Live Music Venues in Los Angeles: The Complete Guide to Venue Management Software

Los Angeles is where music careers are made. From the Sunset Strip's legendary rock clubs to the DIY spaces of East LA, the city offers unparalleled opportunities for artists and venues alike. This guide covers everything you need to know about LA's live music scene and how venue management software can help venues thrive.

The LA Music Scene

LA's music industry presence is unmatched. Major labels, management companies, booking agencies, and media outlets are all headquartered here. For venues, this means every show could have industry in the audience.

What makes LA unique:

Global music industry headquarters
Diverse genres from every corner of the world
Year-round outdoor venue weather
Celebrity sightings and surprise performances
Pipeline to film, TV, and sync licensing

Legendary LA Venues

The Troubadour

Capacity: 500
Genre: Rock, indie, singer-songwriter
The Vibe: West Hollywood institution since 1957. Elton John's US debut. Where Joni Mitchell met James Taylor. Still books emerging artists alongside legends.

The Roxy Theatre

Capacity: 500
Genre: Rock, pop, indie
The Vibe: Sunset Strip icon. Neil Young recorded a live album here. Industry showcase venue with serious history.

The Wiltern

Capacity: 1,850
Genre: All genres
The Vibe: Art Deco masterpiece in Koreatown. Perfect mid-size venue for artists graduating from clubs.

The Greek Theatre

Capacity: 5,900
Genre: All genres
The Vibe: Outdoor amphitheater in Griffith Park. One of the most beautiful venues in America. Summer concert series is legendary.

The Echo / Echoplex

Capacity: 350 / 750
Genre: Indie, electronic, experimental
The Vibe: Echo Park venues that define LA's indie scene. Upstairs/downstairs setup allows for diverse programming.

The Bootleg Theater

Capacity: 250
Genre: Indie, alternative, experimental
The Vibe: East LA venue with theater-style seating and standing room. Books adventurous, diverse lineup.

Venues by Capacity

Small (Under 300)

The Satellite (250 cap) - Silver Lake, indie rock
The Bootleg Theater (250 cap) - East LA, experimental
Gold-Diggers (150 cap) - East Hollywood, indie/soul
Zebulon (200 cap) - Frogtown, experimental/jazz
The Moroccan Lounge (250 cap) - DTLA, indie/folk

Medium (300-1000)

The Echo (350 cap) - Echo Park, indie
The Troubadour (500 cap) - West Hollywood, rock/indie
The Roxy (500 cap) - Sunset Strip, rock/pop
Echoplex (750 cap) - Echo Park, indie/electronic
Teragram Ballroom (600 cap) - DTLA, indie/rock

Large (1000+)

The Wiltern (1,850 cap) - Koreatown, all genres
The Fonda Theatre (1,200 cap) - Hollywood, all genres
The Palladium (3,700 cap) - Hollywood, all genres
The Greek Theatre (5,900 cap) - Griffith Park, all genres
Hollywood Bowl (17,500 cap) - Hollywood Hills, all genres

LA's Music Neighborhoods

Sunset Strip (West Hollywood)

Historic rock 'n' roll corridor. The Roxy, Whisky a Go Go, Rainbow Bar & Grill. More tourist-oriented now but still books quality acts.

Key venues: The Roxy, Whisky a Go Go, Viper Room

Echo Park / Silver Lake

Indie music heartland. Where Silversun Pickups, Local Natives, and countless others started. Gentrifying but still the center of LA's indie scene.

Key venues: The Echo, Echoplex, The Satellite, Zebulon

Downtown LA (DTLA)

Rapidly growing arts district with newer venues. More experimental and diverse programming.

Key venues: Teragram Ballroom, The Moroccan Lounge, The Regent Theater

Hollywood

Mix of historic theaters and newer venues. Tourist traffic but also serious music fans.

Key venues: The Fonda Theatre, The Palladium, Amoeba Music (in-stores)

East LA / Boyle Heights

Latinx music hub with venues booking regional Mexican, punk, and everything in between.

Key venues: La Cita, various DIY spaces

Venue Management Software for LA Venues

LA's competitive market means venues need efficient systems. With hundreds of booking requests and industry showcases to manage, venue management software is essential.

Venue Pulse helps LA venues:

Handle high-volume booking requests
Track holds during pilot season and awards season
Manage industry showcases and private events
Discover emerging artists before they break

Learn how Venue Pulse works for venues

How to Book LA Venues

For Emerging Artists

Build a local following first - LA venues want to see you can draw
Start at the bottom - Open mics, DIY shows, small rooms
Network relentlessly - LA is about who you know
Be patient - It takes years to build an LA presence
Use Venue Pulse - Search LA venues and submit booking requests

For Touring Artists

Book 3-4 months ahead - LA venues fill up fast
Consider routing - LA pairs with San Diego, Phoenix, and Las Vegas
Bring your own crowd - LA audiences are notoriously hard to draw
Promote heavily - Competition for attention is fierce
Industry nights - Some venues have specific nights for showcases

What LA Venues Look For

Quality recordings and professional EPK (how to build one)
Realistic draw estimates (LA is brutal on no-shows)
Social proof (streaming, press, notable shows)
Industry buzz (management, label interest)
Professionalism (LA has no patience for amateurs)

The Pay-to-Play Problem

LA has a notorious pay-to-play scene, especially on Sunset Strip. Some venues charge artists to perform or require ticket minimums.

How to avoid:

Research venues before booking
Ask about the deal structure upfront
Avoid venues that require you to sell tickets
Focus on venues that pay guarantees or door deals
Use Venue Pulse to find legitimate venues

Legitimate venues don't charge artists to play.

Industry Showcases

LA is showcase central. Labels, managers, and agents attend shows looking for talent.

Tips for showcases:

Treat every show like someone's watching (they might be)
Invite industry contacts personally
Have your materials ready (EPK, demos, contact info)
Follow up professionally after the show
Don't be desperate—be confident

Challenges in LA

Traffic - Load-in times matter; plan for delays
Parking - Many venues have limited or no parking
Competition - Thousands of artists competing for limited slots
Flaky audiences - LA crowds are notoriously unreliable
High costs - Expensive city for touring artists

Getting Started

Ready to book LA venues? Here's your action plan:

Research - Identify venues that fit your genre and capacity
Attend shows - See venues in person, meet bookers
Prepare materials - Professional EPK, quality recordings
Build locally - If you're in LA, build your home market first
Reach out - Use Band Voyage to plan your tour

Learn more about Venue Pulse | Start planning your tour with Band Voyage

Live Music Venues in Los Angeles: From Clubs to Arenas