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Coachella 2012: Grouplove, SBTRKT add club gigs on Astini News

The list of Coachella 2012 acts that have tacked on small-scale gigs before or between the double-header in Indio keeps growing. Radiohead, Bon Iver, Florence + the Machine, the Hives, M. Ward, Gotye, EMA …

Now you can add two more: Grouplove and SBTRKT, both at the Observatory. Score another pair for O.C., which typically doesn't land such festival warm-ups, like Squeeze's just-added Coach House show.

Grouplove, the L.A. band fronted by singer Hannah Hooper (above) and gaining notice for its September debut Never Trust a Happy Song, will play the Santa Ana venue on April 17, the Tuesday between the three-day weekend bashes. Tickets, $15, are on sale Friday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. (Also catch them April 16 at Santa Barbara's Lobrero Theatre and April 18 at the SLO Brewing Co. in San Luis Obispo.)

Meanwhile, SBTRKT, acclaimed London DJ and musician Aaron Jerome who garnered much praise for his self-titled full-length album last summer, will bring his live set to the former Galaxy Theatre on April 20, opening night of this year's second Coachella. Those tickets, $22, go on sale March 2.

There are still more new shows on the Observatory's calendar, including a return visit from the Game on March 18, $25, Dillon Francis on April 14, $15, and an appearance from English psychobilly legends the Meteors on May 4, $17. Those are on sale now, while two fresh bookings in the venue's smaller Constellation Room — Milo Greene (April 7, $10) and Devin the Dude (May 5, $18) — go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Last time the Avett Brothers played Nokia Theatre, they co-headlined with Brandi Carlile. Next time, June 22, they'll be on their own, in what should be a lengthy "evening with" program. Tickets, $36.50-$42.50, are on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

New Edition has once again fully reunited, with all six members of the R&B group on hand for their June 24 performance at the L.A. Live venue: Ronnie DeVoe, Johnny Gil, Ricky Bell, Ralph Tresvant, Michael Bivins and Bobby Brown, in what should be his first major Southern California appearance since Whitney Houston's death. Tickets, $49.50-$139.50, also go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

One more at Nokia: Tyler Perry's Madea Gets a Job, April 20 (at 8 p.m.) and 21 (at 3 and 8), $25-$75, on sale now.

Keith Sweat and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony will have repeat performances at City National Grove of Anaheim, with Sweat headlining March 31 ($40-$60) and the rap collective taking over April 14 ($29.50 in advance). Both are on sale Friday at noon. Also at the Grove: the Pink Floyd LaserSpectacular, March 8, $17.50-$27.50, on sale now … and the Maine, with Lydia and the Arkells, June 7, $20, on sale Saturday at noon.

Bone Thugs also appear April 13 at House of Blues Sunset Strip, price not yet available. More at the West Hollywood club: Dom Kennedy, April 19, price also tba; and Too Short, May 19, $25. And the Boot Camp Clik show on March 29 has been canceled.

Over at House of Blues Anaheim, Mat Kearney has added a second show in O.C., April 3, $17.50 in advance, $20 day of show, on sale Friday at 10 a.m. The singer-songwriter also plays April 4 at the Coach House, $20, on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. Zack Heckendorf opens both nights.

Another one leaves the Music Box: the songwriter showcase slated for March 7 — featuring Jay Farrar, Will Johnson, Anders Parker and Yim Yames (aka Jim James) — has been moved to the Mayan Theater in downtown L.A. Tickets are still available, $22.50.

Marilyn Manson, Slash, Evanescence and more are slated to perform at the annual Revolver Golden Gods Awards, April 11 at Club Nokia. Nikki Sixx's side project Sixx:A.M. and Black Veil Brides also will play. Tickets, ranging from $39.50 for general admission to $750 for deluxe VIP, are on sale now.

Meanwhile, the Vans Warped Tour 2012 Kick-Off Party will take over the L.A. Live club on March 29, with sets from Falling in Reverse, Dead Sara, Matt Toka and Forever Came Calling, $12, on sale now. Also at Club Nokia: XXL Freshmen Live featuring Big Sean, March 27, $28.50-$50, on sale Friday at 10 a.m.

Look for a couple of classic-rock bonanzas at the Greek Theatre this summer. Chickenfoot — the supergroup featuring Sammy Hagar, Joe Satriani and Michael Anthony, with Kenny Aronoff sitting in for drummer Chad Smith (who's busy with Red Hot Chili Peppers) — will end its coming tour June 10 at the venue. A month earlier, on May 6, Styx, REO Speedwagon and Ted Nugent will share that historic stage.

Expect both shows to be part of the Greek's Premier Marquee Series, which should be announced next month.

Photo, from Australia's Falls Music Festival in December, by Mark Metcalfe, Getty Images.

More coming shows:

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