Concerts and Events in Los Angeles offer music lovers an unparalleled experience in one of the world’s most vibrant entertainment capitals. From intimate jazz clubs in downtown to massive stadium shows at SoFi Stadium, LA’s music scene caters to every taste and budget year-round.
Los Angeles stands as a premier destination for live music, hosting over 1,000 concerts and music events annually across its diverse venues. Whether you’re seeking chart-topping pop stars, legendary rock bands, underground hip-hop showcases, or classical symphonies, the City of Angels delivers an extraordinary array of musical experiences that reflect its multicultural identity and creative spirit.
🎵 Concerts in Los Angeles
Discover upcoming shows and live music events in Los Angeles
Why Los Angeles Is a Premier Concert Destination
Los Angeles has earned its reputation as a global music hub through decades of fostering artistic innovation and hosting world-class performances. The city’s entertainment infrastructure includes venues ranging from 100-capacity clubs to arenas seating over 70,000 fans, making it possible to catch emerging artists and established superstars within the same week.
The mild Mediterranean climate allows for year-round outdoor concerts at iconic venues like the Hollywood Bowl and Greek Theatre, where performances continue even during winter months. This weather advantage, combined with LA’s position as a media capital, means artists frequently schedule multiple tour dates here, giving fans more opportunities to see their favorite performers.
LA’s music scene reflects the city’s incredible diversity, with neighborhoods like Little Tokyo, Koreatown, and Leimert Park hosting genre-specific events that celebrate cultural heritage through music. This variety ensures that on any given night, you can choose between mariachi performances, K-pop showcases, electronic music festivals, or traditional folk concerts.
Major Concert Venues in Los Angeles
SoFi Stadium
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood represents the pinnacle of modern concert infrastructure, featuring cutting-edge acoustics and a massive double-sided video board that creates an immersive experience for up to 70,000 attendees. Since opening in 2020, it has hosted major touring acts including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Bad Bunny, establishing itself as a must-play venue for stadium tours.
The stadium’s design includes a translucent roof canopy that allows natural light while protecting concertgoers from weather, making it ideal for both day and evening events. Its location near LAX provides convenient access for both local fans and those traveling from other regions.
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl remains one of the most iconic outdoor amphitheaters in the world, with its distinctive band shell backdrop and hillside seating accommodating approximately 17,500 guests. Operating primarily from May through October, the Bowl hosts the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s summer season alongside contemporary artists ranging from classical crossover to rock and pop performers.
Picnicking before shows has become a beloved tradition, with many attendees arriving hours early to enjoy elaborate spreads while taking in the scenic views. The venue’s natural acoustics and intimate atmosphere create unforgettable experiences despite its large capacity.
The Greek Theatre
Nestled in Griffith Park, the Greek Theatre offers a more intimate outdoor experience with seating for 5,900 in a beautiful canyon setting. The venue attracts mid-level touring acts and legacy artists, providing excellent sightlines and sound quality that make every seat feel close to the action.
The theatre’s location within the park creates a unique pre-show experience, with many fans hiking nearby trails before evening performances. Its covered seating protects attendees from occasional rain while maintaining the open-air ambiance that defines LA concert culture.
Crypto.com Arena
Formerly known as Staples Center, Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles serves as the city’s premier indoor concert venue with capacity for up to 20,000 guests depending on configuration. Major touring artists regularly book multiple consecutive nights here, and its central location makes it accessible via Metro rail and numerous parking options.
The arena’s modern amenities include excellent acoustics, multiple concession levels, and premium seating options that cater to various budgets. Its versatility allows for both arena-scale productions and more intimate stage setups when artists prefer a closer connection with audiences.
The Troubadour
This legendary West Hollywood venue has launched countless careers since 1957, hosting early performances by Elton John, James Taylor, and Guns N’ Roses among many others. With a capacity of just 400, The Troubadour offers an intimate setting where fans can experience emerging artists and established acts in stripped-down formats.
The venue maintains its historic character while incorporating modern sound systems, creating an authentic rock club atmosphere that feels connected to music history. Shows here often sell out quickly due to limited capacity and the venue’s reputation for memorable performances.
The Wiltern
This Art Deco masterpiece in Koreatown combines architectural beauty with excellent acoustics, offering a mid-sized venue experience for approximately 1,850 attendees. The Wiltern attracts artists who have outgrown small clubs but prefer more intimate settings than large arenas, resulting in a diverse booking calendar.
The venue’s general admission floor and theater-style balcony seating provide different experience options, while its ornate interior design creates a visually stunning backdrop for performances. Its location on Wilshire Boulevard offers easy access and proximity to excellent dining options.
Types of Music Events in Los Angeles
Stadium and Arena Concerts
Large-scale productions dominate LA’s concert calendar, with international superstars bringing elaborate stage shows, pyrotechnics, and multimedia experiences to venues like SoFi Stadium and the Forum. These events often feature opening acts, creating multi-hour entertainment experiences that justify premium ticket prices.
Stadium shows typically require advance planning for parking, security lines, and crowd navigation, but they deliver spectacle and production value impossible to replicate in smaller settings. Many artists save their most ambitious visual concepts for these massive venues.
Music Festivals
While Los Angeles doesn’t host Coachella within city limits, numerous festivals take place throughout the metropolitan area annually. Events like Camp Flog Gnaw, Cruel World, and Day N Vegas bring multiple artists across various stages, offering diverse lineups that appeal to specific music communities.
Smaller neighborhood festivals like Chinatown Summer Nights and Leimert Park’s jazz festivals provide free or low-cost access to local and regional talent, fostering community connections through music. These grassroots events often showcase genres underrepresented in mainstream venues.
Club and Theater Shows
LA’s extensive network of small to mid-sized venues supports both touring artists and local acts, with clubs like The Echo, Echoplex, and The Roxy hosting nightly performances. These intimate settings allow for direct artist-audience interaction and often feature multiple acts per evening.
Theater venues such as the Orpheum and Ace Hotel provide seated experiences with better acoustics than typical rock clubs, attracting artists whose music benefits from attentive listening environments. These spaces often host tribute shows, residencies, and special collaborative performances.
Free Outdoor Concerts
Many LA parks and public spaces host free summer concert series, including Grand Performances downtown and Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park. These accessible events introduce diverse audiences to various musical styles without financial barriers, strengthening community bonds through shared cultural experiences.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic offers free concerts at various locations, while libraries and community centers regularly schedule smaller performances. These programs democratize access to live music and often feature local artists gaining exposure.
How to Find Concerts and Events in Los Angeles
Online Ticketing Platforms
Ticketmaster serves as the primary ticketing agent for most major LA venues, offering both standard tickets and verified resale options through their platform. Creating an account and enabling notifications helps fans access presales and receive alerts when favorite artists announce shows.
Alternative platforms like AXS, Eventbrite, and Dice cater to different venue partnerships, with some clubs using specific platforms exclusively. Comparing prices across platforms sometimes reveals different fees or seating options for the same event.
Venue Websites and Social Media
Following venues directly on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter provides earliest notification of show announcements, often before general public on-sales. Many venues offer venue presales or announce last-minute shows exclusively through social media channels.
Venue email lists frequently include exclusive presale codes and discount offers, making subscriptions valuable for regular concertgoers. Some clubs maintain text message lists for immediate show announcements and same-day ticket releases.
Concert Discovery Tools
Services like Songkick, Bandsintown, and our own concerts near me guide track artist tour schedules and send notifications when followed acts announce LA dates. These platforms sync with streaming service libraries to automatically track hundreds of artists based on listening habits.
Local publications like LA Weekly and Los Angeles Magazine maintain concert calendars highlighting noteworthy upcoming shows across all genres and venues. These curated lists help discover performances beyond algorithm-driven recommendations.
Artist Fan Clubs and Mailing Lists
Many artists offer fan club presales with better seat locations or exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities. These memberships typically cost between $30-100 annually and provide earliest ticket access before general public sales.
Credit card presales through American Express, Citi, and other partners offer another early access route, with cardholders receiving presale codes several days before general on-sales. These opportunities require monitoring artist announcements closely to catch presale windows.
Tips for Attending Concerts in Los Angeles
Transportation and Parking
LA traffic requires planning, with most venues recommending arrival 1-2 hours before showtime for parking and entry. Many venues offer prepaid parking at discounted rates compared to day-of purchases, though spaces still fill quickly for popular shows.
Metro rail provides direct access to downtown venues like Crypto.com Arena and the Orpheum, eliminating parking concerns entirely. Rideshare services create designated pickup zones at major venues, though surge pricing after events can be significant.
Some venues partner with nearby parking lots offering shuttle services, providing cost-effective alternatives to on-site parking. Researching parking options before show day reduces stress and ensures timely arrival.
Ticket Purchasing Strategy
Setting up accounts with ticketing platforms before on-sale times prevents delays during checkout when tickets release. Having payment information saved and browsers logged in gives crucial seconds advantage when competing for limited inventory.
Presales often provide better seat selection than general on-sales, making it worthwhile to seek presale codes through fan clubs, credit cards, or venue memberships. Some artists announce presales only to social media followers, rewarding engaged fans.
Waiting for official resale platforms rather than third-party scalpers ensures ticket authenticity and price caps on certain events. Many venues now use dynamic pricing that adjusts based on demand, so tickets sometimes become available at lower prices closer to show dates.
Weather Considerations
Even in LA’s mild climate, evening temperatures at outdoor venues can drop significantly, particularly at the Hollywood Bowl and Greek Theatre where canyon locations create cooler microclimates. Bringing layers ensures comfort throughout performances that may last 3-4 hours.
Rain remains rare but possible during winter months, with only a few events cancelled annually due to weather. Covered seating areas at venues like the Greek Theatre provide protection, though uncovered sections may require rain gear.
Food and Beverage Options
Most LA venues allow sealed water bottles, helping attendees stay hydrated without paying venue prices. Larger venues feature multiple concession stands with varying wait times, so purchasing food and drinks before shows start avoids missing opening acts.
The Hollywood Bowl’s picnic tradition encourages bringing full meals, with many fans preparing elaborate spreads. Other outdoor venues typically allow sealed snacks, though policies vary by location and should be verified before attending.
Security and Bag Policies
Clear bag policies at many large venues require transparent bags under specific size limits, with most venues prohibiting backpacks entirely. Reviewing bag policies before leaving home prevents items being turned away at entry, forcing trips back to vehicles or bag check fees.
Security screenings include metal detectors and physical bag checks, contributing to entry wait times. Arriving early accounts for these procedures while still securing preferred general admission spots or finding seats comfortably.
Exploring LA’s Music Scene Beyond Concerts
Los Angeles offers numerous ways to engage with music culture beyond attending concerts. The Grammy Museum downtown provides interactive exhibits exploring music history, recording techniques, and archival performances from legendary artists. Visiting during quieter weekday hours allows more thoughtful exploration of exhibits.
Record stores like Amoeba Music in Hollywood and Origami Vinyl in Echo Park serve as community hubs where music enthusiasts discover new artists, attend in-store performances, and connect with fellow fans. These spaces maintain music retail traditions while adapting to streaming era challenges through events and exclusive releases.
LA’s musical heritage sites include the Capitol Records Building, Sunset Strip venues where rock history unfolded, and South LA locations significant to hip-hop’s development. Self-guided tours allow music fans to explore these locations while learning about their cultural importance.
Open mic nights and jam sessions at venues throughout the city provide opportunities to witness emerging talent and local music communities. These informal gatherings often showcase artists before they break through to larger audiences, creating special discovery moments.
For more comprehensive guidance on finding live music, check out our detailed concert guides covering various aspects of the music experience.
The Economic and Cultural Impact of LA’s Music Scene
Live music contributes significantly to Los Angeles’ economy, supporting not only venues and artists but also restaurants, hotels, transportation services, and retail businesses that benefit from concert attendees. Major events like stadium shows can generate millions in economic activity through visitor spending across the metropolitan area.
The music industry’s presence in LA extends beyond performances, with recording studios, management companies, and record labels headquartered throughout the region. This concentration of music business infrastructure creates unique opportunities for artists to develop careers while performing locally.
LA’s cultural diversity directly enriches its music scene, with immigrant communities maintaining musical traditions while influencing contemporary genres. This cross-pollination creates unique fusion styles and collaborative opportunities found nowhere else, from Latin rock to Armenian pop to Thai funk.
Music venues serve as community anchors, particularly in neighborhoods where live music spaces create gathering points and cultural identity. Preserving these venues protects not just business interests but also community character and artistic expression opportunities.
Future of Concerts and Events in Los Angeles
The concert industry continues evolving through technology integration, with venues implementing mobile ticketing, cashless payment systems, and enhanced sound equipment that improves audience experiences. These innovations aim to streamline logistics while maintaining the irreplaceable energy of live performances.
Sustainability initiatives at venues include reduced plastic use, improved recycling programs, and partnerships with environmental organizations. Some artists now require venues to meet specific environmental standards, driving industry-wide improvements in practices.
Venue development continues with projects like the Intuit Dome in Inglewood adding major capacity, while historic theaters undergo renovations preserving architectural character while modernizing technical capabilities. This investment signals confidence in live music’s enduring appeal despite streaming alternatives.
Virtual reality and livestreaming technologies complement rather than replace in-person attendance, allowing artists to reach global audiences while preserving the primacy of physical concert experiences. Hybrid events may become more common, expanding access without diminishing live show value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I buy concert tickets in Los Angeles?
Purchase tickets as soon as they go on sale for high-demand artists, as popular shows sell out within minutes. For less mainstream acts, tickets often remain available closer to show dates, sometimes with last-minute discounts. Most major concerts announce on-sale dates 2-3 months before the event, though some artists announce tours with longer lead times. Monitoring artist social media and venue announcements ensures you catch presale opportunities that provide better seat selection before general public sales.
What is the best way to get to concerts in Los Angeles?
Transportation depends on venue location, with Metro rail serving downtown venues like Crypto.com Arena conveniently while rideshare services work better for venues without rail access. For Hollywood Bowl and Greek Theatre, many concertgoers arrive early to secure parking and avoid traffic congestion. Prepaying for parking through venue websites typically costs less than day-of rates and guarantees spaces. Consider carpooling with friends to reduce costs and environmental impact while making parking logistics easier.
Are concerts in Los Angeles family-friendly?
Many LA concerts welcome all ages, though policies vary by venue and artist. The Hollywood Bowl and Greek Theatre regularly host family-friendly performances including film score concerts and children’s music events. Club venues typically restrict entry to ages 18+ or 21+, with age requirements listed on tickets. Some artists offer all-ages shows at specific venues while maintaining age restrictions at others on the same tour, so checking individual event details ensures appropriate planning for families with children.
What should I wear to a concert in Los Angeles?
Dress comfortably for long periods of standing or sitting, with indoor venues maintaining moderate temperatures year-round. Outdoor venues like Hollywood Bowl require layers as temperatures drop significantly after sunset, even during summer months. Comfortable shoes prove essential for general admission shows involving standing throughout performances. Many attendees dress stylishly while prioritizing comfort, with concert fashion ranging from casual to more dressed-up depending on venue and artist style.
Can I bring a camera to concerts in Los Angeles?
Most venues allow smartphones for personal photos and videos, though professional cameras with detachable lenses are typically prohibited without media credentials. Artists increasingly request fans minimize phone use during shows to enhance experience for all attendees. Some performers implement phone-free policies using locked pouches, though this remains uncommon in LA. Checking specific venue and artist policies before attending prevents disappointment or confiscation of equipment at entry.
How do I find free concerts in Los Angeles?
Grand Performances downtown offers free concerts Thursday through Saturday during summer months, featuring diverse artists without requiring tickets or reservations. Levitt Pavilion MacArthur Park hosts free weekend concerts with various musical styles throughout warmer months. Many public libraries, community centers, and parks schedule free performances, with event calendars available on city and neighborhood websites. Following local arts organizations on social media provides notifications about upcoming free events across the region.
What time do concerts typically start in Los Angeles?
Door times and show times differ, with venues typically opening 1-2 hours before performances begin. Most evening concerts at clubs and theaters start between 7:30-9:00 PM, though all-ages shows often begin earlier to accommodate curfews. Stadium and arena shows frequently start around 7:00 PM to allow for opening acts and extended sets from headliners. Checking tickets or venue websites confirms exact timing, as schedules vary by artist and venue.
Are there student or senior discounts for concerts in Los Angeles?
Some venues and events offer discounted tickets for students, seniors, and military members, though availability varies by show. The Los Angeles Philharmonic at Hollywood Bowl provides student rush tickets and discounted subscriptions. Checking venue websites and calling box offices directly reveals available discount programs. Day-of-show rush tickets sometimes become available at reduced prices for performances that haven’t sold out, particularly at theater venues and classical music events.