First of all, it’s more madness this time around than I remembered. Maybe it’s because I’m getting older and lamer and my half-Irish liver can’t quite swing St. Patrick’s Day with as much gusto as it once did. Or maybe it’s because Molly and I, in an effort to bring recommendations, recap, and (SXSW) reality to those of you who couldn’t make it this year are trying to see as many bands as humanly possible each 24 hour period. more ›

Tonight there will be a tribute to the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA at the Hollywood Bowl. St. Albans-based English rockers the Zombies are poised to grace the Wiltern with none other than the Yardbirds, who are, of course, noted for starting the careers of three of rock's most famous guitarists: Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page. Terry Lynn & John Hugo will be celebrating Jamaican music, performing songs from 2009's It Was Written at Loft Seven in Downtown. And, lastly, Austin-based instrumental rock outfit Explosions in the Sky (LAist Review, #2) will be performing at the Hollywood Palladium with local noise rockers No Age in tow. But we strongly suggest heading out to the Coliseum in Downtown to catch the final night of the 19th annual Electric Daisy Festival—the largest dance festival in North America, which could feature up to "200,000 dancing feet". LAist favorites Simian Mobile Disco are slated to headline. more ›

It's better than winning the lottery. LAist is running three contests right now: a pair of tickets for Bright Eyes with the LA Philharmonic for this Saturday, a pair of VIP passes to LA Weekly's Detour Festival on October 6 and a pair of tickets for next The Crystal Method at The Roxy next tuesday. Speaking of Detour, the line-ups and stages were announced today Hopefully, citizens won't get cheated as much anymore: the... more ›

You’ve heard their tracks on the Blade movies, Zoolander, and Romeo Must Die. You know their work from the theme song to Bones. You’ve gamed to their music on Dance Dance Revolution and Gran Turismo 4. You’ve even listened to their radio show on Indie 103.1 (on Community Service on Friday nights 10 pm-midnight). But most notably, if you’re any kind of electronica fan, you’ve ardently followed their music for a decade since the... more ›

After a good two weeks, we think it's safe to say that we've sufficiently recovered. At least, enough to post pictures from five? Six? Was it seven hours (?) of big bad bass, booming beats, and best of all, babes in furry boots at Giant Village. Yes, while LAist was pretty focused on the breakbeats thrown down by Hybrid and The Crystal Method on the Community Service Stage, we leave the music reviews for the chin-stroking trainspotters out there, and focus on the fun and fashion. more ›

Ninja Academy, XO @ CIA more ›

We, along with about a bazillion other people, were a little more than miffed when Giant Village crashed and burned on New Year's Eve. Heck, that's not even a true statement, since it never took off. But it's been six months, and we think we're over it. At least, that's what out therapists told us. more ›

We've got a date night for you: Try winning tickets here to the February 6th red carpet premiere of London, a movie set in (surprise!) New York, about a girl moving to LA and the man who stocks up on coke and tries to win her back. After you've dodged the paparazzi and seen the premiere at the Arclight, whisk your good selves off to Basque, where The Crystal Method will be spinning. more ›

Not that any ball drops here in Los Angeles and it frustrates us to no end that we don't have a signature New Year's celebration. That said, hopefully you're better prepared for the dawning of 2005 than we are. Those last minute invitations to join someone on their private jet to South Beach or Vegas to ring in the New Year just aren't rolling in like we'd hoped. more ›