The Best Los Angeles Nightlife: Dec. 2-8, 2024

Dawn Richard first came to prominence as part of the pop outfit Danity Kane, but, as a solo artist, she has carved out a less conventional niche for herself while melding genres and vibes across a fairly prolific discography. In October, she and jazz musician/composer Spencer Zahn released Quiet in a World Full of a Noise, an album that delivers exactly what the title states. The duo will take the stage at Zebulon on Monday, December 2 for what will surely be a sublime set. Tickets at Dice.

KRS-One, the hip-hop icon known for classic cuts like “Sound of da Police,” has spoken to crowds on a variety of subjects. For his Master Class lecture, he’ll be talking specifically about hip-hop, art and the role of the artist. Hear what wisdom KRS-One has to share on Monday, December 2 at The Venice West. Tickets at Ticketweb.

Ronboy, Miya Folick, Charlie Hickey and Rachel Bloom are just some of the musicians and comedians performing at Zebulon on Tuesday, December 3 to raise funds for Alexandria House at the second annual Rockin’ Disco Holiday Benefit. Located in Mid-Wilshire, Alexandria House helps women and children transition from emergency shelters to permanent housing. Tuesday night’s event will also include a raffle and surprise guest performances. Tickets at Dice.

To celebrate their 30th anniversary, The Dandy Warhols are playing a three-night stand at the Moroccan Lounge in Downtown LA. General Admission to the second night at the intimate venue on Tuesday, December 3 is still available - the other shows offer resale tickets. Local duo Bysts will open the show and DJ Rescue (aka Dandy Warhols’ member Zia McCabe) will provide tunes.

John Legend brings his Christmas tour to YouTube Theater on Tuesday, December 3, with a setlist that includes songs from his GRAMMY-nominated 2018 holiday album, A Legendary Christmas. For the superfans, there are two different VIP packages available. Both include a pre-show Q&A session with the singer, but the meet-and-greet package also includes the chance to come face-to-face with Legend and a photo op. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

For a night of underground, LA dance pop that’s part 1980s mutant disco, part 2000s indie sleaze, head to Gold-Diggers on Wednesday, December 4. Gelli Haha, whose debut album is slated for release next year, headlines and will be joined by Klypi, who recently released the electropop-heavy album, Icon Enterprizes. Also on the bill are Dance Arts Center and DJ Vincenzo. Tickets at Dice.

After captivating the crowd at Highland Park’s Lodge Room last May and releasing their 10th album, Stung!, Pond return to Los Angeles. If you didn’t get to catch the Australian psyche band earlier this year, don’t miss your chance when they play The Wiltern on Thursday, December 5. New Zealand’s Fazerdaze opens the show. Tickets at Live Nation.

You will not want to leave the dance floor at Kiss Kiss Bang Bang on Thursday night. For the December 5 edition of Disco Boots, German DJ/producer Mousse T, whose list of jams includes the 1990s house anthem “I’m Horny,” takes to the booth. Gavin Turek, the LA-based singer whose new album, Diva of the People, is new disco gold, will also be hitting the decks for a DJ set. Tickets at Dice.

The Bronx is touring its popular holiday show, White Drugs Christmas, across California this December. For the first of two nights at The Echo, the long-running punk band will headline with South Bay band Slaughterhouse in the opening slot. The show will also be a toy drive for local shelters, so bring a donation. Tickets at Live Nation.

Calling all Debheads! Debbie Gibson is bringing her Winterlicious holiday show to Los Angeles for three nights at The Bourbon Room. The singer, who shot to fame in the 1980s with hits like “Only In My Dreams” and “Shake Your Love,” will be performing winter favorites in a song and dance extravaganza. Tickets for Saturday have already sold out, so get yours at Ticketweb for Thursday, December 5 or Friday, December 6 ASAP.

With her December 5 show at Zebulon already sold out, Emma Ruth Rundle has added a second Los Angeles date to her West Coast tour. Catch the acclaimed singer and guitarist live, with support from Storefront Church, at Zebulon on Friday, December 6. Tickets at Dice.

The Bronx is touring its popular holiday show, White Drugs Christmas, across California this December. On the second of the band’s two nights at The Echo, the punk band’s long-running mariachi alter ego, Mariachi El Bronx, headlines. Opening the show is Los Bolos, the country group featuring members of Fidlar and Together Pangea. The show will also be a toy drive for local shelters, so bring a donation. Tickets at Live Nation.

Drag star Jackie Beat brings her holiday show, “Big Dickens Energy” to Catalina Bar & Grill on Friday, December 6. With cutting wit and an arsenal of parody songs, her annual extravaganzas have become a long-running tradition in Los Angeles and beyond. Tickets at Ticketweb.

French DJ/producer Space 92 has lit up dance floors this year with techno bangers like “Orion” and the recently released “Melodia.” Catch him on Saturday, December 7 at Exchange LA for a special four-hour set. Local HBB will open the night. Tickets at Ticketweb.

For more than 40 years, The Toasters have been spreading ska across the U.S. underground. On Saturday, December 7, the long-running band headlines a night at 1720 that also includes LA-based ska punks D-Skarados, Los Chiles Verdes, Fuerza and East Side Agents. Tickets to the all-ages show at Dice.

For fans of analog synth sounds, this weekend’s hot ticket is Xeno & Oaklander at The Paramount on Sunday, December 8. The long-running duo recently released their eighth album, Via Negativa (in the doorway light), a stunning collection of dark, minimalist, club-friendly synthpop. If you haven’t seen Xeno & Oaklander live yet, now is the time. Locals Image of Life open. Tickets at See Tickets.