We don’t wanna hear the phrase, “Everybody’s at South by” this week, OK? Yes, Austin’s megamusic fest South by Southwest is well under way and many L.A. promoters, bands, DJs and “industry people” are there BBQ-ing and boozing their brains out. No doubt, many turntablists and producers are still recovering from Winter Music Conference in Miami as well.
Regardless, there’s no shortage of bashes (some biggies, too) and dynamic destinations for dance music lovers this week. Far from a ghost town, L.A. remains funkytown. Won’t you let us take you?
Fri., March 18: France’s Agoria Goes Incognito, L.A. Riots Take Control
Friday night continues to offer some of dance music’s finest. Incognito has garnered a nice rep for its international lineups, and this week is no exception. The club offers the “exclusive USA and first L.A. performance” of French house producer Agoria, scheduled for a three-hour set. With visuals by Kris Bertrand and the club’s award-winning sound, it should be Euro-spastic. King King Hollywood, 6555 Hollywood Blvd., Hlywd.; iluvincognito.com.
Over at Avalon, Control’s got electro bodyrockers from right here. L.A. Riots always cause chaos on the dance floors, especially local ones. Also with Starkillers, Rifat Ziadeh and Spiggy in the main room. Avalon, 1735 Vine St., Hlywd.; avalonhollywood.com.
Sat., March 19: Insomniac Journeys Back Down the Rabbit Hole
When Nocturnal Wonderland “the rave” became Nocturnal Festival the organized concert, it gained patrons, an expansion of music genres and a visibility and viability that went way beyond the underground. With electronic styles going mainstream via the hip-hop and pop charts, Insomniac started touting its sister fest, Beyond Wonderland, as something different, “building on and moving further than both of its predecessors and evolving the concept in rich, new directions.” After the drug-related death at Electric Daisy Carnival caused press and parents alike to malign massive dance parties like this, another thing is likely to be different: a seriously enforced zero-tolerance drug policy for the 18-and-over event. Lineup-wise, one thing hasn’t changed: The fest has some of the best of the best, including Calvin Harris, DJ Fresh, Richie Hawtin, Infected Mushroom, Cosmic Gate, Dirty South, Kascade, Noisia, Joker and too many others to list here, plus art installations, theatrical performers and fantastical attractions. NOS Event Center, 689 S. E St., San Bernardino; beyondwonderland.com.
Wed., March 23: (Low End) Theory of Relativity
After two much-buzzed-about recent surprises at Low End Theory (Odd Future’s live jam and Thom Yorke’s lauded DJ turn), the Lincoln Heights club is sure to see an influx of new faces for a while. Will it kill the vibe? Will OTs (Original Theorists) be hating? Hopefully not, but even low-enders-come-lately are likely to become converts after catching the eclectic mixes of rap, dubstep, glitch, psych and who knows what from residents Nobody, D Styles, Gaslamp Killer and Daddy Kev. The secret is out, friends. Expect long lines at L.E.T. to continue and expect them to be worth it, surprises or no. The Airliner, 2419 N. Broadway; lowendtheoryclub.com.
