On Tuesday night, I went to see One Battle After Another, the new Paul Thomas Anderson film. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a middle-aged former revolutionary living incognito with his teenage daughter in a sanctuary city, where Benicio del Toro is a martial arts instructor running an Underground Railroad for migrants. It’s a movie that hits hard given this year’s ICE raids and, y’know, fascism, but there’s enough humor in it to keep the movie from feeling too heavy. The pacing is also fantastic, which is more or less to be expected from the director of Boogie Nights. I hadn’t realized that nearly three hours passed when the lights in the theater rose and I pulled out my phone to see messages that Prop 50 passed and Zohran Mamdani is New York’s new mayor. One Battle After Another is playing at a bunch of theaters in Los Angeles right now and that’s my one movie recommendation of this week because there are loads of concerts happening in the next few days.
I’m not DJing this weekend, but do want to shout out a few of my pals. Club Underground, as always, is happening on Friday night with Larry G. on the decks over at Grand Star Jazz Club. Saturday night at the Grand Star is Décadanse Soirée with DJs Pierrot and Fifi La Roux spinning French pop on vinyl.
Like I said, this is a big weekend for shows, beginning Thursday with the second night of Independent Project Records 45th anniversary party at Gold-Diggers. The November 6 show includes performances from Kommunity FK, Shiva Burlesque, David J and more. Head to IPR’s website for info, including tickets for the show and the live stream, and check the label’s Instagram for set times.
Read: DAVID J SINGS OF HISTORY REPEATING IN NEW PROTEST SINGLE, “ICE TOO COLD TO THAW”
Read: KOMMUNITY FK RETURNS TO L.A. FOR INDEPENDENT PROJECT RECORDS ANNIVERSARY SHOWS
Friday and Saturday night is Substance, with a stacked lineup that includes TR/ST, ADULT., A Place to Bury Strangers, Geneva Jacuzzi, Martin Dupont, Xeno & Oaklander, Qual, Taleen Kali and so many more. Tickets are still available via Restless Nites.
Also happening over the weekend are Bar Italia at The Bellwether on Thursday, November 6 and Sudan Archives at Lodge Room on Friday, November 7. On Saturday night, Honey Dijon is at Hollywood Palladium and Miguel Bosé plays YouTube Theater. Sunday night, Acid Mother’s Temple plays Alex’s Bar and Temper Trap heads to The Fonda.
Next week starts off with Neko Case and John Grant at The Bellwether on Monday night. Tuesday night is touch because Shudder to Think (at the Lodge Room) and Queens of the Stone Age (at Dolby) are already sold out. Tame Impala plays the Forum the same night, but mainly has resale tickets left, so do with that information what you think is best.
On Wednesday, November 12, Grizzly Bear heads to The Shrine, Purity Ring is at The Novo and The Darkness is at The Wiltern. BTW, if you have not already seen it, check out the documentary Welcome to the Darkness. It’s a good one and it’s streaming on multiple platforms right now.
Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Read her recently published work and check out her upcoming gigs or listen to the latest Beatique Mix. Follow on Instagram or Bluesky for more updates.
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