Drew TewksburyNow that 2010 is history, we've already begun looking to 2011 to offer up a fresh crop of shows for us to devour. There are plenty of outstanding shows on the horizon, but in early 2011 a few shows have piqued our interest. Some band reunions, a couple little bands playing big shows, and some old timers who still can bring the noise. Fire up your calendar apps, because here are 10 Shows We're Stoked About in 2011.
10. Motorhead at Nokia Theatre
Lemmy. “Ace of Spades.” Muttonchops. What more could you want from a metal show at L.A.'s most un-metal venue ever? Lemmy is a disappearing breed in the music world, where market-tested, carbon-copied flavors-of-the-month tend to trump balls-to-the-wall rockers. Lemmy has more rock in his left mole than an entire generation of posturing wannabes.
Nokia Theatre
Fri, Mar 11 7:00 p.m.
9. Girl Talk at Hollywood Palladium
No doubt you downloaded Girl Talk's new megamix “All Day” in 2010, but in 2011, you'll get to see him get his sonic shenanigans on in the flesh. Witnessing the man mix Fugazi with Rihanna or ODB with Radiohead certainly will be a brain exploding event for sure.
Hollywood Palladium
Monday 21 March 2011 at 8:00pm
8. Ceci Bastida and Very Be Careful at the Troubadour
As a backup singer for Julieta Venegas and part of Tijuana NO!'s entourage, Mexican singer Ceci Bastida had few chances to shine on her own. Then in 2010, Bastida released her fantastic first solo album, leaving critics and fans to ponder the question: “Why haven't we heard Ceci before?” Joining the Tijuana-bred singer will be L.A.'s accordion punks Very Be Careful.
Troubadour
Wed, January 12 8:00 PM
7. Gang of Four at The Fonda
After 16 years, the original post punkers Gang of Four have returned with a new album. The extremely influential U.K. rockers enter their 4th decade of music making with their album “Content” and this show at the Music Box.
The Music Box
Feb. 21, 8:00PM
6. Melvins Residency at the Satellite
Even with nearly 30 years of rocking behind them, somehow the Melvins get better with each passing year. Since they merged with the outstanding stoner rock duo Big Business, the side-show-Bob-coiffed Buzz Osbourne and drum smasher Dale Crover have turned up the volume even more. For this four show series at Spaceland/The Satellite, the band will play entire records from their ouevre, and probably a special guest or two will join the fellas onstage.
Fri, Jan. 7th Two Sets – Performing COLOSSUS OF DESTINY / LYSOL / EGGNOG RECORD
Fri, Jan. 14th Melvins 1983 & Houdini
Tickets
Fri, Jan. 21 “Melvins Lite” and full “Bullhead” LP
Fri, Jan. 28th Melvins Set & STONER WITCH RECORD
5. Baths at the Troubadour
The up-and-coming member of L.A.'s beat scene makes a local stop on his national to emit some trademark hazy atmospherics for a hometown crowd. Bath's national tour will spread our beloved city's sounds to the unsuspecting ears of the heartland, but we know that for the Chatworth-raised beatmaker, there's no place like home.
Troubadour
Sat Mar. 5th 8:00pm
4. Little Dragon at the National History Museum
Sweden's cross-pollinated, genre-swapping outfit kicks off the Natural History Museum's First Friday party, bringing their jazz-inspired electropop to the Hall of Mammals. Their ethereal electronics and otherworldly vocals will be the perfect backdrop for marmot carcasses and giant sloth skulls. Then on Saturday, the Swedes invade the Echoplex.
National History Museum
Friday, Jan 07 10:00PM
Echoplex
Sat, Jan 08 8:30 PM
3. Local Natives at Disney Concert Hall
The Silver Lake based indie-darlings take a turn toward the big time with this just announced performance at Walt Disney Hall. The details are still in the works, so we're not sure if the Philharmonic will provide lush orchestration for Local Natives' richly layered rock, but we're hoping Dudamel shows up for a cameo.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Sat, Feb 26
Tickets go on sale at Ticketmaster on Saturday, January 15 at 10:00 a.m
2. Wanda Jackson with Jack White
Elvis' ex-girlfriend and queen of rockabilly Wanda Jackson brings her sassy vocals and stomping rhythms to Los Angeles. The 73-year-old original rocker will be joined by Jack White, with whom she recently recorded an album. Jackson broke down the boys club of rock back in the '50's, and she is an American treasure not to be missed.
El Rey Theatre
Sun, Jan 23 – 08:00 PM
And the most anticipated show of the new year is…
1. Godspeed You! Black Emperor
When the cinematic post-rock orchestra Godspeed You! Black Emperor dissolved in early 2000's, its members went on to found A Silver Mt. Zion and numerous other interesting indie projects. Now the band has reunited for their first tour since they went on hiatus in 2003. With visually stunning film loops intermeshed with their post-apocalyptic soundscapes, a GYBE show is an sensory-stimulating cavalcade of sound and vision.
The Music Box
Wed, Feb 23 – 08:00 PM
Or see them at the Fox Theater On Tuesday, Feb 24th with the uber heavy slowcore duo OM (Note: this will be worth the drive)
What other shows are you looking forward to in 2011? Let us know in the comments:
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