LA WeeklyYou already know how damn expensive it is to live in L.A.
But even if you're broke, you can still see plenty of compelling live music. Which is why, below, we've compiled more than four full months of free concerts for you to check out.
Info on the specific venues can be found at the bottom of the post, and this list will be updated as more announcements come in, so check back!
Be sure to check out our constantly updated concert calendar!
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Friday, May 23
Amoeba Music Hollywood: Rotations: Geneva Jacuzzi
Jazz at LACMA: Azar Lawrence Quintet
Saturday, May 24
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Johnny Polanco
Wednesday, May 28
Amoeba Music Hollywood: Peanut Butter Wolf
Friday, May 30
Amoeba Music Hollywood: Rotations: Jessepeleta
Jazz at LACMA – Judy Wexler
LA Farmers Market: Slim Jim Phantom Trio
Saturday, May 31
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Soul Sauce
Sunday, June 1
Lummis Day Festival
Amoeba Music Hollywood: Sunday Spins: Miles Michaud
Concerts on the Green: DSB, A Tribute to Journey
Monday, June 2
JAM Sessions at the Ford: African Dance and Drum
Tuesday, June 3
Amoeba Music Hollywood: Bob Mould
Thursday, June 5
Amoeba Music Hollywood: Cut Chemist
LA Farmers Market: Nina Fetter & the Feds
Friday, June 6
Jazz at LACMA: Grace Kelly Quintet
LA Farmers Market: Hound Dog Dave & the Mel-tones
Saturday, June 7
Make Music Pasadena
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Airto Moreira with Eyedentity
KCRW Summer Nights (One Colorado): Lo-Fang, KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox
Sunday, June 8
Concerts on the Green: World Beat Keynote Maestro, Freddie Ravel & Friends
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Ozomatli
Thursday, June 12
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Dublab: Angel City All-Stars Brass Band & Zoom B
LA Farmers Market: Otis Hayes Quartet
Friday, June 13
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): KiT
Jazz at LACMA: Ernie Watts Quartet
Grand Performances: Sherlock Jr.: with live improvised soundtrack from The Magnetix
LA Farmers Market: Big Lucky
Saturday, June 14
Make Music Downey
Santa Monica Festival
Latin Sounds at LACMA: The Echo Park Project
KCRW Summer Nights (Chinatown Central Plaza): KCRW DJs Travis Holocombe and Mario Cotto
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Mariachi Divas
Grand Performances: I Am Big Bird
Sunday, June 15
Concerts on the Green: Which One's Pink, A Tribute to the Music of Pink Floyd
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Bob Baker Marionettes
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Barbara Morrison
Monday, June 16
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Japanese Folk Dance
Wednesday, June 18
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Pasadena Symphony
Thursday, June 19
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): The Delirians, Dub 8 & LA Collective
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Dublab: The Album Leaf & Bell Gardens
LA Farmers Market: Elliot Caine Quintet
Friday, June 20
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Incendio
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Marley's Ghost
Jazz at LACMA: Nick Mancini Collective
KCRW Summer Nights/ Grand Performances: Angélique Kidjo
LA Farmers Market: Upstream Caribbean Band
Saturday, June 21
Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Museum: Kuenta i Tambú
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Esther Segovia “La Gotan”
KCRW Summer Nights: Kan Wakan, KCRW DJ Marion Hodges
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Afro Funké
Grand Performances: Panoptica Orchestra, Federico Aubele
Sunday, June 22
Concerts on the Green: 10,000 Maniacs
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Funky Punks
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Lao Tizer
Monday, June 23
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Samba
Wednesday, June 25
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Funky Punks
Thursday, June 26
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Very be Careful
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Janiva Magness
LA Farmers Market: Chuck Wansley After Hours
Friday, June 27
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Dub Club Presents: The Tamlins & Arise Roots
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Playing for Change
Jazz at LACMA: Sara Gazarek
Grand Performances: Movie Music Magic with Alan Chapman, Karen Benjamin, and Friends
LA Farmers Market: Merle Jagger
Saturday, June 28
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Jose Rizo's Mongorama
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Playing for Change
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Pistolera
Downtown Long Beach Summer and Music (S.A.M): Dancin' in the Streets
KCRW Summer Nights/ Grand Performances: Double G's daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra
Sunday, June 29
Concerts on the Green: Ticket to Ride, A Beatles Tribute
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Moona Luna
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Kenny Burrell Big Band
Grand Performances: COLA: Jen Hofer and Gabriel Spera
Monday, June 30
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Tap Dance
July dates on next the page…
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See July 10: De Lux; Credit: Photo by Nick Walker
Tuesday, July 1
Hollywood & Highland Wine and Jazz: Pete Escovedo Latin Jazz Orchestra
Wednesday, July 2
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Rhythm Child
Thursday, July 3
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Dub Club Presents: Peaking Lights & Pharoahs
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): The Duhks
LA Farmers Market: Ron Kobayashi Trio w/ Andrea Miller
Friday, July 4
Annual Vision Outside 4th of July Jazz and Blues Festival
Concerts on the Green: July 4th Fireworks Extravaganza
Jazz at LACMA: Rickey Woodard Sextet
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Night Train Music Club
Saturday, July 5
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Louie Cruz Beltran
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series (TBA)
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Vaud & the Villains
Grand Performances: Stones Throw Picnic
Sunday, July 6
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): The Party Animals
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Billy Mitchell & Friends
Monday, July 7
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Son Jarocho Music and Dance
Tuesday, July 8
Hollywood & Highland Wine and Jazz: Brian Auger's Oblivion Express
Wednesday, July 9
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Greaseland
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): The Party Animals
Thursday, July 10
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier: Indie Pop: Cults, James Supercave
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Inxs-ive
KCRW Summer Nights (Hammer Museum): De Lux, KCRW DJ Mathieu Schreyer
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Richard Thompson
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Cecilia Noel
Grand Performances: Soul Food: A Journey From the Motherland to the Southland
LA Farmers Market: California Feetwarmers
Friday, July 11
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): CAP/CalArts Night
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): BMI Summer Nights: David Garza
Jazz at LACMA: Grant Geissman & the Bop! Bang! Boom! Band
KCRW Summer Nights/ Grand Performances: The Spirit of Cesária
LA Farmers Market: Reason Be
Saturday, July 12
Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Museum: Chicano Batman
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Bobby Rodriguez LatinJazz
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: The Orchestra, Who's Your Daddy
KCRW Summer Nights (Chinatown Central Plaza): KCRW DJs Jason Bentley and Liza Richardson
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Whiskey Shivers
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Carlos Nuñez
KCRW Summer Nights/ Grand Performances: Adventures from Paradise: A Tribute to Minnie Riperton
Sunday, July 13
Concerts on the Green: Ring of Fire, A Tribute to Johnny Cash
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Rhythm Child
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Dr. Bobby Rodriguez Latin Jazz
Monday, July 14
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Lindy Hop
Tuesday, July 15
Hollywood & Highland Wine and Jazz: Jose Rizo's Mongorama
Wednesday, July 16
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Chris Latzero
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Lythgoe Family Productions: Princess & Pirate
Thursday, July 17
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier: Heavenly Voices: Yuna, King
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Aeromyth
KCRW Summer Nights (Hammer Museum): Alex Ebert & crash, KCRW DJ Liza Richardson
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Loudon Wainwright lll
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Dublab: Kamasi Washington & Teebs Band
LA Farmers Market: The Jazz Mikan Trio featuring Philip Tauber
Friday, July 18
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Buyepongo
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Johnny Tillotson & Bryan Hyland
Jazz at LACMA: Henry “Skipper” Franklin Quintet
KCRW Summer Nights/ Grand Performances: Chop and Quench
LA Farmers Market: Orquestra Charangoa
Saturday, July 19
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Orquesta Charangoa
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Dead Sear, Tonic
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Moshav
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Jimmy LaFave
Grand Performances: Quetzal 20th Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, July 20
Concerts on the Green: The Music of ABBA-Arrival from Sweden
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Youth Talent Night
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Open Hands
Downtown Long Beach Summer and Music (S.A.M): Twisted at the Pike
Monday, July 21
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Drum Circle
Tuesday, July 22
Hollywood & Highland Wine and Jazz: Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
Wednesday, July 23
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Jazzdelics
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Kiddle Karoo
Thursday, July 24
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier: PCH Top Down Sounds: Cayucas, Papa
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Mighty Cash Cats
KCRW Summer Nights (Hammer Museum): Rocky Dawuini, KCRW DJ Jeremy Sole
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): EarthRise SoundSystem
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Richard Bernard's Oy! Stars
Grand Performances: Roger Guenveur Smith's Rodney King
LA Farmers Market: Jennifer York Quartet
Skirball Cultural Center: Noura Mint Seymali
Friday, July 25
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): BMI Summer Nights: Nina Diaz
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): David Lindley
Jazz at LACMA: Sunnie Paxson Trio with Vocalist Cynthia Calhoun
Grand Performances: Roger Guenveur Smith's Rodney King
Grand Performances: Vardan Ovsepian Chamber Ensemble
LA Farmers Market: The Four Fabs – A Tribute to the Beatles
Saturday, July 26
Central Avenue Jazz Festival
Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Museum: Caught a Ghost
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Grupo Falso Baiano
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: When In Rome, Missing Persons, Information Society
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Radiotron
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): The Four Preps
Grand Performances: Roger Guenveur Smith's Rodney King
Sunday, July 27
Central Avenue Jazz Festival
Concerts on the Green: The Long Run, Experience The Eagles
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Kiddle Karoo
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Pete Escovedo
Grand Performances: WR & Daisy
Monday, July 28
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Bollywood
Tuesday, July 29
Hollywood & Highland Wine and Jazz: Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band
Wednesday, July 30
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Crowd Theory
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Steve Songs
Thursday, July 31
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier: Syrian Electro Style: Omar Souleyman
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Pyromania
KCRW Summer Nights (Hammer Museum): DJ Marques Wyatt, DJ Doc Martin, KCRW DJ Raul Campos
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Upground
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Upstream
LA Farmers Market: Bill Watrous with Rob Stoneback
Skirball Cultural Center: Conjunto Chappotín y Sus Estrellas
August dates on next the page…
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See August 16: Eagle Rock Gospel Singers; Credit: Photo courtesy of the artist
Friday, August 1
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Luz Roja de San Marcos & Sonora Santanera
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Dustbowl Revival
Jazz at LACMA: John Daversa Small Band
Grand Performances: Les Triplettes de Belleville
LA Farmers Market: Inca
Saturday, August 2
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Kotolán
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Survivor, Lou Gramm
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Benny y sus Tropicales & Chavos de la Cumbia
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Laith Al-Saadi
Downtown Long Beach Summer and Music (S.A.M): Bicycle Drive-In
KCRW Summer Nights/ Grand Performances: People Get Ready: A Soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement
Sunday, August 3
Concerts on the Green: Hollywood U2
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): José-Luis Orozco & Friends
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Scott Healy
Jazz on the Lawn
Monday, August 4
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Chicago Style Stepping
Wednesday, August 6
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Star 80's
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Bob Baker Marionettes
Thursday, August 7
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier: Australia Rocks the Pier: Jagwar Ma
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Red Not Chili Peppers
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Dublab Presents: Myron & E. & Wondem Band
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Echocell
LA Farmers Market: Sydney Weisman & The Wayne Peet Trio
Skirball Cultural Center: The Haden Triplets
Friday, August 8
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): KPOP Night: Mike B.
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): BMI Summer Nights: Ceci Bastida
Grand Performances: DJ Nu-Mark
Jazz at LACMA: Kamasi Washington and the Next Step
KCRW Summer Nights/ Grand Performances: Los Dos Marks
LA Farmers Market: Blue Hawaiians
Saturday, August 9
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Daniel Tatita Marquez
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Stan Ridgeway, The English Beat
KCRW Summer Nights (Chinatown Central Plaza): KCRW DJs Raul Campos and Anthony Valdez
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Boca de Rio
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Mariachi Divas
Grand Performances: Mas Out There
Sunday, August 10
Concerts on the Green: Queen Nation, Tribute to Queen
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Lucky Diaz & the Family Jam Band
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Hot Club of Detriot
Jazz on the Lawn
Monday, August 11
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Middle Eastern Dance
Wednesday, August 13
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Shakey Pete and the Faultlines
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Lucky Diaz & the Family Jam Band
Thursday, August 14
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier: Latin Waves: La Santa Cecilia, Sergio Mendoza
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: Born Jovi
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Dublab: Dwight Trible Ensemble & SK Kakraba
LA Farmers Market: John Daversa Small Band with Katisse
Skirball Cultural Center: Flaco Jiménez and Max Baca & Los Texmaniacs
Friday, August 15
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): BMI Summer Nights: Master Blaster Sound System
Blame Sally
Jazz at LACMA: Katisse
Grand Performances: Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate, Vikesh Kapoor
LA Farmers Market: Susie Hansen Latin Band
Saturday, August 16
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Scott Martin Latin-Soul Band
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series: The Original Wailers, Dread Zeppelin
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Beatles Retrospective with the Omega String Quartet
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
Grand Performances: Miner, Eagle Rock Gospel Singers
Sunday, August 17
Concerts on the Green: Poncho Sanchez
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Silk Road ll
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Richard Smith
Grand Performances: Sock Puppet Sitcom Theater's Jack and the Beanstalk
Jazz on the Lawn
Monday, August 18
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Tango Dance
Wednesday, August 20
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Birdies' Playhouse
Thursday, August 21
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier: The Zombies, Mystic Braves
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Cambalache
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Omega String Quartet/ Classic Rock
LA Farmers Market: Cow Bop
Skirball Cultural Center: Yiddish Tango Club
Friday, August 22
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Young Dubliners
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): Brothers Joscephus & the Love Revolution
Jazz at LACMA: Phil Ranelin Sextet
Grand Performances: Cornerstone Theater Company's California: The Tempest
LA Farmers Market: Dorian Holley World Beat Soul
Saturday, August 23
Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Museum: BADBADNOTGOOD
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Changüí del Guaso
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Rocky Dawuni
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena): John Fullbright
Grand Performances: Cornerstone Theater Company's California: The Tempest
Sunday, August 24
Concerts on the Green: The Al McKay Allstars performing the music of Earth, Wind & Fire
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Birdie's Playhouse
Jazz on the Lawn
Monday, August 25
JAM Sessions at the Ford: Klezmer Music and Dance
Thursday, August 28
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier: Deep Reggae: Lee “Scratch” Perry, Mexico 68
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): La Resistencia: CD Release
LA Farmers Market: Don Peake Jazz Quartet with Scarlet Rivera
Skirball Cultural Center: Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys
Friday, August 29
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park): Quetzal
Jazz at LACMA: Janis Mann
LA Farmers Market: Katia Moraes Brazilian Sounds
Saturday, August 30
Latin Sounds at LACMA: Ricardo Lemvo
September dates on the next page…
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See September 6: Yuna Zarai; Credit: Photo by Ryan Orange
Thursday, September 4
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier (TBA)
Friday, September 5
KCRW Summer Nights/ Grand Performances: DakhaBrakha, Carmen Rizzo
Jazz at LACMA: L.A. Jazz Treasure Award: Ernie Andrews
Saturday, September 6
Downtown Long Beach Summer and Music (S.A.M): Buskerfest
KCRW Summer Nights/ Grand Performances: Yuna
Sunday, September 7
Grand Performances: Conjunto Los Pochos y Friends
Thursday, September 11
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier: 100% Soul: Charles Bradley, King James & the Special Men
Friday, September 12
Grand Performances: India Jazz Suites: Fastest Feet in Rhythm
Jazz at LACMA: Dale Fielder Quartet
Saturday, September 13
Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Museum: Kan Wakan
Grand Performances: Rosanna Gamson, WIFE, Sheetal Gandhi
Friday, September 19
Jazz at LACMA: Angel City Jazz Festival with Roberto Miranda Band
Friday, September 26
Jazz at LACMA: Kathleen Grace
Saturday, September 27
33rd Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival
Sunday, September 28
Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival
More information on the venues here:
KCRW Summer Nights
Levitt Pavilion (MacArthur Park)
Levitt Pavilion (Pasadena)
Grand Performances at California Plaza
Pershing Square Summer Concert Series
Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier
Downtown Long Beach Summer and Music (S.A.M)
Concerts on the Green
JAM Sessions at the Ford Ampitheatre
Jazz at LACMA
Latin Sounds at LACMA
Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Museum
Amoeba Music Hollywood
LA Farmers Market Summer Music
Skirball Cultural Center
Hollywood & Highland Wine and Jazz
Be sure to check out our constantly updated concert calendar!
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Editor's note: This story was edited after publication to change a few inaccurate listings. We regret the errors.
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