We have another concert-heavy week coming up in Los Angeles, with Melt-Banana, Cut Copy and Ora the Molecule, Maná, Sigur Rós and more playing in town, as well as the sold out Camp Flog Gnaw happening over the weekend. There are also a handful of worthwhile movie screenings to check out around tow, in addition to new release and releases in theaters. I’m not DJing this week, but have compiled info on some budget-friendly dance club and bar events that you might want to check out, so keep reading.
Concerts
A million years ago, when I was finally old enough to get into Silverlake Lounge, I saw Melt-Banana play inside the tiny, Sunset Blvd. club. It was so packed that, if you went outside to smoke, you had to wait in line to get back into the bar. Visibility was nil until I stood up on a barstool, back pressed against a wall, and caught a glimpse of massive amps. In my memory, the amps took up most of the stage, but IDK how big they were in reality. The sound was loud, chaotic. I should have brought earplugs, but, whatever, I survived the sonic onslaught of Melt-Banana and came out of the experience so invigorated that I would see them again.
For those of you who haven’t seen the Japanese noise-punk band, you have two chances to do so this week. Melt-Banana plays Teragram Ballroom on Thursday, November 13, with Deaf Club, Nick Reinhart and Dream_Mega. On Friday, November 14, they’ll head to Pomona for a show at the Glass House with Deaf Club and Dream_Mega.
Friday night’s Cut Copy show at The Bellwether is already sold out, but, if you already have tickets, do yourself a favor and get their early enough to catch opener Ora the Molecule’s life-affirming, space disco. I saw her at El Cid earlier this year and it was, truly, one of the best concerts I’ve seen this year.
Read: ‘INTERGALACTIC DANCE’ DIVA ORA THE MOLECULE HAS A MESSAGE FOR THE DANCE FLOOR
It’s another concert-packed week in Los Angeles, and that’s not including Camp Flog Gnaw, which is happening this weekend at Dodger Stadium and is already sold out. It’s also not including Patti Smith at Disney Concert Hall, which is also sold out. As of the day of writing this, you can still get tickets for Maná at Kia Forum (multiple dates), Built to Spill at Belasco (November 15) and Sigur Rós at the Orpheum (November 19). But, fair warning, those are all shows that I would consider pretty pricey, with $50+ tickets (way + for Sigur Rós).
A few mid-price (as in somewhere between $30 and $50, which, trust me, I hate referring to as “mid-price”) show options are Booka Shade at 1720 (November 14) and Mortician at 1720 (Sunday, November 16).
As for the under-$30 shows, there are some pretty good options, including Diva Destruction with Give My Remains to Broadway and Georgi at The Paramount (November 15), Bardo at Alex’s Bar with Michael Seyer and Pink Lemon (November 16) and Super Furry Animals’ Gruff Rhys at Brain Dead Studios (November 17).
Movies
My movie buddy and I finally got to see Bugonia this week and it’s fantastic. I intentionally didn’t read anything about the movie beforehand, and I haven’t seen Save the Green Planet!, so I didn’t know what to expect. It’s kind of like Of Mice and Men for people who watch Ancient Aliens and wear Luigi hats to protests. Total 10/10 movie for being completely fucked up and completely relevant. If you haven’t seen Bugoniayet, do try to catch it in the theaters.
As for other screenings happening in L.A., on Friday night, Philosophical Research Society hosts the L.A. premiere of the newly remastered 1987 directorial debut from Diane Keaton, Heaven.
Vidiots, whose 40th anniversary is Thursday, pays tribute to Diane Keaton with screenings of The Godfather I & II on Saturday, November 15. Down in the South Bay, the endlessly quotable, quintessentially weird L.A. film, The Big Lebowski, will screen at Gardena Cinema.
For underground and DIY movies, Planet Nine Film Festivalis happening at The Offbeat on Sunday. On Monday, Vidiots is screening Amadeus and holding a masquerade/costume contest. And, on Wednesday, the 4k restoration of Angel’s Egg, the 1985 anime from Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell) with art by Yoshitaka Amano (Final Fantasy) hits theaters.
Dance Clubs and Bars
I’ll be honest, DJ nights are the hardest to compile because everyone insists on using Instagram for promo even though it’s become virtually useless for keeping track of events. My fellow DJs, we really need something else. Regardless, here’s the info that I’ve managed to dig up. All of the parties mentioned here are either low cover (as in under $20) or no cover. Thursday, November 13, is a no cover goth night at The Offbeat with Sulkform in the DJ booth. On Friday, you have your choice between Club Underground at Grand Star, Cocteau Twins-themed Heaven or Los Angeles at Zebulon and hip-hop, cumbia & freestyle party Firme at El Cid. Saturday afternoon is These Machines Kill Fascism, a food bank collection and ACLU fundraiser event at Blue Goose Lounge with Retcon and Cervello Elettronico. On Saturday night, Maurice is happening at Los Globos and Hot Gothic at Slipper Clutch, which is also an album release party for Holy Water. L.A. Synth Club has its monthly showcase on Sunday at Old Town Pub in Pasadena. On Tuesday night, Kangding Ray and John Tejada play the Regent and there’s no cover.
Liz O. is an L.A.-based writer and DJ. Follow on Instagram or sign up for the weekly, Beatique newsletter for updates on new stories and gigs.
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