If your idea of a perfect L.A. summer evening includes sweeping views, snacks, and soul-shaking live music—ideally with your kids dancing nearby while you sip something cold—you’ll want to mark your calendar. “Off the 405,” the Getty Center’s free outdoor concert series, is back with a five-show lineup that feels more curated than commercial, and refreshingly grounded in what makes L.A.’s creative scene hum.
The series kicks off May 31 and runs on select Saturdays through August 23, each evening starting with a live DJ set at 6 p.m. before the main act. Think less “bring a beach chair and zone out” and more “come for the vibe, stay for the revelation.” This year’s roster includes genre-benders, cello dreamscapes, and at least one cinematic composer who might make you cry in a good way.
What’s notable is how Off the 405 resists the impulse to go big just for the sake of buzz. Instead, Getty’s performance team has stacked the schedule with artists pushing boundaries and gently subverting expectations—perfect for Angelenos who like their art with a side of weird, warm night air. Sarah Cooper, Getty’s performance program specialist, sums it up as “a space where adventurous music and iconic architecture converge.” It’s not hype. It’s accurate.
Among this year’s standout picks:
SML (May 31) – A jazz-leaning, synth-laced ensemble that sounds like a jam session between Miles Davis and an ambient soundscape artist in a Silver Lake garage.
Mabe Fratti (June 14) – A cellist whose music feels like a private whisper echoing across a dream.
Madi Diaz (July 12) – Folk-pop with emotional punch; like your favorite sad-girl summer playlist, but performed live under the stars.
Empress Of (July 26) – Pop with bilingual sparkle, Hollywood edge, and just enough self-aware camp to make you grin.
Emile Mosseri (Aug 23) – Composer turned solo artist who brings his film-score intimacy to the stage. Bring tissues.
Practical tips? Yes, you’ll need to reserve tickets—those drop three weeks ahead of each show, and they go fast. Parking is $25 unless you arrive after 6 p.m. (then it’s just $10, and free starting June 17 when new hours kick in). You can bring your own picnic, but don’t try sneaking in wine—outside alcohol is a no-go. And while the performances are the draw, the early arrival suggestion is smart. The Getty’s galleries are open, and wandering through a cool marble hallway before stepping out into a dusky, music-filled courtyard is a little bit magical.
L.A. doesn’t always make space for slow, artful evenings. “Off the 405” at the Getty Center does. And it does it with style.
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