Broke LA—formerly Brokechella—has nothing against Coachella. Instead, the organizers behind the late-April music festival simply realize that there are a lot of things you can buy instead of a ticket to the desert—like, you know, your rent.
For its 2016 lineup, the Broke LA Music & Arts Festival is leaving the "-chella" behind while still focusing on a mix of more than 50 emerging LA bands. The sixth annual festival will host four music stages and one comedy showcase at the Arts District's Imperial Art Studios on April 23. Oh, and did we mention it's only $20 to get in?
Photograph: Courtesy Broke LA
We'll be honest: You probably won't recognize many (if any) of the bands playing Broke LA, but that's sort of the point. It's a showcase for local talent and a chance to hear that next LA buzz band. The pop-driven cARTel stages feature the likes of the doo-wop-inspired the Fontaines, jazz-bent Kid Bloom, psych rockers Tennis System, the spacey krautrock sounds of Vinyl Williams and one of our favorites, DWNTWN.
The Shifty Rhythms stage shines a light on emerging electronic acts like StéLouse, Robokid, 2ToneDisco and recent Deadmau5 label signees BlackGummy, while the Brownies & Lemonade stage serves up R&B and hip-hop acts like Softest Hard, Father Dude, Madbliss and Daniel D'artiste. This year's comedy stage includes appearances from blessed-by-Ellen stand-up Quincy Jones, Roast Battle champion Leah Kayajanian and Picture This! host Brandie Posey.
Of course, it wouldn't be a music festival without Intagrammable art installations. Festivalgoers can explore Broke LAndscape, which features LA landmarks recreated with found or recycled materials, as well as murals from COlabs and the whimsical Bureau of Missed Connections, with art based on attendees' almost-romances.
Check out the full lineup and songs from some of the headliners below.
Broke LA Music & Arts Festival takes place on April 23 at Imperial Art Studios (695 S Santa Fe Ave). Tickets cost $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
