It’s another jam-packed week of shows and stuff in Los Angeles. I’ve broken down my recommendations day by day for Thursday, August 20, through Wednesday, August 26. Before we get into the list, I just want to point out that there are a mix of events here with ticket prices ranging from free to a lot. The venue names all link back to the ticket pages. Check those for prices, as well as age limits. Have fun and lmk if you make it out to any of these events.
Thursday, August 20
One of the more unexpected tour lineups I’ve seen is heading to Los Angeles’ United Theater on Broadway on Thursday, August 20. Men at Work, the Australian new wave band known for ‘80s jams like “Down Under” and “Who Can It Be Now?,” is on the road with Toad the Wet Sprocket, who made a splash on alt radio stations in 1990s. Opening up for them is Japanese punk trio Shonen Knife, who I interviewed recently about their latest release, Let’s Knife Re-Cut, a re-recording of their 1992 album, Let’s Knife.
But, that’s not the only show happening on Thursday night. On the local band front, Pearl and the Oysters headline the Lodge Room on August 20. Meanwhile, Tinglez, who I recently caught playing a super fun set at Somewhere Special (Stile DTLA’s rooftop bar), are at Wacko/Soap Plant with Eleni Mandell, Zane York and the Paper Rings. With The Escondite set to close at the end of the month, Chaki the Funk Wizard, Pussycow and The Humblers bid farewell to the bar with a free show on Thursday night.
If you would rather catch a movie on Thursday night, La Bamba is playing at Philosophical Research Society. The screening also includes a panel discussion, which includes Ritchie Valens’ siblings Irma and Mario Valens, and tickets are running low, so act fast if you want to go.
Friday, August 21
New York-based indie band Bailen, who have a new album, SWIM!!, coming out in September, play Los Angeles on Friday, August 21. Catch the all ages show at Scribble in Highland Park. Also in Highland Park, Matthew Dear and The Juan Maclean play B2B and in-the-round on Friday night at the Lodge Room.
In Little Tokyo, French modern funk band Ameega will play Indeed Indeed at Hello Stranger on Friday night alongside L.A.’s own XL Middleton and Moniquea, plus DJs Omargod and Kaistar.
Just Like Heaven is Saturday and you can get the party started early on Friday night at Club Underground, where Larry G. plays your faves before you go to see them at Brookside at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.
Saturday, August 22
I’m going to assume that you already know that Just Like Heaven is happening on Saturday at Brookside at the Rose Bowl and that The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, The Rapture and Pixel Grip are amongst the bands playing. I’m also going to assume that, if you wanted to go, you already got tickets. So for those of you who didn’t burn out on festivals a decade ago, like I did, have fun and maybe check out the afterparty at Sid the Cat with DJs Brian Aubert (Silversun Pickups), The Album Leaf, Naeem (Spankrock) and Daniéle, plus special guests.
Now, for everyone else, here’s the lowdown on what’s happening Saturday. There’s a lot, so pay attention. VinylCon is happening Saturday and Sunday at California Market Center. I went to VinylCon last year and it’s a fun event for digging.
Later on Saturday, the Ritchie Forever tribute to Ritchie Valens, is happening at Grand Performances. Amongst the performers are Shannon Shaw of Shannon and the Clams, Joey Quiñones of Thee Sinseers, Bryan Ponce of The Altons and lots more. This is a free show and it runs from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. Other worthwhile shows happening on Saturday are Laurel Halo at the Getty, Jejune at The Roxy and Lucky Me with Mid June and 66Shadows at the Moroccan Lounge. If you’re up to hit the dance floor after the shows, I’d recommend Rebolledo and Made From Shadows at The Spotlight in Hollywood.
Saturday night’s art + music happening is Mystic Vision, Philosophical Research Society’s surrealist ball and fundraiser. This year, they’re honoring Betye Saar, the trailblazing L.A. artist who recently died just days before her 100th birthday. There will be performances from Geneva Jacuzzi and Pauline Lay, plus lots more happening throughout the night.
Sunday, August 23
Based on the current price of resale tickets, I’m going to make another assumption here and conclude that you already know that Slayyyter is playing the Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, August 23, and Monday, August 24. For everyone who is not going to the show, which includes yours truly, here’s what’s happening on Sunday.
At the time of writing this, there are still free, general admission tickets to see Maldita Vecinidad, Kinky and Tijuana No! over at Pershing Square.
On Sunday night, former Cocteau Twin Simon Raymonde, joins Olive Kimoto and Paige Emery in the DJ booth at Zebulon for Heaven or Los Angeles. No cover and entry is first come, first serve.
American Cinematheque is holding its Friend of the Fest podcast festival between August 20 and August 27. The one screening I would recommend is House of Dark Shadows, the Dark Shadows movie from 1970, with an introduction from Dana Gould.
Monday, August 24
If you’re not going to Daisy Chain Fields in Irvine on August 29, you might want to catch The Breeders at Hollywood Palladium on Monday, August 24. Last time I checked, there were still tickets available at a pretty reasonable price for a Ticketmaster show in 2026.
Tuesday, August 25
If you’re into heavy psych rock, San Diego’s Earthless is at Zebulon on Tuesday, August 25. For those of you who are into more noisy, not particularly genre specific electronic music, local cassette label Silk Nest is celebrating their first anniversary with Pehrspace at 2220 Arts + Archives. The lineup includes Hen of the Woods, Sunk Cost, Stoned at the Wake, Insufficient Despair and Daid Roy.
Wednesday, August 26
Melt Banana is back in town! The Japanese noise rock band is incredible live. If you haven’t seen them before, go to Teragram Ballroom on Wednesday, August 26. Bring earplugs. Trust me. I’ve seen them twice.
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 August 2026 edition of Beatique with music from Arctic Monkeys, Divine Comedy, Boy Harsher, horsegiirL, Turnstile and more.
More:
How I Finally Came Around to the Strokes
Shonen Knife Brings Back The Classics with Let’s Knife Re-Cut