August in Los Angeles is a month of concentrated musical abundance. The city's stages, large and small, are filled with indie rock veterans, punk upstarts, electronic innovators, and soul revivalists. Whether you want to spend a night in an intimate club or under the stars at a sprawling amphitheater, this month's calendar has you covered. Below is a guide to the best indie and alternative shows happening across Los Angeles this August.

Key facts at a glance

• Kim Gordon, Sasami, and Sarah Register at Pacific Electric — Aug. 2
• St. Vincent at Hollywood Bowl — Aug. 2
• Death Cab for Cutie with Nation of Language at Greek Theatre — Aug. 2-3
• Meridian Brothers with Mexican Institute of Sound and Madrugada at The Regent — Aug. 5
• Die Spitz with Cashier at Fonda Theatre — Aug. 5
• Com Truise at 1720 — Aug. 6
• Iceage at Hollywood Forever — Aug. 6-7
• Poppy at Hollywood Palladium — Aug. 7
• Boy Harsher at Milky's — Aug. 7
• RÜFÜS DU SOL with Ben Böhmer at Kia Forum — Aug. 7, 11, 12 and 13
• The McCharmlys with Twin Seas at Sid the Cat Auditorium — Aug. 8
• Jill Scott at YouTube Theater — Aug. 11
• Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical at The Ford — Aug. 13
• Souldies from Oldies at Greek Theatre — Aug. 15
• Angine de Poitrine at Teragram Ballroom — Aug. 17-18
• Passion Pit at The Bellwether — Aug. 18-19
• Just Like Heaven at Brookside at the Rose Bowl — Aug. 22
• Slayyyter at Shrine Expo Hall — Aug. 23-24
• The Breeders at Hollywood Palladium — Aug. 24
• Earthless at Zebulon — Aug. 25
• W.I.T.C.H. at Teragram Ballroom — Aug. 25
• Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra at Blue Note — Aug. 25-26
• Rachel Chinouriri at El Rey Theatre — Aug. 26
• David Byrne at Hollywood Bowl — Aug. 28
• Nas, The Roots and De La Soul at F&M Bank Amphitheater — Aug. 28
• Nick Waterhouse at Zebulon — Aug. 28
• Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields at Great Park, Irvine — Aug. 29
• The Black Lips at Teragram Ballroom — Aug. 29
• Noname at Fonda Theatre — Aug. 29 and Sept. 1
• Thee Sacred Souls with LA LOM at Santa Barbara Bowl — Aug. 30
• Muse at Hollywood Bowl — Aug. 31

Below is a closer look at the month's can't-miss performances.

Kim Gordon at Pacific Electric — Aug. 2

Kicking off the month, Kim Gordon takes over Pacific Electric on Aug. 2, with Sasami and Sarah Register opening the evening. As a co-founder of Sonic Youth, Gordon remains one of alternative music's most influential voices. Her solo work continues to explore experimental rock, noise rock, art rock, and post-punk, and she is still touring behind her acclaimed 2024 album The Collective.

St. Vincent at Hollywood Bowl — Aug. 2

St. Vincent brings her electrifying live show to the Hollywood Bowl on Aug. 2. Annie Clark's fearless blend of art rock, indie rock, art pop, and experimental pop is on full display in support of her Grammy-winning 2024 album All Born Screaming. Known for theatrical performances and sharp guitar work, St. Vincent has become one of modern rock's most inventive performers.

Death Cab for Cutie at Greek Theatre — Aug. 2-3

Death Cab for Cutie returns to the Greek Theatre over two nights, Aug. 2-3, joined by Nation of Language. The beloved indie rock outfit recently played a surprise small venue show in May and now brings its mix of indie rock, emo, and dream pop to one of Los Angeles' most scenic outdoor venues. Ben Gibbard's songwriting remains as emotionally resonant as ever.

Meridian Brothers at The Regent — Aug. 5

Expect an evening full of musical curveballs when Meridian Brothers perform at The Regent on Aug. 5, with Mexican Institute of Sound and Madrugada opening the show. The Colombian ensemble twists together psychedelic cumbia, tropical music, experimental rock, and Latin folk into a sound that is both danceable and deeply strange.

Die Spitz at the Fonda Theatre — Aug. 5

Austin punk quartet Die Spitz storms into the Fonda Theatre on Aug. 5, with Cashier kicking things off. Their explosive blend of punk rock, grunge, and alternative rock has made them one of underground music's fastest-rising live acts. The band also performs later this month at Olivia Rodrigo's Daisy Chain Fields.

Com Truise at 1720 — Aug. 6

Synth lovers should make a beeline for 1720 on Aug. 6, where Com Truise returns with his signature retro-futuristic sound. Known for lush synthwave, chillwave, electronic, and IDM productions, Com Truise creates immersive instrumental sets that feel like a journey through analog technology. If vibes are your jam, you're in the right place.

Iceage at Hollywood Forever — Aug. 6-7

Few bands channel beautiful chaos quite like Iceage, who perform at Hollywood Forever on Aug. 6-7. The Danish outfit seamlessly blends post-punk, punk rock, art rock, and noise rock. They return to the stage following the release of Seek Shelter, and their live performances are known for their raw intensity and unpredictability.

Poppy at Hollywood Palladium — Aug. 7

Genre boundaries won't mean much when Poppy hits the Hollywood Palladium on Aug. 7. Her unpredictable fusion of metalcore, alternative metal, industrial, electronic pop, and hyperpop comes in support of her latest album Empty Hands. Poppy's live show is a high-concept spectacle that keeps audiences guessing from start to finish.

Boy Harsher at Milky's — Aug. 7

Darkwave favorites Boy Harsher head to Milky's on Aug. 7 for an intimate Los Angeles performance ahead of their tour. Recently signed to Atlantic Records and with a new album on the way, the duo has built a devoted following through their brand of hypnotic darkwave, synthpop, EBM, and industrial music. Their show follows the announcement of the new album Get Mean and a run of pre-tour dates in Brooklyn and Los Angeles.

RÜFÜS DU SOL with Ben Böhmer at Kia Forum — Aug. 7, 11, 12 & 13

Four nights at the Kia Forum find RÜFÜS DU SOL joined by Ben Böhmer for one of the month's biggest electronic events. The Australian trio blends melodic house, electronic, indie dance, and atmospheric pop while touring behind their latest album Inhale / Exhale. Their live shows combine immersive visuals with euphoric, emotionally charged dance music.

The McCharmlys at Sid the Cat Auditorium — Aug. 8

Nostalgic rockers The McCharmlys perform at Sid the Cat Auditorium on Aug. 8, with Twin Seas opening the night. Their jangly mix of throwback garage rock, surf rock, and power pop continues to make them one of Southern California's most charming live bands. They are currently showcasing newer material alongside favorites from their catalog.

Jill Scott at YouTube Theater — Aug. 11

Soul icon Jill Scott brings her unmistakable voice to YouTube Theater on Aug. 11. A master of neo-soul, R&B, jazz, and spoken word, Scott is celebrating her new album, Too Whom This May Concern. Her performances are warm, powerful, and deeply connected to the traditions of soul music.

Helado Negro with Reyna Tropical at The Ford — Aug. 13

Set beneath the trees, Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical team up to bring you Helado Tropical at The Ford on Aug. 13. With two beloved Latin artists sharing the bill, expect a warm blend of indie folk, electronic, ambient pop, and Latin experimental music. The evening is designed to make you move or soothe your spirit, depending on the moment.

Souldies from Oldies at the Greek Theatre — Aug. 15

A soulful summer evening awaits as Joey Quiñones (Thee Sinseers), Mayer Hawthorne, and Trish Toledo take over the Greek Theatre on Aug. 15. They are joined by Kelly Finnigan, Mirah Avila, The Lovelites, The Intruders, Blue Magic, Adrian Carmine, and more. This revue is a celebration of classic soul, R&B, and funk, transporting the audience to a golden age of smooth harmonies and heartfelt grooves.

Angine de Poitrine at Teragram Ballroom — Aug. 17-18

French duo Angine de Poitrine lands at the Teragram Ballroom on Aug. 17-18. The polka-dot costume band is a spectacle to see live, ripping out some of the most manic jam rock around. Their shows are playful, chaotic, and unpredictable, so get ready to get weird.

Passion Pit at The Bellwether — Aug. 18-19

It's hard not to smile when Passion Pit returns to The Bellwether on Aug. 18-19. Michael Angelakos continues to deliver euphoric indie pop, synth-pop, and indietronica favorites as the band celebrates its beloved catalog. Their singles remain anthems for a generation, and these shows promise plenty of sing-alongs.

Just Like Heaven at Brookside at the Rose Bowl — Aug. 22

Just Like Heaven returns this August. The festival is set to be a scorcher, and not just because of the end-of-August heat. The lineup includes The Strokes, LCD Soundsystem, Whitney, STRFKR, TV Girl, Chromeo, The Rapture, Feist, Twin Peaks, Matt and Kim, Pixel Grip, This Is Lorelei, Tanlines, Girl Tones, and more. It's a celebration of the indie, dance-punk, and synth-pop sounds that defined the 2000s and beyond.

Slayyyter at Shrine Expo Hall — Aug. 23-24

Electro pop provocateur Slayyyter takes over the Shrine Expo Hall on Aug. 23-24, with Pearly Drops opening. Her infectious blend of hyperpop, dance-pop, and club music arrives in support of her latest album WOR$T GIRL IN AMERICA. Expect an energetic, high-gloss show that will make you sweat.

The Breeders at Hollywood Palladium — Aug. 24

Alternative rock legends The Breeders perform at the Hollywood Palladium on Aug. 24, joined by Twisted Teens. Kim Deal's influential band continues to mix alternative

Source: Grimy Goods News