The Best Los Angeles Concerts of 2011

By Chris Walker Tue., Dec. 13 2011 at 4:30 AM

5. Bon Iver
Shrine Auditorium, September 19th

In 2009, Justin Vernon and his band, Bon Iver, received glowing reviews for their beautiful performance at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, playing at dawn as the first rays of sunlight reached across the L.A. skyline. So when the band finally returned to play the Shrine this September, expectations were pretty high. They delivered.

Capitalizing off this year's Bon Iver, Vernon was able to take the act's live presence to new heights with the addition of nine vocalists, a horn section, and two drummers. With a virtual orchestra in tow, the Wisconsin native demonstrated the subtle arrangements that make his wistful and tender songwriting so poignant. Our critic Molly Bergen said, "It felt like Dorothy stepping into the Land of Oz in all of its Technicolor glory."

4. Odd Future
Hollywood Palladium, September 29th

Phallic-shaped bubble guns, violent mosh pits, and a dude puking blood into a sink. When Golf Wang returned to Los Angeles this September, their legion of young and intoxicated fans were ready to greet them. While the performers may have been tamer than in previous performances, the crowd was anything but - unleashing a wave of pent-up, adolescent aggression that generated multiple ambulance calls to the historic Hollywood theater. Too bad, but it's part of what made the show so fascinating. OFWGKTA isn't just a rap collective, it's a scene, and everyone at the Palladium got a glimpse of it.

3. Iggy and the Stooges, Le Bucherettes
Hollywood Palladium, December 1st

"A Stooges show is unlike any other," wrote Henry Rollins after their recent performance. "It's like the chase scene in an action film. It's like watching a boxing match that goes the distance. It is not just another night out -- it is a chapter of your life." Indeed, a Stooges show is not to be missed -- and not this one in particular At age 64, Iggy can still bring it as strongly as ever.

Also intriguing was the guest billing of up-and-coming noise rock trio Le Butcherettes. Showcasing the theatrics and blood-stained clothing of frontwoman Teri Gender Bender, the in-your-face group had no trouble in pumping up an older crowd, providing a well-received segue into Iggy's performance.

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We Recommend

Mcfarstreet

Reverend! The Prince show @ The Troubadour cost $100. Is that really beyond the means of 99%? I think not.

Darlene Johnson

BEST CONCERT EVER!!!! I was at the Calgary show and Edmonton show, I cried at the Calgary show, I was sooooo close to him , and he sang a song I do not know the name , but it was so beautifully performed it made me CRY!!!!! THANK YOU PRINCE for an amazing experience. I love u.

Darkbluebossa

There are great musicians and great entertainers out there, but when it comes to music + showmanship, no one beats Prince. He is a music legend and knows how to deliver a great concert.

MylesMatisse

When it comes to Prince's stand at The Forum, it was hardly a music fan frenzy. Many nights, the whole Forum wasn't even sold out leaving the management to block off large sections of the upper regions. The kinder, gentler, Jehovahs Witness being, no record label having Prince is a pale version of his former self.

MylesMatisse

I went to 8 of Prince's shows at Forum and while they had moments of genius, they also had many moments of sameness in set list and medley where large portions of his racier past were left at the door. Unfortunate.

Joseph Mosconi

I would only add Omar Souleyman @ The Echo.

Reverend Justito

So let me get this right. You have the uber depressing Bon Iver who you must blow because Grammy blew them last week. Then you have a bunch of homophobic pricks who like to beat up your fellow journalists (who by the way happens to be a female). I know, it's totally cool to dig big buff men who beat up chicks, it's why Chris Brown has done so well for himself but I expect better of you LA Weekly. .

Nothing but love for Iggy you nailed that, but I hardly consider Tilda Swinton puhing some knobs a concert. But then again, I am one of the few people who are not in fear of sharing the true fact that Radiohead has put out more crap albums then good ones.

Sure, I could make claims that Phish at the Hollywood Bowl, Noel Gallagher at UCLA or Ween at the Wiltern (which is hands down the BEST concert photo of 2011) were snubbed from the list, but we won't waste our time with that today.

What bums me out the most is which Prince show you picked. Let's be honest here, 99% of us lacked the funds of "Bruce Jenner" is my step-daddy connections to get into this gig. Should have just picked a random night from the Forum. Let your readers know that you are still in touch with them.

Smooches,

Reverend Justito

Mcfarstreet

Reverend! The Prince show @ The Troubadour cost $100. No need to get all 99% over that.