Good Music in LA

micahbell · #1 03-24-2010, 11:08 AM

Hey Justin,

Not sure if this would be a good question for you or not, but I figured I'd give it a shot.

I'm going to be spending just over a week and a half in LA (Studio City, to be specific) and I'm just wondering - if you wanted to see some good music, where would you go?

jmjbassplayer · #2 03-24-2010, 12:08 PM

Spaceland, Echo, Echoplex, El Cid, Redcat, The Fold, The Smell, Cinespace, The Bar, 3 of Clubs, Bordello. I seem to also end up at the El Rey and the Troubadour to see bands. Snooty indie rock clubs tend to be my haunts when I go out. And I like DJ's/dance music.

So basically, I might the wrong person to ask, depending on your taste.

Best,
JMJ

micahbell · #3 03-24-2010, 01:07 PM

Cool - that gives me a pretty good list of places to start checking out online and find out whats going on.

Thanks!

JimmyM · #4 03-24-2010, 02:01 PM

snooty indie rock clubs...lol!

iceberg · #5 03-25-2010, 03:11 PM

Micahbell, some killer shows coming up in the same vein:

Spaceland 3/29 - free show Moonrats & Warpaint - KILLER chick bass player plays in both bands and drummer of WP is ridiculous

Cranes 3/31 (up the st from the bar) - Jesse Cole - (a la Neil Young, older Ray Lamontagne)

My small but sincere contribution.

...And no, i'm not playing these

chris818 · #6 03-26-2010, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmjbassplayer

Spaceland, Echo, Echoplex, El Cid, Redcat, The Fold, The Smell, Cinespace, The Bar, 3 of Clubs, Bordello. I seem to also end up at the El Rey and the Troubadour to see bands. Snooty indie rock clubs tend to be my haunts when I go out. And I like DJ's/dance music.

So basically, I might the wrong person to ask, depending on your taste.

Best,
JMJ

Agreed.
I've played at almost all of these places...some, I simply avoid (as a player).

Nonetheless, for the most part, only the high-quality bands play at these venues (subjective but kinda true)...cause you have to be invited, know somebody or have a large following.

As a player, most of these venues have decent and thoughtful sound engineers that are actually willing to help you and not treat you like cattle. Some, well..I avoid. However, as a live music listener, these places are great cause the mix is usually done right.

I would also add to this list: The Silverlake Lounge and Hotel Cafe and sometimes Molly Malones.

Choose wisely and your $7-10 door fee will be money well spent...especially if you're from out of town.
And if you want to see the cream of the crop musicians play, you gotta go to The Baked Potato. Mostly Jazz but some big name artists play there. Go to the website and check it out. Don't leave LA until you go to there. Usually a $20 door fee but always worth it!

-Chris

d180fuzz · #7 03-26-2010, 08:23 AM

Studio City ----> The Baked Potato.

I'm glad someone beat me to it (what up, Chris?!). I'll reiterate what he already said and add a bit - top-notch musicians (for REAL), in an almost classroom-like setting; the 'Tater is tiny, so there isn't a bad seat in the place. Proximity is EVERYTHING... Two sets usually, 9:30 and 11:30pm.

micahbell · #8 03-26-2010, 10:31 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Something I forgot to mention - I'm Canadian so I didn't even think of this, but I'm 20 so I'm under age in the states.

I've looked at a few bars and they seem to have shows that are 18+ then others that are 21+

A bunch of the places listed don't have the info I need on the websites - do you guys know what the age limit is?

Also, is the DJ set at Amoeba Music worth checking out?

rakirksey · #9 03-26-2010, 11:39 AM

Most cases it's 21+ unless the specific show is listed as all-ages.

The Baked Potato is all ages. I also think that El Cid and Redcat both work since the first is a restaurant and the other is just music, but isn't a bar. The general distinction is that if it's a bar (i.e. not a "full" kitchen) then it's probably a no go.

Also the DJ set at Amoeba Music is always good, but it's not always a DJ set. It's really a live in store performance. I saw Raphael Saadiq do basically a full show (~2 hours) and Sir Paul McCartney also did an in store once and I heard it was ridonkulous as far as people camping out.

iceberg · #10 03-26-2010, 02:34 PM

Cinespace (at least on Sundays) is 18+, and generally a safe bet for good music. Also, it's free before 1030, which is about when the music starts

beggar98 · #11 03-26-2010, 07:59 PM

You should definitely check out the schedule at Largo at the Coronet, great place to catch some awesome shows.