The best upcoming concerts in L.A.

Tyler, the Creator owes much of his current success to the controversy that he generated as the sophomoric figurehead of Odd Future, the anarchic local hip-hop collective that introduced Earl Sweatshirt and Frank Ocean to the world. But Tyler’s latest records have moved beyond the shocking and often problematic rhymes of his past, taking a more open and confessional tone about the artist’s own sexuality to make some of his most beautiful work to date. On the heels of his latest Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival this past November, he’s playing six shows at Crypto.com Arena. Lil Yachty and Paris Texas will open the Chromakopia: The World Tour shows.

Sleepy-voiced Colorado alt-folk troubadour Nathaniel Rateliff has long been turning heads with his handsome word-spinning and warm, lived-in melodies. A former support act for Mumford & Sons, Bon Iver and Delta Spirit, Rateliff & the Night Sweats have continued their steady rise and are now headlining the Forum. Opening for them are special guests Waxahatchee and Iron & Wine, making for an immaculate indie-folk lineup.

Enjoy live music and good vibes for free on select Sunday afternoons at the United Theater on Broadway (formerly the Theatre at Ace Hotel). The shows take place in the lobby of the theater—but luckily the three-store lobby is one of the ornate 1920s theater’s most beautiful spaces. This time around, hear the stylings of acclaimed Indian jazz guitarist Pritesh Walia. Food and brunch cocktails will be available for purchase, and all attendees will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to any upcoming United Theater show. 

Among the recent glut of airy-voiced synth-pop acts (Chvrches et al), Phantogram continues to stand out with its hypnotically sensual dance-rock and not-so-secret hip-hop inspirations (the band has collaborated with the likes of Big Boi and Action Bronson). The L.A.-based duo is playing the Palladium, promoting their fifth album, Memory of a Day, which blends “guitar-driven dark psychedelia and electronic pop.”

Soul titan Mary J. Blige has shifted millions upon millions of albums over the past three decades. Expect to hear old favorites as well as new jams during this stop at Intuit Dome.

Best known as the brother of pop sensation Billie Eilish, Finneas Baird O’Connell is his sister’s most trusted collaborator, serving as a producer and cowriter of much of her music. While he doesn’t have the voice of Eillish, Finneas does have a self-aware music persona that he employs on his solo catalog of jaunty pop anthems and moody ballads.

A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, YG and Ken Carson headline this two-day fest, whose lineup is always a who’s who of hip-hop. For its 10th year, Rolling Loud is back in Inglewood at Hollywood Park, on the grounds next to SoFi Stadium, where you’ll also find a Ferris wheel, immersive art installations and a karaoke bar. The likes of Sexyy Red, Ski Mask the Slump God, BLXST, Destroy Lonely, Quavo, BossMan Dlow, Gelo, Dom Kennedy and dozens more complete the lineup. Plus, special guest Peso Pluma will make history as the first non-hip-hop act to headline the fest when the Mexican artist takes the stage on Saturday—a sign of regional Mexican music’s influence on pop culture. A portion of all this year’s net ticket sales will be donated to help rebuild communities impacted by the wildfires.

Gary Lightbody and co. return with their first tour since 2019, including this show at the Wiltern. Expect new tracks that hew to the Snow Patrol sound you’ve always known, with singer-songwriter tendencies that borrow the best melodic elements from Britpop and indie rock’s dreamy, anthemic past.

This springtime spinoff in Insomniac’s Wonderland series adds a whimsical, carnival-like atmosphere to the house, techno, dubstep, trance and bass-heavy festival. Go down the rabbit hole with multiple themed stages, where the likes of deadmau5, Zeds Dead, Illenium, Excision, Louis the Child, Seven Lions, Odd Mob and more will perform.

This concert will change your life: The Shins, Iron & Wine, Frou Frou, Colin Hay, Thievery Corporation, Remy Zero, Cary Brothers, Bonnie Somerville and Zero 7 collaborator Sophie Barker will play through songs from the Garden State soundtrack. The 20th anniversary show at the Greek benefits the Midnight Mission.