Unrivaled views and stunning architecture set the backdrop for some of today’s most cutting-edge music at Off the 405. These free all-ages concerts showcase the influential and forward-thinking acts that call L.A. home alongside nationally recognized artists hailing from New York, Nashville, and more.
The 2017 series brings an eclectic mix ranging from arty dance music and retro reinterpretations from strong female voices to musicians who display a virtuosic sensibility both in technical skill and radical attitudes. Each band takes the stage at twilight for a magical atmosphere.
Before and after the live sets, local tastemakers and special guests will DJ music to set the mood. Visitors can wander through the galleries and roam the Getty’s Central Garden throughout the night. Cash bars feature local beer, signature agua fresca cocktails, and a special menu of snacks.
Off the 405 2017 Lineup
The 2017 season kicks off May 20 with Los Angeles electronic pop artist Nite Jewel, who brings her mesmerizing, gauzy dancefloor hits to the outdoor stage. Celebrating the release of her new album Real High, Nite Jewel channels expansive, moody love songs that cycle through a nostalgia for the ’80s and ’90s, encompassing everything from disco and R&B to shoegaze and lo-fi art rock. Nite Jewel’s husband and collaborator, producer and musician Cole M.G.N., will DJ the night.
Up next, on June 10, is the jangly, modish cool of the Kinks colliding with the flowery San Francisco bohemia of White Fence, the central project of the multi-faceted musician Tim Presley, who updates his ’60s-influenced brand of psychedelic rock with a punk and garage edge.
Proving that depth and fun don’t need to be mutually exclusive, La Luz combines bright, snappy surf music, retro girl-group harmonies, and indie rock into one smart package. Performing on June 24, La Luz’s fuzzy and lo-fi doo-wop might initially transport you to a cheerful vision of a sun-drenched beach in a bygone era, but there is an undeniable undercurrent of deep intensity and knowing lurking in these evocative songs.
Taking the stage July 29, acclaimed New York-based singer-songwriter Steve Gunn brings his guitar-forward rock to the courtyard stage with a signature blend of country blues, underground, and psych. His compositions have evolved through numerous notable friendships and collaborations with musicians like Kurt Vile, Meg Baird, Lee Ranaldo, and British legend Michael Chapman. Guitarist James Elkington performs a special opening set.
On August 26, ’70s nostalgia band Savoy Motel comes to the Getty with an intensely orchestrated hybrid of glam rock, soul, southern boogie, and showmanship. This revivalist Nashville quartet features the interplay of three lead vocalists combined with intense fuzz guitar and rhythms of clockwork precision in each song, resulting in a sizzling style of funky rock.
All concerts are free and take place in the Museum Courtyard from 6pm to 9pm. No tickets or reservations required. Parking at the Getty Center is $15 and is reduced to $10 after 3pm.
Stay Tuned for Friday Flights!
Friday Flights is a series of interdisciplinary happenings that brings together a range of Los Angeles-based artists to transform the Getty experience.
Held monthly each June, July, and August, Friday Flights invites artists to respond to the Getty’s unique architecture and garden and forge new connections to the collections and exhibitions through music, performance, and other creative interventions.
Mark your calendars dates for Friday Flights on June 16, July 14, and August 25, 2017.