EDM

My passion for electronic music started while living in Los Angeles. While my friend and I were partying at a club I met a couple that took us under their wings and showed us the raver world. Soon I had a rave family I would do anything for and was learning how to do the Melbourne shuffle and how to give a light show with gloves. In this period of my life I discovered which LA night clubs host EDM DJs and what festivals to look forward to throughout the year. Below I’ll be highlighting these events. If you can time a trip to LA with a music festival the journey will suddenly become extremely worth it!

Clubs

Exchange LA​– Located in Downtown LA, this club often has big name electronic DJs on the weekends.

Avalon​– Located in Hollywood, this club has DJs on most weekends. There is a big upstairs balcony as well as a ground level dance floor.

Create​– Now apparently called Academy Night Club, not sure what the new management is like but it used to be fun, though cramped. The outside smoking area had couches and twinkly lights.

Belasco​– this theatre occasionally will hold themed events like Paja Jam. It has many rooms with different DJs that you can explore.

Palladium​– events of many different genres of music are held here. I know about it because Excision always plays here when he comes to town.

The Hollywood Bowl​- this outdoor amphitheatre holds many different types of events in the spring through fall.

Festivals

Mad Decent Block Party​- hosted in Downtown LA, typically in September. This event gives you an opportunity to dance to the DJs on the Mad Decent label while surrounded by skyscrapers. This festival has a bro-y feel to it, so expect to see guys in tank tops and lots of food graphics on shirts.

HARD Summer​– Typically in August, this event is usually a short drive from LA but shuttles are provided. I’ve had an amazing time at this festival, dancing for hours in the heat. It is also a bit bro-y with drunk jocks but you’ll definitely find your fellow ravers radiating love and good vibes.

HARD DOTD-​ This festival is held near Halloween in an area near LA. This festival often competes with Escape and which one has the better line up changes yearly. It is a two day festival and you have to commute to the site each day. Lots of people will have skeletons and flowers painted on their faces to celebrate the Day of the Dead.

Nocturnal Wonderland​– I had the best time at this festival. It is a camping festival held in San Bernardino. The event has trippy graphics and art installations. The people here have the best PLUR vibes. You can wander around and have an amazing time regardless of the line up.

Escape​– Thrown by the same people that put on Nocturnal and Beyond Wonderland. This is a Halloween themed camping festival. I’ve never gone because I’m not too keen on Halloween.

Beyond Wonderland​– amazing festival in the spring that kicks off the camping festival season.

Coachella​– I’ve never gone, nor do I want to. It is a bit mainstream for me but I wouldn’t be doing LA justice if I didn’t mention it. It is in the spring and is over two different weekends. It seems to be just as much a fashion show as a music event.