A summer without outdoor music is a summer wasted.
Fortunately for us Angelenos, summer is long and packed with plentiful performances at the choicest locations in town.
Picnics at the Bowl? Sundown at the Pier? Evenings amongst the Griffith Park trees? All on the agenda, along with a new L.A. music festival plating gourmet food, to boot.
We’ve got 21 shows en plein air for you to add to your calendar. Pick a date, click to purchase and shake off the picnic blanket.
Because you want that Kinks sound contemporized in a lofty space
White Fence at The Getty Off the 405, June 10
Because lounging to some jazz is the ultimate playboy move
The Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, June 10-11
Because you want some funky R&B made by local talent
Chicano Batman at KCRW Summer Nights One Plaza June 17
Because you want to kick off the Twilight Music Series with an ’80s-R&B mashup
Khalid and Bibi Bourelly at the Santa Monica Pier, June 22
Because this lineup of roots rock and New Orleans funk is the new Coachella
Tom Petty, the Meters, Dawes and more at the Arroyo Seco Weekend, June 24-25
Because it’s the last stop on their twenty-year anniversary tour
AIR at The Greek Theater, June 25
Because he puts on a suit like a banker when he writes his music
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at the Greek Theater, June 29
Because summer shows at the Hammer include great art exhibits
Stay tuned for the show announcements by checking here, July 9
Because there’s no better way to stargaze than lying down on a cemetery lawn to art rock
Sufjan Stevens at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, July 20
Because Missy Elliot and Nine Inch Nails
Anderson Paak and Run the Jewels also lead the charge at FYF Fest, July 21-23
Because electro-disco is a dish best served at a Thursday beach party
Miami Horror at the Santa Monica Pier Twilight Music Series, July 27
Because you want a little alt-country to wind down the week
Steve Gunn at The Getty Off the 405, July 29
Because crossover artists are the best way to kickstart your week
Belle and Sebastian, Spoon and Kristin Kontrol at The Hollywood Bowl, August 6
Because “Ain’t No Man” is one of the best anthems of the past year
The Avett Brothers at The Greek Theater, August 11
Because watching a rising jazz legend play with a mainstay is a rare opportunity
Kamasi Washington and Herbie Hancock at The Hollywood Bowl, August 23
Because some spiritual hymns can help curb your anxiety in the digital age
Oracle and Xiu Xiu at The Broad Summer Happening, August 26
Because nothing is as rowdy as a trombone player from The Big Easy
Trombone Shorty at The Hollywood Bowl, August 30
Because you want to surf and listen to rock and roll on the beach
Eddie Vedder and the Pixies at the Ohana Festival, September 8-10
Because this is the only Traffic we will sit for
Mavis Staples and Steve Winwood at The Hollywood Bowl, September 13
Because sounds this soothing should only be heard while picnicking on a lawn
Fleet Foxes and Beach House at The Hollywood Bowl, September 23
Because you ain’t got no problems with some jazz in your hip-hop
Chance the Rapper at The Hollywood Bowl, October 3-4
Because you want to reach out and touch faith
Depeche Mode at The Hollywood Bowl, October 14
This article was featured in the InsideHook LA newsletter. Sign up now for more from the Southland.
