The Scenestar

New Artist Alert: Alex Lahey

Alex Lahey performed her first-ever L.A. show on March 11 at the Echo, admitting it was also her first-ever U.S. show, and despite this, the Melbourne singer-songwriter seemed to be at ease in the ever-growing spotlight. The up-and-coming artist, who released her debut EP B-Grade University last summer, has been quickly catching the attention of everyone from Australia's Triple J Unearthed, who awarded her a slot at Splendour in the Grass, to Pitchfork, which gave its Best New Track seal of approval to her single "You Don't Think You Like People Like Me."

Live: Zak Starkey + SSHH At The Viper Room

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY TONY MOLINA

Upon a cool night stroll down historic Sunset Boulevard, where L.A. rock history stands ground against the newly gentrified horizons, the sight of the Sunset and Clark Street intersection still soothes with a mental and spiritual comfort. As of late, Hollywood has stretched in so many directions, morphing into an unfamiliar landscape far from its sweet sunset and sun-kissed, low-profile skyline. But even in the calm night, this intersection still makes me proud of what these street blocks once were witness to: legendary rock music. Who knows what time will do to these streets as changes seem to blow in quicker than a Facebook post. But for the moment, I want to cherish what these streets have been all about: musical treasure. Not just that music is experienced here, but we're lucky that the music creators walk with us here. Not every town gets this.

Live: Pitchfork Music Festival 2016

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY CHRIS ALVAREZ

JULY 15-17 | CHICAGO—The 11th annual Pitchfork Music Festival was held once again at Chicago's Union Park. The three-day event featured an eclectic mix of musical genres to please the palate. The weather also decided to abide by these rules: There was chilly temps and some rain on Friday, absolutely perfect summer weather on Saturday, and not to be forgotten, brutally hot and humid conditions on Sunday, as is the norm for the Midwest in mid-July. With the summer festival circuit being so saturated, it can be difficult to stand out, but the tried and true Pitchfork Music Festival was able to deliver plenty of stand-out moments that would make anyone in attendance look forward to next year the minute the last note rang out on Sunday night. Below are a handful of thoughts on some of the performers during the weekend.

Live: Pitchfork Music Festival At Union Park

ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY CHRIS ALVAREZ AND AMANDA BARTELS

JULY 17-19 | CHICAGO—The Pitchfork Music Festival, now in its 10th year, has come a long way from its humble beginnings as Intonation in 2005. At that time, boutique festivals were few and far between in North America, so Pitchfork easily stood apart from such behemoth events as Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo. The Pitchfork Music Festival carefully selects its talent to represent that moment in music, and this year's event was no different, with a plethora of artists (old and new) that aimed to please serious music lovers' palette. At the core was the representation from the city of Chicago with seven artists on the lineup, two of which were headlining. It was only fitting that they opened and closed the festivities.

Live: Mono At The Troubadour

BY CHERYL CHENG
PHOTOS BY CHRIS MOLINA OF MONO AT THE INDEPENDENT

JUNE 27 | WEST HOLLYWOOD—Japanese instrumental rock band Mono, who is on tour in support of new albums The Last Dawn and Rays of Darkness, performed an engaging set tonight at the Troubadour. A band of few words, Mono arrived on stage—without introduction or greeting—to an attentive, hushed audience. The somewhat awkward silence was broken with the opening notes of Darkness's "Recoil, Ignite," a track that begins quietly and then explodes into a complex flurry of guitars and drums almost two minutes in.

Live: The Decemberists At The Greek Theatre

ARTICLE BY CHERYL CHENG

MAY 2 | LOS ANGELES—Seasoned fans of The Decemberists who missed tonight’s show at the Greek Theatre actually didn’t miss much. That isn’t to say The Decemberists didn’t put on a solidly entertaining show, but these veteran folk rockers often put on a consistently similar show—even if touring for a new album.

Live: Coachella 2015, Weekend 2

ARTICLE BY OSCAR RANGEL
PHOTO BY CHRIS MOLINA

APRIL 17 - 19 | INDIO—Every year you go to Coachella.

Live: Brandon Flowers At The Troubadour

BY CRISTINE MCCLURE

APRIL 14 | WEST HOLLYWOOD—Tonight The Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers played a sold-out show at West Hollywood's Troubadour in support of his sophomore solo album The Desired Effect, which will be released May 19.