The Greek Theatre: The Story Of An L.A. Icon
Discover one of L.A.'s favorite music venues
One of LA's most storied music venues, the Greek Theatre is owned by the City of Los Angeles and operated by ASM Global. The 5,900-seat amphitheatre has hosted some of the most legendary performances in music history, including the Neil Diamond concert on Aug. 24, 1972 that was released as the iconic Hot August Night double album.
The Greek Theatre was the brainchild of Griffith J. Griffith, who gifted the city 3,000 acres of land in 1896 that became Griffith Park. Today, the park spans more than 4,200 acres and is also home to the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles Zoo and Autry Museum of the American West. Griffith Park was named a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in January 2009.
In his will, Griffith set aside funds for the construction of a Greek temple-inspired theatre. Located in a canyon within Griffith Park, the Greek Theatre was designed by LA-based architecture firm Norton & Wallis in collaboration with noted architect Frederick Heath of Tacoma, Washington. The cornerstone was laid in 1928 and the building was officially dedicated on Sept. 25, 1930. According to the Greek's website, the first performance took place on June 26, 1931 with a crowd of 4,000 in attendance.
The Greek was used intermittently during its early years and it functioned as a barracks during World War II. Since the 1950s, numerous promoters and entertainment companies have worked with the City of Los Angeles to maintain and update the historic concert venue.
The most recent renovation was a multi-year project helmed by historic preservation firm Page & Turnbull. Completed ahead of the Greek's 90th anniversary, the revamp included the restoration of its famed entry doors and signature green-glazed tile roof.
Hot Summer Nights
Concert season at the Greek runs from spring through summer and into fall. Artists typically play one night, though if there's demand - such as The National on May 30-31 - a second show will be added.
Highlights of the 2023 season include:
- Blondie + The Linda Lindas (April 19)
- Sabrina Carpenter (April 20)
- Light Up the Blues 6 (April 22)
- Ne-Yo, Robin Thicke, Mario (April 29)
- Lewis Capaldi (May 3)
- The Whispers, Jeffrey Osborne, Con Funk Shun (May 6)
- Placebo (May 11)
- Hippo Campus (May 14)
- Dwight Yoakam + Emmylou Harris (May 18)
- Billy Strings (May 19)
- Brett Young (May 20)
- The National (May 30-31)
- Seal (June 7)
- Garbage + Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds (June 9)
- The Driver Era (June 11)
- Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band (June 15)
- Elvis Costello & The Imposters (June 16)
- Cake (June 21)
- Barenaked Ladies (June 23)
- Freestyle Festival (July 8)
- Le Tigre (July 9)
- Charlie Puth (July 11)
- Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit (July 14)
- Goth Babe (July 15)
- Jimmy Eat World + Manchester Orchestra (July 19)
- Cavetown (July 20)
- Tori Amos (July 21)
- Ween (July 28)
- Natalia Lafourcade (Aug. 3-4)
- Ziggy Marley + Trombone Shorty (Aug. 5)
- Regina Spektor (Aug. 10)
- Noah Kahan (Aug. 11)
- Gipsy Kings feat. Nicolas Reyes (Aug. 12)
- Los Lonely Boys (Aug. 13)
- beabadoobee (Aug. 14)
- Cigarettes After Sex (Aug. 17-18)
- Chicago (Aug. 19)
- Michael Franti & Spearhead (Aug. 20)
- Darius Rucker (Aug. 23)
- Mt. Joy (Aug. 25)
- Lost 80s Live (Aug. 27)
- Sigur Rós (Aug. 28)
- Sylvan Esso (Aug. 31)
- Aly & AJ (Sept. 8)
- The Revivalists + Band of Horses (Sept. 10)
- Van Morrison + Taj Mahal (Sept. 17 & 19)
- Catch You on the Rebound: Brenton Wood + Barbara Mason (Oct. 7)
- Intocable (Oct. 8)
- Joe Russo's Almost Dead (Oct. 14)
A Star is Born
The Greek Theatre is a star in its own right, with appearances in Get Him to the Greek (2010), Bye Bye Birdie (1963) and several concert films. Perhaps most famously, the Greek stage is the setting for the show-stopping performance of the Oscar, Grammy and BAFTA Award-winning "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper from A Star is Born (2018).
Getting To the Greek
On-site parking options include General Parking, Lot C, Lot G, Lot F (Motorcycle) and ADA. For $10 per person, off-site parking is available at the Pony Ride Train Lot in Griffith Park (4400 Crystal Springs Dr.). From there, catch one of the shuttles that run to and from the Greek every 15-30 minutes.
The DASH Observatory Bus offers convenient transportation to two L.A. icons, the Greek Theatre and the Griffith Observatory. The service runs seven days a week — even on Mondays, when the Observatory is closed. Connect to the DASH Observatory bus via the Sunset/Vermont Station of the Metro B Line (Red). The DASH Observatory Bus runs every 20 minutes Monday through Friday from noon to 10pm and on weekends from 10am to 10pm.
The designated rideshare drop-off / pick-up is located in Lot C on Vermont and Commonwealth (entrance on Vermont).
The Greek Theatre
2700 N. Vermont Ave, Los Angeles 90027
844.524.7335
www.lagreektheatre.com
