On the whole, it seems like a rather regular, maybe even quiet week – except for Friday. March 21 is one of those days overloaded with shows. Like a “super sized me” only with music instead of calories.
Let me provide a sampling of Friday’s concerts. There’s Kings of Leon at the Forum with Local Native. O.C. folks can flock to the Observatory for the terrific teaming of troubadours: Foy Vance and Brett Dennen. St. Vincent showcases her much-praised new CD at the Wiltern. The awesome Nashville singer/songwriter Amelia White also has a new album Old Postcards and a local record release show at the Hotel Café, where Lily Kershaw also will be doing a set. However, topping Friday’s list is Lydia Loveless I love her new album Somewhere Else and she’ll be at the Satellite.
Wed. March 19
Top Show: The British duo Bear’s Den settles into the Hotel Café to share their harmony-based folk-rock.
Katherine Grace showcases her new album No Place To Fall at Room 5. Jack Antonoff’s new band Bleachers will fill the Troubadour with its big-hook rock ‘n’ roll. A pair of legends, Dionne Warwick and Kenny Rogers, have appearances in town: Warwick’s at the Grammy Museum while Rogers plays the Saban Theater.
Thurs. March 20
Swedish folk/pop duo Solander saunters into the Hotel Café. The Roxy has a potent bill featuring the Apache Relay, The Lonely Wild and The Soil & The Sun. Blow Up Hollywood ignites its twisted rock at Room 5. Lynda Kay does her cool, ‘60s Vegas thing at the Three Clubs. The Belle Game plays the Bootleg with Ski Lodge, while New Orleans adventurous funksters Galactic create merriment at the El Rey.
Fri. March 21
Besides the Friday shows I mentioned earlier, you can catch the Rev. Horton Heat at the Roxy. Nekromantix opens for them tonight and the Dwarves on Sunday, but my favorite openers would be Saturday’s pairing of Deke Dickerson and James Intveld. The Toadies celebrate the 20th anniversary of their Rubberneck show by performing it at the Troubadour on a rockin’ bill with the fun-loving Supersuckers and Battleme. Meanwhile, Colin Hay will be working it at Largo.
Sat. March 22
Dreamy folk-popsters Coldair has an Origami Vinyl in-store today and then plays the Bootleg on the 23rd. Guitar ace Doug Pettibone will be play with Chris Pierce at the Hotel Café as will Mandolin Orange. G. Love serves up his Special Sauce at the House of Blues, while Death makes an appearance at Santa Ana’s Observatory for Burgerama III.
Sun. March 23
Top Show: The Gaslight in Long Beach is hosting a fundraiser for veteran blues drummer Max Bangwell (is there a better name for a drummer?) who is fighting lung cancer. James Harman, Rick Holmstrom, Kid Ramos, Junior Watson and the Blasters are a few of the scheduled performers. UK suave rockers The Crookes brings its Soapbox to the Echo, while Patrolled By Radar lands at the Mint with Casey Neill & The Norway Rats and the Unsound Foundation.
