The best concerts in L.A. this July

Treat your ears to a vibrant concert on a spring or summer night this year, by attending MUSE/IQUE’s annual program. This monthly series of performances, held venues (largely outdoors) across L.A., features a mix of performances inspired by landmark albums and public figures, including tributes to Ed Sullivan, Bob Dylan, Abraham Lincoln, Oklahoma! and more. In order to attend, you’ll need to become a MUSE/IQUE member; you could make a $75 donation for a single event, but if you’re interested in more than just one, it’s cheaper per event to become a full-fludged member.

Pop-punk heavyweights Blink-182 underwent an unlikely renaissance about a decade back thanks to its 2011 comeback album, Neighborhoods—which turned out to be the last release with its original trio. Cofrontman Tom DeLonge departed, and though his trademark hyperexaggerated whine is nigh impossible to replicate, Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba brought a fresh perspective as his replacement. Now, as the 20-year nostalgia cycle has brought aughts-era pop-punk back into popularity, DeLonge will rejoin Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker for a world tour that includes a stop in L.A. at SoFi Stadium. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 27 at 10am.

A giant of weird pop, alt rock and anti-folk since the early ’90s, L.A.’s own Beck Hansen headlines an evening at the Bowl backed by the LA Phil.

Bowling Green, KY natives Cage the Elephant first found fame (strangely enough) in England, as well as with their showing at SXSW in 2007 and their eponymous debut album released the following year. Their take on classic garage punk is a chaotic listen that draws on psychedelia, ’70s southern rock, glam and contemporary indie: just the thing for a rollicking live show.

The world’s grayest…er, greatest rock & roll band is back to get its rocks off in Inglewood with a show at SoFi Stadium. The reason to hit the road is, well, because they still can. When we last saw them, they ripped, though it took a handful of songs for them to loosen their ligaments.

Way back in 2017, Missy Elliott tore through her catalog of mega hits at FYF, and during her return to an L.A. stage for the first time in a decade, her songs sounded just as infectious as they were in the early aughts. Now, she’s back again for her (shockingly) first-ever headlining tour, which includes a stop at the Crypto.com Arena with Busta Rhymes, Ciara and Timbaland.

The short version: J.Lo is coming to town for concerts at both the Forum and the Honda center. The longer version (deep breath): The iconic singer and actor is in the midst of her three-part This Is Me… project, a document of the return of Bennifer that includes her latest record, This Is Me… Now, as well as a musical film adaptation dubbed This Is Me… Now: A Love Story, all of which factors into this tour, titled—you guessed it—“This Is Me… Now: The Tour.” But, you know, you’ll probably still hear her sing “Jenny from the Block” and “Let’s Get Loud” so that’s cool.

Relive songs and clips from ’80s and ’90s Disney movies, performed by guest singers and backed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, during this summertime show. Films include The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Lion King, Mulan, Toy Story, A Bug’s Life, Hocus Pocus, Newsies, A Goofy Movie and more.  

Born in Alabama where he was raised listening to the Grand Ole Opry, Jason Isbell came to prominence as a member of country rock act the Drive-By Truckers. Since leaving the group, Isbell has become a prolific Americana troubadour, writing songs that reckon with his Southern heritage and his struggles with addiction. He shares the bill exuberantly joyous electro-pop outfit Sylvan Esso, the unlikely duo of singer Amelia Meath (formerly of a cappella folk trio Mountain Man) and producer Nick Sanborn.

Nineties singer-songwriters Melissa Etheridge and Jewel coheadline more than two dozen dates together this summer, including a stop in Inglewood at the YouTube Theater.