The best concerts in L.A. this June

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 at cultural venues across L.A., features a mix of performances inspired by music movements and public figures, including tributes to Ray Charles, immigrant film composers, the Memphis sound, Etta James and more. The best way to attend is to become a MUSE/IQUE member; you could make a $75 donation to the performing arts nonprofit for a single event (with the exception of September’s free open house), but if you’re interested in more than just one, it’s cheaper per event to become a full-fledged member.

One of L.A.’s best free live-music offerings, Jazz at LACMA has featured legit legends over its three-decade run at the museum. Seating for the program is available in the museum’s plaza on a first-come, first-served basis, though you’re welcome to picnic on the grass, too (you won’t really be able to see the show, but you’ll still hear it). You’ll find the series on Friday evenings in LACMA’s welcome plaza (just behind Urban Light) throughout the summer.

Listen to classical and jazz in a dome more than a mile above L.A. during this mountaintop concert series. The Mount Wilson Observatory is hosting monthly concerts this summer inside the dome of its 100-inch Hooker telescope, which was the largest telescope in the world for much of the first half of the 20th century. Tickets cost $60 (that also includes access to the exhibit at the observatory) and it’s highly recommended that you buy them in advance since seating is limited. You’ll need to be able to climb 53 steps to reach the dome, and children under 12 aren’t permitted. 

This weekend-long concert will once again return to West Hollywood Park as part of WeHo Pride, with Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Kim Petras, Honey Dijon and Paris Hilton atop this year’s lineup. If the ticket prices have you down, don’t worry: Friday night’s programming is usually free with an RSVP.

After a couple of years in New York, pan-Asian music and media collective 88rising’s music fest returns to the grounds outside the Rose Bowl. The 2025 edition’s headliners include G-Dragon, 2NE1, Dean, DPR IAN, Rich Brian, Porter Robinson and Higher Brothers.

The blues-y Ohio natives return—after a scrapped arena tour—for an amphitheater tour of soulful, crunchy grooves. Hear Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney float through some nifty psych boogies at the Greek, with support from the Heavy Heavy.

Weed—the Cali vibes are weed. At least that’s the sense we get from this Long Beach festival. The 2025 lineup includes Kid Cudi, Cypress Hill, Ludacris, Steel Pulse, Collie Buddz, Dirty Heads, Iration, Rebelution, Stick Figure and Slightly Stoopid, among dozens of others.

After last year’s debut edition, the Roots return to the Hollywood Bowl for this mid-‘90s hip-hop fest, which includes sets from Lil’ Kim, Method Man and Redman, DJ Quik and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony.

In a world of lies (and, these days, alternative facts), the only thing we can rely on is Shakira’s hips. Watch them shake with precision when the Colombian superstar returns for a stop at SoFi Stadium (rescheduled from her slated date at the Forum).

House music hits the Queen Mary waterfront during this two-day fest. This year’s event, which features two main stages, has yet to announce its lineup, but last year included the likes of Kaskade, MK back-to-back with Green Velvet, Cloonee and more.