This Friday, January 23, Underground and Synthwaves are back with a two-room party at Grand Star Jazz Club. I’ll be in the Synthwaves room, which is upstairs, playing darkwave and post-punk, think along the lines of Boy Harsher, Molchat Doma, French Police, etc. Tickets are available now and you should snap yours up because it’s basically two clubs for one very reasonable cover price. Head over to Dice or Eventbrite to do just that. We’re playing until 2 a.m., so if you already going to Austra at the Roxy or Dan Deacon at Teragram, stop by after the show to hit the dance floor.
Keep reading for my recommendations for the rest of this weekend and early next week.
Concerts
After the post-holiday lull, shows are finally starting up again here in Los Angeles. On Thursday, January 22, there’s a Daniel Johnston tribute happening at Sid the Cat in South Pasadena with Tenlons Fort, Earlimart, Petra Haden and more and Monster Rally is playing at The Lodge Room. Saturday night at the Lodge Room is the Ground Control Abortion Access benefit series with a stacked lineup. If you don’t want to head down to Long Beach to catch Shannon Shaw’s shows at Alex’s Bar this week, you can see her at this show. Plus, it’s a good cause. Also happening on Saturday night is Sylvia Black’s album release party for Shadowtime at The Monty, which will also include performances from Magic Wands and Blone Noble. It’s $20 at the door with no advance sales. Check out Sylvia Black’s website for more info. On Sunday, Steven Brown of Tuxedomoon is playing at Zebulon, which should be a great show. Then, flashing forward into next week, Lavender Diamond is back and playing at 2220 Arts + Archives with Alex Lilly.
Dance Clubs/DJ Events
City pop fans, you can dance to Japanese vinyl of 1970s and 1980s vintage on Thursday night, January 22, when Dress Down with DJ Tsugu Itagaki returns to Let’s Go Disco in the Arts District. Punky Reggae is happening Saturday night at Melody Lounge with a guest DJ set from Pachyman. Sunday is Butchona with Lady Soul, Killed by Synth and DJ French at Little Joy.
Movies
Gardena Cinema is hosting a David Lynch marathon on Saturday, January 24, with various episodes of Twin Peaks screening in the afternoon, Fire Walk with Me in the evening and Blue Velvet at night. You can buy tickets for individual screenings, or a day pass, on Eventbrite. In other David Lynch screening-related news, Laura Dern is scheduled to be on hand at the Academy Museum for screenings of Inland Empire on Sunday, January 25, and Wild at Heart on Monday, January 26. Both are sold out, but check the museum’s website at 9 a.m. on the day of the event to see if more are released.
As for movies not directed by David Lynch, Philosophical Research Society is screening rarely seen experimental short films from Elda Hartley and Alan Watts this Saturday night. On Monday, head to the Lodge Room to check out newly restored Fleischer cartoons.
Last night, I caught Dead Man’s Wire, the new Gus Van Sant film, over at Alamo Drafthouse and it’s a good one. I haven’t had a chance to collect all my thoughts about it yet, but definitely try to catch it while the film is in theaters.
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.
Listen to the January, 2026 Beatique Mix.
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