Two months of music down in 2016, and the third one is going to be even bigger. Once again Los Angeles is playing host to a plethora of EDM artists, bands, and DJs that perhaps only Miami could eclipse this month. Of course, those of you like me who cannot afford the cross-country road-trip to south beach, will have to settle for whoever is rolling into our hometown clubs. But when you look at who is spinning this month in LA, you’ll see that its far from just “settling”.
The Clubs
I’d say that Exchange LA is packing the best lineup this month and they start March off right this weekend with the Anjunabeats North American Tour and their progressive trance music from the likes of Ilan Bluestone and Andrew Bayer. The following weekend is the weekend before Ultra Miami and Beyond Wonderland and Exchange doesn’t fail to deliver with a three-hour extended drum n’ bass set from Andy C on Thursday night, Feed Me is doing his U.S. tour Friday night, and the bounce man himself, TJR, is closing the weekend on Saturday night. I’m sure booty will be everywhere. During the last weekend in March, we get an awesome visit from the trance legends Aly & Fila who are bringing Arctic Moon along for the trip and a night of A-Trak & Kittens. For tickets, visit this link.
Create LA will be off the hook starting this weekend where the trap heads of Los Angeles can party hard with Valentino Khan on Friday Night and get their bigroom on with 3LAU on Saturday Night. The third weekend of March when Exchange is off, Create is bringing in some heavy hitters with Myon & Shane 54 who is also playing Beyond Wonderland that day and then Super 8 & Tab the next night. The last weekend will see some great house with Michael Calfan & Chocolate Puma on Friday and the one and only Kryder who is bringing the groove cartel to LA once more.
Besides Wolfgang Gartner & Wuki on the 5th, and Paul Oakenfold on the 26th, Avalon Hollywood seems a little light this month. Still worth checking some of them out.
And if you’re into deeper stuff, Sound is where you should be hanging out this upcoming first weekend of March. Loco Dice is doing a pre-Crssd Festival set on Thursday the 3rd, Damian Lazarus is gracing the decks Friday night before heading down to San Diego, and Saturday the progressive sounds of Jeremy Olander will emanate through Hollywood.
The Theaters
The Fonda Theatre is going down under this Wednesday when Aussie DJ Alison Wonderland hits the decks for a sold out show. Be prepared to go down the rabbit hole with her if you’re attending.
Black Tiger Sex Machine is taking over The El Rey Theatre on March 3rd and if you’ve never seen BTSM live, you’re in for a treat. They wear actual tiger masks on stage while playing the drums live and pumping the bass like nobody’s business. It should be your business to catch this rare act.
97.1 AMP radio, a local Los Angeles radio station, is putting on their annual Amplify show at The Shrine Auditorium towards the end of the month on March 26th. Did I mention Dillon Francis, DJ Snake, and The Chainsmokers will all be there?
The Festivals
The Festival game is strong with March and Insomniac is throwing two big parties that you would be a fool to miss. Wasteland presented by Basscon is Insomniac’s first ever two-day hard dance event that is taking place this weekend, the 4th and 5th, at The Hollywood Palladium. Hardstyle will be represented by the likes of Audiotricz and D-Block and S-te-Fan on Friday night and Gammer and Da Tweekaz on Saturday Night. I’ve always said the harder the music, the nicer the people. If I were you, I’d check it out. A two-day pass is only around 90 bucks.
And of course, those of us not going to Miami this month, get to grace Glen Helen Amphitheater once more for the 2016 edition of Beyond Wonderland SoCal. Thousands of ravers will be descending upon the Queen’s Ground and Outer Realm Stages listening to trance on Friday and trap and bass music on Saturday. The production is always at its highest level at Insomniac events and this one will be no different. The caterpillar is calling us and I personally cannot wait for the sounds of Marshmello, Ghastly, Yellow Claw, and Alesso. It’s “Beyond” just a party.
The Verdict
March is usually remembered for the college basketball playoffs by the general population and Ultra Miami in the EDM scene. Even if you don’t like sports and aren’t heading to Miami in a few weeks, you can still have a fun time if you’re near the City of Angels. March showers bring April festivals. That’s the saying right?
