Concert review: Alec Benjamin lives up to his image with a satisfying amount of angst

Heartbreak, but then make it casual. Though Alec Benjamin is only 24 years old, many of the songs on his debut record deal with the loss of childhood innocence and his discovery of life’s less-than picturesque realities. The pop singer-songwriter took the El Rey Theatre stage Thursday, singing over a dozen tracks, including 11 from […]

Global music event to feature Korean percussion, reveals spread across cultures

The sound of drums that originated in South Korea can be heard around the world, said Katherine In-Young Lee. The spread of music genres from one region to others will be explored in “Global Musics and Musical Communities,” a two-day conference and concert hosted by the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. The event will […]

Q&A: Composer discusses collaboration, creative process of upcoming three-part concert

Nico Muhly’s performance piece may be in three parts, but it is not fractured. The composer has created works that include classical pieces and film soundtracks, and will deliver a three-part performance, “Archives, Friends, Patterns,” at The Theatre at Ace Hotel on Friday. The first part of the concert, hosted by the Center for the […]

Concert photography exhibit in Kerckhoff will promote up-and-coming local artists

Photographers, unlike their work, can never have too much exposure. “The Photo Pit,” hosted by the Student Committee for the Arts in Kerckhoff Art Gallery and Kerckhoff Grand Salon on Thursday, aims to showcase UCLA students’ concert photography alongside live music by Los Angeles-based performers. Daniel Leka, third-year political science student, SCA committee member and […]

Concert review: Rise Against’s new experimental sound doesn’t always manage to hit the right notes

It seemed absurd to see Rise Against perform a “symphony.” Yet Sunday night, the band incorporated different stringed instruments into its traditionally punk repertoire at its “The Ghost Note Symphonies” concert in The Theatre at Ace Hotel. While the majority of the band’s old punk songs were well-executed, others did not weather the stripped-down transition […]

Album review: Vampire Weekend’s ‘Father of the Bride’ is mostly lovely, but feels far too lengthy

Vampire Weekend’s “Father of the Bride” is like a cheesy rom-com: nice to look back on and smile, but with few memorable moments. The band released its fourth studio album Friday following a six-year hiatus. Lead singer Ezra Koenig has posted on social media over the last two years hinting at new music for anxious […]

Coastalong to engage wider community as it cycles, recycles for its 7th year

Students can power a popcorn maker and a concert’s speakers with bikes at Coastalong Festival. The 100% bike- and solar-powered concert and sustainability fair will move into its seventh year Saturday at the Sunset Canyon Recreation Center. Attendees can listen to live music, browse vendor booths and create art at the student-run event. This year, […]