Kevin Bronson on July 21st, 2013

0

From the start, when a surprisingly large crowd turned out despite threatening skies, to the finish, when Magic Wands drenched music lovers in dreamy melodies, July’s edition of Chinatown Summer Nights was a great party. The bluesy garage-rock of the Dead Ships and the catchy dance-rock of Beat Club earned the biggest roars of the evening, but each of the six bands on the LA Weekly Live Music Stage made a strong connection, with Irontom‘s fierce guitar blasts giving way to the endearing boy/girl pop of Haunted Summer before Dear Boy cranked things up again halfway through the evening. On the KCRW stage in the Central Plaza, DJs Jason Bentley and Mathieu Schreyer had their own dance party, as the craft beer garden, restaurants, food trucks and vendors booths did brisk business all night. The next Chinatown Summer Nights is Aug. 17; the live music lineup, which is curated by Buzz Bands LA, will be announced this week.