Live In LA: Radiohead Perform Haiti Benefit

And then there was this. On Thursday, the news traveled like wildfire across the dry digi-field that is the interwebs: greatest band in the world (why not?) Radiohead was to throw an impromptu Oxfam benefit raising money for Haiti’s recovery at a 1300-person theater in L.A. As one reporter pointed out, the band typically sells out multiple nights at the Hollywood Bowl, capacity 18,000. Covering for Spin, I bumped into Britt Daniel (Spoon) and Eric Wareheim (Tim & Eric) in line outside of the Fonda, but neither that nor a face-to-face with J. Timberlake (also in attendance) could have been more thrilling than hearing nearly half of OK Computer performed live. Read about it.

Thommy and Jonny, shot by Tim Norris

*The photo comes courtesy of LA Weekly shutterbug Timothy Norris. Music editor Randall Roberts wrote a great review of the show as well, which you should read, here.

Live In LA: Cold War Kids Start Mini Tour

So despite what you’ve heard, Radiohead wasn’t the only band to play a show in L.A. over the weekend. Cold War Kids kicked off a mini tour behind its new EP, Behave Yourself, with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah frontdude Alec Ounsworth opening. In a world where artistic chutzpah makes the calls, that lineup would have been reversed, but alas, that is not the world that we live in. Read about the show here, on Spin.

A Cold War Kid, shot by Andrew Herrold

LA Upcoming: Sun Araw, Airborne Toxic Event

A short list of recommended L.A.-area shows for the coming week (plus videos for instant gratification). Click “details” for descriptions.

  • Region: Echo Park
    Music: Sun Araw, David Scott Stone, Vaginals + Talibam!
    Vitals: Echo Curio on Monday, January 25
    (details at LA Weekly)
  • Region: West Hollywood
    Music: The Airborne Toxic Event + Aushua
    Vitals:
    The Troubadour on Wednesday, January 27
    (details at LA Weekly)

Live In LA: The GZA Performs ‘Liquid Swords’ at the Echoplex… with RZA and Killah Priest

Well hot damn. On Friday night, GZA came to town and he wasn’t alone. Not hardly. In addition to a large posse of unfamiliar (though talented) rap understudies, The Genius brought RZA and Killah Priest along for the ride. They performed most of the classic Liquid Swords album, along with a bunch of other hits. I got nostalgic with this one. Took it all the way back to freshman year in high school. Steve Plant, if you’re out there, holler.

The RZA, razor sharp.

LA Upcoming: GZA; The Hot Rats + Lemon Sun

A short list of recommended L.A.-area shows for the coming week (plus videos for instant gratification). Click “details” for descriptions.

The Genius to enlighten Echo Park.

  • Region: Echo Park
    Music: GZA, Curtains + DJ Dark Alley
    Vitals:
    TONIGHT at Echoplex!!!
    (details at LA Weekly)
  • Region: West Hollywood
    Music: The Hot Rats + Lemon Sun
    Vitals:
    The Troubadour on Thursday, January 21
    (details at LA Weekly)

Live In LA: Vampire Weekend Kick Off Tour

Last night at Hollywood’s Henry Fonda Theater, Afro-pop preps Vampire Weekend kicked off what’s shaping up to be about a year’s worth of touring behind the band’s excellent new album, Contra. Photographer Andrew Herrold and I were there on Spin‘s behalf, documenting the moment for those who weren’t able to squeeze into the sold-out night. Read/look here.

Ezra Koenig's hair never broke rank. (Andrew Herrold)

LA Upcoming: Kimya Dawson, Your Heart Breaks + Angelo Spencer; Zola Jesus…

A short list of recommended L.A.-area shows for the coming week (plus videos for instant gratification). Click “details” for descriptions.

  • Region: Downtown
    Music: Kimya Dawson, Your Heart Breaks + Angelo Spencer
    Vitals:
    The Smell on Thursday, January 14
    (details at LA Weekly)
  • Region: Downtown
    Music: Zola Jesus, Pocahaunted + Sissy Spacek
    Vitals:
    The Smell on Sunday, January 10
    (details at LA Weekly)

Recommended Rocking: David Scott Stone + Ariana Delawari, Twilight Sleep + Kissing Cousins (ON ICE!)

A short list of recommended L.A.-area shows for the coming week (plus videos for instant gratification). Click “details” for descriptions.

  • Region: Echo Park
    Music: David Scott Stone, Ariana Delawari
    Vitals:
    Echo Curio on Monday, January 4
    (details at LA Weekly)
  • Region: Downtown
    Music: Twilight Sleep, Kissing Cousins
    Vitals:
    Pershing Square on Wednesday, January 6
    (details at LA Weekly)

Recommended Rocking: DJ Quik + Bizzy Bone, Mystery Lights, Mayfly Dance + Doug Lee

A short list of recommended L.A.-area shows for the coming week (plus videos for instant gratification). Click “details” for descriptions.

  • Region: Hollywood
    Music: DJ Quik, Bizzy Bone
    Vitals:
    The Key Club on New Year’s Eve (TONIGHT)
    (details at LA Weekly)
  • Region: Echo Park
    Music: The Mystery Lights, Seasons, The Ignorant, Asa Random, Andy Clockwise
    Vitals:
    Echo Curio on Friday, January 1
    (details at LA Weekly)

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