To help you make sense of all the headliners rolling through town (there are some major ones) and fill you in on the under-the-radar gigs you should know about, we've rounded up the 15 best concerts you simply gotta see. And, just to make it extra-fun, we've picked your date for you. Whether you're a classic-rock fan or a Swiftie, trust us when we say there's something on this list for every type of music lover out there. Click through to see which shows made the cut, and swipe up those tickets ASAP.
The Concert: Emmy the Great
Whom to take: Your ridiculously cool co-worker you want to impress with your discerning taste.
Seeing this British singer-songwriter at Hollywood's intimate venue The Hotel Cafe is the perfect way to prove you've got serious indie cred. Warning: You'll definitely get "Swimming Pool" stuck in your head post-concert.
When: Wednesday, June 10, 7 p.m.
Where: The Hotel Cafe, 1623 1/2 North Cahuenga Boulevard (near Selma Avenue); 323-461-2040.
The Concert: Alice Smith
Whom to take: Your Champagne-drinking girl gang, because an Alice Smith show is no place to be without your ladies.
The Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter's music is a mix of rock, pop, and R&B. She's only scheduled to perform two shows this summer: One in L.A. and one in San Francisco, so you better take advantage of the opportunity to see her live while you can.
When: Thursday, June 25, 8 p.m.
Where: The Roxy Theatre, 9009 Sunset Boulevard (near Hammond Street); 310-278-9457.
The Concert: The Kills
Whom to take: Your significant other, because they'd kill you if you didn't take them to one of the raddest shows ever.
The Kills put on the kind of performance that will make you feel like a total badass, too. And, hey, you may even get a glimpse of guitarist Jamie Hince's wife (that'd be Kate Moss, FYI).
When: Monday, July 27, 9 p.m.
Where: El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Boulevard (near South Cochran Avenue); 323-936-6400.
The Concert: Ryn Weaver
Whom to take: Your roommate, who needs to upgrade her Saturday-afternoon cleaning jams to something from this year (please!).
The 22-year-old will be on tour promoting her upcoming debut album, The Fool, set to be released on June 16. For a preview of what to expect at this up-and-comer's show, peek her newest song, "OctaHate."
When: Monday, July 13, 9 p.m.
Where: El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Boulevard (near South Cochran Avenue); 323-936-6400.
The Concert: Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean
Whom to take: Your single former sorority sisters, because cowboys.
If you're the type to swoon over men in cowboy hats, we think we've found your heaven on earth: Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean are teaming up for a blowout show at The Rose Bowl in July. Cowboy boots are required.
When: Saturday, July 25, 5 p.m.
Where: The Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive (near Seco Street); 626-577-3100.
The Concert: Peter Frampton and Cheap Trick
Whom to take: Your parents, so they don't take you off the family plan like they've threatened to all year.
This is a throwback, two-for-one concert featuring Peter Frampton and the '70s band Cheap Trick, all of whom give Mick Jagger a run for his money in the old-dudes-that-rock arena. You know we'll be on our feet for "I Want You To Want Me."
When: Friday, June 12, 7 p.m.
Where: The Greek Theatre, 2700 North Vermont Avenue (near Vista del Valle Drive); 323-665-5857.
The Concert: Willie Nelson
Whom to take: Your older brother, who will school you on Willie Nelson facts and buy the beers.
Listen: The icon is 82 years old, so it's safe to say he knows how to put on one chill show.
When: Saturday, July 18
Where: The Greek Theatre, 2700 North Vermont Avenue (near Vista del Valle Drive); 323-665-5857.
The Concert: Ariana Grande
Whom to take: Your Spin-class buddy, who you know will bust a move with you as soon as "Bang Bang" plays.
See the now-famous ponytail IRL as the pint-size singer takes on The Staples Center just in time for summer's end.
When: Friday, September 11, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Staples Center, 1111 South Figueroa Street (near West 11th Street); 213-742-7100.
The Concert: FYF Fest
Whom to take: Your entire Saturday-night posse, because the only thing that makes a music festival more fun is a rowdy crew to enjoy it with.
When it comes to your FYF Fest companions, wallflowers need not apply. Bring pals who can rock out with you at this DTLA festival, where you'll be able to catch Solange, Frank Ocean, FKA Twigs, Morrissey, Bloc Party, and many, many more awesome acts.
When: Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23
Where: The L.A. Sports Arena & Exposition Park, 700 Exposition Park Drive (near Figueroa Street); 213-744-7458.
The Concert: Wiz Khalifa
Whom to take: The Tinder date that you can't take seriously, but you also can't quite quit.
Jamming out to Wiz Khalifa under the stars at The Hollywood Bowl? Count us in. As a bonus, Fall Out Boy will also be performing the same night.
When: Monday, August 10, 7 p.m.
Where: The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Avenue (near Odin Street); 323-850-2000.
The Concert: Shania Twain and Gavin DeGraw
Whom to take: Your best friends from college, because if you can't sing along to Shania and Gavin with them, whom can you do it with?
If Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean weren't enough of a country powerhouse duo, allow us to introduce another: Shania Twain and Gavin DeGraw, who will be performing at The Staples Center in August.
When: Thursday, August 20, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Staples Center, 1111 South Figueroa Street (near West 11th Street); 213-742-7100.
The Concert: Journey
Whom to take: Your dad, because your last two Father's Day gifts consisted only of a phone call (on said family plan, mind you).
"Don't Stop Believin'" — need we say more? This legendary band has been going at it since 1973, and their iconic songs are just as good as ever, making this the perfect cross-generational concert.
When: Saturday, June 20, 8 p.m.
Where: The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Avenue (near Odin Street); 323-850-2000.
The Concert: Florida Georgia Line
Whom to take: Your friend who hasn't stopped blasting "Cruise" for the last three years (if you can't beat 'em, join 'em).
It's true: Florida Georgia Line does have other songs besides "Cruise," and you can witness them live at the band's forthcoming concert in August.
When: Thursday, August 27, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Rabobank Arena, 1001 Truxtun Avenue (near N Street), Bakersfield; 661-852-7300.
The Concert: Ingrid Michaelson
Whom to take: Your mom, because a feel-good girls' night out is probably way overdue.
The indie-pop singer-songwriter is promoting her fifth album, Lights Out, which just came out in April. If we had to guess, the show will be just as sweet as "The Way I Am."
When: Thursday, June 11, 7:30 p.m.
Where: The Greek Theatre, 2700 North Vermont Avenue (near Vista del Valle Drive); 323-665-5857.
The Concert: Taylor Swift
Whom to take: Your little sister, because the cost of tickets will forever make her exalt you as the best sister ever.
Not that there's any shame in going to a T-Swift concert well past your teens, but you know your younger sib is just dying to tag along. Swift will be in L.A. for a whopping five different nights in late August as part of her 1989 World Tour, so you have ample opportunity to see her — and opener Haim, too!
When: Click here for dates
Where: The Staples Center, 1111 South Figueroa Street (near West 11th Street); 213-742-7100.
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