Ah yes, New Year's Eve. Overhyped? Indeed. But if you avoid the amateurs, those who take the night as their yearly excuse to "party," a good time can be had by all. While I will find myself on a flight crossing the country this year, below are some NYE ideas if you feel like bailing on your friend's annual party and taking in some music.
The Satellite: This year the Silver Lake club hosts old favorites . Before they started donning Ronald Reagan masks, come holiday-time these guys were known to dress up in Santa costumes bashing out sweaty (and festive) rock and roll. Come New Year's Eve they tend to don costumes of a different sort and will likely knock out both mix of originals and choice covers. Bonus: The band have a new LP dropping in 2012 so expect to hear some new favorites.
: If you're looking for a different kind of club night this New Year's Eve head over the The Echo for NYE bash. In the world's of funk, soul and r&b this is one of my favorite DJ nights in L.A. (period) and should prove to be quite the party ringing in 2012. Breakestra will perform onstage, and, as usual, the night features my favorite L.A. selector, Clifton Weaver, aka DJ Soft Touch. Bonus: Includes a champagne toast at midnight.
: This, admittedly, ain't my bag, but downstairs the Echoplex hosts a different kind of dance party: Bootie NYE 2012, in which Bootie LA’s resident DJs will be "spinning the best mashups of the past year" with DJ Paul V, DJ Shyboy, DJ Faroff. Bonus: They too will have a champagne toast at midnight.
The Standard: And for those of you looking to breach the eastside this New Year's Eve, KCRW Presents Cults and Jenny & Johnny at The Standard Hotel in West Hollywood. The NYC based Cults self-titled debut graced many a 'best of 2011' lists, while angelenos Jenny Lewis and Johnathan Rice should require no introduction. KCRW's Marion Hodges DJs.
