Drenched in California sunshine, Los Angeles is one of the world’s most alluring cities, surrounded by endless stretches of sand and home to Hollywood, the United States’ central film industry hub.
Striking architectural landmarks include the Walt Disney Concert Hall, designed by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, and the legendary Hollywood Bowl cluster in the Los Angeles area. Meanwhile, the mansions of the rich and famous are hidden in the Hollywood Hills above.
Los Angeles has long been a center for the entertainment industry, with an outstanding live music scene, world-class studios, and some of the nation’s best producers based here. As the music center of the world, it has some of the best live music venues showcasing emerging artists across genres from hip-hop to indie rock.
If you're planning to organize a concert in Los Angeles, you'll find plenty of venue options to choose from, from smaller venues like bars and studios to larger spaces like warehouses and theaters.
As a hub for hip-hop, rock, and pop music, Los Angeles boasts no shortage of live music venues, be it a cutting-edge club with a free-standing room or an outdoor amphitheatre. In addition to classic options such as theaters, event halls, and bars where bands can play, you can also get creative by hosting concerts in private residences and film studios.
Homes
Home to sprawling mansions in a diverse range of architectural styles, it’s easy to find a private residence concert venue in Los Angeles. You can hold open-air parties next to the property’s pool or plan a more intimate concert in period-furnished drawing rooms.
Film studios
A purpose-built film studio is ideal for hosting music video shoots or recreating the live music experience on film. Los Angeles has plenty of options, with many offering wrap-around black curtains, lighting grids, and soundproofing to help you get the job done.
Event halls
Designed with concerts and large-scale gatherings in mind, event halls are a convenient option for hosting live music in Los Angeles. Select from opulent ballrooms or pillared church halls, as well as school gymnasiums.
Theaters
Equipped with all the sound and lighting production gear you need, theaters are an obvious choice for a concert in Los Angeles. In addition to serving as perfect music venues, these vintage-style classics with plush red seats are also suitable for film screenings. You can also find intimate studios and contemporary theaters with state-of-the-art facilities.
Bars/Clubs
People frequently go to bars or clubs to hear their favorite band play. In Los Angeles, these spaces are equipped to be easily transformed into live music venues and can be rented for private concerts on request. From 1920s New York-style dens reminiscent of Frank Sinatra's era to contemporary spaces where fans of Lana Del Rey might dance the night away, you can find a concert venue that suits your desired aesthetic. Many come equipped with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, LED screens, and fully-staffed bars, as well as dressing rooms behind the scenes, giving fans a Broadway-like experience.
With iconic live music venues such as the Troubadour in West Hollywood, where Bon Iver has performed, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which regularly hosts the LA Philharmonic, it’s no surprise that some of the world’s biggest stars have performed in Los Angeles.
Elton John
"Rocket Man" made his U.S. debut at the Troubadour in 1970 and has since performed countless times in Los Angeles. His Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, with tickets quickly sold out, hit the Staples Center in January 2019, marking the end of an era for one of pop culture’s most legendary performers.
The Beatles
The Fab Four performed at the Hollywood Bowl in August 1964 and August 1965, with the live recordings from these concerts compiled to create “The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl” album. Their penultimate live concert was also in Echo Park at Dodger Stadium, the day before their final show at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in 1966.
The Flaming Lips
In 2011, the American rock band The Flaming Lips played a two-night show at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where some of the industry’s most famous names are laid to rest. In addition to live music events, the cemetery also hosts film nights, with the movies projected onto the white marble wall of the Cathedral Mausoleum.
While the pros of having concerts in Los Angeles outweigh the cons for most event organizers, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Energized audiences
With its large population and reputation as a creative hub, you’re always guaranteed to have fans willing to buy tickets for live music concerts.
Diversity of venues
Los Angeles is second to none when it comes to the variety of available concert venues, ranging from hole-in-the-wall bars in the South Park neighborhood to sprawling outdoor venues in Griffith Park.
Outstanding music producers
If you need a music producer to assist in hosting your event, you have some of the world’s best on your doorstep in LA.
Experienced crew
From sound engineers to DJs and stagehands, LA has an abundance of experienced crew members to ensure your event goes off without a hitch.
Favorable weather
LA's beautiful weather means you’re unlikely to get rained out when performing in an outdoor live music venue, and concert-goers are less likely to make the excuse that it’s too cold and wet to go out at night.
High costs of living
Los Angeles is one of the most expensive places to live in the United States, with housing more than 125% higher than the national average.
High costs of location fees
Fees for live music venues may also be higher in LA when compared to other cities in the United States.
Restricted dates and times
Due to the high demand for live music venues in Los Angeles, your first choice of date and time may not be available for hosting your event.
High permit fees
When scouting for your concert venue in Los Angeles, you need to keep in mind the permit fees that may be required at some locations and can be extremely costly.
Competition
With lots of sporting events and live music concerts in Los Angeles, the bar is set very high when it comes to audience expectations.
The Largo at the Coronet
Opening to audiences in 1989 as a Hungarian cafe, The Largo at the Coronet has gone on to become one of Los Angeles’s most popular seated theaters. It regularly hosts shows that blend music and comedy, with Jack Black’s famous band, Tenacious D, getting their start here.
The Roxy
After premiering the Rocky Horror Picture Show when it first opened, The Roxy has established itself as one of the premiere concert venues in Los Angeles. Names such as Guns N’ Roses, Bruce Springsteen, and Van Morrison have all played here while John Lennon and Alice Cooper were known to hang out in the bar above.
The Fonda
Despite hosting big names such as Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, and the Black Eyed Peas, The Fonda can accommodate just 1,200 people within its theater-style space. It’s renowned for its intimate atmosphere, outstanding acoustics, and great views of the stage, whether you're in the standing general admission area or the seated balcony.
The Million Dollar Theatre
One of Los Angeles's oldest theaters, the Million Dollar opened in 1917 and has been hosting live performances and showing films ever since. The theater's stunning Spanish Colonial Revival architecture also makes it a popular filming location for movies, including Blade Runner and The Artist.