the BEAT of the week: PLAY MOCA.

Art and music come together once again in L.A. with PLAY MOCA, a three-part multimedia series event happening at the Geffen Contemporary in downtown. IAMSOUND Records is curating the shows, bringing up and coming musical acts like Salem, Zola Jesus and Lord Huron. Meanwhile, there'll be art exhibitions from Drew Barrymore (yes, that one!); a performance from the L.A. Dance Project / Benjamin Millepied and Rodarte; and DJing by Ariel Pink and Health.

All hip, all free. Get on reserving your tickets, though -- they'll go quickly! Get more info on the upcoming shows here.

PLAY MOCA takes place July 27, August 17, and August 24 at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, located at 152 N. Central Ave. in downtown.

-- Chau Tu

the BEAT of the week: Make Music Pasadena.

Pasadena isn't usually known for being on the cutting edge of music and culture, what with its cleanly manicured neighborhoods and chain store shopping avenues, but Make Music Pasadena may change a lot of minds. For this one weekend in the summer, the city lets its hair loose to offer a totally rocking music fest featuring a number of exciting and up-and-coming bands and musicians -- and it's all for free. This year, you can check out the likes of artists like Grimes, Cults, Dam Funk, Dengue Fever, Grouplove and Milo Greene, among a slew of others. You're bound to discover someone new along the stages, and did I mention that it's all free?

Make Music Pasadena takes place this Saturday, June 16 from 11am-11pm all over downtown Pasadena. Check out the lineup here, which has specific addresses for the various stages.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Mondrian Sessions at Skybar.

We've written about the excellent concert series put on by IAMSOUND Records at the Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel in the past. And if you missed such excellent acts like Jens Lekman and Lykke Li perform intimate sets at a location that is L.A. to its core (plus, can you beat that view?), you've got yet another chance.

The spring series of the Mondrian Sessions is about to begin. Light Asylum kicks it off tomorrow with a set at 8pm. Then look out for performances from buzzworthy acts like Cults and Dirty Beaches.

It's all free, but you have to RSVP, and you should do it early, as these events are rightfully popular and fill up. RSVP doesn't guarantee your entry, either, so make sure you show up early. Check the Mondrian's Facebook page for likely more band announcements soon.

Mondrian Sessions will be taking place at Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel, located at 8440 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

-- Chau Tu

Check It. Coachella bands to see.

You've had the chance to mull over those Coachella set times for hours now. Have you got your weekend set?

You haven't, unless you've got these artists below. These are bands or musicians that may or may not know so much about, but are definitely worth your while, or at least can act as a great soundtrack to lounging in the sun:

Friday:
The tents and stages will definitely be rumbling around the 4pm hour, with the ever-hyped Odd Future going up against the entertaining Cee-Lo Green, local faves Warpaint and and sing-along-friendly Morning Benders, so get your adrenaline going by catching Titus Andronicus right before it all. The Jersey natives hit the Outdoor Theatre at 3:30pm and will rock the perfect anthem-driven tunes to begin your weekend like you're going into battle (because you basically will be).
Also don't miss: Cut Copy, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Robyn

Saturday:
With Arcade Fire ending this night in all their glory, the day's filled with openers in the same indie music ilk -- Broken Social Scene, Bright Eyes, Two Door Cinema Club, Henry Clay People. Catch a still up-and-comer in Cults, a twosome from San Diego (but now based in New York) who craft fun, delightful pop tunes inspired by the '60s and doo wop. Their debut is set to release in May, so get a jump on knowing their new songs when they perform on the Gobi stage at 1:55pm.
Also: Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, Radio Dept., Rye Rye

Sunday:
It's all about the staples on this last day: Kanye, the Strokes, DFA 1979. Watch Delorean to start off your day right. The Spaniards will either get you up dancing or allow you dream off into a haze, but either way, the catchy dance tunes will put you in a euphoric mood. They'll be playing on the Gobi stage at 2pm, and will give you just the boost you need.
Also: Twin Shadow, Chromeo, MEN

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Wired.com