the BEAT of the week: Culture Collide Festival.

I really can never say enough about the plethora of great music and concerts that we have available to us here in Los Angeles. We're oh so lucky to have bands consistently play our venues, and we're lucky to have a number of unique and fun opportunities to find the next slew of up-and-coming bands.

The latest example: Filter Magazine's Culture Collide Festival. In its third year, the event is going stronger than ever, getting 25 notable bands from all over the world to come and represent their home countries. On the homefront here in the U.S., we've got the likes of Of Montreal, Zola Jesus, Diiv; there are bands like the Wombats and Patrick Wolf repping the U.K.; there's even John Talabot for Spain and Bondo de Role for Brazil.

They're all taking over the eastside for four days this weekend -- and I bet you can't even believe that the entire weekend, all shows for all four days, will only cost you $20. One Andrew Jackson! Spend it well.

Filter Magazine's Culture Collide Festival takes place Oct 4-7 in various locations all over the eastside of L.A. Get more info here.

-- Chau Tu

Do It. Mondrian Sessions at Skybar.

The Mondrian Sessions are back! This past fall, local record label IAMSOUND Records sponsored the bi-weekly event at the hip and swanky Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel, and now it's back for another round.

The sessions feature intimate performances by up and coming bands -- Men, Glasser and Warpaint are already among the alums. This time, they've got great must-see performers like Fool's Gold, Dum Dum Girls, Ted Leo and Zola Jesus coming up. And did we mention this was all free? Just gotta RSVP at mondrianlasessions@morganshotelgroup.com (21+ only). Check out the Mondrian Hotel's Facebook page for more info -- the first performance is this Friday!

I happened to catch the always entertaining Jens Lekman in December, and totally loved it -- although you're separated from the performers by a classy pool, and you're surrounded by typical Hollywood and hipster types, you're still able to enjoy a pretty intimate performance. And considering Skybar's amazing view of the city, it's about as "L.A." as you can get -- but that's not a bad thing. Plus, it's free! You really can't pass this up.

Mondrian Sessions will be taking place Jan. 14-Apr. 8 at Skybar at the Mondrian Hotel, located at 8440 Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. Check here for more info.

-- Chau Tu