Get Into the LA Groove: Sep. 2-8, 2024

Close out the summer on the famed Sunset Strip when Space Yacht and Wicked Paradise take over Skybar at Mondrian on Labor Day. Lounge poolside as you take in the view from above the city while Space Yacht brings top shelf vibes to carry you from afternoon to evening. Tickets at Dice, table reservations are available.

Get down to lovetempo on Tuesday night at Gold-Diggers. Mattie Safer - best known as a member of both Poolside and The Rapture - leaned into smooth disco grooves on last year’s self-titled debut full-length. The band’s recently released single, “But I Do,” ventures deeper into classic house terrain with contributions from Dougie Stu (Brijean) and Cesar Toribio (Conclave). Dougie Stu opens the night, along with Introverted Funk. Tickets at Dice.

On her latest EP, Lip Service, LA-based Izzy Outerspace turns up the ‘90s indie vibe for a new generation of rock fans. Catch her headlining set at Gold-Diggers on Wednesday night with a bill that also includes Reno-based group Ranger, Tommy Economy and Dies. Tickets at Dice.

With a slew of releases to his credit, Seoul-based producer Night Tempo has earned a legion of fans across the world for the contemporary beats he creates with 1980s Japanese pop samples. Your chance to catch Night Tempo on stage is Wednesday, September 4 and for fans of future funk and related microgenres, you don't want to miss out on this show. Tickets to the all-ages show at AXS.

Black Uhuru, the long-running reggae group that won the first GRAMMY for the genre nearly 40 years ago, heads to The Venice West on Wednesday, September 4. With a start time of 8pm it's a fairly early show, but The Venice West does have a full food menu and doors open at 6pm, so this could be a dinner-and-a-show night. Tickets at Ticketweb.

With inspiration pulled from decades of global music, Thievery Corporation developed a sound that would itself influence the turn-of-the-millennium dance floor and beyond. They’ll play The Greek Theatre on September 4 with the equally influential Nightmares on Wax, who will be presenting his recently-reissued 1999 album, Carboot Soul. Doors at 5:30pm, showtime is at 7pm. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Trombone Shorty, the New Orleans musician who has played with everyone from Harry Connick Jr. to the Foo Fighters, headlines the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday, September 4, with his band Orleans Avenue. Hip-hop star Big Boi and R&B up-and-comer Danielle Ponder open the show, so be sure to arrive early. Performances at 8pm, doors open at 6pm for the Bowl's famous picnicking.

Syrian singer Omar Souleyman continued to push traditional dabke into techno terrain with the release of his fifth studio album, Erbil, earlier this year. Filled with energetic vocals and irresistible beats, it’s virtually impossible to sit still while listening to the album, and Souleyman’s live show will certainly have the same effect. Catch him at The Vermont Hollywood on September 5. Tickets to the all-ages show at Dice.

British band Keane has embarked on a world tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Hopes and Fears, which spawned the hit single, “Somewhere Only We Know.” They hit The Greek Theatre on September 5, with Everything Everything opening. Tickets to the all-ages show at EVENTIM.

In 2021, German DJ/producer Christian Löffler made waves with his album, Parallels: Shellac Reworks, which offered his contemporary interpretations of music by Bach, Chopin and other master composers. His most recent album, A Life bears a subtle trance influence that lends an ethereal quality to an otherwise straightforward collection of songs for the dance floor. Catch Löffler at Teragram Ballroom on September 5. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

John Moreland, who was recently featured on Zach Bryan’s song “Memphis: The Blues,” is playing two nights at Hollywood Forever this week. The alt-country singer-songwriter, who released his latest album, Visitor in April, is performing at the Masonic Lodge on Thursday, September 5 and Friday, September 6. Justin Bloss opens. Tickets to the all-ages shows at Ticketweb.

For one night only, Discostan teams up with the beloved LGBTQ Middle Eastern event brand Club Nur to take over 2220 Arts + Archives. Vancouver-based DJ Lionessa headlines and will be joined by LA-based Egyptian DJ Abu Sinna, as well as resident DJs. You won’t want to miss out on this special night. Tickets at Dice.

The BellRays have long been one of the LA bands you must see live. If you have somehow missed out on this local rock and soul outfit over the years, now is your chance to catch them. With their new album, Heavy Steady Go!, out at the end of August and a tour with Social Distortion coming up later in September, they’ll be hitting the stage at Zebulon on September 6. Space Horse opens the night. Tickets at Dice.

Let’s groove on September 6 when “Heart and Soul,” the co-headlining tour from Earth, Wind & Fire and Chicago, hits Los Angeles. The two iconic bands head to Inglewood’s Kia Forum for Friday night sets packed with jams, including an encore that will feature both bands on stage. At the time of writing this, there were still some tickets available for the show, including EWF VIP packages. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Since the movie Saltburn pushed “Murder on the Dance Floor” to viral notoriety at the tail end of 2023, Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s early ‘00s hit single has been virtually inescapable. But, club kids who lived through the decade know that there’s more to the British pop star than just one jam. Join the party on Friday night at The Bellwether, where Holiday Sidewinder opens. Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

Australian band Pendulum is making their way around the U.S. in September with all three original members ready to hit the decks. Join them in Los Angeles on Friday, September 6, for an unforgettable DJ set at the Hollywood Palladium, presented by Bassrush. While this is an 18+ event, VIP tickets are reserved for those who are at least 21.

This year's Los Angeles Folk Festival heads to The Bellwether for two nights of music and comedy with Emmylou Harris headlining on Saturday, September 7 and The Milk Carton Kids in the top slot on Sunday. Also performing on Saturday are Madi Diaz, Vera Sola and Paperwings; while Jonathan Russell of The Head and the Heart, David Garza & Freaklorico and Harrison Whitford are scheduled for Sunday. Both weekend and single day tickets are available for the folk music extravaganza.

Kick back at Gloria Molina Grand Park to the sounds of Y2K and beyond at the I Love RnB Festival on Saturday, September 7. With a stacked lineup that includes Omarion, Ja Rule, Bow Wow, Monica and many more, with a special guest set from Jermaine Dupri, guarantees that the jams will be flowing from noon until the party ends.

Chicago-based Soft Kill leans into ‘80s-meets-’00 nostalgia on their latest album, Escape Forever, with a sound that draws equally from classic alternative and turn-of-the-millennium indie bands. Catch them on Saturday, September 7, at DTLA’s Regent Theater in what promises to be an eclectic night. Soft Kill will be sharing the stage with Montreal punks Béton Armé, Oakland-based synthpop outfit Still Ruins and, from Austin, hardcore band Concrete Elite.

Tickets to the all-ages show at Ticketmaster.

West Coast hip-hop hero DJ Quik brings the party to The Novo on Saturday, September 7, alongside Buddy, Jay Worthy, Jayson Cash and more. Tickets to the all-ages show at AXS. Options include upgrades to The Lounge, which includes access to a private bar and restrooms, as well as seating and priority entry to the venue.

Fat Beats, the famed hip-hop record store-turned-record distributor and label, is bringing out an all-star lineup to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Kool Keith, Ras Kass, DJ Rhettmatic and Fat Beats founder DJ Jab are amongst those who will be playing Avalon Hollywood during the afternoon-to-evening celebration. Breakdancing and special guests are also in store for this special event. Tickets at Dice.

The KCRW Festival concludes its 2024 summer run at the Hollywood Bowl with Vance Joy, who's celebrating the 10th anniversary of his debut album, Dream Your Life Away, with this headlining spot on September 8. Grouplove and Tiny Habits will open the show, which is hosted by KCRW’s Anne Litt.

Get your fill of ‘80s and early ‘90s flashbacks on Sunday afternoon when the Freestyle Festival hits Gloria Molina Grand Park. The stacked lineup includes a cross-section of dance music and hip-hop stars, including Lisa Lisa, Tiffany, JJ Fad, Gucci Crew, Tone Loc, Robin S, Crystal Waters, Mellow Man Ace and more. Tickets to the all-ages show at the Freestyle Festival website.