Every month I listen to the majority of bands and musicians who are playing in Los Angeles and select some for a monthly playlist. It includes a variety of genres and usually newer work by the artists.
This month includes new music from Together Pangea, Shannon Lay, Iceage, Thee Oh Sees, The Womack Sisters, and a song from the Helado Negro/Reyna Tropical project Helado Tropical.
The song above is from Courtney Barnett‘s 2026 album, Creature of Habit.
This song is from Panda Bear‘s first solo album in five years, Sinister Grift, which was released in February of this year.
On Saturday, 5/10, Panda Bear will be playing the Just Like Heaven festival in Pasadena. There are several great bands on the lineup including- Vampire Weekend, Courtney Barnett, The Drums, Toro y Moi, Perfume Genius, Of Montreal, Beach Fossils, Slowdive, and more.
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (10/4-10/7/18)-
Thursday
Looking for information on the upcoming Midterm Elections? Hammer Museum is hosting a Midterms Primer with Christina Bellantoni, journalist and director of the Annenberg Media Center; Shaniqua McClendon, political director for Crooked Media, home to the popular podcast Pod Save America; and Rick Hasen, Chancellor’s Professor of Law and Political Science at the University of California, Irvine, discussing the issues and candidates that define the political landscape. It will be moderated by Jessica Yellin, journalist and former chief White House correspondent for CNN.
Interpol are playing with The Kills and Sunflower Bean at the Hollywood Bowl
Mint Field and Deep Fields are opening for Ulrika Spacek at The Echo
Friday
Courtney Barnett is playing at The Greek Theatre with Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks and Waxahatchee opening
Kim and The Created and Nani are opening for Shonen Knife at the Bootleg Theater
Saturday
Eagle Rock Music Festival is a free community event with a long list of musical performers that includes Cut Chemist, Billy Changer, and Vintage Trouble, as well as work by several local visual artists
The Pharcyde is hosting a festival at The Novo with performers that include Bas, Dead Prez and more
The Adult Swim Festival continues with performances by artists that include- Wavves, Flying Lotus, Thundercat, Zola Jesus, and Mastodon as well as standup comedy from Hannibal Buress and others
Saint Sister are playing at the Bootleg Theater with Motor Sales opening
Sunday
Experimental filmmaker Ken Jacobs will be at LACMA to discuss his work and will also show several clips from his 3D work that does not require glasses. This program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition 3D: Double Vision (free but ticket required)
WAR STORIES: Tales of 70’s & 80’s Punk Mayhem Told By The Perpetrators Themselves, at The Roxy is a night of storytelling by performers that include Flea, Abby Travis, Keith Morris, Mike Watt and more
Bootleg Theater is hosting a free Launch Party for Feckless Cunt: A Feminist Anthology with readings by contributors and young LA poets
It’s the final night of The Adult Swim Festival with artists that include Dan Deacon, Run the Jewels, Big Freedia, and Neko Case, as well a Rick and Morty Musical Ricksperience and performances by standup comedians
All weekend
If you are downtown for Photo Independent, make sure to check out the last weekend of WDCH Dreams, the public art installation at the Walt Disney Concert Hall by media artist Refik Anadol. Performances run every half hour starting at 7:30pm and ending at 11:30pm.
Things to do in Los Angeles this weekend (10/12-10/15/17)-
Thursday
Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile are performing a live set free at Amoeba Records (buy their record for a guaranteed spot)
MOCA Grand Avenue is hosting the world premiere of James Benning’s film Readers with Benning in person and a reading by Rachel Kushner (free)
Downtown Art Walk returns with galleries open late (maps available at 634 S.Spring Street)
Angelo De Augustine is playing at the Bootleg Theater with Avi Buffalo and Madison Cunningham
Sound of Ceres, Vinyl Williams, HOTT MT and Pavo Pavo are playing at The Satellite
Julia Lucille, Moses Nesh, Melaena Cadiz and Jess Williams are performing at Junior High
Friday
Har Mar Superstar is opening for The Afghan Whigs at The Fonda Theatre
ArtNight Pasadena returns with free admission to the museums, gallery openings, music, and performances, all around the area- with free shuttle buses to get to the different destinations
There are still tickets available to see Father John Misty at The Greek Theatre with Weyes Blood opening
The 12th Annual Pasadena ArtWalk has art activities, a juried art show and sale, performances, restaurant promotions and more (free)
Flying Lotus (in 3D) and Thundercat are performing outside at Hollywood Forever
The Getty is hosting Off The 405 x Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA with a performance by Helado Negro, a DJ set and performance by Maria Chavez, and an installation by Krysten Cunningham
Galantis are playing at The Greek Theatre with The Him and Pat Lok opening
Rainer Maria are playing at The Echo with Olivia Neutron-John opening
Sunday
It’s the second day of the Santa Fe Art Colony’s annual open house- a great chance to check out the artists’ work and the space itself (free)
As part of Red Bull Music Academy’s programming- artist Ryoji Ikeda will present a composition in collaboration with 100 automobile owners that will constitute the world’s largest synth orchestra (free but RSVP)
Annie Hart is playing at The Hotel Cafe with Madeline Kenney and Sophia Knapp
