The Best Los Angeles Nightlife: Nov. 25 - Dec. 1, 2024

Nearly 70 years since its inception, and more than 30 years since the passing of the group’s founder and namesake, the Sun Ra Arkestra continues to tour the globe. The trailblazing group of musicians, who helped popularize free jazz and Afrofuturism, have been led by Marshall Allen, who recently turned 100 years old, since 1994 and were nominated for a GRAMMY in 2020. They’ll be at the Lodge Room on Monday, November 25 for what will surely be an unforgettable night.

Toronto-based The Surfrajettes serve a cheeky slice of instrumental surf rock on their recently-released full-length album, Easy As Pie, complete with covers of both Lee Hazelwood and the Spice Girls. Catch them live at The Echo on Monday, November 25, with support from Southern California’s 3LH. Tickets at Live Nation.

The prolific and influential singer-songwriter Simon Joyner tours infrequently, but he’s playing at Zebulon on Monday, November 25 with his band, the Nervous Stars. Joyner’s new album, Coyote Butterfly, comes out just a few days before the show, so be prepared for new material. Sam Burton opens the night. Tickets at Dice.

Since 2010, French band La Femme has effortlessly crossed genres and gathered a large, cult following in the process. Listen to their latest album, Rock Machine, to hear their fusion of rock, dance, retro and contemporary vibes, then get tickets to see them at the Hollywood Palladium on November 26. Be prepared to dance - La Femme drips with energy when they’re on stage - and plan to arrive early, because you don't want to miss opener Sam Quealy, whose intense stage presence and killer dance moves will hype the crowd. Tickets at Live Nation.

David “Ram Jam” Rodigan is a British radio icon known for his passion for Jamaican music. It’s not often that the reggae selector plays in Los Angeles, but he’ll be headlining Dub Club at Echoplex on Wednesday, November 27. This special two-room event will also feature a live performance from local Chicano reggae band Quinto Sol, DJ Sloe Poke and Dub Club’s resident DJs and MCs. Tickets at Live Nation.

On Wednesday, November 27, it’s all about PIE!, the annual Thanksgiving Eve bash at Akbar. The party gets started at 8pm and there’s no cover for the first hour. DJs Chris Bowen, Sindri and Lovefingers will take dancers through the night and, yes, there will be pie for sale. The event is also a canned food drive, so bring a donation with you. Cover is $10 at the door after 9pm.

Before you head to Apocalypse Zombieland this weekend (see below), spend Thanksgiving Night at Exchange LA for the Apocalypse Zombieland Preparty, presented by Bassrush and Respect. Andy C with MC Tonn Piper headline, with include sets from Serum, Machete and Drone. Tickets at Ticketweb.

This weekend is all about bass when Apocalypse Zombieland takes over the Queen Mary Waterfront in Long Beach. Presented by Bassrush, the 18+ festival will include sets from Barclay Crenshaw, Black Tiger Sex Machine and Subtronic on Friday, November 29; the lineup for Saturday includes Excision, Zomboy and many more. Single day and weekend passes are available, as are VIP upgrades.

Boogaloo Assassins first caught ears with “No, No, No,” their rousing Latin soul spin on the reggae jam, “You Don’t Love Me,” which remains a dance floor weapon for DJs some 10 years later. Since then, the 13-piece group have become favorites of local radio stations like KCRW and remain a popular live act. Catch them on Friday, November 29 at Lodge Room. Trish Toledo will be the night’s DJ.

Back in August, Polo G released his fourth album, Hood Poet, featuring the singles “Barely Holding On” and “Angels in the Sky.” The hip-hop heavyweight, known for mega-hits like “Rapstar” and “Martin & Gina,” heads to The Wiltern on Friday, November 29, where he’ll be joined by VonOff1700, Skylar Blatt, Scorey and TwoTiime. Tickets at Live Nation.

Metal legend King Diamond brings his “Saint Lucifer’s Hospital 1920” tour to Inglewood’s YouTube Theater on Friday, November 29. The show will include songs from King Diamond’s forthcoming album, The Institute, and features a brand new stage for the performance, plus guest vocals from Danish singer Myrkur. Over Kill and Night Demon open the show. The VIP upgrade includes a meet-and-greet with King Diamond himself. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

Fifty Fifty, the K-pop girl group known for last year’s viral hit “Cupid,” are touring the U.S. for the first time in November and December. “The Love Sprinkle Tour” touches down in Los Angeles on Friday, November 29. Catch Fifty Fifty, who recently released the Love Tune EP, at The Orpheum Theatre in Downtown LA. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

With a new album, Hella Greedy, out now, LA’s own 03 Greedo heads to the Hollywood Palladium on Friday, November 29. Joining him on current tour, “The Life That I Deserve,” is fellow Angeleno DJ A-Tron. Tickets at Live Nation.

With 20 members in its lineup, Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra bridges the sound of ska and the style of a big band orchestra while boasting musicians who have played with the likes of The Aggrolites and Hepcat. Opening the Lodge Room show is LA-based The Allentons, who play traditional ska and rocksteady. On the decks is Mexico-based DJ Ariz Embassy Queen.

Following last August’s first anniversary party headlined by Hercules and Love Affair, Tuff returns to DTLA’s Bellwether for a Thanksgiving Weekend blowout. The leather bash has been bringing out crowds to clubs and Pride fests across the country, so Tuff’s hometown return is not to be missed. Keep tabs on Instagram for lineup details and other announcements.

Japanese rocker Hyde, known as the singer of the bands L’Arc-en-Ciel and VAMPS, dropped his first solo album in five years, HYDE [Inside], in September. The vocalist, who also provided the theme song for the anime Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training this year, is only playing New York and LA for this tour, so be sure to catch him at The Novo on Saturday, November 30. Tickets at AXS.

With bangers like “Be the One,” “When I Push” and “Diamonds on My Mind” to his credit, British DJ/producer Eli Brown is a global techno phenomenon. He'll be on the decks outside the Shrine Auditorium on Saturday, November 30. Mind Against, the Italian duo currently based in Berlin, and Annie Sollange will be warming up the crowd. Tickets to the 18+ show at AXS.