Los Angeles has always hosted the greatest acts in music from across the United States and far beyond, and this past weekend only added more shine to the city’s rich history. Though practically any night in Southern California’s primary breeding ground for creativity features an abundance of supremely talented live acts, September opened on a particularly high note.
From Veracruz (Mexico) and Massachusetts respectively, two performers stood out with sets that ensured those in attendance will be back for seconds should the opportunity present itself.
Natalia Lafourcade & the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl
Over two nights at Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood Bowl (September 6–7), Natalia Lafourcade outdid herself back-to-back. Her latest album De Todas las Flores is arguably one of the most beautiful bundle of songs in her catalog, and she somehow managed to take it yet another step further with assistance from a Gustavo Dudamel-led orchestra.
Performing fan favorites such as “Hasta la Raíz” and “Nunca Es Suficiente,” she also reimagined a string of tracks from her latest offering to just as loud an applause. Considering Lafourcade has been making music for over 25 years now, watching a crowd made of multiple age groups get excited over material she released decades into her career is enough proof of her cross-generational reach.
Take it from us: this isn’t an artist you ever want to miss in concert.
Natalia Lafourcade in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Farah Sosa
Natalia Lafourcade w/ Gustavo Dudamel in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Farah Sosa
Clairo’s ‘Charm’ Residency at the Fonda Theatre
Earlier this summer, Clairo dropped what has become one of the sturdiest and most reliable projects of the year. Soon after ending her album drought with the release of Charm, the 26-year-old singer and multi-instrumentalist announced two residences in support of her new material in Los Angeles (September 6–8, 10–11) and New York City (September 14–15, 17–19).
Prior to her Saturday night performance at the Fonda Theatre over the weekend, local hip-hop disruptors Paris Texas took the stage to warm up the crowd by turning up the heat far past the temperature of the average Clairo show. The contrast, however, didn’t feel like a mismatch and instead just added more flavor to the evening.
Louie Pastel w/ Paris Texas in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
After sharing a quick drink with her supporting band at the start of her set, Clairo kicked things off with some of the finest cuts from her new LP — namely “Nomad,” “Second Nature” and “Thank” — before reaching into her still-young past for the songs that brought her to where she is today.
Given her damn-near flawless execution, we advice her fans on the East Coast to secure tickets for her Webster Hall shows before they run out, because they certainly will.
Clairo in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
Clairo in Los Angeles | Photo Credit: Karan Singh
