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Let's Stand Around for a Few Hours: Live Music in Los Angeles
- by gillians
- -
- August 25, 2008
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There are actually not that many bands that I would pay to see because I get bored easily and get tired of standing and paying too much for weak drinks. That being said, there are a lot of cool places in L.A. to do those things. So have at it.
7PM: Preparty at My Place
Drinks at any venue are about a million dollars apiece. Or, at least $10. So come on over and get well lubricated. Don’t worry, we’ll find a straight edge friend to drive us or take the train or a cab. Seriously, we can’t show up sober.
The Music Box At Fonda Theatre
6126 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
The Fonda is by far my favorite place to see a rock show in L.A. It’s centrally located (for me) and is the perfect size: the shows seem intimate without being completely impossible to get in to.
I have tons of fond(a) memories that include sneaking in, sneaking backstage, sneaking in flasks and general sneaking around.
Rock on.
The Fonda is by far my favorite place to see a rock show in L.A. It’s centrally located (for me) and is the perfect size: the shows seem intimate without being completely impossible to get in to.
I have tons of fond(a) memories that include sneaking in, sneaking backstage, sneaking in flasks and general sneaking around.
Rock on.
The view from the rooftop bar at the Fonda. Especially impressive after a few $8 beers.
Safari Sams
5214 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Safari Sam’s started as a restaurant/punk venue in Huntington Beach way back in the olden times of the 80s.
Now the venue exists in a big concrete box in the parking lot of a 99 Cents Only store. However, it still manages to draw decent bands, the booze is reasonably priced and it’s not shoulder to shoulder crowded. I hate touching (most) people, so this is good for me.
Safari Sam’s started as a restaurant/punk venue in Huntington Beach way back in the olden times of the 80s.
Now the venue exists in a big concrete box in the parking lot of a 99 Cents Only store. However, it still manages to draw decent bands, the booze is reasonably priced and it’s not shoulder to shoulder crowded. I hate touching (most) people, so this is good for me.
8:30PM: Show Up At the Venue
We’re here! Start getting excited!
Club Spaceland
1717 Silver Lake Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026
This Silverlake indie mecca is tiny and uberhip. And yet, they still let me in.
Sometimes they have heavy metal karaoke, too.
This Silverlake indie mecca is tiny and uberhip. And yet, they still let me in.
Sometimes they have heavy metal karaoke, too.
Hollywood Bowl
2301 N Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90068
More that just a Hollywood landmark, this place is an amazing experience.
Except for the parking.
The bowl is an amphitheatre carved into the Hollywood Hills, just north of Hollywood & Highland. It’s not only home to the LA Philharmonic, but also hosts a ton of great rock shows. While you’ll never really get the intimacy of a smaller venue, it’s kind of fun to see bands be a little bit giddy about being up on the stage.
Oh, Colin Meloy, you’re so cute!
More that just a Hollywood landmark, this place is an amazing experience.
Except for the parking.
The bowl is an amphitheatre carved into the Hollywood Hills, just north of Hollywood & Highland. It’s not only home to the LA Philharmonic, but also hosts a ton of great rock shows. While you’ll never really get the intimacy of a smaller venue, it’s kind of fun to see bands be a little bit giddy about being up on the stage.
Oh, Colin Meloy, you’re so cute!
He is SO excited!
The Decemberists at the Hollywood Bowl
El Rey Theatre
5515 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Much like the Fonda, this is a great pseudo-intimate venue with a hip art deco interior.
Much like the Fonda, this is a great pseudo-intimate venue with a hip art deco interior.
Amoeba Music
6400 W Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028
iTunes? Are you kidding? I get all my music at this independent superstore in the heart of Hollywood.
On the weekends it is jam packed with jam seekers. The staff is knowledgeable without making you feel like a loser (usually) and sometimes they’ll have killer live (and free!) shows in the back featuring anyone from Aqualung to Paul McCartney. Rad.
iTunes? Are you kidding? I get all my music at this independent superstore in the heart of Hollywood.
On the weekends it is jam packed with jam seekers. The staff is knowledgeable without making you feel like a loser (usually) and sometimes they’ll have killer live (and free!) shows in the back featuring anyone from Aqualung to Paul McCartney. Rad.
9:00PM: Have Your Privacy Invaded and Maturity Questioned
We’ve only been waiting in line for 30 minutes (pass the flask) and we’re finally at the front! You go one way and I’ll go the other. Hello, security guard. What’s that? You want to go through my purse and pat me down? Um, OK, I guess.
Spit out my gum? Why?
I feel violated. But now I’m gonna see some music! Hooray!
Live Music
Always Seems Like A Good Idea
9:05PM: Be Elated to Be Inside
OMG! MUSICMUSICMUSICMUSIC! And look at all these hot boys in skinny jeans! Yes! Bring on the bands!
Key Club
9039 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069
This venue, that served as the set for the titular club in A Night at the Roxbury is a sort of cheesy Sunset Strip venue that hosts a lot of bands with big hair and bigger egos.
You’ll be hardpressed to find any shoegazing indie rockers here…but it won’t be as hard as it is to find a parking space on the Sunset Strip!
This venue, that served as the set for the titular club in A Night at the Roxbury is a sort of cheesy Sunset Strip venue that hosts a lot of bands with big hair and bigger egos.
You’ll be hardpressed to find any shoegazing indie rockers here…but it won’t be as hard as it is to find a parking space on the Sunset Strip!
9:30PM: Pay $12 for a Stella
My buzz from before is wearing off. My excitement is waning. And now my bar tab is burning through my wallet faster than those Ticketmaster fees that I’ve been whining about for the last month. I’m still excited for the music, though!
House of Blues Sunset Strip
8430 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Ever wanted your venue with a little less Hard Rock and a little more Cafe? This is it, then. The corny big box store of live music on the Sunset Strip.
Ever wanted your venue with a little less Hard Rock and a little more Cafe? This is it, then. The corny big box store of live music on the Sunset Strip.
10PM: Crappy Opening Band!
The lights are dimming! OMGMUSIC! Wait, this isn’t the band that I came to see. Who is that singer? He looks like he’s 12.
All right, who did this band pay off for the choice slot before my favorite band? They totally suck. I am decidedly less excited. Let’s go have a cigarette.
Whisky A Go Go
8901 Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069
At the corner of Sunset and San Vicente, the Whisky has been a Sunset Strip landmark since it opened its doors in 1964. It is also the birthplace of the Go Go dancer.
Doesn’t get much better than that.
I know the Doors did, but I wonder if The Go-Gos ever played here. You know, They Got The Beat.
At the corner of Sunset and San Vicente, the Whisky has been a Sunset Strip landmark since it opened its doors in 1964. It is also the birthplace of the Go Go dancer.
Doesn’t get much better than that.
I know the Doors did, but I wonder if The Go-Gos ever played here. You know, They Got The Beat.
Whisky a Go Go
11PM: Crappy Opener is Done!
All right! The crappy band is done and I’ve switched from beer to whiskey. I’m feeling pretty good. A little bit hopeful, again. Bring on the real stuff.
The Smell
247 S. Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Smell reeks of high school. It’s an all ages venue in a warehouse downtown. Sometimes someone will come through and stop in here, but usually it’s local acts or small bands on tour.
Again, not crowded, but the sound’s not great and there’s probably nobody worth seeing.
Also, I have never been able to figure out WTF is up with “their website”:":http://www.thesmell.org/
Kimya Dawson at the Smell
The quality of this video should give you some clue as to what this venue is like.
11:30PM: WTF
Where is the band I came to see? Nothing is happening on stage. Occasionally a roadie comes out and taps the mic or rearranges the guitars and everyone gets all excited. But still nothing.
I am so bored. I don’t want to drink more because I want to be able to appreciate the band when they come on. All the seats and boys are taken. This is starting to suck.
Midnight: Woo!
The band! Awesome!
I want to sing along, but I don’t want to be that girl that’s singing along.
1:30AM: Oh Man.
They’re done.
Kind of.
We’re going to play that encore game, aren’t we? Clap clap. Screaaaaaaamm. Yes, please come back.
Yay!
the Troubador
9081 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90069
When you’re cruising (not like that) through West Hollywood, just before you get to that iconic Beverly Hills sign, you’ll find the Troubador. Another small venue that introduced the world to the likes of Tom Waits, Elton John and James Taylor, to name a few.
Budget $20 for parking — or $35 for a parking ticket. And as an added bonus, there are some really uncomfortable benches in the balcony.
2AM: It's Over
That was great! I’ve completely forgotten all the reasons that I hate going to shows! Let’s go to another one next week!
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Gahh, you beat me to the punch, GillianS… seems like there’s quite a few LA guidespotters on now. Methinks I’m going to have to rethink this process. $12 for a stella??
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all of your LA guides ROCK! i really enjoy reading them. like you I love Amoeba. I saw Snow Patrol there when they were nobody. Gotta give The Echo/The Echoplex a plug because it’s also a great spot. Tangier will always have a special place in my heart because I saw a ton of shows there by my fave artist Inara George/Bird and the Bee.
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