It’s another busy, and scorching hot, weekend here in Los Angeles. Echo Park Rising is happening at various venues in the neighborhood from Friday, August 28, through Sunday, August 30. Plus, Goethe-Institut is celebrating 50 years of punk, Son Rompe Pera is playing a free show and lots more. Keep reading for my recommendations.
Thursday, August 27
Haze Fest is happening at downtown’s Slipper Clutch on Thursday, August 27, and this looks like it will be a killer show. Headlining is Lia Braswell, who released her debut solo album, Rising, in May, and, more recently, the single, “If Not For the Chaos.” It looks like this might be the last time you can catch her in town before Braswell, who is also a touring drummer, heads out on the road with Chelsea Wolfe. Also playing are Sisters of the Black Mountain, The Rose Haze (who I’ve seen before and recommend catching), Her Magic Orchestra and Glissin. Doors are at 7 p.m. Tickets are available on Restless Nites.
Thursday is also the opening night for Tequila Mockingbird’s Punk Museum, which will run at Goethe-Institut Los Angeles through October 7. The exhibition of punk memorabilia, art, photos, records and more is drawn from the archives of artist and curator Tequila Mockingbird and the show is part of Goethe-Institut’s international endeavor, Alle gegen Alles. Punk@50. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There will be punk karaoke and an artist talk. Plus it’s free. Goethe-Institut is in Westlake, so it is possible to make it to both the Punk Museum and Haze Fest.
Friday, August 28
Goethe-Institut’s 50th anniversary of punk celebration continues on Friday, August 28 at the Redwood when Berlin-based garage punks Cava launch their U.S. tour. They’re playing alongside Groans, Ratas en Zelo and Fea. Set times are already up and Cava is scheduled for an 8 p.m. set.
If you want to see Temper Trap, but aren’t going to the Muse show at Hollywood Bowl on Monday, tickets are still available to catch the Australian band headline The Bellwether on Friday night.
Urgh! A Music War, the classic punk and new wave concert film with Devo, The Cramps, XTC, Au Pairs and more, is screening at Philosophical Research Society on Friday night as well. The night also includes a presentation from The Professors of Urgh! and a Q/A with Steve Bartek and Bruce “Ravens” Moreland (Wall of Voodoo). Few tickets remain at the time of writing this.
For the Interpol fans, Underground is doing a listening party for the new album, This Mirror Ways a Ton. Plan to arrive early, like by 9:45 p.m., if you want to listen to the album in full.
And, Echo Park Rising starts Friday night. The neighborhood festival continues through Sunday. There’s a lot of businesses involved and a lot of bands playing, so check out the full schedule for details.
Saturday, August 29
Grand Performances is closing out their 40th season on Saturday night with Son Rompe Pera. The marimba punk band from Mexico City has a new album, Marimbazos de Oro, coming out in September. They also just released a single, “Me Olvidaste,” with Trish Toledo that’s killer. (Check out the cover art on Bandcamp.) So, this is a good time to see the band *and* the show is free.
Also on Saturday night: Funk Freaks present a record release party for modern funk singer Mia, whose new album, In the Moonlight, is out now on Star Creature. Mia will be performing live at The Regent with special guest King Pari and, last I checked, there were tickets available at very budget-friendly prices. Plus, Anja Huwe (Xmal Deutschland) is back in town and playing The Paramount , The Black Lips will be at Teragram Ballroom and La Plaza de Cultura y Artes hosts a tribute to Juan Gabriel.
Sunday, August 30
There are a few Echo Park Rising shows that caught my eye and they’re all happening on Sunday. Over at Bar Henry, Pop Noir, who I haven’t seen play in a long time, but have seen many times, are on at 3 p.m. Also playing at Bar Henry (IDK what time) is Julez and the Rollerz, who I interviewed here recently. Sunday night, there’s an Echo Park Rising edition of Cretin Hop happening at the Short Stop with first wave California punks The Zeroes.
Monday, August 31
If you have never seen Smithereens before, change that on Monday, August 31, and head to the Cinematic Void screening of this essential cult film at Los Feliz 3. Smithereens is the film that director Susan Seidelman made before Desperately Seeking Susan and the two movies really fit together. Both are set in early ‘80s subculture-y New York and center around hip young women who are simultaneously flighty, ambitious and a total handful. Smithereens also co-stars Richard Hell. Bonus thing to do: Find a copy of Seidelman’s memoir Desperately Seeking Something and read it. It’s good. (You can also check out my 2024 interview with her for Southern California News Group.)
Tuesday, September 1
It’s Tuesday and the rent is due, so not much happening on September 1. But, also, it’s Tuesday, so some theaters have half-priced movie tickets.
Wednesday, September 2
Let’s Paint TV is playing a free show at Zebulon on Wednesday, September 2, with Adam Lion. Pop Hysteria and Sobbing Honey open.
Also on September 2, Vidiots will be screening Once, the 2007 film starring Glen Hansard, who died last month.
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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