Concert Picks: Ted Leo, The Funky Fritters, Krista…

The last weekend of the month is upon us – which generally means rent, credit card, and car note due -  so we’ve got some free and/or reasonably-priced picks for you this weekend, for the benefit of your wallet. You can log-off YouTube now; live is where it’s at. Check them out below:

• Ted Leo and the Pharmacists | Friday, August 28 | 8:00 pm | 18+ | $17 | The Echo, Los Angeles, CA - Map | The Washington DC-based punk band takes its high energy, no fluff, relatable music, sharing the genre and naturally the stage with Jeff the Brotherhood. Tickets may be available at the door; call (213) 413-8200, or try your chances here.
• The Funky Fritters | Friday, August 28 | 9:30 pm | No cover; $5 suggested donation | The Tea Lounge, New York, NY – Map | We love their self-description: “Deep fried New Orleans blues, brass, jazz & funk.” Most all things are gooood deep fried – chicken, cheesecake, twinkies. Funky doesn’t even begin to summarize the band, who, eleven strong, will feature special guest Travis Sullivan from pop and classical music-inspired modern jazz group, Bjorkestra, (yes, Bjork, as in Gudmundsdottir). For more information, call (718) 789-2762.

• Long Beach Funk Festival | Saturday, August 29 | 12:00 pm – 12:00 am | Free | Pine Ave. & Broadway, Downtown Long Beach, CA – Map | The central hot spot by the ocean will featuring local and legendary funkalicious talent, including Dawn Silva of The Brides of Funkenstein, Mandrall, Breakestar, and Baby Stone. Ten bands in total, two stages, a lot to taste, smell, and see. Also, per the event’s website, there will be an “LB Funk Fest Pre-Party on Friday August 28th and an official LB Funk Fest After-Party after the music ends on Saturday August 29th , both taking place at the Blue Café, right at the festival site.” Sounds like a winner to us. Click here for more information.
• Krista | Saturday, August 29 | 8:00 pm | 19+ | $10 | The Studio at Webster Hall, New York, NY – Map | Taking a brief break from her tour with Kelly Clarkson, the songstress literally busts out the rhymes (girl surprised me, no lie) will be followed by an aray of fresh performances by Belikos, Madison, EveNi, and Untouchable. Click here for tickets.
• Eric Maskol | Sunday, August 30 | 7:00 pm | Free | Brainwash Cafe, San Francisco, CA – Map | The Rufus Wainwright-inspired indie singer/songwriter makes uber friendly with his guitar, microphone, and assisted vocals. You can stream “All Around Us” and “The Big Hand” from his album, The Year Before the War, here and here, respectively. For more information, call (415) 255-4866.

Who are you planning to see in concert this weekend?