Since it's an outdoor venue, The Greek Theatre gets the inevitable Hollywood Bowl-lite knocks, but it's more intimate. And it attracts cooler concerts year-round—if, that is, you consider baby-boomer and Gen-X faves cooler than Mahler or Bach.

The historic Greek Theatre is a premier LA venue nestled under the stars and amidst the trees, just inside Griffith Park. This 6,162-seat outdoor amphitheater is one-third the size of the Hollywood Bowl and draws more rock shows, primarily those geared for the baby-boomer crowd (James Taylor; Earth, Wind & Fire). But the Greek also draws its share of up-and-coming rock acts fresh from the club scene but not yet ready for the Staples Center.