Tonight Kansas-bred indie pop duo Mates of States (LAist Review) will be kicking off a two-night stint at the Echo with none other than the City of Brotherly Love's rock and roll quintet Free Energy (LAist Interview). DâM-FunK, or rather the "Ambassador of Boogie Funk," is poised to take on the Troubadour with San Jose-bred DJ, hip-hop producer and founder of the hip-hop label Stones Throw Records, Peanut Butter Wolf. And, lastly, Oakland-bred Euro-American musical group Fishtank Ensemble will be performing for free at Levitt Pavillion in the heart of Pasadena. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Orpheum Theatre in Downtown to catch French "freak folk" outfit CocoRosie, who are touring in support of their latest endeavor—2010's Grey Oceans. LAist favorites, local rapper Busdriver (LAist Review, #2) and Sao Paulo's self-proclaimed purveyor of tropical punk, Cibelle, are slated to kick thing off. more ›

Tonight Brooklyn-based rockers the Hold Steady will be performing to a sold-out crowd at the El Rey Theatre with El Bronx in tow (that would be the Bronx you know, only performing mariachi songs). English country/blues trio Kitty, Daisy & Lewis are poised to grace the Echo with none other than local indie rockers Le Switch. And, lastly, Oakland-bred Euro-American musical group Fishtank Ensemble will be performing at Bordello. But we strongly suggest heading over to the Troubadour to catch Malian singer and guitarist Vieux Farka Touré, son of one of the African continent’s most internationally renowned musicians Ali Farka Touré. LAist favorite, LA-via-Tel Aviv transplant Luke Top—also known as Fool's Gold front man—is slated to kick things off. more ›