Sheryl Crow headlines Nov. 14 event, reviving WeHo’s beloved Sunset Strip Music Festival & bringing major live music back to the boulevard.
Admittedly, it can be disheartening to watch California and Los Angeles get dissed daily in the international media. And no, I don’t have my head in the sand. L.A. and West Hollywood have changed considerably over the past few years, and the city isn’t quite the carefree, anything-can-happen party destination it was a decade ago.
But here’s the thing: L.A. is still an extraordinary place to live.
Where else can you enjoy spectacular weather all year, meet fascinating people from around the world, and stumble upon an unforgettable concert or street festival without leaving the city or even your own neighborhood?
Case in point: the return of the Sunset Strip Music Festival (SSMF), now reimagined as Live on Sunset.
On Saturday, November 14, the new concert experience will bring major musical performances back to Sunset Boulevard, reviving the event that once transformed West Hollywood’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll corridor into an enormous outdoor party.
Live on Sunset: November 14
Sheryl Crow may know a thing or two about having fun until the sun comes up over Santa Monica Boulevard, but on November 14, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is heading north to Sunset Boulevard to headline Live on Sunset, a new iteration of the beloved Sunset Strip Music Festival.
The event will take place between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard, 4-11 p.m. and include an all-day lineup of musical acts, including Local Natives, Empress Of, Grace Bowers, Doug Locke, and DJ Mia Moretti.
Admission is free, but you must register at LiveOnSunsetWeHo.com.
Longtime West Hollywood residents will remember when the original festival brought major artists—including Ozzy Osbourne , Mötley Crüe, and Linkin Park—to the Strip for a celebration of the neighborhood’s remarkable musical history. The event became a signature West Hollywood attraction before its run ended in 2017.
Now, Live on Sunset brings that festival back in a new format, giving music fans another opportunity to experience live performances on one of the world’s most famous boulevards. Plus, this time around the event is free to the public!
“The Sunset Strip is one of the most legendary music destinations in the world, and Live On Sunset is an opportunity to celebrate that extraordinary legacy while creating an exciting new chapter,” says West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman.
“For generations, artists, musicians, and fans have come to the Sunset Strip to experience something they couldn’t find anywhere else,” he adds. “We’re thrilled to bring live music out onto Sunset Boulevard and invite everyone to experience the energy, creativity, and unmistakable spirit that continue to make the Sunset Strip such an important part of culture.”
And what better way to launch this next chapter than with Sheryl Crow? Her catalog, spanning the sun-soaked sing-alongs “All I Wanna Do” and “Soak Up the Sun” to the blistering blues-rock of “My Favorite Mistake,” is practically tailor-made for a SoCal afternoon.
The event will take place from 4 to 11 p.m. along Sunset Boulevard, between Doheny Drive and San Vicente Boulevard. Admission is free with registration, and additional performers and attractions make this a compelling reason to get out and enjoy West Hollywood this fall.
The Party Never Really Stops in L.A.
Let’s be honest: November is a pretty good time to be in Los Angeles.
While much of the country is bundling up for winter, we can be standing on Sunset Boulevard, singing along to Sheryl Crow and wondering why anyone would willingly live somewhere that requires scraping ice off a windshield.
For all its challenges, L.A. continues to offer experiences that are difficult to replicate anywhere else. Our music history, our neighborhoods, our diverse mix of people and our outdoor lifestyle remain reasons to celebrate.
And when it comes to keeping the history and spirit of rock and roll alive, we have to give to give props to people who continue to welcome this energy–from the City of West Hollywood to the owners of the Whisky A Go-Go, Roxy, and legendary Rainbow. Whether it’s giving props to a late rock legend on a marquee, or hosting a tribute night to a music icon, these venues have always unshakably supported live rock-and-roll music.
So, here’s to Live on Sunset, the return of a major music event that West Hollywood has been missing. The world can keep complaining about Los Angeles. We’ll be busy enjoying it.
See you on Sunset.
Orion 2013 is set for June 8 and 9. However, unlike other major rock fests like Indio, California’s Coachella and Chicago’s Lollapalooza, Orion is heading out on the road and shifting locations to the Motor City.
