LA’s Best Outdoor Venues for Live music
When it comes to live music there are so many great music venues in the city of Angels. I especially love the open air theaters. The weather in LA is always fantastic, and there is nothing better than a breezy summer/spring night of live music. ETG has put together the Best Outdoor Music Venues to visit. If you are visiting Los Angeles, be sure to enjoy a show at one or all of these outstanding theaters.
ETG’s picks: best Outdoor Music Venues in LA
Hollywood Bowl
With a seating capacity of approximately 17,500, the Hollywood Bowl is LA’s most iconic outdoor amphitheater. Attending a show under the stars at the Hollywood Bowl is like being at a huge outdoor party. It’s a happening, a full community experience. Attendees bring their own food and drinks (including alcohol) for many all the house shows. Just be aware this is no applicable to NON House shows (presented by LiveNation). If you prefer the convenience of just buying your meals on site, the Bowl has a full selection of amazing options plus a small store. Moreover, there are expansive areas to sit and eat along the path up to the entry and inside. Lots of people arrive early to enjoy some time with friends old and new before the show.
History of the Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl opened in 1922 in a beautiful natural setting in the Hollywood Hills. It covers the large stage which easily accommodates the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra. The engineering firm of Elliot, Bowen, and Waltz, designed the venue.Allied Architects built the 55-ton shell mounted on rails. Thus the tractors allow for movement. Then in 2004, the Bowl replace the gracefully curved structure to improve acoustics to create a better presentation.
The Bowl added an elaborate LED lighting system to highlight the new structure. This gives stage designers incredible control over the visual atmosphere throughout each performance. Upgrades to the sound system, as well as large scale high definition video monitors, make it easy to enjoy the performances from most seats. On top of all this, the Hollywood Bowl has a long-standing relationship with Pyro Spectaculars by Souza to produces their firework shows.
The Hollywood Bowl hosts a diverse range of performances, including classical music, jazz, rock, pop, and world music. The venue has a fascinating history well worth exploring. The Beatles, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday are just a few of the noteworthy legends who have graced the Hollywood Bowl stage. The venue serves as the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Its rich history, top-notch acts and cultural significance make it a favorite destination for locals and visitors. The Bowl is hub for live music and entertainment in LA. Look into the shuttle bus network as a way to get there from various locations around the city. Traffic and parking can be a challenge if you don’t arrive early.
The Greek Theatre
With a seating capacity of approximately 5,900 the Greek Theatre is a cherished open-air amphitheater in Los Angeles. Affectionately known as the Greek, It was built in 1929 and is located in Griffith Park. It’s Greek Revival design will not likely take your breath away, but the setting probably will. It is located just down the road from the Griffith Park Observatory and is surrounded by wilderness. In fact, you may want to visit the observatory and take a hike during the day before your show starts. The venue was a project of Griffith J. Griffith, who envisioned the theater as part of the larger park.
The list of performers who have played this venue is extensive. Frank Sinatra, Sir Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Adele and Carlos Santana are just a few. Elvis Presley had one of his first Los Angeles concerts at the Greek Theater in 1950. While the City of Los Angeles owns the venue, throughout the years it has been managed by various firms. The Greek is known for its relatively intimate atmosphere, exceptional acoustics and top-notch performers.
The Greek Theatre’s History
The history of the Greek Theatre is profound. It dates back to 1882, when Colonel Griffith J. Griffith came to America from South Wales seeking fortune in gold mining. Colonel Griffith settled in Los Angeles and purchased the Los Feliz Rancho. He donated this land to the City of Los Angeles in 1896. This three thousand acre gift to the residents of Los Angeles was expressly intended to provide an eternal place of public recreation and rest for the masses.
For 16 years, the dedicated land remained in its natural state – a grand public park and symbol of open recreational space. In 1919, Colonel Griffith’s will left instructions setting up a trust fund of $1,000,000 for the construction of a world-class observatory and a theater. Griffith’s vision was to provide the residents of Los Angeles with a permanent place to enjoy public space as well as the best entertainment in the world.
The Greek has indeed fulfilled the entertainment part of his goal. ETG highly recommends attending a live music event at the Greek Theatre for an unforgettable night under the stars. It’s a popular venue, so arrive early. Expect some traffic getting in and out, and just go with the flow. If you’re not in a rush to get anywhere after the show, consider a stop at the House of Pies. The Greek Theatre, 2700 N Vermont Ave., LA, 90027; https://www.lagreektheatre.com
The Ford amphitheater
Located just across the 101 freeway from the Hollywood Bowl, the Ford is one of ETG’s favorite outdoor music venues. The acts tend to be less mainstream and more culturally significant. Nestled in the Hollywood Hill and surrounded by lush greenery, the Ford has a vibe all its own. With a seating capacity of only 1,200, it fosters a close connection between performers and audiences. This sets it apart from both the Greek Theater and the Hollywood Bowl. There is simply no bad seat in the house, unless a 6 foot tall cowboy sits in front of you with a 10 gallon hat. To be fair however, performers at both the Greek and the Bowl can, and often do, create a sense of community and closeness with the audiences at their shows.
History of the Ford
The Ford’s history is very interesting. The amphitheater has gone through several changes over the years. It was built in 1920 as the site of The Pilgrimage Play and was originally called the Pilgrimage Theatre. The play’s author, Christine Wetherill Stevenson was an heiress to the Pittsburgh Paint fortune. She loved the rugged beauty of the Cahuenga Pass as a dramatic outdoor setting for her play. Together with Marie Rankin Clarke, she purchased the land, hired architect Bernard Maybeck and had an outdoor amphitheater built. The Pilgrimage Play was performed by noted actors every summer from 1920 to October 1929. Sadly, the original structure was destroyed by a brush fire.
The present poured concrete theater was designed by architect William Lee Woollett in the style of ancient Judaic architecture. Intended to resemble the gates of Jerusalem, it opened in 1931. The Pilgrimage Play was again performed here until 1964. Then a lawsuit forced the closure due to the play’s religious nature. After that time, the Ford was used for Jazz, dance and theater. Highlights included a series of concerts by Jascha Heifetz and Gregor Piatigorsky in 1961 and a 1964 production of King Lear, directed by John Houseman. A long-running series of free concerts featured jazz legends including Chet Baker, Stan Kenton and Louis Bellson.
The Ford’s New Name
In 1976, the Pilgrimage Theatre was renamed the John Anson Ford Theatre in honor of the late Los Angeles County Supervisor’s significant support of the arts. After a brief stint as one of LA’s premier punk music venues in the late 1980s (with legendary performances by Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jane’s Addiction, and The Ramones), the amphitheater received renewed support from Los Angeles County, thanks to then County Supervisor Ed Edelman. More renovations were completed in 2017 to address various infrastructure issues and to improve the venue.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors transferred operation of The Ford to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association in December 2019. The LA Philharmonic Association now operates several venues which together present the absolute highest quality music of virtually every genre here in LA. The Ford is dedicated to presenting a diverse roster of events. Music styles and other types of performance now reflect the diverse communities that comprise Los Angeles County.
