Get Into the LA Groove: Oct. 21-27, 2024

On the recently released album, Afterthought, Sports Coach spins a captivating web of lo-fi dream pop. Playing alongside the Ojai-based artist is Foliage, from San Bernardino, who channels the sound of ‘80s and ‘90s college radio in songs like “Where in the Earth” and “Five Years Later,” and Santa Monica-based indie synth-funk outfit Pink $ock. Tickets at Live Nation.

Performance Art Museum continues it’s 21 & Over series at Catch One on Tuesday, October 22 with a night hosted by Miss Barbie-Q and featuring Trish Brown, Carmina, Escobar, Terence Koh and more in a celebration of art and nightlife that honors the history of the venue and its original owner, Jewel Thais-Williams, the first Black woman to own a nightclub in the United States. Tickets at Dice.

Best known for their mid-1990s alternative radio hit, “Popular,” Nada Surf has retained a cult following in the years that followed. The band’s tenth album, the power pop-tinged Moon Mirror, dropped last month and they’ll be playing Teragram Ballroom on Tuesday, October 22, with San Diego-based Blair Gun opening. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

Thursday night at The Paramount is for soul lovers with a night headlined by locals Thee Illusions and including performances from Maria Sanchez & the Midnight Groove, plus the aptly-named band Thee Souldies. Vinyl Hangout DJs Como La Flor and Nattyboo will provide tunes throughout the night. Tickets at Dice.

Kid Congo Powers, whose extensive career in music includes playing The Gun Club, the Cramps and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, heads to Highland Park’s Lodge Room with The Pink Monkey Birds on Thursday, October 24. Silm Cessna’s Auto Club and Desert Legend Sean Wheeler open this all-ages show.

From Hercules & Love Affair’s breakthrough single, the late-‘00s club hit “Blind,” to his recent collaboration with Daphne Guinness, “Burn,” Andy Butler has proven to be a master of crafting emotional dance music with a vibe that’s a little ‘70s and a little ‘80s while still sounding very much like the present day. Catch Hercules & Love Affair on Thursday, October 24 at Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Tickets at Dice.

If their recently released single “Swords Dance” is any indication, Healing Gems’ full-length album promises to be a magical ride through the LA band’s brand of psychedelic lounge pop. Hear what’s in store on Thursday, October 24 at The Echo, where Healing Gems will celebrate their album release with breezy dreampop duo Teal Pop and Latin dance orchestra Los Chicos del Mambo con Andy y Reina. Tickets at Live Nation.

If you missed out on tickets for Ty Segall’s sold-out show at Bob Baker Marionette Theatre, don’t snooze on your chance to see the indie psyche artist play a solo acoustic set at Barnsdall Gallery Theater on Friday, October 25. Ben Boye opens the show. Tickets at Dice - note that seats are first come, first-served.

Back in September, David Gilmour released Luck and Strange, his first solo album of new material in nine years, and the corresponding tour hits Los Angeles just in time for Halloween. His first stop is Intuit Dome on Friday, October 25. (Gilmour plays three nights at Hollywood Bowl the following week.) Tickets are on sale at Ticketmaster and going fast.

Nick Waterhouse, Pearl Charles, Trap Girl and more will perform spine-chilling songs from the past to the present at 2220 Arts + Archives on October 25. Murder Ballads & Dark Songs will include original numbers as well as cover songs pulled from the catalogs of artists like Lead Belly, The Doors, The Misfits and Nick Cave. Tickets at Dice.

Local duo Bears in Space teams up with U.K. group Horse Meat Disco for a Halloween bash at Catch One on Friday, October 25. Joining these disco heavy-hitters are Heidi Lawden, Pretty Gay Friendly and Naté. Costumes are recommended for this holiday blowout. This event will sell out, so get your tickets at Resident Advisor ASAP!

Mexican rock band La Castañeda celebrates their 35th anniversary with a stop in Boyle Heights on Friday, October 25. Catch them at Don Quixote with ska-punk faves Tijuana No! Tickets at Ticketon.

A half-century has passed since War unleashed its string of now-classic early ‘70s hits like “Spill the Wine,” “The Cisco Kid” and “Low Rider,” yet those songs remain jams and the band is still on the road with their current tour landing at The Greek Theatre on Friday, October 25. The lineup for this special event is stacked and includes Ozomatli, El Chicano, Tierra Legacy, Richard Bean of Malo and Thee Midniters, plus comedian Frankie Quinones and DJ Angie Vee. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Jeff Lynne’s ELO concludes The Over and Out Tour, the band’s final trek, with two nights at Kia Forum. Tickets are still available at Ticketmaster for both shows on Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, so don’t miss this last chance to see the iconic musician behind “Evil Woman,” “Don’t Bring Me Down” and so many other hits.

Spirit guides and guardians are the theme for the 25th annual Día de los Muertos celebration at Hollywood Forever. The day-long event includes an exhibition of over 100 altars, a ceremonial procession, art exhibition and multiple stages with performances. Pedro Fernández, Los Lobos, Reyna Tropical, Ambar Lucid, El Santo Golpe and Tania Libertad are among this year’s performers.

Tickets are available for morning, afternoon or evening entry and VIP passes are available. visit ladayofthedead.com for the latest info.

Released last June, Timeless is a journey with Kaytranada through hip-hop, R&B and house with appearances from Channel Tres, Dawn Richard, Anderson .Paak, PinkPanthress and more. Timeless is also Kaytranada’s current tour, which lands at BMO Stadium on Friday, October 25, with special guests Channel Tres and Amaarae. In addition to tickets, there are several different VIP seating packages available for this concert.

LA-based Photay’s latest album, Windswept, is a clever and catchy collection of electronic music inspired by air currents. Catch the composer/producer play his experimental, yet accessible, music at 2220 Arts + Archives on Saturday, October 26. Tickets at Dice.

Get ready for your close up when Matte Project and Rhonda INTL join forces on Saturday, October 26, for Costume Dept, a pre-Halloween takeover of all five rooms at Catch One with a “true Hollywood stories” theme. The lineup for this special event is stil TBA, so follow the promoters on Instagram to stay updated on the latest. Tickets at Resident Advisor.

Get ready for a soulful Sunday, when critically acclaimed and multiple GRAMMY-winning neo soul star Maxwell brings The Serenade Tour to Kia Forum on Sunday, October 27. Joining him are special guests Jazmine Sullivan and October London. Tickets at Ticketmaster.