Ho, ho, ho-liday festivals

Concert • Green Day is just one of the many popular bands that will be performing at KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas, a yearly concert held by the Los Angeles rock station. Reprise Records

 

By Brian Spiegel
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer

‘Tis the season for radio station Christmas festival shows … lots and lots of festival shows. From pop to rock to country to rap there's a plethora of them occurring in the LA area in the next few weeks. Here's a peak at some of the shows.

91X Frosty The Showman

Dec. 12 at The Soma in San Diego.

Who's playing?: Jimmy Eat World, Snow Patrol and Louis XIV.

You should really catch: A very solid show, but Jimmy Eat World has aged better than most who have a mega-hit record.

In the crowd you will most likely hear: "Wait a second, who is Louis XIV again?"

Last word: The only way to get into this show is to meet 91X at a random location and give them a new unwrapped toy. But as a college student we don't have the money for unwrapped toys. Hell, I could barely afford to write that last sentence.

Star 98.7 Not So Silent Night

Dec. 6 at The Arrowhead Pond

Who's playing?: The original line up of Duran Duran, John Mayer, Alanis Morrisette and Los Lonely Boys.

You should really catch: For god's sake, could they have made this lineup any more for the 37-year-old crowd? I mean I respect all four of these acts but come on, really, this is the best they could come up with for a Christmas show?

In the crowd you will most likely see: A soccer mom dancing along to Duran Duran while telling the person in the seat next to her about when she saw the band at the Forum in 1985.

Last word: Umm, are we supposed to be excited about Alanis? Are we?

102.7 KIIS FM Jingle Ball

Dec. 3 at The Arrowhead Pond

Who's playing?: Ashlee Simpson, Snoop Dogg, Alicia Keys, Christina Milan, an acoustic Maroon 5, Avril Lavigne, JoJo and a surprise "superstar" guest (I hope it's John Ashcroft, he does have some extra time on his hands).

You should really catch: This would be prime real estate for an Ashlee Simpson joke, but alas, I won't. I guess I would have to go with Snoop Dogg. He has been touring with a full band lately so if he brings them along he would be worth the high price of admission.

In the crowd you'll most likely hear: "Ahhhh!!! I love you Ashlee!!! Ahhhh!!! Ahhhh!!!"

Last word: Here's my guess on who the special guest is: Jessica Simpson. I think that she'll come out and do a Christmas song with Ashlee. Now you must ask yourself: is that superstar enough for you?

106.7 KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas

Dec. 11 and 12 at Universal Amphitheatre

Who's playing?: Night one: Franz Ferdinand, Interpol, Jimmy Eat World, Keane, The Killers, Modest Mouse, Muse, The Music, The Shins, Snow Patrol and Taking Back Sunday.

Night two: Chevelle, Good Charlotte, Green Day, Hoobastank, Incubus, My Chemical Romance, Papa Roach, Social Distortion, Sum 41, The Used and Velvet Revolver.

You should really catch: On night one you must see Muse. They are honestly one of the most exciting bands playing music today. On night two you can take your pick: Green Day, Good Charlotte, Sum 41 or Chevelle, which are all great acts. But please come early and check out My Chemical Romance. As I said two months ago: this band is gonna be huge.

In the audience you will most likely hear: Night one: "Wait, which one of them up there is actually Franz?" Night two: "Shhh, don't tell anyone but I'm really here for Good Charlotte. Hey ... hey, put that billy club away!"

KZLA Christmas Concert

Dec. 10 at Kodak Theatre

Who's playing?: Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Restless Heart and Mindy Smith.

You should really catch: I'll be honest, this ain't really my cup of tea, but the red states seem to love Brad Paisley a lot, so who am I to complain.
In the crowd you will most likely hear: "Git-er-done!"

Last word: Cowboy hats…lots of cowboy hats.