Peddling a winning combination of surf, garage, and an underbelly of punk muscle, Guantanamo Baywatch come to party. This is music to dance to, to drink to — the perfect soundtrack for the tiki lounge and a mosh pit. ►

Dual vocalists Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman crafted gorgeous harmonies to match the waves crashing in from either side of the Pier – it was a mystifying performance from a band that are just starting to hit their peak of popularity. ►

There are certain concerts that sear a white-hot brand on your brain—shows that are so captivating, that you’re so present for, you can still recall what you were wearing, the way the room smelled, and the faces of the people that were standing around you. ►

One of the appeals of lo-fi music can be its suggestiveness: a shroud of tape and gauze can hint at something gorgeous underneath. ►

When Alt-J took the stage at the Shrine Auditorium Wednesday night, the three band members appeared side-by-side, each in their own segmented box of lights, where they remained throughout their bombastic and mathematically precise 18-song set. ►

An eight-piece string and horn section added extra weight to the glammy, Bowie-esque “Got It All (This Can’t Be Living Now)” and “So American,” and two breakdancers took the stage to brighten up “All Your Light” and “Live In The Moment.” But it was the band’s tight musicianship and sternum-shaking power that stayed at center stage, making every song, from “Holy Roller (Hallelujah)” to “Waves” feel absolutely massive. ►