Summer 2021 in the City of Angels means lots of outdoor music concerts – and a few inside, too, where masks are once again required and vaccines encouraged. Seems the pandemic is still here in SoCal, but so are live shows — so let’s (a) be safe and (b) make the most of it.
Time to pack your coolers (at least for the Hollywood Bowl), put on your dancing shoes, and hit as many as you possibly can, to make up for all that lost time.
Here’s the 21 best beats happening in Los Angeles this summer:
Because this child prodigy can still seriously shred the blues
Joe Bonamassa, August 1, The Greek Theatre
Because like father, like son – and tokin’ that bowl is legal at the Bowl (in smoking areas only)
Reggae Night XIX with Ziggy Marley, Wailing Souls, August 1, Hollywood Bowl
Because who isn’t into Mariachi-Reggaeton right now?
Grupo Firme, August 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, Staples Center
Because SHE has an Oscar, and now a full orchestra, too
H.E.R. with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, August 13 & 14, Hollywood Bowl
Because you never know if Drake and Nicki Minaj might show up
Lil Wayne, Young Money and Friends Uproar Hip-Hop Festival, August 13, Los Angeles Coliseum
Because we’ve gotta see if the young guitar gunslinger can shoot it out against the old guns
Guns N’ Roses and Wolfgang Van Halen’s Mammoth WVH (his debut tour), August 19, Banc of California Stadium
Because every female you know loves “Woman, Amen”
Dierks Bentley, August 20, FivePoint Amphitheatre
Because Tex-Mex rock and rockabilly never get old; only the musicians do
Los Lobos and The Mavericks, August 21, The Greek Theatre
Because it’s still a good thing that this musical giant decided to get back out of bed
Brian Wilson with Al Jardine and Blondie Chapman, August 29, Long Beach Terrace Theater
Because being a Robinson brother means never having to say you’re sorry
The Black Crowes, August 19, The Forum
Because they’re “not dead yet” (said in a “Holy Grail” accent)
Megadeth and Lamb of God, September 1; KISS, September 9, FivePoint Amphitheatre
Because their daddies taught them so well
The Allman-Betts Band, September 2, Regent Theater DTLA
Because emo bands never go out of fashion
Green Day with Fall Out Boy and Weezer, September 3, Dodger Stadium
Because polka dots and blues are a perfect concert combo
Buddy Guy and Ally Venable, September 5, Saban Theater
Because the night will include some Prince songs played by the pros
Funk N The Greek with Morris Day & The Time and Cameo with special guests S.O.S. Band, The Bar-Kays, The Original Lakeside, Club Nouveau, Yarborough & Peoples, September 11, The Greek Theatre
Because celebrating 30 years in 2021 looks good on them
The Dave Matthews Band, September 10 & 11, FivePoint Amphitheatre
Because it’s SMOKEY
Smokey Robinson, September 18, The Greek Theatre
Because being an EGOT deserves mad respect
John Legend with The War and Treaty, September 21 & 22, The Greek Theatre
Because being PKs never held these guys back
Kings of Leon, September 21, The Forum
Because bald men know where it’s at, in any musical genre
Pitbull, September 24, FivePoint Amphitheatre
Because having 23 number-one country songs ain’t too shabby
Jason Aldean, September 25, FivePoint Amphitheatre
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