This week’s list of shows isn’t quite as deep as last week’s now that FYF Fest has come and gone. But if your pockets are light after spending money on a two-day festival ticket, there’s a lot of awesome free shows this week. Zipper Club and Shy Girls have free gigs early in the week with Unknown Mortal Orchestra being one of the better free shows at the Santa Monica Pier. Check out our full list of Best Shows This Week.
MONDAY, AUGUST 29
Zipper Club with Geordie Kieffer, & The Nova Darlings, The Satellite, free
New act Zipper Club (Lissy Trullie, Mason James) finishes off their August residency at The Satellite. Earlier in the month, former Smashing Pumpkins founding member James Iha popped up during their set. He’s served as a producer for the duo, who have gotten help from TV on the Radio’s Jahphet Landis on drums. Geordie Kieffer is a newcomer that I’m interested to see how his music translates live. He’s right up your alley if you’re a fan of Lil’ Dicky, check out his latest video for “Red Line.”
TUESDAY, AUGUST 30
Shy Girls, Resident, free
The project of producer/songwriter Dan Vidmar, if you’re a fan of Marian Hill or other downtempo electronic R&B acts you’ll dig Vidmar. You’ll especially like the new track “I Am Only a Man,” which you can listen to here. As you’ll hear on the track, this dude has some serious pipes.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31
inc. no world with Francis and the Lights, Troubadour, $15.00
We’ve talked about Francis and the Lights before, and this will be a good opportunity to see him in a small venue before he begins opening for Chance the Rapper on his upcoming tour. He just released a collaboration with The Weeknd and Cashmere Cat, following up his track with Bon Iver from his own upcoming album. We expect that he’s about to blow the fuck up. Headliner inc. no world’s minimal R&B will be a nice way to end the evening.
Phebe Starr, Bootleg Bar, $8.00 advance
Aussie-born, LA-based jill-of-all-trades Phebe Starr returns to the Bootleg this week. On her latest track “Lavender Scars,” she sort of has an Imogen Heap sound to her vocals. Mostly though she sounds like a more mainstream-friendly Lykke Li with a little hint of Goldfrapp. Check her out in the cozy confines of the Bootleg.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Santa Monica Pier, free
I saw Unknown Mortal Orchestra perform a couple of times on the festival circuit this year. They handle a large outdoor open-space venue pretty wonderfully. Their sound will be pretty nice on the beach, though I recommend getting on the actual pier rather than in the sand in order to get the best sound.
Ja Rule with Ashanti, The Novo, $36.50 to $46.50
When I saw these early ’00 hip-hop heavies on Valentine’s Day at The Novo this year, I was expecting a side show. What I got instead was a really entertaining night — even though it was their second of the night. The tickets are a little pricy but nostalgia sells. These two still bring it, and some forget just how many Top 10 hits these two spit out in the early aughts.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
The Kills with Autolux, Fox Theater Pomona, $25.00+
I got the opportunity to see The Kills play intimate venues this year like a BBQ joint at SXSW and later Santa Monica’s Apogee Studios for KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic. The latter will rate as one of my favorite shows of the year. Certified bad ass Allison Mosshart and Co. are playing at their highest level these days, with Mosshart saying that their recent show at the Mayan Theater this year was the best they’ve ever played. You’ll get two opportunities to catch them this week, don’t fuck it up.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
The Kills with Autolux, The Wiltern, $30.00 to $35.00
If you don’t want to drive all the way out to Pomona, The Kills will be in Koreatown for a performance at the historic Wiltern. It isn’t my favorite venue because they only allow a certain amount of people in the pit. So get there early to get a good spot.
