Best Places To Discover New Music In Los Angeles
With scores of new music styles and flavor-of-the-month hits constantly being evolved from blues, country, new age, electronic, hip-hop, jazz, pop, R&B, and rock, Los Angeles is considered fertile territory for artists and musicians who seek to test the market for their latest releases. In every waking moment, promoters scramble to book their clients at some of the more trendy nightspots that hold promotional value for both the entertainer and the establishment's ability to continually pack the house with music enthusiasts looking for something new and different from established and emerging talent. Rivaling no other large metropolitan area on the planet, L.A.'s nightlife is where touring headliners prefer to take the stage. Of the many music venues that feature live vocalists and bands, here is a hand-picked list of top-shelf locations that offer the freshest trends from set and improvisational performing artists now blazing the melodic landscape around the world.
The Mint
6010 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 954-9400
www.themintla.com
Established in 1937 and located just to the south of Hollywood, The Mint is a historic landmark responsible for launching the richly eventful careers of many well-known recording artists. Those who have graced the small, yet powerful, stage at this 200-capacity venue include Grammy winners Stevie Wonder, Natalie Cole, Ray Charles, Macy Gray and Willie Dixon. A popular social setting, The Mint continues to provide a platform for celebrities like musician Hugh Laurie, best known for the role he played on the drama series, "House." Although live, new music is what patrons mostly seek when they choose this dark and intimate location as their evening's designation point, it's the establishment's mouth-watering, tapas-style cuisine that receives rave reviews by regulars. It offers a full bar designed to meet individual tastes and budget plans. Those who sit bar-side are not required to pay the suggested ticket price to see a live concert, which makes this an ideal and exhilarating spot to experience live selections by both established and emerging performers long before their soon-to-be published tunes hit the airwaves.
The Hotel Café
1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 461-2040
www.hotelcafe.com
Those looking for an intimate Hollywood setting where live music reigns supreme will want to look no further than The Hotel Cafe. Known mostly to major music fans, The Hotel Cafe is one of the best settings to see some top talent in a small, affordable room. Top talent often try out their music here before heading to larger settings, and many newcomers have played this iconic venue before moving on to huge success. Artists including John Mayer, Adele, Katy Perry, Meiko, Damien Rice and Sara Bareilles have all frequented this Hollywood spot.
The Echo
1822 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(213) 413-8200
www.theecho.com
Located in the heart of downtown Echo Park, this happening place focuses on up-and-coming singers and touring bands with new music to offer. This double-decker features a club that sits atop a bridge and a larger facility, called Ecoplex, situated below. Both are equipped with full-service bars. An adjacent pizza parlor allows patrons to have food delivered to them at either of the two dance clubs. With a few exceptions, most live shows do not start until around 10 p.m. or as late in the evening as midnight. On other nights, a DJ helps the crowd of mainly young hipsters slide into the jazzy, funky or punked-out mood of the night, based on the scheduled performing artist. Since it was established in 2001, The Echo has amassed tens of thousands of Twitter followers, who are kept abreast constantly of the party place's ever-changing and packed calendar of events. The best time to experience the fresher sounds of funk and soul is on Saturday night, when the club's pounding bass system redefines all harmonic motions. Ear drums should prepare for explosions of sound because this place gets so loud the music actually echoes. By far, this happening location, just to the northwest of downtown L.A., is a good choice to hear an array of live music styles because it's in an area known for promoting new Latin, Cuban and Asian American tunes.
Blue Whale Bar
123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St. Suite 301
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 620-0908
www.bluewhalemusic.com
If "hipster," "classy" or "trendy" are three words in a music lover's mental search engine for a place to discover new music in L.A.'s culturally colorful neck of the woods, this jazz magnet, located in the middle of Little Tokyo, may be the ticket. Since its opening in 2009, this live concert venue has provided a quality platform for quite a few multi-disciplinary performers who are highly credentialed in their chosen fields of entertainment. Live performances are comprised of two sets, starting at 9 p.m. The club offers a dinner menu and full bar. Some of the Blue Whale Bar's featured musical artists, including Natasha Agrama, have already enjoyed world tours, recorded with Grammy-winning musicians and are signed by record producers. Deemed the best jazz club of its type in 2012 by "LA Weekly," this comfortably lit spot atop Weller Court chooses its singers and musicians wisely. Today, thanks to a continuance of self expression and the influx of new arrangements, those sweet African and European mixtures have gotten even tastier here. With a delicate decor that paints imagination and memories even on its ceiling, and an acoustics system that rivals large music halls, this is a perfect place to impress any out-of-town visitor, business associate or first date.
Related: The Best Places For Live Jazz And Blues In Los Angeles
The Conga Room
800 W. Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 745-0162
www.congaroom.com
Those into new Latin music will already know about this exquisitely designed and invigorating place located at L.A. Live, the downtown area's brightest and most enthusiastic entertainment complex. It is an expansive club, just steps from the world-famous Nokia Theatre and the Staples Center. Co-owned by actor Jimmy Smits, comedian Paul Rodriguez, entertainer Jennifer Lopez, percussionist Sheila E. and Grammy winner will.i.am, The Conga Room attracts such leading Cuban and Latin tropical legends as salsa performer Celia Cruz, jazz musician Tito Puente and rock guitarist Carlos Santana. Other accomplished artists that have introduced their new music selections and styles at this trendy spot, include vocalist Gloria Estefan, R&B singer Bobby Brown and pop star Ricky Martin. In the wake of its recent expansion, the venue is now stretched out over more than 15,000 square feet, which allows it to accommodate some 1,800 boisterous celebrants on any given evening. Free salsa classes are available to anyone interested in learning this Afro-Cuban dance style. Its world-class menu offers a multifarious blend of Pan Latin cuisine, influenced by the exotic tastes of the Caribbean, South America and Cuba. A single step inside this elegant structure, with stimulating neon lighting and nouveau design leading the way, is like taking a sensational journey through Latin America, and all of the new music trends this area of the globe generates, including reggaeton, the latest urban form of music.
Related: Best Salsa Clubs In Los Angeles
