The Echo and its connected downstairs venue, the Echoplex, in Echo Park is one of my favorite venues to see local bands or up-and-coming acts who are making their debut. One of my favorite shows at The Echo was a free residency show by Rainbow Arabia with a special surprise guest as the opener, Australia's Tame Impala! Tame Impala made their Los Angeles debut at this small 350-capacity venue before their sold-out show at the Silverlake Lounge the next night. The slightly larger 700-capacity Echoplex is no stranger to amazing shows either. I saw Crystal Castles here for the first time when the band opened for The Presets, and both acts have since moved on to sell out much larger venues in Los Angeles. Other memorable shows at the Echo and Echoplex include Incubus, Thom Yorke performing solo, and one of Nine Inch Nails' final shows. If you’re hungry, both venues offer in-venue service from New York-style pizzeria Two Boots!

Nestled in the heart of Griffith Park, the Greek Theatre is right off of Los Feliz Blvd. Parking next to the venue is stacked, so I don't mind parking far away for free and walking up the hill. The famous Pink's Hot Dogs is one of the food concession stands, so you can try the hot dog here rather than wait in the long line at the Hollywood location. My favorite Greek Theatre moment was when I scored last-minute pit tickets to Phoenix’s 2009 show, and I gave lead singer Thomas Mars a big hug during the encore.

My summer concert season always includes an evening at the Hollywood Bowl. With the iconic shell over the stage, the Hollywood sign in the background, and the ability to bring your own food and drinks, this venue is a must for anyone visiting Los Angeles. Whether it’s cheap bench seats in the back or a box seat up front, it is always a good time. For a lot of bands, performing at the Hollywood Bowl is a dream come true, and musicians often mention how overwhelmed they are by the experience. When I saw Adele at the Hollywood Bowl in 2009, she called her mother on a cell phone to express her excitement.

You are in for a special treat when seeing a show at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, one of Los Angeles's most unique music venues. In 2009, I spent the night at Hollywood Forever Cemetery to watch Bon Iver perform at sunrise at Fairbanks Lawn, the outdoor portion of the cemetery. Since then, I have seen The Flaming Lips, Sigur Ros, The XX, and many more. The indoor 150-capacity Masonic Lodge also holds a special place in my heart. If you have the chance to see a show at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, don't turn it down.

When this venue first opened in 1995, Beck, The Foo Fighters, and Possum Dixon were among the acts booked here. Initially called Spaceland, The Satellite is a great spot to catch live music at an intimate venue. You never know which new act or local favorite will perform here, such as when Local Natives had a "secret" show. I'll never forget seeing Le Butcherettes play their first U.S. headlining show and becoming a big fan of theirs. It didn't surprise me when I turned around and saw Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Omar Rodriguez-Lopez of The Mars Volta also at the show. Established musicians are often seen here enjoying the music.

A fan favorite in Los Angeles’s westside, The Troubadour is a historic venue that borders West Hollywood and Beverly Hills. A wide variety of marquee artists have performed at this intimate venue, ranging from Cheech & Chong and Guns N' Roses to Elton John and Randy Newman. Year after year, the Troubadour books up-and-coming acts that I love. One of the best shows at this intimate, 500-capacity venue was by one of my favorite new acts, Two Door Cinema Club. I even suffered a bike accident once on my way to the venue, breaking my clavicle but sucking it up to see Los Campesinos! In addition to the venue’s great sound, I love the food, the cheap parking across the street, and the bleachers upstairs on those nights when I don’t want to stand.

A landmark music venue that opened in 2003, the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall has the best sound of any venue, and in addition to the usual orchestra music, sometimes you can catch a rock show here. One of my favorite concerts was by Ryan Adams, whose personal show felt even warmer within the confines of this venue. Pro tip: Instead of waiting in line, pay for your drinks before the show starts (cash only), so they're waiting for you at intermission!

Named after the intersection it's on (Wilshire and Western), the Wiltern is a venue with a mix of aesthetic beauty in architecture and sound. Located in Mid-City and adjacent to Koreatown, the Wiltern is conveniently located near a Purple Line Metro station. Parking isn't a problem here, but taking the Metro will help you avoid traffic. If you get to the Wiltern early enough, you can trade your general admission ticket for a pit wristband, which allows you to come and go as you please. This came in handy when I bought a ticket to the 3rd Annual Shortlist Music Awards ceremony, which featured the Black Keys, Bright Eyes, Cat Power, Interpol, Damien Rice, and The Streets. After hours of live musical nirvana, I occasionally stepped out for some fresh air, but I was able to come back and take in more. A variety of acts are booked at this venue, so keep an eye out to see if your favorite band is scheduled to perform here.