LIVE! ON STAGE: JONATHAN RICHMAN featuring TOMMY LARKINS on the drums!
LIVE! ON STAGE: JONATHAN RICHMAN featuring TOMMY LARKINS on the drums!
Lodge Room104 Avenue 56, Los Angeles 90042
Jonathan Richman brings a two-person live set to Lodge Room, with Tommy Larkins on drums. Billed simply as “LIVE! ON STAGE,” the performance puts Richman’s songs alongside Larkins’s beat, a combination the venue’s quoted New York Daily News notice suggests is plenty of room for Richman to “work his magic.” Richman has said that club and bar dates matter because people can dance and get close to the performers, and that these shows are ones he and his band will keep trying.
The material describes Richman as a songwriter who has worked for decades to remove barriers between himself and audiences. Nashville Scene calls him “one of America’s most unique and dynamic songwriters” and says he has “spent decades removing barriers between himself and his audience.” The New York Times hears “rhymes worthy of Ogden Nash,” while the New York Daily News says he “didn’t need much else besides a beat to work his magic.” In Richman’s own account, he has played theaters, cabaret-style rooms, and clubs or bars, and values the sound of theaters as well as spaces where listeners can dance.
The Lodge Room offers a distinctive live music experience on the second floor of a building in Highland Park, where the room’s modest size brings the stage close to the audience, creating a direct connection with the performers. The venue features a bar but does not serve full meals, encouraging guests to focus on the music while enjoying drinks. Shows typically start in the evening, with doors opening around 7 pm and performances beginning an hour later, often including multiple sets or late-night shows. Seating is limited and generally first come first served, so arriving early can secure a good spot. The space’s walls and layout emphasize the music, making it a place to listen attentively while still allowing for a relaxed social vibe. This venue remains a lively part of the local music scene, hosting a range of artists and styles.