Each year, record label Top Dawg Entertainment hosts a concert at Nickerson Gardens in Watts, featuring performances by its full roster. The 12th-annual outing will be headlined by SZA, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock, Doechii, Isaiah Rashad, SiR, Ray Vaughn and more. This year’s special guests have yet to be announced, but in the past they’ve included the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna and Travis Scott. The best part? Tickets are free—you just need to bring a unwrapped toy, new clothes/shoes, or other donations with you for the residents of Nickerson Gardens. As you can probably guess, the concert attracts fans by the thousands, so show up as early as possible with your donation for a better chance at getting in.
Looking for free concerts in L.A.? Well, you’re in luck—music (aside from film, possibly) is the city’s most abundant form of entertainment. Whether you get your kicks dancing, at the club or along the Sunset Strip, there’s always tons of live music options—and surprisingly enough, not all of them will cost you.
Though L.A.’s clubs were once teeming with free Monday night residencies, these days you’ll find most spots charge at least a couple of bucks at the minimum—hey, your favorite venues need to pay the rent, you know? But that’s not the case during the summer months, when free alfresco shows pop up all over town. Read on for our top picks for free concerts in L.A.
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