Planning an event? The Los Angeles music scene is incredibly diverse, which means if you’re looking for live entertainment for your guests, you’ll have an overwhelming number of options!
First, though, you’ll want to consider the type of music you’re looking for. What will your guests enjoy? When planning music for a wedding, the couple’s wishes trump everything else. If you’re hiring a band for a dance or party, you’ll want to take all of the guests’ tastes into account. Next, it’s time to find Los Angeles bands for hire – the following are some ways to start your search:
Check Local News Sources and Classifieds
The local classifieds can be a great place to start your research. The Los Angeles Times classified section lists many local performing artists, including DJs, cover bands, and up-and-coming artists. You can also find lots of bands in the Los Angeles eBay Classifieds, as well as within Craigslist Los Angeles (in the musicians category). When you find bands you’re interested in, check for reviews and ratings and see if they have a nearby show booked so that you can check them out for yourself.
Browse Los Angeles Bands for Hire Online
Many websites exist specifically to help Los Angeles bands for hire find gigs. For example, Gig Masters lists over 1,200 wedding bands looking for gigs. You can also check Gig Salad, which features a generous number of cover bands that perform at weddings, parties, school dances, and other events. The website Thumbtack allows you to select the genre of music you want and the type of event, giving you a list of bands that might be a good fit.
Visit Los Angeles Music Venues
Perhaps the best way to assure that you’ll be satisfied with your choice is to see prospective bands perform in person. There are several excellent places around LA to see newcomers in action and get your chance to book the next musical sensation before they’re too expensive to consider. Hotel Cafe in Hollywood, for example, has a speakeasy vibe and features live jazz musicians nightly. It’s a great place to find a smooth jazz act for a wedding reception or other classy event.
The Troubadour in West Hollywood has featured many big names, like Elton John and Guns N’ Roses, but also books smaller, lesser-known bands that are looking for places to perform. The Echo in Echo Park often has live indie music, and it’s the perfect place to find unusual and innovative acts that are a nice change of pace from your typical cover bands. Bootleg Theater has a lively underground music scene and is another great place to check out more offbeat acts.
There is no shortage of great Los Angeles bands for hire – you just have to do the legwork to find the right fit for your special event. The perfect band is out there waiting for you!
Photo by Justin Higuchi
Suzy S.