Guests can enjoy outdoor music and drink in the refreshing summer exhibitions the Getty has to offer. Once again this year, there will be free spotlight talks that offer mini-tours of the galleries throughout the evening.
“While you may have to take the freeway to get here, Saturdays Off the 405 makes you forget the traffic and embrace an outstanding line-up of emerging bands,” said Laurel Kishi, public programs manager at the J. Paul Getty Museum. “There’s no better summer soundtrack, and no better place for evening views of L.A.”
Kicking off the 2013 series on May 18 is Quadron. When Robin Hannibal met Coco O in Copenhagen in 2009, it was magic at first sight: Quadron was born. Coco O is equipped with a smooth, soulful voice, and Robin, with multi-instrumental talents. Together they create electronic soul with twists of R&B and folk. Quadron draws its inspiration from Lauren Hill, Sade, and Jill Scott, mixing their sounds with all kinds of modern instruments.
Taking the stage on June 15, electronic musician Robert DeLong blends drums, rock ‘n’ roll, and video-game peripherals to show off his multi-instrumental talents. His complex, layered sound is loaded with body-moving beats, and his debut album, Just Movement, combines the fervor of Dan Deacon with the pulsating depth of Boards of Canada.
When Pickwick formed in 2008 as a folksy Americana crew, they saw minor success in their hometown of Seattle. After reworking a few Grateful Dead tracks with an R&B jolt, something clicked and the band matured with a neo-soul sound. Performing on July 13, lead singer Galen Disston’s passionate vocals become incendiary when paired with anxious guitars that evoke Television and T. Rex. Their lyrics are “Tom Waits-sinister, [with] Disston dragging out his vowels with a longing that belongs somewhere between church and a dirty basement” (Seattle Times). Their new album, Can’t Talk Medicine, was recorded in a living room, giving it a raw urgency that lingers long after the tracks are over.
On July 27, Indie-rock band Geographer takes us to other realms with analog, electronic, and acoustic sounds. Named one of SPIN’s “Three Undiscovered Bands You Need to Hear Now,” Geographer is lead by vocalist Michael Deni, who sings about the harder moments in life, while Nathan Blaz and Brian Ostreic use their multiple talents on the cello, drums, and synthesizers to make it hit home.
In addition to the music, Spotlight after Dark tours offer provocative, 20-minute explorations and discussions of art with a Getty Museum educator. Tours depart at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.
All performances take place in the Museum Courtyard from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Entrance is free, and parking is $10 after 5 p.m. A cash bar will be available with Getty-tinis and more, a snack bar will be stocked with nachos and other festival foods, and the Garden Terrace Cafe will offer sandwiches and salads (ball until 8:30 p.m.) No outside alcohol is allowed on site.
Saturday is also an opportunity to take advantage of the Getty’s new “Pay Once, Park Twice,” program, where same-day visitors to the Getty Center and Getty Villa only need to pay for parking once.
Construction on the 405 may affect travel time to the Getty. Visitors are encouraged to check Metro’s twitter feed for updates.
Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Center
Saturdays Off the 405 Schedule
Saturday, May 18, 2013 Quadron
Watch a video for Quadron’s single, "Hey Love" (Epic Records, 2013)
Saturday, June 15, 2013 Robert Delong
Watch a video for DeLong’s single, “Global Concepts,” (Glass Note Music, 2013)
Saturday, July 13, 2013 Pickwick
Watch Pickwick’s live sessions for their current album, Can’t Talk Medicine (Billions, 2013)
Saturday, July 27, 2013 Geographer
Watch a video for Geographer’s single, “Lover’s Game” (Modern Art Records, 2012)
Saturday, August 24, 2013 Artist to be announced
Saturday, September 21, 2013 Artist to be announced