The Best Los Angeles Nightlife: Jan. 20-26, 2025

This month, GothBoiClique is releasing their cult favorite 2016 mixtape, Yeah It's True, on vinyl for the first time. To celebrate, the emo rap collective will play three nights at The Roxy. The first two nights are already sold out, but tickets are still available for the Monday, January 20 show. Tickets at AXS.

Ambient indie pop artist Claire Rousay gives the final West Coast performance of material from her critically acclaimed 2024 album, Sentiment, at Zebulon on January 21. With the stage transformed into a set reflecting the album’s cover, Rousay will play alongside a full band composed of local musicians. Tickets at Dice.

Last year, Alan Sparhawk, co-founder of the influential indie duo Low, released White Roses, My God, his first new album since the death of his wife and bandmate Mimi Parker. The collection of beat-driven, autotuned tracks is a departure from what Low fans might have expected, but no less compelling. Sparhawk is playing live at Highland Park's Lodge Room on Tuesday, January 21. Opening the night is Circuit des Yeux.

With their latest EP, Petite Deaths, out this month, Blood Lemon, the Boise-based trio featuring current Built to Spill bassist Melanie Radford, plays Permanent Records Roadhouse on January 22. The band’s heavy and melodic sound on new songs like “High Tide” and “Perfect Too” make this an ideal show for fans of hard rock with a slightly psychedelic edge. Tickets at Dice.

Hailing from Mexico City, brothers Milton, Emilio and Mike de la Rosa emerged as the cross-genre trio Latin Mafia during the pandemic and exploded in popularity on TikTok. Since then, they’ve sold out their hometown’s Olympic Velodrome and have played Coachella. Catch them at the Hollywood Palladium on Wednesday, January 22. Tickets at Live Nation.

Back in December, LA-based The Holy Knives dropped their latest EP, I Don’t Wanna Win. With the four-song collection, produced by Jamie Hince of The Kills, set for a vinyl release this week, the duo will play their record release show at Gold-Diggers on Thursday, January 23, with support from D/Bronco and DJ Steve Nalepa of The Acid. Tickets at Dice.

Funk and hip-hop go hand-in-hand this winter when GRAMMY nominated band Lettuce and Wu-Tang Clan's profoundly influential MC GZA hit the road on a co-headlining tour. They’ll play The Novo on Thursday, January 23, where GZA will perform his landmark album Liquid Swords, which turns 30 this year, in full. Tickets at AXS.

Currently in the midst of a world tour for their 2024 album, I Should Call Them, LA-based Dua Saleh makes a brief hometown stop at The Roxy on Thursday, January 23. Catch the critically-acclaimed R&B artist in an intimate setting with support from Detroit’s techno-tinged, rising indie dance star Sam Austins. A VIP package for the show includes a pre-show meet & greet and photo opportunity with Dua Saleh. Tickets at AXS.

To celebrate the birthday of the late outsider artist and influential indie musician Daniel Johnston, a stacked lineup of musicians - including Nick Thorburn of Islands, Daniel Brummel of Ozma and Paige Stark of Tashaki Miyaki - will be performing in the January 23 tribute show at Scribble. The night will also include short films, visual art and a raffle of Daniel Johnston merchandise, with proceeds benefiting mental health services at community center/show space Scribble. Tickets at Dice.

The eclectic, dramatic and experimental rock band Sleepytime Gorilla Museum heads to the Lodge Room on Friday, January 24, for a headlining set in support of their latest album, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum of the Last Human Being. The night will also mark the premiere of the group’s film, “The Last Human Being: A Critical Assessment.” Opening the night are Oakland-based art rock trio Gumby’s Junk and throat singer Soriah.

Last year, the long-running psych-pop outfit Elephant Stone released the exquisite album Back Into the Dream. Now the Canadian band is back with a collection of demo recordings, Back Into the Garage, and a tour with Bay Area shoegaze outfit The Asteroid No. 4, whose latest album, Several Shapes of Solar Flares, hit last fall. The two bands play Zebulon on Friday, January 24. Tickets at Dice.

For Eurovision fanatics, the El Rey is the place to be on Friday, January 24. Finnish artist and DJ Teemu Keisteri, better known as Windows95man, brought a Eurodance throwback to last year’s international song competition with his hit, “No Rules.” More recently, he’s kept the ‘90s vibes going strong with the single, “Paperclip.” Joining Windows95man is Luna, who represented Poland in Eurovision 2024 with the dance pop bop “The Tower.” She’ll be releasing her new album, No Rest, in early February. Tickets at AXS.

Rescheduled from last fall, electronic music wizard Daniel Lopatin, aka Oneohtrix Point Never, plays the Hollywood Palladium on Friday, January 24. The acclaimed composer, musician and producer will be joined by ambient music innovator Laraaji and drone metal favorites Earth in what promises to be an exciting and eclectic night. Tickets at Live Nation.

Last year, Canadian metal band 3 Inches of Blood reunited and hit the road in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their album Advance and Vanquish. They’re starting off this year with the California Conquest tour, which includes their first show in Los Angeles in over a decade. They play The Fonda on Friday, January 24, with Toxic Holocaust, Haunt and Intranced. The band sold out a number of last year’s shows across the U.S. and Canada, so you’ll want to snap up your tickets at AXS as soon as possible.

Formed in Tijuana back in 1987, Especimen have since become one of the legendary bands of Mexico’s punk scene. They’re heading to Los Angeles on January 25 for a night at The Regent with support from Infidel, Hong Kong F*ck You, Animals Revenge and Fe D’Ratas. Tickets at Ticketmaster.

On “Good Time,” released back in November, Boombox Cartel blends breakbeat and bass to create dance floor magic. The DJ/producer, who recently collaborated with Dillon Francis on a new single, “Heartbreak,” will play a 360° set at Exchange LA on Saturday night. Tickets at Ticketweb.

For Above Ground 4, Dave Navarro and Billy Morrison present an all-star group of musicians set to perform the classic debut albums from New York Dolls and The Cars at The Fonda on Saturday, January 25. Special guests include Elliot Easton of The Cars, Billy Idol, Duff McKagan of Guns n Roses, Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, Josh Freese from Foo Fighters, Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath and many more. Proceeds from the concert benefit MusiCares. Tickets at AXS.

Tank and the Bangas, whose latest album, The Heart, The Mind, The Soul is currently in the running for a GRAMMY, bring their current tour to the El Rey on Saturday, January 25 with special guests Austin Brown and Blvk Cvstle. Tickets at AXS.

In 2004, Canadian duo Death from Above 1979 released their debut album, You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine, which unleashed ‘00s dance-rock jams like “Sexy Results.” To celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary, Death From Above is on the road and heading to The Novo on Saturday, January 25. Arrive early to check out opening band Spiritual Cramp, whose self-titled 2023 album is filled with punk songs for the dance floor. Tickets at AXS.

Between the late 1980s and early 1990s, Downy Mildew gained an ardent local following for their psychedelic-tinged indie rock. A precursor to today’s dreampop bands, Downy Mildew returns to the LA stage on Sunday, January 26, when they headline Zebulon with support from Fat, Evil Children. Tickets at Dice.

Last year, Arooj Aftab released the sublime, critically acclaimed Night Reign, which might earn the singer and composer another GRAMMY or two this February. Catch her live at the El Rey on Sunday, January 26. Opening the night is the powerful singer Zsela, who released her debut full-length, Big For You, last year. Tickets at AXS.