Watch out L.A., the month of April is going to be packed with some of the best concerts you will see this year. Although there are too many epic shows to list, we’ve narrowed it down to to the 35 best Los Angeles concerts you need to attend this April. It’s Coachella month! So naturally, all Goldenvoice shows are going to dominate this April as they offer some first-class intimate concerts to many of their most sought out Coachella performances. Needless to say, there’s also a lot of amazing concerts on this list that will not be performing at Coachella. And for those that are seeking Coachella alternatives, you have Desert Daze as well as Brokechella! Just scroll down below for all the concert goods!
P.S. We didn’t list Coachella(s) on this list because it’s a clear given. #duh
In order by earliest show date.
1. Neil Young — April 1 & 2 — Dolby Theatre
It’s Neil Young! This legend needs no introduction.
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2. Kelela — April 1 & 2 — The Echo
The Los Angeles songbird fuses R&B with electronic beats and it sounds something fierce. Similar to the trip-hop sounds of Portishead, Tricky and Massive Attack — Kelela has a promising future with her seductive electronic tunes.
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3. Cut Copy — Apri 1 — Hollywood Palladium
Australian indie electronic group, Cut Copy are on tour now in support of their newest album Free Your Mind. This is going to be a magical night of dance euphoria, be prepared to “free your mind.”
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4. Petty Fest — April 3 — El Rey Theatre
We have THE best time every year at Petty Fest. Who doesn’t like a bunch of great musicians coming together to celebrate the music of iconic artists such as Tom Petty!
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5. Emmylou Harris — April 3 — The Wiltern
This woman is one of the greatest American singer-songwriters. Known for her timeless music in the country, folk and blues genres — Emmylou is the kind of iconic musician everyone should see at least once in their lives.
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6. Cheetah Chrome plus Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs — April 4 — Whiskey A Go Go
Fans of the underground Ohio punk band, the Dead Boys will most definitely want to attend this concert. Chrome is also a member of Rocket from the Tombs. If you’re a fan of early grimy punk, you’ll want to get on this show.
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7. Mr. Little Jeans — April 5 — Bootleg Bar
The beautiful Nordic singer Monica Birkenes (aka Mr. Little Jeans) has finally delivered her long-awaited debut album, Pocketknife, and we’re absolutely addicted! This electro-pop comes with elightful melodies and super sultry vocals.
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8. Jello Biafra & The Guantanamo School of Medicine — April 6 — The Roxy
The renowned Dead Kennedys frontman brings that gritty political punk with his Guantanamo School of Medicine. This show is gonna slay because Le Butcherettes and Death Hymn #9 are also on the bill!
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9. Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band — April 6 — The Troubadour
Fans of the late and great, Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet) will surely want to attend this nostalgic psychedelic blues show. Featuring original members: JOHN “Drumbo” FRENCH, MARK “Rockettee Morton” Boston, & DENNY “Feelers Rebo” WALLRY — get ready to melt into some classic psych & blues vibes and “Pepsi-moods”.
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10. Mystic Braves — Every Monday — The Echo
A local L.A. favorite, Mystic Braves have a FREE Monday night residency at the Echo this May and they’re coming in with their psychedelic brethren: Mr. Elevator & the Brain Hotel, Cherry Glazerr, Froth, Adult Books, Jeffertiti’s Nile and many more amazing L.A. psych / garage acts.
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11. The Dead Ships — April 9 — The Satellite
By far one of our favorite local L.A. bands. The Dead Ships have been hard at work on their new album, and they’re finally coming out to play to share some new hard-hitting garage rock ‘n’ blues. And it’s FREE!
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12. The Knife — April 9 — Fox Theater Pomona
The Knife have not been seen since 2006 and they are now touring in support of their new album, Shaking the Habitual. If you’re not going to see them at Coachella, we really hope you’re going to this show! It’s gonna blow minds!
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13. Beck — April 9 & 10 — Arlington Theatre
Yet another highly anticipated Coachella performer, Beck is touring in support of his incredible new album, Morning Phase. It’s a very stripped down, more somber work of music that focuses deeply on the songwriting. There’s a lot of folk and country tones here, you won’t find any catchy pop-soaked melodies as you did in “Loser” and “Odelay”.
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14. Big Freedia — April 10 — The Echoplex
It doesn’t matter how many times Big Freedia plays L.A., the bounce music extraordinaire and her patrol of big booties never gets old. If you want some excitement in your life, attend this show.
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15. Motörhead — April 11 — Club Nokia
The badass Brits of metal are coming to Los Angeles! Led by the legendary, Lemmy Kilmister, bring your earplugs because Motorhead are one of the loudest bands around sure to pop an eardrum or two.
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16. Bambu — April 12 — The Echoplex
Get ready for a potent force of beats and rhymes and noise, as the infamous L.A. hip hop artist, Bambu returns to the Echoplex with a fierce set of supporting performers: Rocky Rivera, Kixxie Siete, Double Dosage, Remgee, and Rozo Regal X Galliroc.
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17. Hieroglyphics — April 12 — The Observatory
One of the best underground hip hop acts that came out of the 90s, Hieroglyphics are ready to blow your “third eye vision”. If you know what’s up in real hip hip, you’ll be at this show.
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18. Spencer Moody — April 13 — Church on York
The Murder City Devils frontman takes the solo stage with songs from his still-in-the-works solo album, Ask Me About Psychic Healing. Moody always keep it weird, and always rock ‘n’ roll.
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19. Bryan Ferry — April 15 — Club Nokia
As an iconic English musician, Bryan Ferry came to prominence in the early 1970s as lead vocalist and principal songwriter with the band Roxy Music. This man is beyond amazing. If you’re not going to Coachella, this is your only chance to see him in L.A.
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20. Factory Floor — April 15 — The Echo
With relentless electronic rhythms that can even make your eyeballs sweat, Factory Floor are crossing the pond in support of their debut self-titled album and their Coachella dates. If you like to dance, this is the show for you.
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21. RAC — April 15 — El Rey Theatre
RAC (aka André Allen Anjos) is dropping his debut full-length record tomorrow and it features Tegan & Sara, MNDR, St. Lucia and more. It’s an infectious electro pop album that will sound incredible live!
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22. Broken Bells — April 15 — Fonda Theatre
Danger Mouse and James Mercer of the Shins have joined forces once again to create a new studio album titled After The Disco. Yes, it’s catchy as hell since it has the Danger Mouse touch. Broken Bells are also playing Coachella.
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23. Temples — April 15 — The Roxy
Without a doubt, one of our new favorite bands of 2014. These adorable young long-haired Brits are the 1960′s British invasion all over again. Temples are also performing at Coachella.
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24. Tinariwen with The Growlers — April 17 — Belasco Theater
Now this is quite the psychedelic combo! World renowned North African band Tinariwen have teamed up with local Orange County favorites, the Growlers for one dynamic night of psychedelic rock.
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25. La Femme — April 19 — The Roxy
Styled up in biker leathers with orchids accenting their hair and jackets, La Femme enamored us at SXSW. These French surf-pop connoisseurs are totally hip and something quite special to experience live.
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26. Brokechella — April 19 — DTLA
Too broke for Coachella? Head out to downtown L.A. for a cheap cover with very high quality bands: Greenhorse, Francisco The Man, Dark Furs, Kera & the Lesbians, LA Font, Yoya & a lot more!
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27. DEATH — April 22 — The Satellite
This was the band that was punk before punk was punk. We caught DEATH’s comeback show at the Echoplex this past October and it was pure seminal garage punk history! Now they play a much more intimate venue and will take part in a Q&A session.
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28. The Men — April 22 — The Echo
The four-piece post-punk outfit began in 2008 with a hand-dubbed self-released demo cassette. Fast forward six years and The Men have now become a band that has released four LPs with their fifth full-length record, Tomorrow’s Hits most recently released via Sacred Bones on March 4th.
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29. OFF! — April 23 — The Roxy
The hardcore punk shredders are gearing up for the release of their third studio album, Wasted Years out April 8th via Vice Records. To celebrate the new tunes, they have Cerebral Ballzy and NASA Space Universe supporting them at this wild performance.
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30. Yelawolf — April 24 — The Glass House
Alabama native and Southern troubadour, Yelawolf brings it all when it comes to rap. Fusing his crunk party anthems with edgy hip hop, and even bluegrass — get ready to hear some vicious new songs from Yelawolf’s new album, Love Story.
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31. Dillinger Escape Plan — April 25 — The Glass House
All you need to know is that this show is going to be ferociously insane, bring your helmet! Dillinger Escape Plan will perform with Trash Talk, Retox, and the Shining!
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32. The Dandy Warhols — April 25 & 26 — The Roxy
Portland’s power-pop, psych-rockers the Dandy Warhols are giving you two epic Los Angeles concerts in support of their first-ever LIVE Dandys album: Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia Live at the Wonder. Supporting the Dandys are The Warlocks! Now that’s a rad combo.
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33. Desert Daze — April 26 — Sunset Ranch Oasis
Here’s another more affordable, non-douchey Coachella alternative. This smaller sized music festival is a favorite of ours and this year’s line-up is spectacular: Blonde Redhead, The Raveonettes, Liars, Autolux, Vincent Gallo and many more.
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34. Ghost — April 27 — Fonda Theatre
These guys blew our minds last year at Coachella and sent shivers down our spine. This is Ghost’s L.A. date for their highly anticipated TOUR YEAR ZERO 2014. Do not miss out on their powerfully melodic doom metal performance.
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35. Franz Ferdinand — April 29 — Wiltern
The indie Glasgow rockers played a spectacular one-off performance last summer at the Echoplex, and now they return to L.A. with a very special concert at the Wiltern. This is one of seven lucky tour stops in support of Franz’s new album, Right Thoughts, Right Words, Right Action.
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What shows are you excited to attend this April? Shout-out your favorites in a comment below.
