Get Into the LA Groove: May 13-19, 2024

For those whose tastes lean towards punk and goth-influenced sounds, head to Zebulon on Monday night. Memphis-based Optic Sink bring their dark synth sounds to the popular LA venue in the headlining spot. Opening the night are locals Memo PST and Oog Bogo. Tickets on sale at Dice.

Best known as co-founder of garage rock band Habibi (who have a new album due out at the end of the month), Rahill embraced lofi grooves and a subtle trip-hop influence on last year’s solo album, Flowers at Your Feet. Catch her Tuesday night at Gold-Diggers for an event presented by esteemed Northern California promoters (((folkYEAH!))). Tickets on sale at Dice.

Orlove’s hip-hop event series Panic in L.A. is throwing a party for the books at 1720 on Wednesday, May 15. With Rakim performing classic cuts and Talib Kweli and Slum Village rounding out the lineup, it’s a night to salute the heroes of the genre. Tickets on sale at Dice.

Pleasant Gehman and Shana Leilani’s monthly burlesque party, Bell, Book & Candle celebrates the “Seven Year Witch” on Wednesday night at El Cid. This special anniversary event includes a packed roster of burlesque performers, plus go-go dancers, DJ, raffle and a ritual from Pythian Priestess. Show starts at 7:45 pm, tickets at Dice.

For their third night in Los Angeles, Belle & Sebastian moves to The United Theater on Broadway (formerly known as Theater at Ace Hotel), with opener Haley Heynderickx. Tickets on sale at AXS.

Over the course of four albums, Brazilian trio O Terno has garnered a legion of fans with their brand of psychedelic pop. The first of their two nights at Highland Park’s Lodge Room is sold out and there’s currently a low ticket warning for Wednesday’s concert. Tickets on sale at the Lodge Room website.

Space Yacht, the promotion team known for its emphasis on showcasing up-and-coming dance music talent, is throwing their first hip-hop party on Thursday, May 16. Head to Sinners y Santos at Level 8 in Downtown LA to check out the scene. No cover, RSVP at Dice.

With a lineup that includes Brad Truax (Interpol), Mick Barr (Ocrilim, Krallice), Greg Fox, Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Angel Deradoorian (Dirty Projectors, Deradoorian), Black Sabbath Cover Band Rehearsal crosses the indie and metal divide while paying tribute to one of the most iconic rock bands of the 20th century. Local trio Zig Zags opens and John Dwyer (Osees) will be your DJ for the night. Tickets on sale at Dice.

It’s the return of Subculture’s “medieval rave” on Friday night when Dungeons & Dragons takes over Catch One. Dress up in theme or as your fabulous self and get ready to hit the dance floor. Tickets on sale at Dice.

Influential Scottish indie rockers, Teenage Fanclub, released their 11th album, Nothing Lasts Forever, last fall to critical acclaim. They’ll be concluding their U.S. spring tour with two nights at Teragram Ballroom. Welsh singer Euros Childs, of the band Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, opens the Friday night show. Tickets to the all-ages concert are on sale at Ticketmaster.

Guy Gerber’s popular party series, Rumors, returns to Chinatown’s Central Plaza on Saturday, May 18. Dance as the sun sets over the set to the sounds of Gerber and British artist SG Lewis. Tickets on sale at Dice.

Monthly bash Crystal Nostalgia is the place to be for party people who want their future funk and vaporwave jams served with a side of vintage city pop, a sprinkle of Y2K classics and a drizzle of anime jams. The lineup for May’s event is stacked with DJs FrankJavCee, Initial Rhi, Groovy Kaiju, marionismagical, Zaku 86 and AHBD. Tickets available on Restless Nites.

Philosophical Research Society launches “Queer Diaspora,” a new series of events hosted by filmmaker Gregorio Davila, with a screening of Paris Is Burning, the now-classic documentary that introduced vogueing to audiences outside of New York’s drag underground. Stick around for the afterparty with tunes spun by DJ Sindri of weekly party Hot Dog. Tickets at Eventbrite.

Just Like Heaven’s lineup is tailor-made for fans of 2000s indie, filled with the era’s hitmakers, including The Postal Service, Phoenix and Death Cab for Cutie, alongside cult icons like The Go! Team, CSS and Gossip. At the time of this round-up there are still tickets available, so get yours at AXS before it’s too late.

Mario Diaz has spent the past 30 years promoting buzzy queer events on both the East and West coasts. With Hot Dog Sunday, he and Adam Ramzi offer rotating DJs, go-go dancers and a lively crowd every week at El Cid. The party starts at 4pm and goes into the night. Early arrival is suggested. Tickets on sale at Dice.

Drawing from various traditions of African music, Ethiopian band Qwanqwa has been wowing fans through their extensive tours and appearances at festivals like Bonnaroo and Roskilde. Opening artist SK Kakraba is a local master of the Ghanaian instrument, the gyil. No cover, RSVP at Dice.