The best concerts in L.A. this May

Treat your ears to a vibrant concert on a spring or summer night this year by attending MUSE/IQUE’s annual program. This monthly series of performances, held at cultural venues across L.A., features a mix of performances inspired by music movements and public figures, including tributes to Ray Charles, immigrant film composers, the Memphis sound, Etta James and more. The best way to attend is to become a MUSE/IQUE member; you could make a $75 donation to the performing arts nonprofit for a single event (with the exception of September’s free open house), but if you’re interested in more than just one, it’s cheaper per event to become a full-fledged member.

The first time you listened to “Ya Ya,” you just knew that Cowboy Carter was made for the stage, right? Well, Beyoncé will finally tour behind her country-influenced album, and the limited run of dates includes five nights in L.A. at SoFi Stadium.

This chill fest—quite literally compared to the scorching desert outings—brings a few dozen acts to San Luis Obispo. This year’s lineup includes Jungle, Wallows, Goth Babe, Odd Mob, Kream and Briston Maroney at Dairy Creek Golf Course.

This laid-back, Gen X-ish music fest will once again take over the Redondo Beach coastline for three days in May. Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, Alanis Moriessette, Train, Cake, Pretenders, O.A.R., Mt. Joy and Jackson Browne top this year’s lineup.

Expect a world of glam electro-pop anthems and glittering costumes when the disco-inspired Australian duo Empire of the Sun comes to town. Catch them during Cercle Odyssey’s L.A. debut at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with a performance featuring a “visual narrative” from their creative team. South African brother duo Roi Turbo opens. 

Moby’s quiet roles as an animal rights advocate, vegan and blogger belie his fervent musical output: over a dozen studio albums that’ve jumped from hardcore and dance to blues and glam rock. The DJ is playing during the L.A. debut of Cercle Odyssey, “the world’s first 360-degree nomad concert” that merges sound and visuals for an immersive concert experience. Moby’s two sets May 9 will be his only live shows this year.

It’s another year of major top-of-the-chart artists headlining Wango Tango, with Doja Cat, Gwen Stefani, Meghan Trainor, David Guetta, Katseye, NMIXX, xikers, Hearts2Hearts and A2O MAY. Essentially, your 405-gridlock moments blasting KIIS FM radio (likely singing solo karaoke) are kicking up a notch from stereo to the big stage—with Ryan Seacrest on hosting duty—at Huntington City Beach.

The aughts indie nostalgia shows no signs of stopping, so it’s no surprise that Just Like Heaven—a music fest that’s featured basically every beloved 2000s indie band—is coming back for its fifth edition. The fest will take over the golf course next to the Rose Bowl on May 18, 2025 with a lineup that’s largely pulled from your old iPod: Vampire Weekend, a reunited Rilo Kiley, Empire of the Sun, Bloc Party and TV on the Radio top the lineup, with additional sets from Slowdive, the Drums, Courtney Barnett, Panda Bear and more. Given the Pasadena setting, Goldenvoice will offer wildfire first responders two complimentary passes, while supplies last. Tickets go on sale Friday, January 31 at 11am.

Whether he’s playing White Stripes songs or ripping through the raucuous blues of his solo efforts, Jack White absolutely delivers in his live sets. After a run of small, announced-last-minute shows over the fall (including ones at the Lodge Room and Mayan), White returns to L.A. for his proper “No Name” tour, with two nights at the Hollywood Palladium.

Make your way to the desert for the Joshua Tree Music Festival, a gathering of like-minded indie musicians who will be rocking out to a dance-world-electro-funk’n groove. The biannual festival is a four-day party with over 30 bands in a unique lineup of artists who aren’t necessarily household names. There’s free water to all patrons, minimal service charges on tickets and yoga classes aplenty.