The Guide to Hollywood Music Venues

The Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural amphitheater in the United States and is renowned as one of the world's premier outdoor cultural venues. The Bowl hosts a wide variety of the greatest artists from all genres of music, with Gustavo Dudamel and the acclaimed LA Phil at its core. The iconic stage has welcomed generations of superstar acts, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Prince, Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Lady Gaga and Chance the Rapper. Besides non-LA Phil "Lease Events," seasonal highlights at the Bowl include the Playboy Jazz Festival, July 4th Fireworks Spectacular and John Williams: Maestro of the Movies.

Nestled in a picturesque setting in the Hollywood Hills, the recently renovated Ford Theatres has been one of L.A.'s favorite outdoor music venues since it opened in 1931. From July to October, the Ford hosts a multicultural calendar of events that represent music and dance styles that span the diverse communities of L.A. County. Previous performances in the Artist Partnership Series include Bellydance Evolution, Poncho Sanchez, Brasil 70 with Samba Society, Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet, Philippine folk dancers, and the Angel City Jazz Festival. Ignite @ The Ford! features internationally acclaimed artists like Youssou NDOR, Savion Glover and Rufus Wainwright. On Saturday mornings in July and August, Big World Fun offers family-friendly performances for children ages 4-12.

Known around the world as the home of the Oscars, the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland is renowned as a first class live entertainment venue with state-of-the-art Dolby entertainment technology. Besides the annual Academy Awards, the Dolby Theatre presents year-round events with world-class performances and touring Broadway productions. The 180,000-square-foot, 3,400-seat venue has hosted IRIS by Cirque du Soleil, Alicia Keys, Prince, Celine Dion, Elvis Costello, Barry Manilow, Stevie Wonder, Harry Connick, Jr., Melissa Etheridge, Dixie Chicks, Tyler Perry, and the American Ballet Theatre.

Guided theatre tours are offered seven days a week (with rare production and performance schedule exceptions) from 10:30 am to 4 pm, departing every 30 minutes. The walking tour offers visitors architectural and historical highlights of the world-renowned venue, as well as a behind the scenes glimpse of Hollywood’s biggest night, the Oscars.

Located at Sunset and Cahuenga, Amoeba Music is a mecca for music fans. The massive record store occupies an entire city block and is filled to the rafters with millions of new and used titles on CD, DVD and vinyl. Amoeba is also a critically acclaimed music venue, hosting a wide range of live bands, DJs, and record release parties. The free performances have included the Flaming Lips, Elvis Costello, Black Flag, Los Lobos, Blackalicious, Jurassic 5, The Roots, Terence Blanchard, John Cale, P.J. Harvey, The Melvins, Paul Westerberg, Lucinda Williams, Poncho Sanchez, Ben Harper, Belle & Sebastian, Queens of the Stone Age, DJ Dangermouse and Solomon Burke. In June 2007, Sir Paul McCartney performed a legendary 20-song set for 700 lucky fans, some all the way from Japan. A four-track EP from the show, "Amoeba's Secret" was released on limited edition vinyl and CD. For upcoming shows, check out the Amoeba Music Calendar.

The landmark concert venue on Sunset Boulevard features an 11,200 square-foot dance floor and capacity for 4,000. The Hollywood Palladium opened in 1940 with a dance featuring Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra, with a young Frank Sinatra as vocalist. The Palladium was also the longtime home of The Lawrence Welk Show. Since then, the venue has hosted performances by everyone from the Grateful Dead and Richard Pryor to LCD Soundsystem to Jay-Z, who performed at the Palladium’s reopening after a year-long, multi-million dollar renovation.

If you like music in intimate venues, The Hotel Cafe is the place for you. This Cahuenga Boulevard haunt packs its calendar with a mix of up-and-comers and established artists with an emphasis on singer-songwriters. The main stage is small, but the second stage is so tiny that it feels as if you're watching friends play in their living room. Pro tip: If you want to scout a table, arrive early. Also note that the venue often hosts multiple shows in one night, so check their ticket guidelines beforehand.

Hollywood Forever is renowned as the final resting place for generations of celebrities and hosts the popular Cinespia outdoor movie series and the annual Dia de los Muertos festival. Located on the cemetery grounds, the Masonic Lodge is one of L.A.'s most unique music venues, bringing world class acts into a mid-size space while giving newcomers a larger stage to expand their audiences. The many concert highlights include a secret Depeche Mode "thank you" show in April 2017, Silversun Pickups four-night residency, Yeah Yeah Yeahs vocalist Karen O, Trentemøller, Garbage, Billy Corgan, former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, and Moby. In 2016, synth pop pioneer Gary Numan released "Here in the Black - Live at Hollywood Forever Cemetery," a live CD/DVD collection recorded over two shows at the Masonic Lodge during his 2013 Splinter World Tour. For upcoming shows, visit the Hollywood Forever calendar.

Part of the Houston Hospitality collection of bars, Harvard & Stone is located on Holywood Boulevard in the heart of Thai Town. The World War II themed venue features live music, DJs and a hidden R&D cocktail bar in the back with rotating guest bartenders. The eclectic music calendar includes Honky Tonk Sundays featuring Johnny Travis, Jr. and The Delta Dawns; the H&S House Band on Saturdays; and special performances like a solo set by Tame Impala bassist Cam Avery; punk rock trio Mike Watt and the Secondmen; Lou Barlow of Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh; and Hawkwind co-founder Nik Turner. No cover, 21 and over.