The best live music venues in Los Angeles
Your complete guide to live music Los Angeles style, from concert calendars to iconic venues and more
When it comes to live music venues, Los Angeles reigns. Ours is a storied history, from the rambling folk history of Woody Guthrie to the rock ’n’ rolling, raunchy ways of bands like the Doors, Van Halen and Motley Crue. And to this day, the city remains one of the best for amazing concerts—and amazingly free concerts—not in small part due to its wide array of venues, from gorgeous outdoor amphitheatres to hole-in-the-wall clubs and dive bars. There’s a steady stream of impressive local talent here, and no big-name artist completes a tour without stopping in L.A. We’ve got it all, when it comes to live music in Los Angeles and we’re damn lucky—see for yourself below.
The 19 best live music venues in Los Angeles
1. Hollywood Bowl
This gorgeous outdoor amphitheater has been hosting concerts since the LA Philharmonic first played here in 1922. Nestled in an aesthetically blessed fold of the Hollywood Hills, the 18,000-seat venue can bring out the romantic in the terminally cynical. It’s the summer home of the LA Phil, but it’s hosted everyone from the Beatles to Big Bird. Today, summers at the Bowl are a mix of classical concerts and the biggest names from all genres, from rock and pop to country and musical theater.
2. Teragram Ballroom
Shows at this 600-person Westlake spot are consistently indie rock, which makes sense: Owner Michael Swier is the man behind New York City’s Bowery Ballroom, Mercury Lounge and Music Hall of Williamsburg. Shows are priced reasonably, and you can grab a bite beforehand at the venue’s built-in bar and restaurant.
3. The Theatre at Ace Hotel
When the Ace Hotel opened in early 2014, we didn’t just gain a super hip hotel in DTLA: We also got a jaw-droppingly beautiful 1920s movie house-turned-performing arts space, which has since billed an impressive lineup of performances, concerts, movie nights, lectures and more. The former flagship United Artists Theater is a 1,600-seat house perfect for folk acts, solo artists and beloved indie bands.
4. Troubadour
This storied club has a rich musical history: Randy Newman got his start here, and Elton John made his US debut on its stage in 1970. It hasn’t lapsed into irrelevance in the time since, often showcasing bands on the rise—those shows sell out quick. The sound is great and the views are decent from almost anywhere in the room—just stay out from under the balcony.
5. Greek Theatre
This pleasant, open-air, 6,000-seat theatre stages big summer shows by acts both national and local. It’s a bit like seeing a concert in the woods, and rivals the Hollywood Bowl in terms of L.A.’s most magical outdoor music venue. The only downside: The “stacked” parking means getting out of the parking lot often takes longer than the show, and VIP “Quick Parking” is a pricey $75.
6. The Satellite
This sprawling dive, formerly known as Spaceland, remains the leading L.A. shrine to all things indie. The parking is a combat sport, but the venue has good sound and an upstairs lounge with a less-crowded bar and a photo booth (that actually works, on good nights!). The Monday night program, which features free monthly residencies for buzzy local bands on their way up, is always worth a look.
7. Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Aside from popular posthumous celebs, Hollywood Forever is also home to summer outdoor movie screenings; Cinespia-hosted sleepovers with projected films, live music and games; as well as a number of unique concert events (past performers include Bon Iver, Lana del Rey and Karen O, to name just a few). Whether on the lawn or in the Masonic Lodge, seeing a show here is a little bit magical, and the bands booked here are always top notch and perfectly suited to play to a crowd of both living and dead.
8. Largo at the Coronet
We like venues that take good care of their performers, and that’s clearly the case at L.A.’s home for cultured, bankable singer-songwriters and brilliant comedians. The likes of Aimee Mann, the Watkins Family, Andrew Bird and perennial hot-ticket artist-in-residence Jon Brion ply their trade in the remarkably intimate 280-seat space.
9. Walt Disney Concert Hall
As the $274-million crown jewel of the Music Center, Disney Hall opened in 2003 to rave reviews. The novelty hasn't yet worn off: Both inside and out, this is a terrific venue. Designed by Frank Gehry, the hall features a 2,265-capacity auditorium with an open platform stage and a stunning pipe organ. The hall is the home of the LA Philharmonic and the LA Master Chorale, but the schedule is surprisingly varied (Björk, Sigur Rós, Sylvan Esso, Nick Cave and Iron & Wine have all played here).
10. El Rey Theatre
It might be a gorgeous Art Deco relic, but the 800-capacity El Rey runs a roster that’s decidedly dust-free. From Joji to Empress Of to the Lemon Twigs, the schedule is full of acts du jour, with the older but still-interesting likes of Yo La Tengo, Raphael Saadiq and Hot Chip also appearing. Sound and sightlines are both excellent.
Just announced
Skirball Stages: Gavin Turek and Ak Dan Gwang Chil
South Korean band Ak Dan Gwang Chil (ADG7) had been booked to kick off the Skirball’s summertime Sunset Concerts series. And while we won’t be able to see them in person, we can catch them from the other side of the world in this free livestream—which also includes L.A.’s own disco queen Gavin Turek (who’ll be performing from the Skirball’s courtyard). If you’re hungry, you can swing by the Skirball before the show to pick up prix-fixe menu of Korean cuisine.
Los Lobos
Legendary East L.A. rock band Los Lobos front this drive-in concert at Orange County’s Oak Canyon Park, with support from Miriah Avila and Los Mysteriosos.
Fitz & the Tantrums
We consider this crowd-pleasing (and Ellen dance inspiring) ensemble the de facto Hall & Oates revival group with their finger-snapping pop-soul tunes. See them during this drive-in show in Anaheim.
Justin Bieber
When he’s not signing Anne Frank’s guestbook or breaking up and getting back together with fellow teen pop idol Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber also performs arena tours around the globe.
The latest L.A. music news
Silver Lake’s the Satellite is done with live shows and plans to reopen as a restaurant
The dance parties and free Monday night shows will be no more along Silver Lake Boulevard: After a decade—and many more before that under different names—the Satellite will no longer host live music. In a message posted to its Instagram account on Friday, the Silver Lake venue says that it’s removing its stage and slowly pivoting to more of a restaurant and bar. “To all of the Satellite fans out there, I am sorry to say that we will no longer be doing live shows or dance parties,” the post reads. View this post on Instagram To all of the Satellite fans out there, I am sorry to say that we will no longer be doing live shows or dance parties. We would like to thank you for all the support you have shown us over the years. We shut our doors March 12 after the bands started canceling shows due to the corona virus and the Government shutting down the bars and nightclubs just a few days later. It has really hit us hard. We can no longer afford to wait for the day we will be allowed to have shows again. If we do that, we will not have the money to continue and will be forced to close forever. We are currently removing the stage and redesigning the club to be more of a place to get good quality drinks and food. We will be re-opening the kitchen and doing a complete redesign. Due to the lack of funds, this will not happen quickly. We will be opening in the parking lot for food and drinks as soon as we have the kitchen re-opened or the government lets us hire a food truck
Coachella and Stagecoach are both officially canceled for 2020
Almost ever music festival near L.A. has been canceled or push back to next year. But news had been awfully about two notable holdouts: Coachella and Stagecoach. That is, until today. On Wednesday, Riverside County officially canceled the 2020 editions of both Coachella and Stagecoach. The county’s public health officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser, signed an order that cancels the two fests, citing concerns of a fall resurgence of Covid-19 both in Riverside County and worldwide. “I am concerned as indications grow that Covid-19 could worsen in the fall,” said Dr. Kaiser in a statement. “In addition, events like Coachella and Stagecoach would fall under Governor Newsom’s Stage 4, which he has previously stated would require treatments or a vaccine to enter. Given theprojected circumstances and potential, I would not be comfortable moving forward. These decisions are not taken lightly with the knowledge that many people will be impacted. My first priority is the health of the community.” County officials have been in contact with Goldenvoice, which operates both the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and Stagecoach Festival 2020. https://t.co/CBemsKWU2d View PH order: https://t.co/sCoPfUa6Km #RivCoNow pic.twitter.com/GNqq6rVddK — Dr. Cameron Kaiser (@RivCoDoc) June 11, 2020 Coachella was initially scheduled to take place from April 10 to 12 and 17 to 19, and in early March—just days before a statewide ban on large gatherings—announced that it would be postponed until Octobe
This summer’s Hollywood Bowl season is canceled for the first time ever
As music festivals postponed or canceled their dates one by one, we held out hope that life would find a way for the Hollywood Bowl. But it turns out there’ll be no John Williams scores or fireworks or boozy concerts this summer at L.A.’s finest music venue. On Wednesday, the LA Phil announced that it was cancelling this summer’s slate of concerts at the Hollywood Bowl—for the first time in the iconic venue’s 98-year history. In addition, the season at the Ford has been canceled, as well. We’re pretty sure we say the season is great every year (because it is), but this summer’s lineup was a particularly excellent one, which makes its loss that much harder. The 2020 schedule was supposed to include orchestra-backed shows from Janelle Monáe, James Blake, the B-52s, Flying Lotus, Kamasi Washington and Cynthia Erivo; concerts from Diana Ross, Andrew Bird, Yo-Yo Ma and Sheryl Crow; screenings of The Princess Bride, Harry Potter, Amadeus and classic Looney Tunes moments; a staging of the Andrew Lloyd Webber-scored musical School of Rock; and a centennial celebration of the women’s suffrage movement, among many other shows. “The cancellation of our summer programs and the resulting impact on our musicians and staff is devastating,” said LA Phil Association CEO Chat Smith in a statement. “We are all broken hearted by the effects of this crisis and share the disappointment of all those who look forward to the Bowl and Ford seasons every year.” The LA Phil had already canceled the rest
Amoeba Music won’t be reopening its original Sunset Boulevard store
UPDATE (4/27): In a statement posted to its Instagram account on Monday, Amoeba announced that it would not be reopening its nearly two-decade-old flagship on Sunset Boulevard. Instead, the indie record shop will divert all of its resources to opening its new shop on Hollywood Boulevard, which they still hope to have ready in the fall. “There are so many unknowns and uncertainties for a business like ours right now,” the statement reads. “The only way we can keep Amoeba Hollywood alive in the future is to make this difficult decision now.” View this post on Instagram It is with a very heavy heart that we announce that the massive impact from COVID-19 has forced Amoeba Hollywood to remain closed until we can hopefully move to our new location this fall. We are devastated. We know you are too. We never envisioned not being able to give the store the send-off it deserves, to give you all a chance to say goodbye. But we are facing too many mitigating circumstances. This is not the end of Amoeba! We are moving to a new location at 6200 Hollywood Blvd in the fall and we feel fortunate that this plan was set into motion long before COVID-19. There are so many unknowns and uncertainties for a business like ours right now. The only thing we do know for certain is that we intend to survive. We want to continue to be there for our amazing customers and our incredible staff in our new location long after this pandemic disappears. The only way we can keep Amoeba Hollywood a
Where to see live music in Los Angeles
Music festivals near Los Angeles
