The 54th annual LA Pride Parade isn’t until Sunday, June 9, but the parties are going all weekend and there will be can’t-miss events from virtually every LGBTQ+ promotion team in town. Whether you want to dance to cumbia and reggaetón or check out live performances from local artists, there’s something here to fit into your Pride calendar. Beyond Pride, the first full week of June is packed with a cross-genre mix of concerts from country star Zach Bryan to rock and Español icons Caifanes and Café Tacvba to Janet Jackson’s sold-out night at Kia Forum. On top of that Talking Heads will be in town for sold-out screening of Stop Making Sense at The Pantages. The Damned hit the Fonda on Friday before heading out to play punk fest No Values the following day. Echo and the Bunnymen play Songs to Learn and Sing at the Greek and Jamie Jones DJs in Chinatown’s Central Plaza. Yet, there’s still more to see and hear. Keep reading.
Zach Bryan - Crypto.com Arena (June 3-4)
Zach Bryan, the country star who topped the pop charts last year with “I Remember Everything,” brings The Quittin Time Tour to Los Angeles this week. Monday is the second of three nights he’ll play at Crypto.com Arena. The War and Treaty and Levi Turner open. Bryan concludes his stint in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. Tickets to the all-ages shows are on sale at AXS.
Joe Wong & Friends - Zebulon (June 4)
Host of The Trap Set podcast, Joe Wong begins his weekly June residency at Zebulon on Tuesday night. This week, the composer and musician, who released his most recent album, Mere Survival, earlier this year, will be joined by guests Jeff Parker, Noveller and Colpitts. The event will also include live animation from Pendleton Ward, creator of Adventure Time and co-creator of The Midnight Gospel, the latter of which Wong scored. TIckets at Dice.
Caifanes + Café Tacvba - Hollywood Bowl (June 5)
Since the release of their debut album in 1988, Caifanes has garnered multiple generations of fans with rock en Español anthems like “Viento” and “Afuera.” Joining them at the Hollywood Bowl on Wednesday night are fellow titans of Mexican alternative rock, Café Tacvba. Tickets to the all-ages concert are on sale at Ticketmaster.
Hip-Hop Block Party - GRAMMY Museum (June 6)
Explore the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE after dark on Thursday, June 6 at the Hip-Hop Block Party. The event, which coincides with Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit, will take over every floor of the museum. Check out performances from UraelB, Nilla Allin and Xian Bell alongside DJ R-Tistic, as well as a dance showcase, fashion show and photo gallery. Tickets on sale at the GRAMMY Museum website.
Jon Langford & the Bright Shiners - Zebulon (June 6)
Known for his work as a member of bands like The Mekons, Three Johns and Waco Brothers, Jon Langford joined forces with Alice Spencer of Austin soul outfit Shinyribs, violinist/fiddler Tamineh Gueramy and frequent collaborator John Szymanski for his latest project. Catch Jon Langford & the Bright Shiners, who dropped their debut album, Where It Really Starts back in March, on Thursday night at Zebulon. Tickets at Dice.
The Raveonettes - Teragram Ballroom (June 6)
With a new single, “Return of the Grievous Angel,” out now, The Raveonettes have set out on tour across the U.S. They’ll hit LA’s Teragram Ballroom on Thursday, June 6, with support from New York-based indie rock project Wild Pink. Tickets to the all-ages show are on sale at Ticketmaster.
Lez Croix - Bar Franca (June 7)
For their eighth LA Pride event, Lez Croix takes over the intimate Bar Franca in Downtown LA on Friday night. Catch DJs Bri Giger, Romy and Your Mother playing from 9pm until 2am with more surprises to be announced. No cover, 21 and over.
Queerspace - Silverlake Lounge (June 7)
An LGBTQ+ event with a focus on underground music scenes, Queerspace throws its last hoorah on Friday night at Silverlake Lounge. Performing live are Mz Neon, who merges styles like hip-hop, metal and industrial; and electronic soul artist Softpower. Soltera, Sammie Pearson and Noise Pup are set to DJ. No cover, RSVP at Dice.
Sapphic Factory: Queer Joy Party - Lodge Room (June 7)
With events nationwide, Sapphic Factory’s Queer Joy Party is a chance to dance to LGBTQ+ artists ranging from Tegan & Sara to Kim Petras. The party makes a stop at Highland Park’s Lodge Room on Friday night for an all-ages event. Tickets on sale at the Lodge Room website.
Cumbiatón: Que Viva la Joteria - Echoplex (June 7)
The long-running LGBTQ+-forward cumbia and reggaetón party, Cumbiatón hosts their seventh annual Que Viva la Joteria event for Pride month. This year, the party opens with a panel, “The State of Latinx Politics,” at 7pm. You can RSVP to attend the panel for free and stick around for the party, or if you just want to dance, buy a ticket at Eventbrite for entry after 9pm.
Bears in Space x Horse Meat Disco - Catch One (June 7)
Beloved LA party Bears in Space teams up with London DJ team Horse Meat Disco to throw a Pride party for the books. The epic collab will be at Catch One, the Arlington Heights venue that’s also a historic LGBTQ+ disco. Tickets at Resident Advisor.
The Damned - The Fonda Theatre (June 7)
It’s a night of classic punk in Hollywood on Friday night when iconic British band The Damned headlines The Fonda Theatre the night before their appearance at No Values in Pomona. Joining them are the seminal San Francisco punk band The Avengers. Tickets to the all-ages show are on sale at AXS.
The Cosmic Romantics - PRS (June 7)
They’ve fooled none other than Penn & Teller, and perhaps The Cosmic Romantics will fool you too on Friday night. The LA-based duo - described by Bobcat Goldthwait as “the Lucy and Ricky of magic” - bring their illusions and charm to the Philosophical Research Society stage. Tickets to the all-ages show are on sale at Eventbrite.
No Values - Pomona Fairplex (June 8)
With a lineup that runs the gamut from Iggy Pop to Turnstile, No Values is truly a multi-generational punk fest. The stacked roster of artists caters to the genre’s varied scenes, from ska (The Selekter) to synthpunk (MSPaint) and includes local icons like Social Distortion, Fishbone, Bad Religion, Adolescents and Suicidal Tendencies. Tickets to the all-ages show are on sale at AXS and going fast.
Mariachi USA - Hollywood Bowl (June 8)
For the 35th annual Mariachi USA festival, five of the most distinguished groups in the genre will appear on the Hollywood Bowl stage. Catch Mariachi Campanas de America, Mariachi Los Camperos, Mariachi Cobre, Mariachi Divas and Mariachi Los Reyes all in one night on Saturday, June 8. Tickets on sale at the Mariachi USA website.
Echo & The Bunnymen - The Greek (June 8)
It’s a night of your favorite Echo & the Bunnymen songs— from “The Killing Moon” to “Bring on the Dancing Horses”— when the British band performs their 1985 greatest hits album, Songs to Learn and Sing, at The Greek Theatre on Saturday, June 8. Tickets to the all-ages show are on sale at AXS.
LA Pride in the Park (June 8)
Ricky Martin headlines LA Pride in the Park on Saturday, June 8 at LA State Historic Park in Downtown LA. The pop icon will be joined at the music festival by JoJo Siwa, pop trio MUNA and rapper Tokischa. DJs and related events at the festival are to be announced. Tickets to the all-ages show are on sale at the LA Pride website.
Totally Gay 80s - The Virgil (June 8)
Longtime LA DJ Paul V, who has been behind some of the city’s most beloved club nights, notably Dragstrip 66, plays a Pride set of ‘80s tunes from LGBTQ+-identified artists and bands. Expect to hear anything from Divine to Judas Priest at Totally Gay 80s on Saturday night. No cover.
Preciosa Pride Rave Party - Teragram Ballroom (June 8)
With DJs spinning a mix of cumbia, neoperreo and more, LA’s queer POC party Preciosa has been amassing fans as they tour the country. Preciosa’s recent party for Long Beach Pride sold out, so make sure you get your tickets early for their LA Pride bash at Teragram Ballroom, headlined by Tech Grl. Tickets on sale at Ticketmaster.
A Pride Called Rhonda - Don Quixote (June 8)
As this post goes live, the lineup for A Pride Called Rhonda has not yet been announced. Given Rhonda’s reputation for stellar events, it's safe to say that their Pride party at Don Quixote will be one of LA’s best. Tickets at Resident Advisor.
Velvet Tsunami 10th Anniversary - Golden Hour (June 8)
The Nightbreed x Justin David are back with the 10th Anniversary Velvet Tsunami’s pool party. This year, they’re heading to Golden Hour, the rooftop pool at The Moxy, located across DTLA from LA Pride in the Park. The lineup features James Axon, Edward Frame and a special guest TBA. Tickets at See Tickets.
Jamie Jones - Chinatown Central Plaza (June 9)
Welsh DJ Jamie Jones plays the second of two nights at Chinatown’s Central Plaza on Sunday. If you didn’t get tickets for Saturday’s sold-out show, consider snatching up a pair for Sunday’s fest, which starts at 5pm. Tickets on sale at Dice.