Sept 18 – Sept 24 • Essential Weekly Concert Guide • L.A. Edition

Des Delgadillo

Explosions in the Sky at Greek Theatre | Sept. 18
Since 1999, Explosions in the Sky have been cranking out some of the most rich, instrumental jams Texas has to offer, their sound evolving on every one of their eight studio albums. Their sound has never been as evolved as it is on their most recent outing, 2016’s “The Wilderness.” They stop in L.A. with Holy Fuck in support of “The Wilderness.”

Fall Out Boy at Jimmy Kimmel Live | Sept. 18
Although their latest album, “MANIA,” might be delayed, fans in L.A. still have a chance to catch the band live, and free no less. Fall Out Boy will be playing a free show courtesy of Jimmy Kimmel Live. But the only way to get tickets is to RSVP immediately, because these precious spots will be going like hot cakes.

Jamestown Revival at Largo at the Coronet | Sept. 18
A musical mind meld from Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance, Jamestown Revival’s indie alt-country hybrid preaches a new beginning. The duo’s songwriting prowess finally got the spotlight it deserved when “California (Cast Iron Soul)” got some play on KCRW in Santa Monica, an established tastemaker in the indie music sphere. They bring their act back to L.A. for a big date at the Largo in support of their latest album, 2016’s “The Education of a Wandering Man.”

New Order w/ Goldfrapp at Hollywood Bowl | Sept. 18
After Joy Division’s untimely demise, New Order seemingly rose out of the ashes in 1980, picking up a knack for moody dance floor anthems while they made their ascent. The success of “Blue Monday” over the airwaves and in clubs helped propel the group to influential heights. One of the groups they helped inspire joins them at the Hollywood Bowl 30 years later in Goldfrapp. The Hollywood Bowl hosts two generations’ worth of bumping beats and dark inflections in one glorious night.

Future Islands at Greek Theatre | Sept. 19
The synth-pop group has amassed a stellar catalogue and even more impressive following over its decade-plus tenure. The crew’s 2014 hit “Seasons (Waiting on You)” really pushed them into notoriety, and they look to build on that hype with their latest effort, “The Far Field.” It’s a great chance to check out one of the bands various music outlets hail as one of the best live acts around.

Niall Horan at Hollywood Palladium | Sept. 19
The former One Direction star has been taking it easy lately, playing a lot of smaller, more intimate venues. As anticipation builds to his upcoming full-length solo debut, “Flicker,” he plays another small acoustic show at the Hollywood Palladium. The atmosphere is sure to be crackling with latent One direction-er energy, so expect a bit of chaos at this packed show.

Harry Styles at Greek Theatre | Sept. 20
Just a day after former One Direction contemporary Niall Horan graces the Hollywood Palladium, Harry Styles makes his first of many L.A. appearances, with the rest slated for 2018 at the legendary Forum. Styles satisfied his hungry fanbase back in May with his self-titled solo debut, channeling all kinds of legendary stadium rock for a new generation. Now he embarks on a massive world tour, and it stops off at the Greek with Muna providing support.

Japanese Breakfast at The Echo | Sept. 20
Michelle Zauner’s alias has allowed her to springboard into a ton of fun passion projects, including releasing her very own online RPG called “Japanese BreakQuest.” Still, as fun as all the side hustles might be, it’s the music that comes out of Japanese Breakfast that keeps her pushing forward, creating lush and ambient compositions that explore everything from joining the Mars One project to tales of the women that inspire her most directly. Openers Mannequin Pussy and The Spirit of the Beehive join Japanese Breakfast for a solid lineup.

RAC at Fonda Theatre | Sept. 20
RAC, also known as the Remix Artist Collective, is a culminating vision for Portuguese DJ Andre Allen Anjos. He has twisted, spun and warped so many artists in delightful ways, birthing entirely new dance floor fare from already established numbers from notables like Phoenix, Lady Gaga, New Order, Imagine Dragons, Lana Del Rey, and that’s just the tip of the musical iceberg. RAC hasn’t been shy about showing off some original pieces, too, with July’s full-length “Ego” featuring collaborations with St. Lucia, Rivers Cuomo, K.Flay and so many others. The five-piece live outfit is always a joy to watch, churning out straight fire like only the masters can. RAC rocks the Fonda with opener NVDES in tow.

Zola Jesus at Regent Theater | Sept. 20
The songwriting alias for Nicole Hummel, Zola Jesus has been enjoying quite the uptake in momentum lately, thanks in no small part to her latest full-length, the dark and chaotic “Okovi.” Her sounds harken back to an era where Joy Division and Kate Bush were in constant rotation, pushing lyrics tinged with an ominous edge made all the better by her rich, sultry delivery.

Glass Animals at Shrine Auditorium | Sept. 21
The quartet hailing from Oxford have had quite the year since their sophomore effort, “How to be a Human Being,” ushered them to a new level of accessibility. The band even netted a Mercury Prize nomination for the album, a huge deal for a band as prolific in the U.K. as Glass animals. The group uses a lot of synths and razor-sharp indie riffs to tell as many stories as they can, with each song serving as its own arc.

GoldLink at The Novo | Sept. 21
The 24-year-old rapper has been impressing all the right people, landing in XXL’s Freshmen Class in 2015 and dropping a fiery mixtape in 2016. After finally releasing his full-length debut, March’s “At What Cost,” the MC is ready to woo audiences in support of the album. He sets his sights on the Novo with Masego.

Jaws of Love at Hollywood Forever Cemetery | Sept. 21
Kelcey Ayer has spent much of his musical career writing and singing with Local Natives, an indie band known for their folksy and daring compositions. Now the acclaimed artist steps out on his own for a project that delves deep into his love of dark, nuanced piano-driven tunes. His solo effort, “Tasha Sits Close to the Piano,” is due out for release Sept. 22. Before the album drops, spend an evening with Ayer at Hollywood Forever Cemetery for a show that will match the surrounding ambience.

Kevin Morby at Teragram Ballroom | Sept. 21
Morby’s latest album, June’s “City music (Dead Oceans)” rose out of a lot more collaboration than his past few efforts. Arranged by Morby and his backing band, the album feels more focused than past efforts, while still evoking the musicality of Lou Reed, Bob Dylan and other musical luminaries. Shannon Lay opens up the festivities at this exciting Teragram ballroom event.

Macklemore at Echoplex | Sept. 21
For the first time in years, Seattle rapper Macklemore has ventured out on a solo music-making excursion, opting not to work with frequent collaborator Ryan Lewis for this go-around. In celebration of “Gemini,” due out Sept. 22, the rapper will be playing a rather intimate album release party at the Echoplex, so get your dancing shoes ready.

Prophets of Rage at Amoeba Music | Sept. 21
The Cypress Hill, public Enemy and Rage Against the Machine crossover supergroup cater to a very important niche in 2017, just like Rage did in the early 2000s. They play to the disenfranchised, pretty much everyone who has watched a news broadcast over the last 12 months. With their debut self-titled album, the group has a renewed focus, making some politically charged noise with razor-sharp intentions. They will be in attendance at Hollywood’s legendary Amoeba music for a meet and greet and photo opportunity. Now’s your chance to rub elbows with some radical musical royalty.

Chicano Batman atFonda Theatre | Sept. 21-23
The quartet have been championing the grandeur and splendor of the city of angels for years, and that fervor for the city they love has started paying off in spades. Funky bass lines, fiery guitar solos that shred the stage live, and the grooviest drums anywhere color Chicano Batman’s appeal. They play three big dates at the Fonda Theatre, a staple of their home town, in support of their third full-length album, “Freedom is Free,” with Khruangbin and Brainstory filling out the bill.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers at Hollywood Bowl | Sept. 21 + 22 + 25
An undeniable rock n roll luminary, Tom Petty and his legendary backing band scored an entire generation. That generation has since grown up and had kids of their own, and those kids, too, have been exposed to Petty’s anthemic contributions to the worldwide musical zeitgeist. It’s a chance for both old and new fans to evolve their musical tastes when the iconic group comes to the Hollywood Bowl for three big dates alongside supporting act Lucinda Williams.

Blue Oyster Cult at Canyon Club | Sept. 22
A rocking force since 1967, BOC have sold over 20 million records and took MTV by storm when the fledgeling network looked to get its footing in the early 80s. It’s no secret that BOC has contributed significantly to popular culture with a lot of their music. They stop by the canyon Club to play a few of their timeless hits.

Iron & Wine at Grammy museum | Sept. 22
Iron and Wine traverses the spectrum from introspective acoustic tunes to driving ballad-like rock. It’s all the brainchild of Sam Beam, who merges every aspect of his musicality into the Iron and Wine moniker. His latest album, “Beast Epic,” marks a return to the romantic indie folk that launched him into notoriety in the first place. Beam will be conversing with his faithful fans followed by an intimate performance.

Milky Chance at Hollywood Palladium | Sept. 22
The German folk group does a wonderful job of blending those poignant folksy melodies with some truly infectious dance beats. The group has garnered recognition on an International level, and they’re far from finished. They look to shake the Palladium to its core in support of 2017’s “Blossom.”

Pvris at The Novo | Sept. 22
Pvris have been blending melody and a raw rock-pop hybrid for years now, but it wasn’t until their latest LP, “All we know of Heaven, All We Need of Hell,” that the band seems to have finally found their ideal balance. Shimmery vocals give way to more edgy riffs, while the group’s songwriting has never been more evocative of contemporaries like flyleaf or Paramore. The group visits L.A. with Lights and Party Nails rounding out the experience.

Thomas Rhett at Greek Theatre | Sept. 22
Rhett’s upbeat, energy-filled twang is unmistakable. He manages to craft fare fit for any occasion, whether it’s a drive down the highway with the windows down or a night of whiskey and booty-shaking. Rhett’s versatility as a musician is remarkable, and the artist is only getting better with time. His live performances have to be experienced to be understood, as Rhett takes interacting with his audiences to a new level. Old Dominion and walker Hayes round out this high-octane affair.

Tokimonsta at The Wiltern | Sept. 22
Tokimonsta crafts some of the sickest psychedelic beats out there, but perhaps most remarkably, she’s one of the few artists who had to learn how to do it twice. After undergoing one of the most intense brain surgery procedures out there to combat a near fatal disease, Tokimonsta was left unable to walk, talk, or even comprehend music. Her recovery and re-affirmation of her musical grasp is truly remarkable, and it’s a journey documented in her latest album, “Lune Rouge.”

The Wailers at The Roxy | Sept. 22
How often do you get to watch reggae royalty in action? After Bob Marley’s death in 1981, the remaining members of his backing band forged on, crafting timeless reggae tunes and paying tribute to Marley’s enduring legacy. The legendary outfit makes a rare stop in Los Angeles’ Roxy for a show full of hits, nostalgia and a whole lot of jiving. The legends will be joined by Subatomic Sound System and The Wheeland Brothers.

Desert Stars Festival ft. The Raveonettes, Psychic TV, Tess Parks, Mild High Club, Ryley Walker, Tijuana Panthers at Pappy and Harriet’s | Sept. 22-24
About 130 miles east of L.A., an annual festival takes root in Joshua Tree National Park with all sorts of activities from camping to sports to, of course, live music. Cozy up to bands like the blistering Tijuana Panthers or The Raveonettes. It’s one of the most naturally stunning and affordable festivals on the West Coast, so take advantage.

Dan Croll at Teragram Ballroom | Sept. 23
Croll’s music is, in a word, accessible. His music rings with them that anyone can wrap their minds around because of how relatable they are. Look no further than his latest album, “Emerging Adulthood,” for a perfect example that sees Croll tackle all manner of topics, including the prevalence of a need for better mental health awareness. Croll stops in L.A. to play tracks spanning his catalogue, hopefully picking up some new devotees along the way. Tastemaker radio station KCRW presents the show, and The Dig will be opening up festivities.

Fleet Foxes w/ Beach House at Hollywood Bowl | Sept. 23
Indie darlings take the bowl by storm for a Saturday night for the ages. Fleet Foxes saw a period of relative silence prior to their latest album, “Crack-up,” taking the scene by storm. The folk group returned and melted all manner of hearts with their signature blend of escapist harmonies and breathtaking arrangements. Beach House, meanwhile, return to the Bowl to do what they do best: ensnare listeners in their hazy style of pop.

Kasabian at The Wiltern | Sept. 23
U.K. stalwarts Kasabian have been holding down the festival circuit of late, and they recently teased some big plans for their tour in 2018. Before all that madness kicks off, though, they stop off in L.A. for a Wiltern date that will showcase their enduring tapestry of hits. They’re bringing fellow U.K. group Slaves into the fold, which means the night will be full of rocking, rolling, and a little bit of moshing.

Ben Folds at The Theatre at Ace Hotel | Sept. 24
Folds is one of the songwriters whose work will go on to define our generation. From touring with orchestras to simply sitting at a piano and letting his fingers create the magic, his work compels and unites, creating characters and stories that unfurl through his uncanny vocal abilities. It’s this latter kind of performance that graces the Theatre at Ace Hotel in DTLA, and it’s an experience everyone needs to have at least once.

Migos at Pomona Fairplex | Sept. 24
The L.A. County fair has done a great job curating this year’s lineup of coinciding concerts. All good things must come to an end, though, but this year’s festivities are going out with a bang as earth-shaking rap group Migos take the Fairplex stage. Their latest album, “Culture,” is very much a part of the conversation for this year’s greatest album, and with a huge list of club-banging singles to their credit, this show is one of the more anticipated ones of the year.

Solange w/ Blood Orange, King, Moses Sumney at Hollywood Bowl | Sept. 24
Solange leads the pack for this iteration of KCRW’s world festival, a cornerstone event celebrating the variety in jazz and R&B. Aside from Solange’s powerful performance, Blood Orange, King, and Moses Summney will be a part of this blockbuster presentation, with additional artists to be unveiled shortly. This will be a landmark event that needs to be experienced.