Best 2014 Holiday Concerts In OC
Holiday music now seems to start sometime shortly after Halloween. That's great for all of those people who love Christmas music, but for those who could do without the same six holiday songs ad nauseam. For those folks, something more is required. Specifically, those folks need songs in a live setting that aren't about Santa. These five shows are as good as you'll find in our fair county this holiday season.
The Vandals 19th Annual Christmas Formal
House of Blues
1530 S Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 778-2583
www.hob.com/anaheim
Date: Dec. 19, 2014
The Vandals are a legendary Orange County punk band, and every year play a hometown Christmas show for their fans. Since the tradition was started 19 years ago, you can rest assured of two things. First, a lot of fans have enjoyed the Christmas Formal, and second the tradition must be a pretty good one to have lasted this long. The Christmas Formal at the House of Blues is sure to sell out, so be sure to get your tickets as soon as possible to enjoy this night of punk rock.
Supersuckers
The Slidebar
122 E Commonwealth Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 871-2233
www.slidebarfullerton.com
Date: Dec. 7, 2014
Sometimes a show listing seems too good to be true, and this one is a great example of that. After all, Supersuckers are one of the best rock and roll bands in the world, and will be playing an intimate venue like The Slidebar. That ought to be enough to get you to this show, however, this is also a free show. That's right. You can see Supersuckers for free in Fullerton at one of the areas best venues. The caveat is that you will probably have to get there super early, as at shows like this, admission is usually granted to those with a wristband, which are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reverend Horton Heat and The Adicts
The Observatory
3503 S Harbor Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 957-0600
www.observatoryoc.com
Date: Dec. 12 and 13, 2014
Whenever you get the opportunity to see a legendary band in an intimate venue, you should do it. These two shows feature three legends (one of which - The Cadillac Tramps - is a legendary local band). When it comes to modern rockabilly, legends don't come much bigger than the Reverend Horton Heat. If you've never seen one of his shows, it's worth it just to see The Rev stand on Jimbo's bass while Jimbo plays it. The Adicts is the other legendary band on the bill, and is sure to bring in punks of all ages.
Related: Best Indie Rock Venues In OC
X
The Coach House
33157 Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 496-8930
www.thecoachhouse.com
Date: Dec. 12, 2014
When it comes to Los Angeles punk bands, few stand taller than X. With John Doe, Billy Zoom and Exene, the band boasts a tremendous lineup. Not to mention that the band wrote one of the great punk songs - simply entitled "Los Angeles" - about the City of Angels. X is still going strong and this is a great opportunity to see the band. Also on the bill are The Blasters. This is sure to be a memorable evening with two great bands.
Chris Robinson Brotherhood
The Observatory
3503 S Harbor Blvd.
Santa Ana, CA 92704
(714) 957-0600
www.observatoryoc.com
Date: Nov. 30, 2014
Back in the early 90s, you could hardly go anywhere without hearing The Black Crowes. Well, The Black Crowes are no longer together, but the band's frontman Chris Robinson is still going strong with his band Chris Robinson Brotherhood. The bluesy jams and easy grooves of this band will be a great end to your Thanksgiving weekend. This show just might give you the energy to face Monday after a long weekend.
Related Best Venues To Catch Dinner And A Concert In Orange County
