BestNewBands.com's Concert Picks for the Week of 11/8

Picked By: Daniel Kohn

Who: Florence and the Machine

Where: The Wiltern in Los Angeles, Ca

When: Monday, November 8th at 7:30 p.m.

Cost: SOLD OUT

Age Restrictions: All Ages

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Picked By: Monica Christoffels

Who: Ghostland Observatory

Where: Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Or

When: Thursday, November 11th at 8 p.m.

Cost: $20 ADV, $25 Day of. Purchase tickets here.

Age Restrictions: All Ages

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Picked By: Sherene Hilal

Who: Cold War Kids

Where: Harlow’s in Sacramento, Ca

When: Thursday, November 11th at 6:30 p.m.

Cost: $20

Age Restrictions: 18+

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Picked By: Laurel Johnston

If I could be at any show in the world this week, I would choose to see Gorillaz at Manchester’s Evening News Arena next Friday, November 12th in Great Britain. Gorillaz is the world’s most successful virtual band and the brain child of Blur frontman Damon Albarn. If you didn’t already know that, where on earth have you been? Missing out, that’s where! Do yourself a favor and pick up their eponymous album, Demon Days, and then their latest Plastic Beach. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, check out the concert DVD of their cover-to-cover performance of Demon Days with a full orchestra, guest cameos, and so much more. As I have yet to see them in person, it’s the closest thing I have to understanding the breadth and depth of Damon Albarn’s musical skills and staggering stamina. And I must say, it’s pretty impressive to behold. Not only can he flawlessly play through an album’s worth of material without stopping, but the feeling and intensity that he injects into every song is absolutely phenomenal. I was on the edge of my seat for the duration of the DVD, waiting for that one tiny mistake that belied the difficulty of the project. But there was not a one, and I came away thinking “If they could do that for a DVD that could potentially be re-shot and re-cut, imagine what they could do live!” Find out for yourself next Friday.

Tickets start at $75 and keep going up, but trust me; it would be worth it. If you’re in the area, why not go ahead and treat yourself to the wonderful world of Damon Albarn and friends, aka Gorillaz. Manchester Evening News Arena is located at Victoria Station, Hunts Bank Manchester M3 1AR in England. The show is all ages, and children under 2 are free. Doors open at 7:30 pm.

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