The Best of Los Angeles in 2015: Concerts
Updated on June 24, 2015
Los Angeles welcomes world-famous acts and rising stars for another stellar year of concerts. From spectacular arenas like STAPLES Center to historic Sunset Strip venues and intimate spaces like The Echo & Echoplex, amazing music is being performed in L.A. every night. Following is just a sample of the concerts you can enjoy in L.A. in 2015. For a complete bucket list of this year's must-see events and attractions, check out our guide to the Best of Los Angeles in 2015.
Walt Disney Concert Hall at The Music Center
Walt Disney Concert Hall is an architectural and acoustic marvel that recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. In addition to classical concerts by the acclaimed LA Phil, the stunning Frank Gehry-designed venue welcomes a global lineup of performers such as Hugh Masekela and Vusi Mahasela with Ladysmith Black Mambazo (March 14), Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea (March 21), “Alice’s Restaurant” 50th anniversary with Arlo Guthrie (April 6), Esperanza Spalding (April 26) and Michael McDonald (May 3).
111 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012//} ?>
Staples Center
Located at the spectacular L.A. LIVE entertainment complex in Downtown L.A., STAPLES Center is home to the NBA's Lakers and Clippers, the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings, and hosts world-class performances throughout the year. Highlights of the 2015 season include Barry Manilow (April 14), Bette Midler (May 28), Taylor Swift (Aug. 21-22, 24-26) and The Who celebrating their 50-year legacy of iconic songs (Sept. 21).
1111 S. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015//} ?>
Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural amphitheater in the United States, and is renowned as one of the premier outdoor cultural venues in the world. Following the 37th annual Playboy Jazz Festival (June 13-14-15), the 2015 season officially kicked off June 20 with rock superstars Journey. The season finale on Sunday, Sept. 27 features the one and only Grace Jones. Don’t miss perennial favorites like the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long (June 26), the Fourth of July fireworks spectacular with Smokey Robinson (July 2-4) and the 25th anniversary of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony (Aug. 14-15). Other highlights include Basement Jaxx (June 28), Sinatra’s 100th Birthday Celebration (July 22), Monty Python's Spamalot (July 31 – Aug. 2), Diana Krall (Aug. 28-29), and a Fireworks Finale with the B-52s and the Psychedelic Furs (Sept. 11-13).
2301 N. Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90068//} ?>
The Greek Theatre
The historic Greek Theatre is one of L.A.’s premier outdoor music venues, recently named North America’s Best Small Outdoor Venue for the tenth straight year by Pollstar Magazine. The Greek’s 2015 season kicked off on Friday, April 24 with Damien Rice and continues throughout the summer and fall, concluding on Saturday, Oct. 24 with the annual Halloween concert, Eek! At the Greek! Other highlights of the season include: Little Dragon (May 16); Robert Plant (June 2); Brian Wilson (June 20); Ben Folds (June 27); Willie Nelson (July 18); Culture Club (July 24); Alabama Shakes (Aug. 13); Ben Harper (Sept. 18); and The War On Drugs (Oct. 16).
2700 N. Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027//} ?>
The Wiltern
Originally built in 1931, The Wiltern is located near Koreatown at the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Western Avenue, directly across from the Wilshire/Western station of the Metro Rail Purple Line. The Wiltern and the adjacent 12-story Pellissier Building are considered among the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the country, and have been named to the National Register of Historic Places and declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Two generations of music take the stage when Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga perform together on Feb. 8. The Wiltern is also known for booking alternative and indie acts such as Spandau Ballet (Jan. 24-25), Bush (Jan. 31), Logic (Feb. 12), Billy Idol (Feb. 18-19), Jessie Ware (April 8) and OK Go (May 2).
3790 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90010//} ?>
El Rey Theatre
First opened as a movie house in 1936, the El Rey Theatre was designed by Clifford A. Balch, known for designing over twenty Art Deco movie houses around Southern California. After nearly 50 years as a first run movie theater, the Art Deco gem was converted to a live music venue in 1994. Five decades later, the El Rey was converted to a live music venue, and was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1991. The El Rey continues to book an exciting mix of acclaimed musicians and rising stars, including Bombing the System (Jan. 8), The Wood Brothers (Jan. 14), Rustie (Jan. 16), Jukebox the Ghost (Jan. 31), Alvin Risk (Feb. 6), Meghan Trainor (Feb. 21-22), The Church (Feb. 27), Galactic (March 5) and Gang of Four (March 24).
5515 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036//} ?>
Royce Hall
Built in 1929 as one of UCLA’s first campus structures, the landmark Royce Hall presents a wide-ranging, eclectic lineup for its 2014-15 season. Standout performers include jazz from Gregory Porter (Jan. 17) and Pilc Moutin Hoenig (March 6), world musicians Mluatu Astatke (Feb. 21) and Gilberto Gil (April 18), and contemporary music by Gabriel Kahane (Feb. 27-28) and John Zorn (May 1-2).
330 DeNeve Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90095//} ?>
The Forum
For many years, The Forum was considered one of L.A.'s greatest sports and events venues, home to the "Showtime" Lakers, the Great Gretzky, the "Miracle on Manchester" and countless music concerts. In January 2014, The Forum celebrated its grand reopening with a six-night stand by the Eagles. The Forum continues to book a wide range of top music acts and special events, including Louis C.K. (Jan. 11), Fleetwood Mac (April 10), U2 (May 26-27, 30-31), Hello Kitty’s Supercute Friendship Festival (June 12-14), Foo Fighters (Sept. 21-22) and Janet Jackson (Oct. 16).
3900 W. Manchester Blvd. Inglewood, CA 90305//} ?>