Fall season promises colorful venues
After an uncharacteristically drab Southern California summer concert season, lacking high-profile performances and exciting new acts, things appear to be shaping up for music lovers across Los Angeles in the upcoming months.
Fun for all · One of the musical highlights this summer includes FYF Fest, taking place at Historic Park, a festival notorious for its jam-packed lineups of talented indie artists, such as Panda Bear and the Growlers. - Photo courtesy of MOTORMOUTHMEDIA
Keeping with the city’s reputation as an independent music mecca, concert-savvy Angelenos have an impressive roster of shows to choose from beginning this fall as household names and underground superstars schedule stops across the Southland.
But with so many notable fall shows — many on the same night — what’s a music fan to do?
To facilitate the task of deciding which concerts are worth your hard-earned cash, here are several must-see performances that should be on your radar.
FYF Fest — Sept. 3, Los Angeles State Historic Park
After last year’s numerous logistical snafus — vendors running out of water, food lines moving at a laborious pace and attendees missing bands while waiting hours to enter the venue — FYF’s organizers promise all problems have been addressed for the festival’s 2011 incarnation. Although ticket prices are notably higher than in years past, the significantly more adventurous and unique additions to this fall’s FYF Fest lineup justify the extra cash.
Ravers and devoted followers of Pitchfork might close out the evening dancing side by side during a live set from power duo Simian Mobile Disco while punk rockers, young and old, will undoubtedly start a ferocious mosh pit watching former Black Flag and Circle Jerks frontman Keith Morris lead his new band OFF!
Other notable bands on the lineup include several celebrated local acts (Tijuana Panthers, No Age and Fool’s Gold), indie-rock royalty (Guided By Voices and Broken Social Scene) and a handful of completely unexpected yet pleasant surprises (Olivia Tremor Control and Dead Milkmen).
Despite the wide variety of music featured in Saturday’s festivities, one act is sure to stand out above the rest — a rare appearance from Hermosa Beach nerd punk legends Descendents.
Iggy and the Stooges — Sept. 7, Hollywood Palladium
At 64 years young, Iggy Pop shows no signs of slowing down. The Stooges’ front man is known for regularly delivering electrifying and shirtless performances wrought with bizarre onstage antics.
Often associated with the “birth” of American punk, Iggy and the Stooges’ gritty, thunderous brand of Detroit rock appeals to music lovers of all types: Famous fans of the band range from David Bowie to Madonna.
The Stooges fill their performances with some of the band’s most celebrated songs, including “I Wanna Be Your Dog,” “Raw Power” and “Search and Destroy,” ensuring longtime fans will not walk away disappointed.
Everyone else? Pick up a copy of the band’s legendary 1973 album Raw Power and get listening.
Peter Hook performs the albums of Joy Division
Repeating the success of his highly acclaimed “Unknown Pleasures” tour last winter, former Joy Division bassist Peter Hook returns to Los Angeles for an encore performance of his rendition of the seminal U.K. post-punk band’s first album. Hook will be performing Closer, Joy Division’s second and final LP, at the Music Box on Sept. 14, and Unknown Pleasures at El Rey Theatre on Sept. 16.
As Joy Division never toured the United States — enigmatic lead singer Ian Curtis committed suicide on the eve of the group’s American tour in 1980 at the age of 23 — Hook’s interpretations of these two influential albums is as close as fans will get to seeing the group perform its works live.
TV on the Radio, Arctic Monkeys, Panda Bear, Warpaint, Smith Westerns — Sept. 25, Hollywood Bowl
Combining an eclectic and unexpected lineup of vastly different artists, including the internationally renowned TV on the Radio, the notoriously reclusive Panda Bear and the still partially-underground Smith Westerns, this Hollywood Bowl evening reads like a who’s-who of the past decade in independent music.
Though the lineup might seem schizophrenic at first glance, all five artists’ musical catalogues combine laid-back, introspective tunes with lively, danceable numbers; with this common theme, the show just might be something that works.
Bring a picnic basket (and some wine) and prepare yourself for an, entertaining evening filled with some of the best bands independent music has to offer.