Photos and words by Leslie Kalohi Shuggie Otis, the man, the myth, the legend, finished his U.S. tour promoting Inspiration Information / Wings of Love with a stop at El Rey Theatre. Otis impressed the LA crowd with his trademark sound, a smooth take on blues/funk/soul. Many couldn’t help but groove and dance along – [...]

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Photos and words by Debi Del Grande The Ra Ra Riot that stood on stage this week at the El Rey was in a much sweeter spot than last year at the same venue. Wes Miles (lead vox) said it was a crazy crazy time last year, after losing his voice and cancelling several shows [...]

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Photos and words by Leslie Kalohi “No running!” exasperated El Rey security guards continuously shouted as the crowd entered the venue on Friday night, the first of two sold out LA dates for Australia’s Tame Impala.   The band’s dreamy psychedelia brought out a good mix of eager fans, including a mild-mannered accountant out with [...]

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We respect a band that starts with an encore. The crowd, who had been dancing since The Knock’s opening set and through between-bands DJ Bryan Davidson, filled the empty spaces with flailing arms and hair tosses as Dragonette’s Martina Sorbara started the opening lyrics of “I Get Around” from a neon lit backdrop. Declaring this [...]

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LA Record and Aquarium Drunkard joined forces this past Sunday at the El Rey to co-present a stellar gig headlined by San Francisco based outfit, Thee Oh Sees. LA was eager and hungry for the band’s return, and to also hear selections from latest release, Putrifiers II. Once the red velvet curtain parted on stage [...]

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The last time The Cribs rolled into town, legendary guitarist Johnny Marr was part of the group. How would the crowd react without Johnny? Well, with the sweet buzz around their latest In the Belly of the Brazen Bull, fans at the El Rey Theatre were already pumped up to see brothers Gary, Ryan and [...]

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Long-time indie favorite Clap Your Hands Say Yeah brought its melodic, danceable anthems back to an appreciative LA crowd, making El Rey’s stage the second stop of the band’s latest U.S. tour. Toronto-based outfit The Darcys opened. Photos by Leslie Kalohi.

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London-based The Boxer Rebellion must have felt right at home at The El Rey Theatre with its largest crowd in the States yet. The band wrapped up its tour by playing some new tunes, many from The Cold Still, and a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy The Silence.” How is this band not signed? Nashville’s [...]

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The Drums wrapped up their US tour with two sold out nights at The El Rey Theatre. The hordes came early, left late, desperately wanting another encore. Openers Part Time and Craft Spells lived up to their role to warm up the crowd. Once Brooklyn’s The Drums took the stage, screams and shrieks almost took [...]

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Brit pop, sweaty hair flying, and dancing filled The El Rey Theatre Tuesday evening. Everyone seems to be buzzing about the first opener The Neighbourhood with record executives in the house ready to sign. Static Jacks have been touring with its girlfriend The Wombats for many months and frontman Ian Devaney owns the stage. Screams [...]

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