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Best Fall Outdoor Concerts In Los Angeles

With warm sunshine beating down and a unique crisp quality to the air, fall is the perfect time to enjoy an outdoor concert. As the sun sets and the stars come out, bundle up and explore Los Angeles' best outdoor music venues. From big-name acts at historic amphitheaters to cultural performances next to the ocean, these are the best outdoor concerts for those in L.A. this fall.
October 6, 2017
Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show
Chris Martin of Coldplay performs onstage during the Pepsi Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show at Levi's Stadium on February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Matt Cowan/Getty Images)

Coldplay
Rose Bowl Stadium
1001 Rose Bowl Drive
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 577-3100
www.rosebowlstadium.com

Whether it's being used for college football tournaments or world tours from some of rock and rolls biggest acts, the Rose Bowl Stadium is an iconic venue that embodies everything the L.A. music scene is. This month, check out Coldplay as the British band returns with a third date of their A Head Full of Dreams tour (following the two shows they played at the Rose Bowl in 2016 as part of the same tour). The band, who will be performing with Tove Lo and Alina Baraz, is known for hits like "Viva La Vida," "Clocks" and "The Scientist."

October 14, 2017
ford amiptheatre
(credit: Patrick M./yelp)

Bang on a Can All-Stars
John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
2580 Cahuenga Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 461-3673
www.fordtheatres.org

Get cozy at the 1,200-seat amphitheater in the Cahuenga Pass for an evening that celebrates Band on a Can. Launched 30 years ago by Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia Wolfe in an effort to enhance innovative music and offer adventurous programs and education for musicians, the trio returns with "Road Trip," a composition they wrote to encourage free expression and hope. The concert will be performed by a chamber music super group from New York—including cellist Ashley Bathgate, guitarist Mark Stewart and pianist Vicky Chow. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Ford Theatre Foundation.

October 14, 2017
Getty Museum  - Verified Jarone
(credit: Alex Vertikoff, ©2003 J. Paul Getty Trust)

Off the 405 x Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA
J. Paul Getty Museum
1200 Getty Center Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-7300
www.getty.edu

LA/LA initiative, which celebrates Latin American art all over Southern California, is a special Off the 405 event. Before the concert, visit Krysten Cunningham's art installation on the central garden's sloping lawns then enjoy the sounds of Peruvian Maria Chavez's abstract turntable performance. The main act, Helado Negro, is an electronic music project that includes bilingual lyrics, making it the perfect addition to the initiative. The rhythms and melodies are enhanced by loops, and make the perfect soundtrack for an innovative evening outdoors at The Getty.

October 17, 2017
Allison Krauss
(Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Outback Concerts)

An Evening With: Allison Krauss and David Gray
Greek Theatre
2700 North Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(844) 524-7335
www.lagreektheatre.com

Allison Krauss and David Gray will take the stage at the famed Greek Theatre, offering up some enchanting music for a mid-week fall evening. Krauss has been classified as everything from country to pop to folk, with a memorable repertoire and the most Grammy wins of any female artist. David Gray has been performing for more than two decades, and the energy he puts into his live shows is the perfect complement to Krauss.

October 22, 2017
santa monica pier
(credit: oneinchpunch/shutterstock)

Poi on the Pier: Kapa Haka from Across the Pacific
Santa Monica Pier
200 Santa Monica Pier
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8901
www.santamonicapier.org

While the Twilight Concert Series brings massive crowds to the Santa Monica Pier throughout the summertime, the music isn't ending just being fall has arrived. Stop by for a different kind of concert—one that focuses on some traditional song and dance from New Zealand. Kapa haka, a style of dancing in a line, is a type of Māori performing art that will be showcased at the event alongside the singing of traditional songs. In addition to the musical components, the event will include a storytelling aspect that makes it one of the most unique concerts you'll attend this fall.

October 24, 2017
skirball_front-entrance verified ramon
(Credit: Skirball Cultural Center)

"El Automóvil Gris" Featuring a Live Score by Troker
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 North Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-4500
www.skirball.org

Another unique concert that combines various types of media is taking place at Skirball Cultural Center. The center will present a Mexican silent film called "El Automóvil Gris" from 1919, accompanied by a special performance by Troker, a unique six-piece band from Jalisco, Mexico. The band will create a live score for the event—one that includes a blend of jazz, progressive rock, funk and even traditional mariachi. Enjoy many different styles of music as you watch one of the most famous silent films.

October 28 & 29, 2017
Zac Brown Band nominated for Vocal Group Of The Year
(Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Zac Brown Band
Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 850-2000
www.hollywoodbowl.com

Country music fans will be excited about the Zac Brown Band's return to the Hollywood Bowl. The inventive band performs a mix of their own hits, instrumental jam sessions and cover songs from a variety of different music genres. Their energy is infectious as they play songs like "Chicken Fried," "Whatever It Is" and "Knee Deep" as well as their latest single "My Old Man." The band has previously played at the famous Los Angeles venue, but this jaunt comes as part of the Welcome Home 2017 Tour.

November 10 & 11, 2017
hollywoodbowlfireworks verified kellie
(Credit: Los Angeles Philharmonic Association )

Morrissey and Billy Idol
Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 850-2000
www.hollywoodbowl.com

Two huge names will also be coming to the iconic Hollywood Bowl this fall: Morrissey and Billy Idol. Known for his work with indie rock band The Smiths in the 1980s, Morrissey now performs solo. He will be joined by Billy Idol, an English singer that is best known for songs like "Dancing with Myself" and "Rebel Yell."

November 24, 2017
LACMA  - Verified Jarone
(credit: Weldon Brewster)

Kim Richmond and Kimberly Ford "Herbie Hancock/Joni Mitchell Project"
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 857-6000
www.lacma.org

During the final Jazz at LACMA performance of the year, saxophonist Kim Richmond will perform with his septet. The group will also be joined by vocalist Kimberly Ford to create some of the finest jazz music you'll hear all fall. In addition to songs from Richmond's latest record, titled "Inner Spirit," the group will perform songs to honor special artists: Herbie Hancock and Joni Mitchell. The free performance will take place in the open-air BP Grand Entrance at the museum, making it the perfect spot to mingle and listen to music after the sun sets.

Ashley Ryan is an Orange County native that loves traveling, live music and photography. She blogs at Pure Wander and freelances for a variety of publications including Newport Beach Magazine and Laguna Beach Magazine.
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