposition Park. Dutch DJ/producer Colyn, perhaps best known for his remix of Joris Voorn’s track “Never,” is set to DJ, as will local favorite DJ Harvey and deep house master Maya Jane Coles. Belgian duo Stavroz will perform live. Also on the bill are Will Clarke and Manics. Tickets at Resident Advisor with VIP Village Backstage and VIP Tables available.

For fans of shoegaze, Blushing’s LA tour stop at the Moroccan Lounge is not to be missed. The Austin-based four-piece has a sound that harks back to the early 1990s heyday of noisy, mostly British indie bands. In fact, they’ve previously collaborated with Miki Berenyi from Lush and Mark Gardener of Ride has mastered two of their albums, including the recently released, Sugarcoat. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Known for rock en español classics like “Devuélveme a mi chica,” Spanish rock icons Hombres G head to Crypto.com Arena on Saturday night for their 40th anniversary tour. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster with VIP tickets available, which include a seat in one of the first 15 rows, plus a gift item and other perks.

It’s been a decade since local duo De Lux released their debut album, Voyage. They’ll be celebrating the occasion by playing the full album live at Lodge Room on Saturday night. Joining them are duo Big Sis and solo synth artist Litronix, as well as DJs Daniel T, Turbotito and Scotty Coats. Wear your best dancing shoes! Tickets at Lodge Room.

Beck brings his orchestral tour to the world-famous Hollywood Bowl for a hometown show where he’ll perform music from across his catalog with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Steven Reineke. 

Close out the week at the Hollywood Bowl for a night with the legendary Patti LaBelle! The soul superstar will be joined by openers Straight No Chaser, the long-running a cappella vocal group. Tickets to the all-ages show at the Hollywood Bowl website.

Earlier this year, pianist and Emmy-winning composer, Dustin O’Halloran the released his latest album, a reflection on humanity and technology titled 1 0 0 1. His current tour with violinist and frequent collaborator Bryan Senti will spend two nights at Hollywood Forever, beginning with this Sunday evening performance.

Having recently released Neon Pill, their first new album in five years, Cage the Elephant brings their current tour to Kia Forum. They’ll be joined by Young the Giant, Bakar and Willow Avalon. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

West Hollywood’s Summer Sounds series of free concerts kicks off on July 7 with local Latin ska band Blanco y Negro; a live funk set from Andre Cruz and Chris Lujan, backed by Black Diamond Rhythm Band; and a DJ set from Monalisa, host of the Dublab show “Paths of Rhythm” and Motown On Mondays resident. RSVP to the all-ages show at Eventbrite.