The best concerts in L.A. this October

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. 

It’s safe to say it’s been a massive year for Aussie music producer Dom Dolla. He’s performed sell-out shows across the globe, played festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza and Tomorrowland, nabbed a Grammy nom for his remix of Gorillaz’s “New Gold” and now plays L.A. State Historic Park this fall.  

Soak up the vibes of an evening of beautiful but kind-of-melancholy rock as the ever-brooding National share the bill with the Petty/Dylan-esque War on Drugs at the Hollywood Bowl, part of the bands’ coheadlining Zen Diagram tour.

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.

Beloved power pop band Big Star’s Radio City is a half-century old, and to celebrate surviving drummer Jody Stephens will join R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, the Posies’ Jon Auer, the dB’s Chris Stamey and Wilco’s Pat Sansone for this performance of the album (which includes “September Gurls” and “I’m in Love with a Girl”).

Yes, that Hans Zimmer. The prolific film composer plays through his silver screen hits backed by a sizable orchestra and featured soloists during his live shows. And we really do mean hits; Zimmer’s sets typically include medleys of his contributions to The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Dark Knight and Inception—BRAAAMs and all.

The legendary Laurel Canyon singer-singwriter takes the stage at the Hollywood Bowl for a pair of shows—her first in L.A. in over two decades. Expect tons of special guests at these “Joni Jam” dates, including, so far, Brandi Carlile.

Many band “disbandments” are followed by a triumphant return just a few years later, but still, it was a surprise when the dance-punk outfit came back so soon after its grand finale in 2014. That said, we’re sure glad James Murphy & Co. have stuck around since then—and that you can catch the seminal indie crew during a fall residency at the Shrine and Palladium.

Catch the Outkast icon perform songs from his new agey jazz album, New Blue Sun, during this show at the Greek.

The psychedelically soulful singer-songwriter’s discography sees a brilliant mix of jazz, R&B, funk, alternative, soul and pop music, which draws influences from the likes of James Blake, the Internet, and Sly and the Family Stone.