Twice a month, Neon Tommy's music editor rounds up the upcoming live music performances in the Los Angeles area. Here's what's in town for the first half of October:

October 2

The Shins @ the Gibson Amphitheatre

The Shins' "Port of Morrow" came out this year, but chances are, you know them from their big-screen debut in the film "Garden State." And true, their sound hasn't strayed far from their twinkly indie aesthetic, but their musical clout has increased enough to get them a gig at Universal CityWalk. Get tickets here.

Garbage @ the Hollywood Palladium

Six years after "Bleed Like Me," Garbage came back with a vengeance with "Not Your Kind Of People." And judging by the name of that album, which is also the name of the current tour, Shirley Manson and co. haven't lost the grungy edge that made their music stand out in the first place. Get tickets here.

October 3

Kimbra @ the Fonda Theatre

Yeah yeah, everybody knows her from "Somebody That I Used To Know," but Kimbra's got some killer solo material. The New Zealand songstress is stopping by the Greek Theatre promoting songs from her 2011 album "Vows." The show's sold out, so if you managed to get tickets beforehand, hang onto them.

October 5

Furthur @ the Greek Theatre

Anyone who has read The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test should know the origin of the name of the band, so it's no surprise that it's made out of ex-members of The Grateful Dead. Furthur's jam band sound aesthetic is such that no two setlists are ever the same. Get tickets here.

The Offspring @ the Hollywood Palladium

USC fans should all know The Offspring—lead singer Dexter Holland is an alum, and the marching band plays two of the band's songs regularly. But even without those school-specific details, the band's a mainstay in the pop/punk/alt scene, and they just released album "Days Go By" this summer. Get tickets here.

The Black Keys @ the Staples Center

The Black Keys have been inescapable this year, so it's no surprise that in their first post-Coachella SoCal gig, they've sold out two nights at the Staples Center. Yeah. 

Big Gigantic @ the House of Blues

For those of you interested in a more improvisational sound, Big Gigantic will totally be your jam. The hip-hop/jazz/electronica fusion band (sax solos everywhere) is stopping by the House of Blues, and the show is being thrown by the creative event collective The Do LaB. Get tickets here.

October 7

Florence + the Machine @ the Hollywood Bowl

Editor note: I remember seeing her at Terminal 5 in NYC. Suffice to say, things have changed for Florence Welch, and she's now headling a show at the Hollywood Bowl. The Weeknd and The Maccabees are supporting. Get tickets here, although it's quite unlikely that the show's not sold out.

October 9

Michael Kiwanuka @ the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre

The soulful UK singer-songwriter has won the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll, and he's been nominated for the prestigious Mercury Prize. With that kind of musical background, Kiwanuka deserves as much attention here as he enjoys abroad. Get tickets here.

October 10

Grizzly Bear @ the Greek Theatre

Grizzly Bear's new album "Shields" is a continuation of the band's experimental rock sound, so their show at the Greek Theatre should be a continuation of their tradition of fantastic live shows. Lower Dens is supporting. Get tickets here.

Madonna @ the Staples Center

It's Madonna headlining at the Staples Center for two nights. On the off chance both nights aren't sold out, look for tickets here.

October 11

AWOLNATION @ Club Nokia

AWOLNATION's gotten some high profile media love (check them out in that one BMW commercial). The American electronic-rock band has plenty of bumping songs besides "Sail" though, and there's no easier way to see them than at Club Nokia, which is literally down the street from our campus. If you're looking for tickets now though, you're out of luck; the show's sold out.

October 12

The xx @ the Hollywood Palladium

When The xx released "Angels" earlier this year, the Internet basically exploded, even though it's only been two years since the release of their debut album. It's safe to say that the band has a strong U.S. fanbase, and they're bringing it to L.A. for two nights. The British band's spooky sounds are sure to sound at home at the Palladium, though that show and their show the next night at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery both sold out in the blink of an eye. 

October 13

David Byrne and St. Vincent @ the Greek Theatre

When David Byrne announced that he'd be working with St. Vincent on an album, fans of both artists were perplexed, then delighted. Now that "Love This Giant" has dropped, the two are touring together too. Get tickets here.

October 14

The Smashing Pumpkins @ the Gibson Amphitheatre

Billy Corgan and co. said that albums were dead... and then they released one a year later. "Oceania" is part of their ongoing "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope," so perhaps they'll premiere some of that stuff as they're touring? Get tickets here. 

Reach Music Editor Lilian Min here. Follow her on Twitter here.