July 17 – July 23 • Essential Weekly Concert Guide • L.A. Edition

Des Delgadillo

Joshua Radin at Belasco Theater | July 18
When Radin spoke to EV last month, he promised an intimate live experience as part of his “Coffeehouse Live Tour,” and with a venue like The Belasco, the acclaimed singer-songwriter has kept that promise. With over seven albums’ worth of material to sift through, Radin’s live shows boast just as much variety as they do intimacy.

Retro Futura ft. Howard Jones, The English beat and Men Without Hats at Greek Theatre | July 18
It’s the hottest ticket in town for new wave devotees when Howard Jones headlines a star-studded lineup of 80s luminaries. Jones brings his pioneering take on synth-driven music to The Greek alongside The English Beat and Men Without Hats for a night of nostalgia and rug-cutting.

2Cellos at Greek Theatre | July 19
Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser’s dynamic cello performances have wooed audiences all over the world, including a New Years Eve performance in China that reached over a billion people. Their secret? Break down musical boundaries and sound good while doing it. Both these virtuosos run the gambit from classical favorites to more contemporary masterpieces.

Hazel English at Bootleg Theater | July 19
Hazel English’s brand of hazy indie-pop aims to transport listeners to a different state of mind, with productions awash with cinematic overtones and hypnotic textures. Her live shows aim to provide an even more intense form of transport.

Jerry Folk at The Echo | July 19
Jerry Folk creates synth-pop mixed with just the right amount of auto-tune to bring the mirth out in any situation. The Norwegian musician’s lyrics are playful yet manage to motivate listeners to get up and move.

The Music Behind Stranger Things ft. Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein at Grammy Museum | July 19
Dixon and Stein have been nominated for Grammy and Emmy Awards, proving their music fits multiple media. They most recently took their synth-heavy style to Netflix, scoring the horror 80s throwback series “Stranger Things.” The end result was a soundtrack applauded for its sound that danced between modernity and nostalgia.

Smile at Old Town Pub | July 19 + Redwood Bar | July 20 + Viper Room | July 24 + Offbeat Bar | July 25
This emerging band has entertainment royalty in its genes. Johnny Keach (son of director James Keach and Jane Seymour) teams up with Taylor Zander (son of Cheap Trick’s Robin Zander), Jacob Corenfloss and Hunter Tidwell for a quartet that brings as much energy to the stage as their names do prestige. With the Nashville-based outfit barely cobbling together its presence, this is a good time to get in on the ground floor before Smile moves on to bigger venues.

Dead Kennedys at Echoplex | July 20
The Dead Kennedys are synonymous with the angst and vitriol that characterized punk rock in the late 1970s and early 1980s. At the forefront of that chaotic soundtrack, the Dead Kennedys ushered in the era with their fast, take-no-prisoners-style music, championing free speech along the way.

Elohim at Hammer Museum | July 20
Elohim is a one-woman act that blends electronic and alternative music into a seamless musical meld. Supported by producer and singer-songwriter Suzie Analogue, this could be Hammer’s most compelling show yet.

Eric Burdon and The Animals at Santa Monica Pier | July 20
There’s nothing more exciting than a free musical showcase by a Rock n Roll Hall of Famer right on the pier. Eric Burdon and The Animals have been rocking people to the core for years, and that timeless brand of rock will be on full display on Thursday.

Miles Mosley and the West Coast Get Down at Grammy Museum | July 20
Acclaimed jazz musician Miles Mosley has worked with the best of them, from performing three tracks on Kendrick Lamar’s “To Pimp a Butterfly” to performing with Rihanna. His solo work with The West Coast Get Down, however, is where this performer truly shines. That sophisticated jazzy brilliance will be on display at this special event.

Perfume Genius at El Rey Theatre | July 20
Perfume Genius sees Seattle’s Mike Hadreas get lost in his own alias to create beautifully written and arranged numbers despite their sparse instrumentation, often with only a piano involved. Perfume Genius creates songs that tug on virtually every emotion, allowing Hadreas’ vocals to run the show.

Sufjan Stevens w/ Nico Muhly and Bryce Dessner at Hollywood Forever Cemetery | July 20
Stevens’ body of work goes beyond expansive, with albums and EP’s paying tribute to many lesser known musical and literary genres. His style, demeanor and musical subject matter goes hand-in-hand with the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and the consistently impressive concert series they have cultivated.

Third Eye Blind w/ Silver Sun Pickups at Greek Theatre | July 20
Two generations come together for one rocking show when 90s stalwarts Third Eye Blind re-hash the gems that defined a decade alongside current indie pioneers Silver Sun Pickups, who have amassed their own catalog of radio-ready fare. Both groups have crafted songs that are ridiculously catchy and easy to sing along, making this a sure-fire great time for anyone in attendance.

WolfTyla at Roxy Theatre | July 20
Social influencer turned singer-songwriter, WolfTyla has the fanbase to take her to great heights, and her stop at The Roxy might be the first leg of that rise to musical prominence. She burst onto the scene thanks to the all but forgotten Vine app, and since then she has kept tabs on her fanbase through Youtube videos and Instagram. It will be interesting to experience her artistic expression through a musical medium when she takes the Roxy’s stage.

Zola Jesus at Geffen Contemporary at MOCA | July 20
Zola Jesus has been at it for a long time, producing slick cinematic wonders that play off even bigger-sounding lyrics to create a heightened sense of sonic bewilderment. What better place for Zola Jesus to showcase her newest music than at L.A.’s newest summer series.

The Faint at Glasshouse Concert Hall (Pomona) | July 21
Omaha, Neb., natives The Faint have been churning out turbulent indie rock jams since 2005. Whether it’s synths a-plenty or buzzing bass that courses through an audience, The Faint know how to channel finite energy into an infinitely charged music scene.

MNDSGN at Levitt Pavilion Macarthur Park | July 21
When MNDSGN takes the stage, get ready for an R&B clinic with gospel influences peppered throughout, making it one of the more empowering performances of the week. The show is free, but make sure to RSVP.

Kool & The Gang w/ Morris Day and The Time at Hollywood Bowl | July 21 + 22
What a night of funk and flash Hollywood Bowl has in store for attendees — two nights, actually. The Village People open up festivities with a taste of the funk for which they became famous, before Morris Day and Kool and the Gang keep the nostalgic hits coming.

FYF Fest ft. Frank Ocean, Bjork, Missy Elliot, Nine Inch Nails, A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu and more at Exposition Park | July 21 + 22 + 23
Yes, the sun will be scorching Exposition Park, but it’s nothing compared to the fiery lineup FYF has once again assembled for rabid festival goers this year. It’s a lineup dotted with massive music star power, from Nine Inch Nails to Frank Ocean and beyond. And, of course, the fest will kick off with the one and only Bjork and Missy Elliott, with Missy giving the rap performance of a lifetime. Move over, sunshine. This weekend belongs to FYF.

Freestyle Summer Festival ft. Lisa Lisa, Stevie B, Color Me Badd and more at Greek Theatre | July 22
There’s no shortage of live music over the weekend, especially at the Greek when Lisa Lisa, Stevie B and so many more throwbacks cover the Greek in a cloud of familiarity. It will be a sweltering night, but that won’t stop a soul from getting up and grooving to all of these anthemic numbers.

Paul Oakenfold at Annenberg Space for Photography | July 22
The second event in Annenberg’s ongoing “Sound in Focus” series sees the legendary Paul Oakenfold give an intimate set, supported by locals Mondo Cozmo. This one might be tricky to get into. RSVP is required, and space fills up fast. But for those who can get in will be bragging about it for years.