Los Angeles’ 21 Can’t-Miss Outdoor Summer Concerts

Plus one that’s inside. Because Radiohead.

June 20, 2016 9:00 am

Music, beer and sunshine: summer’s holy trifecta.

Fortunately for us Angelenos, it’ll be dealt out in spades over the next four months.

Anthemic ’80s classics? Sundown at the Pier? The guys who invented electronica? All en route, the latter with some stunning 3-D visuals in tow.

We’ve got 21 shows en plein air for you to add to your calendar. Plus one that’s indoors — if you can get in. Pick a date, pony up your cash and shake off the picnic blanket.

Because their only album is summer distilled into musical form

Poolside at the Hammer Museum, July 7

Because it’s opening night at the Pier

Mayer Hawthorne at the Santa Monica Pier, July 7

Because this spot is LA’s best-kept summer secret (see main image)

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros at the Annenberg Space for Photography, July 9

Because two legends, one stage

Lyle Lovett and Emmylou Harris at The Greek Theater, July 10

Because it’s a birthday party for the guy who wrote freakin’ Pet Sounds

Brian Wilson performs Pet Sounds with M. Ward, Al Jardine and Blondie Chaplin at the Hollywood Bowl, July 10

Because this will turn into one helluva beach bash

Borns at the Santa Monica Pier, July 14

Because, hey, wait, Nas is still doing his thing?

Nas at the Annenberg Space for Photography, July 23

Because “The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room” is even funnier live

Flight of the Conchords at The Greek Theater, July 27

Because you don’t need to speak Portuguese to fall in love with her

Bebel Gilberto at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, July 27

Because their Grateful Dead covers hold a candle to the originals

The National at The Greek Theater, July 28

Because selling your first-born to get in will be worth it

Radiohead at The Shrine, August 4 and 8

Because he made Taylor Swift tolerable (kinda)

Ryan Adams at The Greek, August 5

Because it’s perfect for a Sunday picnic

Sufjan Stevens and Kurt Vile at the Hollywood Bowl, August 7

Because she’s Janis Joplin reincarnate

The Alabama Shakes at The Greek Theater, August 9, 10

Because if the guitars don’t blow your mind, the orchestra will

Rodrigo y Gabriela at the Hollywood Bowl, August 14

Because Kraftwerk with 3-D images has us like totally buggin’

Kraftwerk at the Hollywood Bowl, September 18

Because she can rely on the old man’s money, she can rely on the old man’s money

Hall & Oates at the Hollywood Bowl, September 20

Because they invented their own language

Sigur Ros at the Hollywood Bowl, September 24

Because eerie atmospheric sounds in a cemetery

Trentemoller at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, September 28

Because your girlfriend will thank us later

CHVRCHES at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, October 4

Because they should be on your bucket list and they’re both nearing bucket age

Van Morrison with Tom Jones at the Hollywood Bowl, October 13

Because it’s the last show of summer at the Bowl

Bon Iver at the Hollywood Bowl, October 23

Photo credits:
Main Image:
Annenberg Space for Photography
Poolside: Windish Agency
Mayer Hawthorne: Jake Michaels
Bebel Gilberto: Windish Agency
Ryan Adams: Photo Credit: Michelle Montgomery
Kraftwerk
Bloc Party: Rachael Wright
CHVRCHES: Windish Agency

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.