Hollywood Bowl
Consistently named the best major outdoor concert venue by Pollstar, the 18,000-seat amphitheater is the summer home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which plays world-class classical tunes on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the summer season. If you’re looking for ideas for fun in LA, you should also be sure to check out World Music Sundays, curated by KCRW and offering world/pop/indie tunes from bands like Brian Wilson, Sufjan Stevens and Silk Road Ensemble. Wednesdays feature jazz tunes from the likes of Gladys Knight, Jeff Beck and Yes We Can Can: An Allen Toussaint Salute. Special concerts and spectaculars include Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone—In Concert, Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals and Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
Greek Theatre
Catch a concert from one of your favorite bands this summer with the hills and trees of Griffith Park as your backdrop. This intimate outdoor venue seats just under 6,000 people and was originally dedicated to the city in the fall of 1929. This summer’s lineup features performances from Meghan Trainor, Flight of the Conchords and Josh Groban. 2700 N. Vermont Ave., L.A., 1.844.LAGREEK. lagreektheatre.com
Sound in Focus
KCRW returns to Century City this July for three free all-ages outdoor concerts in Century Park, held in conjunction with the Annenberg Space for Photography’s latest exhibition, REFUGEE. The lineup include Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Baaba Maal and Nas with Wild Belle. kcrw.com/soundinfocus
Twilight Concert Series at Santa Monica Pier
Spend Thursday evenings ocean-side at one of the top LA tourist spots, the iconic Santa Monica Pier, for the 32nd annual Twilight Concert Series sponsored by KCRW, July 7-Sept. 8. The weekly celebration kicks off just before sunset. See acts like Mayer Hawthorne with Alina Baraz with KCRW DJ Jason Bentley, BØRNS with Porches hosted by KCRW DJ Valida, The Psychedelic Furs with Day Wave hosted by KCRW DJ Marion Hodges and Protoje with Raging Fyah hosted by KCRW DJ Anne Litt. Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica. kcrw.com/summernights
Grand Performances
The summer series at California Plaza downtown brings together music, dance, film and spoken word featuring top artists from around the world, through Aug. 21. This year, the 30th anniversary season features performances from daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra, Sanubar Tursun and Disco Manila. Free. 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown. grandperformances.org
Sunset Concerts at the Skirball Cultural Center
Enjoy live music from around the world Thursday nights from July 21-Aug. 25 in the Skirball Cultural Center’s outdoor courtyard. Highlights of the 20th anniversary season include Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, Thalma de Freitas and Shai Tsabari & the Middle East Groove All Stars. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A., 310.440.4500. skirball.org
Disappear Here: Music Made in L.A.
KCRW and the Hammer Museum present Disappear Here: Music Made in L.A., four free nights of live concerts by Los Angeles musicians in the Hammer’s courtyard, July 7, 14, 21, 28. The museum’s gallery hours will be extended to 9 p.m. so guests can enjoy Made in L.A. 2016: a, the, though, only, the third iteration of the Hammer’s biennial exhibition of emerging art from Los Angeles. Enjoy acts: Poolside, Carlos Niño & Friends with KCRW DJ Aaron Byrd; Peanut Butter Wolf, Mndsgn with KCRW DJ Mathieu Schreyer; Ceci Bastida with KCRW DJ Anthony Valadez; and TOKiMONSTA, Ambré with special guests and KCRW DJ Travis Holcombe. A happy hour with food and cash bar starts at 6:30 p.m., KCRW DJ sets start at 7:30 p.m., and live music starts at 8:15 p.m. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 310.443.7000. hammer.ucla.edu
Into the Night: Summer SOULstice
Party into the night at this “block party” featuring outdoor music by a lineup of critically acclaimed Los Angeles-based soul acts. On July 8, catch pop-disco phenomenon Gavin Turek and indie rapper Open Mike Eagle live on stage, plus an all-vinyl soul set from Southern Soul Spinners. Also enjoy rare late-night gallery hours for the summer exhibitions, throwback games, a taste of soul food, and signature cocktails. 8 p.m. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A., 310.440.4500. skirball.org
Wine & Jazz Summer Concert Series at Hollywood & Highland Center
Hear live music from jazz greats every Tuesday night in the Hollywood & Highland Center’s central courtyard from June 28-July 26. Highlights of the season are Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars (June 28), Angel Town Combo, Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band, Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet-Lickers and New Breed Brass Band. Also, enjoy two glasses of wine and an appetizer box from Wolfgang Puck Catering for $10. All proceeds will directly benefit Project Angel Food 7-9 pm. Free. Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.467.6412. hollywoodandhighland.com
City of West Hollywood’s Summer Sounds
The free concert series, which offers a variety of musical stylings on summer afternoons in West Hollywood’s outdoor public spaces, Sundays through Aug 21. Highlights of the series include Beat Mosaic, Zetz Klezmer Ensemble, Mark Christian Miller and more. See website for specific locations. weho.org
MUSE/IQUE Summer of Sound
Pasadena’s non-profit counter-conventional orchestra stages performances that span beyond music into the world of dance, theater, literature and fine art. They typically build an outdoor music experience from the ground up, for Summer of Sound concerts it will be at the Beckman Mall Lawn at Caltech. This summer they celebrate the work of George Gershwin on three separate occasions PERFECT/UNION (July 16), AMERICAN/RHAPSODY (Aug. 20) and SUMMER/TIME (Sept. 10). All events open at 5:30 p.m. for casual mingling and dining in an intimate and friendly table seating environment. Food and wine are available for purchase, in advance, from Pasadena’s own The Kitchen for Exploring Foods. 7:30 concert. $25-$200. muse-ique.com
Family Jam at the L.A. Zoo
On July 9, Enjoy family entertainment for all ages featuring live music, dancing, food trucks, up-close encounters with some of the Zoo’s smaller residents, a rare opportunity for youngsters to experience after-hours viewing of popular animal exhibits and more. 5333 Zoo Drive, Griffith Park, L.A., 323.644.4200. lazoo.org
Friday Flights at The Getty
The series at The Getty Museum brings together a wide range of Los Angeles-based creative thinkers working across artistic mediums for a vibrant evening of sounds and sights on July 15, 29 and Aug. 26. An inter-disciplinary series of happenings spanning contemporary classical music, artist-made interventions, electronic music, sound-based installations, poetry, dance, film, and more spreads out across the Getty Center from galleries to gardens. 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. getty.edu
Levitt Pavilion Pasadena
Hear performances by everyone from Grammy-winning artists to rising stars outdoors at Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena every Thurs.-Sun. through Sept. 24. The summer series of free concerts includes Americana, Jazz, Blues, World, Latin and children’s music as well as dance shows. Highlights include performances by Sara Watkins, Quetzal and Mariachi Divas among others. 85 E Holly St., Pasadena, 626.683.3230. levittpavilionpasadena.org
KCRW Summer Nights: Chinatown
Part food event, part summer party, Chinatown Summer Nights presents an exciting hot spot for Angelenos on July 16 and Aug. 20. Taste the many culinary offerings of Chinatown and LA’s gourmet food trucks; sample the neighborhood’s wares; watch Chinese chefs perform cooking demonstrations; experience large-scale, outdoor video projections; take part in hands-on, Chinese cultural activities presented by local organizations and museums; sip on craft brews and dance in Central Plaza with KCRW DJs Garth Trinidad and Jeremy Sole. 8 p.m. events.kcrw.com
Summer Concert Series at The Grove
Pair your shopping with concerts from a variety of celebrated musical artists on July 6, 13, 20, 27. Performances include Plain White T’s, Smash Mouth and Cher Lloyd. 7:30 p.m. The Park at The Grove, 89 The Grove Dr., L.A., 323.900.8080. thegrovela.com
FIGat7th Downtown Festival
The FIGat7th outdoor plaza is transformed into an intimate concert venue for six consecutive Friday nights—July 15-Aug. 19—with performances by leading pop, rock, jazz, soul and alternative artists. Past festivals have featured The Internet, Anderson .Paak, KING, Superhumanoids, Soulection, Jose James and The Belle Brigade. 735 S. Figueroa St., downtown, 213.955.7170. figat7th.com
Roaring Nights at the L.A. Zoo
The summer music series features live music, food truck fare, full-service bars, life-size Jenga, animal encounters, zoo talks and special exhibit, Dinosaurs: Unextinct at the L.A. Zoo. Continues July 29 (Country Night), Aug. 26 (indie rock night) and Sept. 16 (‘80s tribute to David Bowie and Prince). 5333 Zoo Drive, L.A., 323.644.6001. lazoo.org/roaringnights
Levitt Pavilion Downtown Los Angeles
Set among the sprawling grasses and fountains of McArthur Park in downtown Los Angeles, you can stop by for five weekly concerts on weekends through Sept. 3. Highlights of the summer series include Sin Verguenza, Silk Road, Rocky Dawuni and more. Macarthur Park, 2230 W. 6th St., downtown. levittla.org