The 21 Best Outdoor Concerts Coming to LA This Summer

This is but one installment of 37 Things a Man’s Gotta Do This Summer, our annual compendium of everything worth seeing, doing, eating, drinking and generally making time for in your neck of the woods between now and September. Stay tuned all month for more.

Don’t let the May gray fool you: summer is nigh.

And that means getting a jump on your outdoor concert tickets.

Father John at the Bowl? Tame Impala in the desert? A New Orleans throwdown among the Griffith Park trees?

All rank among the 21 al fresco coming to LA this summer that you don’t want to miss.

Pick a date, click to purchase and shake off your picnic blanket.

Because lo-fi surfer sounds with elevated views from the Getty
Allah-Las at The Getty Off the 405, May 19

Because it’s a smaller Burning Man with live music and a lake
Anderson.Paak and Sofi Tukker at Lightning in a Bottle, May 23 – 28

Because it’ll be a big night of country music
Sugarland at the Greek Theater, June 14

Because the girl can spit hot fire
Ana Tijoux at Hollywood Forever, June 18

Because this lineup will satisfy just about everyone
Neil Young, Santigold, Jack White and a lot more at the Arroyo Seco Weekend, June 23-24

Because these boys are Baby Zeppelin incarnate
Greta Van Fleet at Henry Anson Ford Theater, June 24*

Because it’s a night of soulful crooners and big ballads
Father John Misty, Gillian Welch and Big Thief at the Hollywood Bowl, June 24

Because you want to dance your tail off
Liza Richardson and Garth Trinidad at Chinatown Summer Nights, June 30

Because it’s not summer without a concert at the Pier
Twilight Summer Concert Series kicks off soon, July – October

Because the blues are good for your soul
Taj Mahal and Keb Mo’ at the Hollywood Bowl, August 1

Because this pair’s eerie tunes are perfect for a cemetery
Beach House at Hollywood Forever, August 3-4*

Because LA’s de facto town crier will debut its new digs (and it’s free!)
KCRW Summer Nights at their new headquarters, Aug 4

Because roots rock in the park can’t be beat
Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats at The Greek Theater, August 15

Because Spanish guitars
Rodrigo y Gabriela with Dudamel at The Hollywood Bowl, August 17-18

Because his performances are always theatrical and beautiful
David Byrne at the Santa Barbara Bowl, August 24

Because it’s a New Orleans-style Voodoo throwdown
Trombone Shorty, Galactic, Preservation Hall Brass Band at The Greek Theater, September 15

Because pop music belongs at the beach
Foo Fighters, Katy Perry and Robert Plant at KAABOO, Sept 14-16

Because he is LA’s sound, personified
Beck at The Hollywood Bowl, September 28

Because it’s the year’s most eclectic lineup once again
Eddie Vedder, Amos Lee, Mumford and Sons at Ohana Festival Dana Point, September 28-30

Because sensory overload, guaranteed
New Order, James Blake and lots of chefs and bands at Music Tastes Good, September 28-30

Because the stars do shine brighter on a desert lake
Tame Impala, Death Grips, Ty Segall and more at Desert Days, October 12-14