Best Concerts in Miami This Week: Doja Cat, Claude VonStroke, Afrobeta, and More

With summer temperatures rising, music offerings seem to be heating up as well. Swedish DJ/producer Alesso will bring his brand of EDM for South Beach club Story on Friday, while Dirtybird head honcho Claude VonStroke will heat up the dance floor at Club Space on Saturday. If you are looking for local music offerings, Afrobeta will go unplugged at Palapa on Thursday, and Better Strangers celebrate its debut EP at Gramps on Saturday.

However, this week's standout event is perhaps rapper Doja Cat, who'll be taking a victory lap at E11even on Saturday after releasing her third studio album, Planet Her, to critical acclaim.

Below, in chronological order, are the best concerts in Miami this week. Stay ahead of all upcoming shows with New Times' Miami concert calendar.

Afrobeta at Palapa

Cuci Amador and Tony Smurphio recently decamped to Ithica, New York, for the summer. But they'll be returning this week for a special acoustic performance of the duo's fourth album, Illusion Motel. The album synth-laden melodies should make for an interesting take of the "unplugged" format. Still, considering Amador and Smurphio have put more years into the music industry than most local bands, expect it to be nothing short of spectacular. 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 8, at Palapa,  184 NE 50th Ter., Miami; palapamiami.com. Tickets cost $50 to $70 via feverup.com.

DJ Swisha and Kush Jones at ATV Records

New York producers DJ Swisha and Kush Jones make their Miami debut at ATV Records on Thursday thanks to local label and collective Jezebel Sounds. Both artists draw from Footwork and Baltimore club styles, which will make for a night of energetic East Coast underground musings. As members of the Juke Bounce Werk crew, the duo are frequent collaborators, releasing the bass-fueled EP Outta Bounds last summer. 10 p.m Thursday, July 8, at ATV Records, 1306 N. Miami Ave., Miami; 305-456-5613; atvrecords.com. Tickets cost $20 to $30 via eventbrite.com.

Alesso at Story

No stranger to spinning at the biggest clubs in the world, Alesso brings his sound-selection mastery to Story on Friday. The Grammy-nominated producer rose to fame at the height of the EDM craze in the early 2010s thanks to tracks like the Calvin Harris collaboration "Under Control" and "Heroes (We Could Be)," featuring Tove Lo. He’s also been a mainstay on DJ Mag's Top 100 DJs list since 2011, peaking at number 13 in 2013 and 2015. 11 p.m. Friday, July 9, at Story, 136 Collins Ave., Miami; 305-479-4426; storymiami.com. Tickets cost $75 to $90 via tixr.com.

Doja Cat at E11even

From her initial meme stardom with the viral song "Mooo!," Doja Cat’s success has quickly spread to the mainstream, with singles like "Bottom Bitch" and “Say So” lodged firmly on the Billboard Hot 100 list. The 25-year-old recently dropped her third studio album, Planet Her, to critical acclaim. On Saturday night, 24-hour ultraclub E11even will host the singer to celebrate the new release. 8 p.m. Saturday, July 10 at E11even Miami, 29 NE 11th St., Miami; 305-829-2911; 11miami.com. Tickets cost $100 via tixr.com.

Better Strangers at Gramps

Despite a year that managed to kneecap the entire music industry, Better Strangers managed to find itself a lead vocalist in May 2020 when deCasa joined the band to complete the quartet. The band released its debut single, "Lies," last November, and in April, it dropped its debut EP, Luna's Daydream. The band is now celebrating with a quick Florida tour. Better Strangers stops by at Gramps on Saturday to perform under the palapa-covered stage. 7 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at Gramps, 176 NW 24th St., Miami; 855-732-8992; gramps.com. Tickets cost $10 via eventbrite.com.

Claude VonStroke at Club Space

Listen, New Times has done its fair share of clubbing over the decades, but one moment that sticks out is Claude VonStroke's set at the Electric Pickle in 2011. The club was jam-packed — honestly, it was probably violating a building code or two — and the AC couldn't seem to keep up with the amount of body heat the crowd was generating. Nobody seemed to mind as VonStroke kept everyone groovin' as sweat poured off the dancing bodies and, somehow, the club walls. That's the power the Dirtybird leader has when he gets behind the decks. It would be a shame if you missed it when he takes over Space's terrace on Saturday. 11 p.m. Saturday, July 10, at Club Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; 786-357-6456; clubspace.com. Tickets cost $60 to $80 via eventbrite.com.