Nothing screams summer quite like an evening spent screaming the lyrics to your favorite song. Although there’s certainly something to be said about singing alone in the car, watching a live performance in a crowd of fellow fans is nothing short of a cathartic experience. Luckily, Los Angeles is a mecca of live music that is sure to have something for everyone.
To start planning your ideal concert experience, here is some of July’s concert lineup in LA. Keep in mind this is far from an exhaustive list; if none of the following are quite right for you, feel free to check here to find exactly what you’re looking for.
Bebe Rexha – July 1 – The Wiltern
Fall Out Boy – July 2 & 3 – BMO Stadium
Ruel – July 7 – Shrine Expo Hall
Charlie Puth – July 11 – Greek Theatre
Claire Rosinkranz – July 11 & 12 – El Rey Theatre
Don Toliver – July 12 – YouTube Theater
Mac DeMarco – July 14, 15 & 16 – The Ford
Cavetown – July 19 & 20 – The Belasco & Greek Theatre
Paramore – July 19 & 20 – Kia Forum
Morgan Wallen – July 22 – SoFi Stadium
Now that you’ve decided which concert(s) you’d like to attend, here are a few important things to consider.
1. When to arrive
Knowing what time to show up to a concert can be difficult, especially because there are so many variables to consider. The first thing you should do is check not only what time the concert is set to begin, but also what time the venue’s doors will open. For concerts with general admission, fans may camp out for many hours just to be the first in line and ensure they get a good spot in the crowd. If you’re aiming to be front and center, it’s probably a good idea to line up at least an hour or two before doors open. However, if you just want to enjoy the music and don’t necessarily need a spectacular view, or if you have assigned seats, getting to the venue about half an hour before the start time should be sufficient. Of course, you should always account for things like traffic — venue parking lots are typically very packed — buying merchandise, taking photos and mingling with other fans.
2. What to wear
Concerts are a great opportunity to wear your best outfits — after all, you want to look your very best in case your favorite artist sees you, right? But even if you’re stuck in the nosebleeds without a chance of catching their eye, the perfect concert outfit will definitely have you feeling in your element. Depending on the artist and their music, certain concerts will have a theme, or perhaps even a color scheme, to which many attendees can attune their outfits. Regardless, the most important thing is that you’re comfortable and confident in what you’re wearing. The summer heat is often intensified by the crowds of people at concerts, so you may want to keep that in mind as you plan what to wear.
3. What to bring
As exciting as concerts can be, it’s important to be prepared to maximize your experience’s enjoyment. Before the concert, make sure to check the venue’s guidelines regarding what will and won’t be allowed in. Generally, some essentials you won’t want to forget are your wallet and ID, a bottle of water if you’ll be waiting in line, a portable phone charger and earplugs if you’re sensitive to loud noises. If your phone storage is limited, it’s also worth taking some time to go through and clear out your camera roll or apps if you plan to take lots of photos and videos of the concert.
Now that you know everything you need to prepare, get to planning your summer concert(s)!
